[Sand]

I've always been puzzled by the $225 for 3 years of oil change offered by BMW(or BMW dealers?).... seems like a good deal.... but why require the car to have more than 60k miles? When I buy a new BMW, the first 3 oil changes are free and that ends once the car reaches 3 years or 36,000 miles.

so... between 36,001 miles and 59,999 miles or during the 24 months in 4th and 5th year, the customer is supposed to pay full price for simple oil changes?


"BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services* for BMWs that have reached 60 months or 60,000 miles. For one time fixed price of $225, you'll receive 3 years of unlimited oil and oil filter changes, based on your BMW's Condition Based Service (CBS) system."

[dosmildos]

I have no idea about the mileage and time restrictions. Our 550 is on its second three year‘contract’. A single oil change is not much less than the three years deal. I think it’s a good deal. Maybe someone else can share the motivation behind this.

[Sand]

Originally Posted by dosmildos

I have no idea about the mileage and time restrictions. Our 550 is on its second three year‘contract’. A single oil change is not much less than the three years deal. I think it’s a good deal. Maybe someone else can share the motivation behind this.

Thanks! I get why BMW offers this deal. It's a great way to lure customers back to the service department. "Sir, all of your air filters are dirty, we can take care of that for $500 today..." or "your blinker fluid looks cloudy, would you like to have it flushed while we clean the inside of your exhaust tips for a combo discount of $399?"

[OC40]

Originally Posted by Sand

Thanks! I get why BMW offers this deal. It's a great way to lure customers back to the service department. "Sir, all of your air filters are dirty, we can take care of that for $500 today..." or "your blinker fluid looks cloudy, would you like to have it flushed while we clean the inside of your exhaust tips for a combo discount of $399?"

This.

We stopped taking my wife’s mini s to the dealer for oil changes. We would get a twelve page report with “required” services totaling $1M+.

Started using two independent shops that specialize in bmw and neither have ever upsold me.

We were supposed to fix a bushing during our next oil change. Took it in two weeks ago, the SA calls me later in the morning. He said, we reevaluated the bushing and nothing needs to be done at the momement. Maybe at the next oil change.

He could have easily “fixed” it for $550, but was honest about it. The dealer would have added on twelve more items…

[Higgs Boson]

Originally Posted by Sand

Thanks! I get why BMW offers this deal. It's a great way to lure customers back to the service department. "Sir, all of your air filters are dirty, we can take care of that for $500 today..." or "your blinker fluid looks cloudy, would you like to have it flushed while we clean the inside of your exhaust tips for a combo discount of $399?"

There's no BMW with cloudy blinker fluid.

[Sand]

Originally Posted by OC40

This.

We stopped taking my wife’s mini s to the dealer for oil changes. We would get a twelve page report with “required” services totaling $1M+.

Started using two independent shops that specialize in bmw and neither have ever upsold me.

We were supposed to fix a bushing during our next oil change. Took it in two weeks ago, the SA calls me later in the morning. He said, we reevaluated the bushing and nothing needs to be done at the momement. Maybe at the next oil change.

He could have easily “fixed” it for $550, but was honest about it. The dealer would have added on twelve more items…

I had an independent mechanic like that. Great guy who actually lived in Germany for 15 years and worked as a mechanic... moved back to the US and opened his own shop specializing in German cars.

The problem was that he was also quite honest. Some of the things he frequently told me:

"You don't need to flush the rear diff fluid, it looks fine" (car had 80k miles)

"the control arm looked fine, just live with the noise and it may go away" (arm was slightly bent thanks to a pothole)

"I'm not going to do 5000-mile oil changes for you... waste of my time and your money... come in only when the car's computer says it's due for an oil change at 10000 miles or something" (!!!)

"your rear tires can easily last for another 1000 miles, wait until then" (I ended up ordering tires from Tire Rack and had them installed at a local tire shop)

"you don't need to have that leak patched on your exhaust pipe... sounds better that way" (ended up causing me to fail inspection a few months later)

Sometimes I wondered if his shop was in reality a front for the mob or some shady operation... come on... a good mechanic turning down money? He did excellent work on stuff HE approved. For example, fixed a Mercedes transmission for me... took a whole week because the whole thing had to be taken apart and rebuilt.

[Sand]

Originally Posted by Higgs Boson

There's no BMW with cloudy blinker fluid.

that's because you take care of your blinker fluid better than me! you probably have it changed every 3 months or 3000 miles, right? Not to mention the fact that I use my BMW blinkers too much, so the fluid is overworked.

[JABCAT]

BMW oil & filter on my M vehicles is $108 shipped to me. The oil change takes less than 20 min. My dealer is 40 min away and charges $179 plus tax. If I get a free loaner, I have to put gas in it & pay for any tolls. So even at the 3 for $225 price, I'm saving $ & time doing it myself.

[pbonsalb]

It is a subsidized service to get higher mileage cars inti the dealer since they will likely soon need some mire expensive work.

[Sand]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

It is a subsidized service to get higher mileage cars inti the dealer since they will likely soon need some mire expensive work.

not unlike the $4 rotisserie chicken at Costco. highly subsidized and Costco allegedly makes no profit off the chickens. But my shopping car filled with $400 of bulk items plus a $2500 big screen TV more than make up for the $4 chicken that they are losing money on?

[Sand]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

BMW oil & filter on my M vehicles is $108 shipped to me. The oil change takes less than 20 min. My dealer is 40 min away and charges $179 plus tax. If I get a free loaner, I have to put gas in it & pay for any tolls. So even at the 3 for $225 price, I'm saving $ & time doing it myself.

Is it wrong that I love driving almost 2 hours to my nearest BMW dealership for repairs and recalls because my service advisor is a really hot young woman(well, 35 is young for me)?

[StradaRedlands]

Originally Posted by Sand

not unlike the $4 rotisserie chicken at Costco. highly subsidized and Costco allegedly makes no profit off the chickens. But my shopping car filled with $400 of bulk items plus a $2500 big screen TV more than make up for the $4 chicken that they are losing money on?

Same with their gas.

Originally Posted by Sand

Is it wrong that I love driving almost 2 hours to my nearest BMW dealership for repairs and recalls because my service advisor is a really hot young woman(well, 35 is young for me)?

Sounds very intentional on their part!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by Sand

Is it wrong that I love driving almost 2 hours to my nearest BMW dealership for repairs and recalls because my service advisor is a really hot young woman(well, 35 is young for me)?

Absolutely not and there is no need to rationalize your decision as she is the perfect excuse for a road trip!!!

[Westside Guy]

Originally Posted by pbonsalb

It is a subsidized service to get higher mileage cars inti the dealer since they will likely soon need some mire expensive work.

They always find something that you need to service.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Sand

Is it wrong that I love driving almost 2 hours to my nearest BMW dealership for repairs and recalls because my service advisor is a really hot young woman(well, 35 is young for me)?

Can't you get that on your TV or phone for free & save the trip...

[DanG]

[QUOTE=Westside Guy;32357397]They always find something that you need to service.

I have found that not to be true. I have had zero recommendations for additional service.

[Westside Guy]

[QUOTE=DanG;32357430]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

They always find something that you need to service.

I have found that not to be true. I have had zero recommendations for additional service.

I guess it really depends on who you deal with. Recently, I was in for an oil service and my advisor reminded me that next year when my car is 5 years old I am supposed to change my spark plugs.

[Sand]

[QUOTE=Westside Guy;32357686]

Originally Posted by DanG

I guess it really depends on who you deal with. Recently, I was in for an oil service and my advisor reminded me that next year when my car is 5 years old I am supposed to change my spark plugs.

shouldn't it be based on what the service reminder says in the car?

on my car, the spark plug replacement reminder is supposed to come on at 80,000 miles. Not really looking forward to paying the $1700 to have the BMW change just 4 spark plugs... (but still $800 at the local BMW independent shops)

[JTK44]

[QUOTE=Sand;32357760]

Originally Posted by Westside Guy

shouldn't it be based on what the service reminder says in the car?

on my car, the spark plug replacement reminder is supposed to come on at 80,000 miles. Not really looking forward to paying the $1700 to have the BMW change just 4 spark plugs... (but still $800 at the local BMW independent shops)

I have a 2019 E450 where changing the plugs is about $800 - $600 for the E300/350 which are 4 cylinders.

What is the cause of the price to change 4 plugs in a BMW? It certainly cannot be the plugs which are less than $100. Is there that much labor involved?

[JABCAT]

Spark plug notification just popped up on my wife's X3MC. $109 for the spark plugs, don't know why you guys are paying $800 -$1,700

[chowser51]

I was there in March when they offered this. I was at 69k miles. They know I only go there for oil changes because I do my own engine/cabin filters and brakes. They once asked how I do the rear brakes and I showed them bimmerlink lets me put it in service mode.
They know I changed the plugs every 20k in my 4 series as well because I had it tuned so they just did oil changes for me because I can't get under the car that well.

I told the guy that selling me the 3 yr oil change would be a lost on their part because I average 18-19k miles per year and I would be there every six months for a change. He said that's true, it would be a loser for us. I said I really don't want to buy it because I'll probably get another car before I get over on you with this.

Anyways, I bought it. Then in April I went and bought a new car. lol

I found my receipt and I know who bought the car from the Alfa dealership. I'm actually going to stop by tomorrow and drop off the receipt and a bunch of cabin and engine air filters I have in my garage and offer to sell them my winter wheel setup. lol

[tdott]

Originally Posted by JABCAT

Spark plug notification just popped up on my wife's X3MC. $109 for the spark plugs, don't know why you guys are paying $800 -$1,700

Have you seen how many things need to be removed to get to the spark plugs?