[pruettfan]

So I have had my 330i for about a month. A week into ownership I had a bunch of alerts that turned out to be related to a bad battery. They charged $340 to do the diagnosis and replace the battery. I was not happy but I was relieved that it was a simple fix.

Today I took it in for an oil change 89.90 according to the dealerships website. discovered that it was due for an air filter also they wanted $105 and then they wanted $62 to reset the computer. Total bill $278 and no reach around. I will do my own stuff from this point on. Through Tischer I can get all of the stuff I got done today plus the microfilter for 125 bucks. To have the dealership to do all of this plus the microfilter would be $459 for about an hours worth of work. Never again.

[virtualbong]

Are you still under warranty?

[Viper3812]

Originally Posted by virtualbong

Are you still under warranty?

It sounds like he has a cpo'd vehicle with no maintenance.

[pruettfan]

Correct, just over 50,000 miles so no warranty.

[jimk]

LOL, I guess you have not owned a business before. Someone needs to pay for the overhead for running a business and make a profit so they can stay afloat. An indy will most likely be somewhat cheaper but don't expect much lower rates as they'll still need to be purchasing expensive tools, hire competent people to maintain BMWs and other high end cars, pay for all kinds of insurance and taxes, etc.,etc.
Based on what you said, they've correctly diagnosed the issue that you went in asking their help for. I doubt it if you or most of us would have figured out it was a bad battery without hooking the car into a very expensive diagnostic tool. Good luck diagnosing yourself the next issue. If you don't want to get charged at the dealer for silly, easy to do things, learn how to do these yourself and take the time to do it. Your wallet will thank you. If you want to be more adventurous, buy a BT tool and learn how to properly use it to clear maintenance service codes and do other simple tasks. But leave the more complex stuff to a specialist and when they properly fix your car and you are happy, be ready to pay for their service.

[elektra_e90]

just got my 06 330i almost a month and a half ago. i still have free maintenance (under 30k) for a year. slowly appreciating the fact I got the extended maintenance for 2 years -- so i have almost 3 years total free maintenance from the time i bought the car. i hope it will be worth it.

[pruettfan]

Originally Posted by jimk

LOL, I guess you have not owned a business before. Someone needs to pay for the overhead for running a business and make a profit so they can stay afloat. An indy will most likely be somewhat cheaper but don't expect much lower rates as they'll still need to be purchasing expensive tools, hire competent people to maintain BMWs and other high end cars, pay for all kinds of insurance and taxes, etc.,etc.
Based on what you said, they've correctly diagnosed the issue that you went in asking their help for. I doubt it if you or most of us would have figured out it was a bad battery without hooking the car into a very expensive diagnostic tool. Good luck diagnosing yourself the next issue. If you don't want to get charged at the dealer for silly, easy to do things, learn how to do these yourself and take the time to do it. Your wallet will thank you. If you want to be more adventurous, buy a BT tool and learn how to properly use it to clear maintenance service codes and do other simple tasks. But leave the more complex stuff to a specialist and when they properly fix your car and you are happy, be ready to pay for their service.

I actually run a business successfully for many years. I fully understand the financial demands of a business and have no problem with any business making a profit. I also have the right to make a choice as to use the business or not. My objection was that since I was waiting for the car I knew that the entire service took less than 60 mins but for a simple thing like an air filter that costs 25 bucks they charges 105. This is 30 mins of labor for a 10 min job. The local indy shop that has a good rep charges 85 an hour verus 170 an hour at my dealership. I have every intention of using the dealership for actual problems because I agree that they are the experts and have the proper equipment to properly diagnose my problems. For routine maint. however I can do it just as well as they can so I will just do it myself.

[bulldog_yyc]

Originally Posted by jimk

LOL, I guess you have not owned a business before. Someone needs to pay for the overhead for running a business and make a profit so they can stay afloat. An indy will most likely be somewhat cheaper but don't expect much lower rates as they'll still need to be purchasing expensive tools, hire competent people to maintain BMWs and other high end cars, pay for all kinds of insurance and taxes, etc.,etc.
Based on what you said, they've correctly diagnosed the issue that you went in asking their help for. I doubt it if you or most of us would have figured out it was a bad battery without hooking the car into a very expensive diagnostic tool. Good luck diagnosing yourself the next issue. If you don't want to get charged at the dealer for silly, easy to do things, learn how to do these yourself and take the time to do it. Your wallet will thank you. If you want to be more adventurous, buy a BT tool and learn how to properly use it to clear maintenance service codes and do other simple tasks. But leave the more complex stuff to a specialist and when they properly fix your car and you are happy, be ready to pay for their service.

wow thanks for the lecture buddy. So, since you run your own business, you can feel free to get hosed by the stealer.

Competence? do a search and you can find all kinds of stories about that here.

OP youre better off finding a good independent BMW or Euro shop closeby and frequent them; you will typically find better prices, better service and more capability than the dealer

[mylydiamy]

I learned my lesson the hard way : DONT OWN A LUX CAR WITHOUT WARRANTY.

This applies to all lux cars (BMW, MB, AUDI, INFINITI, LEXUS..). The cost of repair is ridiculously high and most of the time you have no choice but take it to dealer since most mechanics around the corner don't have knowledge/tools to diagnose/repair electrical problems which are the major issues with these cars. Once my MB S500 broke down. I got it towed to 3 mechanics and they couldn't figure out. Then I got it towed to MB dealer. They replaced to alternator and the problem was solved. But the cost was mind blowing $1600, just for an alternator!!!

That was a turning point for me. No more lux cars without warranty. Buy them new, drive them 2 or the most 3 years and get a new one. Otherwise stick with more reliable cars like Honda.

[StoneCold]

I heard you Op.

[GregL]

Originally Posted by mylydiamy

I learned my lesson the hard way : DONT OWN A LUX CAR WITHOUT WARRANTY.

This applies to all lux cars (BMW, MB, AUDI, INFINITI, LEXUS..). The cost of repair is ridiculously high and most of the time you have no choice but take it to dealer since most mechanics around the corner don't have knowledge/tools to diagnose/repair electrical problems which are the major issues with these cars. Once my MB S500 broke down. I got it towed to 3 mechanics and they couldn't figure out. Then I got it towed to MB dealer. They replaced to alternator and the problem was solved. But the cost was mind blowing $1600, just for an alternator!!!

That was a turning point for me. No more lux cars without warranty. Buy them new, drive them 2 or the most 3 years and get a new one. Otherwise stick with more reliable cars like Honda.

For the most part I agree, however certain luxury makes and models are just plain more reliable. I kept my Infiniti for 2 years after the warranty ran out because the car only ever went in once for warranty repairs; an oxygen sensor and a crankshaft position sensor needed to be changed. Other than that it it was flawless, didn't even squeak or rattle.

On the other hand my family has a long history with Mercedes and in that regard I definitely agree that those cars need to be under warranty, we always purchased extended warranty and it paid for itself many times over with each car.

What I've learned though is to base it off your particular vehicle. If it has a history of problems then that should be a major indicator to either get rid of it at the 4 year mark or buy the extended warranty offered by the dealer, not the third party one.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

I actually run a business successfully for many years. I fully understand the financial demands of a business and have no problem with any business making a profit. I also have the right to make a choice as to use the business or not. My objection was that since I was waiting for the car I knew that the entire service took less than 60 mins but for a simple thing like an air filter that costs 25 bucks they charges 105. This is 30 mins of labor for a 10 min job. The local indy shop that has a good rep charges 85 an hour verus 170 an hour at my dealership. I have every intention of using the dealership for actual problems because I agree that they are the experts and have the proper equipment to properly diagnose my problems. For routine maint. however I can do it just as well as they can so I will just do it myself.

Seems like every maintenance job on a E90 takes 10 minutes...

The air filter is a PIA to change. It takes more than 10 minutes. You have remove the intake hoses, disconnect the MAF, then pull the air box out, disassemble it (it has like 8 screws or more) replace the filter, then reinstall. They charge you the book rate. The dealer is set up to service everyone's vehicle not just the people who have the ability and tools to do it themselves and complain they get over charged.

[x5m power]

got to trade your vehicle every 3 years to avoid these problems lease or buy its worth it ..

[jimk]

Originally Posted by turkish335

wow thanks for the lecture buddy. So, since you run your own business, you can feel free to get hosed by the stealer.

To each their own buddy. I have excellent results with my dealer and not so good results with my indy. However, I never take in any of my cars for DIY work. Period.
Most who drive newer BMWs can generally afford to pay these premiums. Dealers, indys and tuners will take advantage of that, like it or not (there are some exceptions but we're speaking generally here). Take a look at your mods and re-think your post; do you think they are worth that much? Do you think they would cost as much if they were for a Chevy or a Ford? The BMW marquee drives that added cost and in general most BMW owners can afford to pay this premium. So why not charge it? It is up to you to say no in the first place but if you say yes, don't blame the dealer for taking your money.

[jimk]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

I actually run a business successfully for many years. I fully understand the financial demands of a business and have no problem with any business making a profit. I also have the right to make a choice as to use the business or not. My objection was that since I was waiting for the car I knew that the entire service took less than 60 mins but for a simple thing like an air filter that costs 25 bucks they charges 105. This is 30 mins of labor for a 10 min job. The local indy shop that has a good rep charges 85 an hour verus 170 an hour at my dealership. I have every intention of using the dealership for actual problems because I agree that they are the experts and have the proper equipment to properly diagnose my problems. For routine maint. however I can do it just as well as they can so I will just do it myself.

[bulldog_yyc]

Originally Posted by jimk

To each their own buddy. I have excellent results with my dealer and not so good results with my indy. However, I never take in any of my cars for DIY work. Period.
Most who drive newer BMWs can generally afford to pay these premiums. Dealers, indys and tuners will take advantage of that, like it or not (there are some exceptions but we're speaking generally here). Take a look at your mods and re-think your post; do you think they are worth that much? Do you think they would cost as much if they were for a Chevy or a Ford? The BMW marquee drives that added cost and in general most BMW owners can afford to pay this premium. So why not charge it? It is up to you to say no in the first place but if you say yes, don't blame the dealer for taking your money.

who is blaming the dealer? its the guys decision that was wrong...

FYI, why do people bring the car in for most things? either they dont have time to do it themselves (high demand job) or live in a condo, where they cant work on the car or are afraid of breaking things.

[tres]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

So I have had my 330i for about a month. A week into ownership I had a bunch of alerts that turned out to be related to a bad battery. They charged $340 to do the diagnosis and replace the battery. I was not happy but I was relieved that it was a simple fix.

Today I took it in for an oil change 89.90 according to the dealerships website. discovered that it was due for an air filter also they wanted $105 and then they wanted $62 to reset the computer. Total bill $278 and no reach around. I will do my own stuff from this point on. Through Tischer I can get all of the stuff I got done today plus the microfilter for 125 bucks. To have the dealership to do all of this plus the microfilter would be $459 for about an hours worth of work. Never again.

i suggest you read the diy section and save some money on basic maintainence

[ShinBalNom]

Get extended warranty, unless you think you can do the work yourself... even then, how do you reset ur comp to delete the maintenance light? Cuz BMW claims only they can.

What's f'd up about BMW dealers is that when you do work, like an oil change, they charge you extra to reset your comp... I say for the amount we pay for oil change and other services, resetting your comp/maintenance light should be FREE!!!

[TXSurfer]

Get a BT scan tool and reset it yourself

[DR51FTA]

Originally Posted by jimk

LOL, I guess you have not owned a business before. Someone needs to pay for the overhead for running a business and make a profit so they can stay afloat. An indy will most likely be somewhat cheaper but don't expect much lower rates as they'll still need to be purchasing expensive tools, hire competent people to maintain BMWs and other high end cars, pay for all kinds of insurance and taxes, etc.,etc.
Based on what you said, they've correctly diagnosed the issue that you went in asking their help for. I doubt it if you or most of us would have figured out it was a bad battery without hooking the car into a very expensive diagnostic tool. Good luck diagnosing yourself the next issue. If you don't want to get charged at the dealer for silly, easy to do things, learn how to do these yourself and take the time to do it. Your wallet will thank you. If you want to be more adventurous, buy a BT tool and learn how to properly use it to clear maintenance service codes and do other simple tasks. But leave the more complex stuff to a specialist and when they properly fix your car and you are happy, be ready to pay for their service.

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