Z4-forum.com

We all know that BMWs, like many cars these days have servicing based not only on mileage done but also time.

One thing particularly annoying is my Zed was built late February 2020 but was first registered in September 2020. As a result the first 2 years time based service was in February 2022, not from when it was first used. So I paid for the required first (Minor) service 6 moths earlier than planned.

Now its February again and despite only having 18K on the clock, a Major service is due. This includes the usual oil change and various filters as in the minor service but also includes new spark plugs. It doesn't matter that the plugs are still near perfect, they have to be replaced according to BMW. The main dealer has quoted £586 for the major service. An BMW approved independent has today quoted £436 (The minor service would have been £276).

When I asked why such a large difference in the price between a minor and major service when the only difference I could see was the 4 spark plugs, I was told they also update the software and maps as part of the service. I did tell them that they are updated as part of the connected drive already, told it was a package and without it my car would not show on the BMW service history as being fully serviced.

No doubt I could just have an oil change and filters replaced by just any garage at a lot cheaper cost. Question, is it worth it?

Opinions welcome

Service the car based on mileage perhaps?

BTZ461 wrote: ↑Fri Feb 23, 2024 9:20 pm Service the car based on mileage perhaps?

Loses you the BMW service history, it's mile or time dependant.
BMW will probably argue as it's the above, the fact the car wasn’t registered for 6 months, it's still a time dependant.

Is it out of warranty? If it is, switch to a decent independent.
The only reason I'd use a main dealer for servicing is to maintain a warranty.

It depends what your future plans are for your car.

The UK Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order remains in place, thus as long as your vehicle is serviced, by an independent, with BMW recommended parts it won't affect your warranty and unless you purchased an extension, which expired last September, it is possibly a mute point.

I find it amusing that one would spend +£40k on a car and then decide not to spend the extra £160 (at the indy) on replacing the parts as recommended by the manufacturer based on their experiences, but it is your choice.

BMW are well known for making out of warranty payments if you have an issue but only if the car has a full BMW main dealer service history. Sometimes they cover the cost of new parts, sometimes they pay for everything. Several friends of mine with newer BMW's have been able to do this.

This scenario is the main reason why I got rid of my F33 and bought older BMs without the modern iDrive and their dictatorial service messages.

To get rid of my service lights I had to have a 'major' service which included six plugs (B58) for £450 (indy with BMW software) at just 12,000 miles. Absolutely ridiculous but they "couldn't reset the indicators without them being done". They meant they "wouldn't reset the indicators".

Paid the rip off £450, drove out the garage and half way home the service indicators all lit up again for a brake fluid service! So, from my point of view, that was £450 for nothing as the car had only done about 2,000 miles since the last service!

I agree that the service charges can be a bit of a rip off but if you are thinking of changing your car within say the first 4-5 years the charges are worth it. I changed my 3 year old G29 for a new one last summer and the BMW dealer (who had serviced it) said they didn't need to look at the car as they had the full service history and then gave me what I thought was a very good deal. Of course if you plan to keep it for many years (which is my plan) then it could be worthwhile saving on service costs.

Getting it all done according to time can be a bind. I have a BMW that’s under extended warranty which has low annual mileage and at its mileage of 5000 has already gone through 3 sets of new plugs…. Were they needed? Of course not but for the warranty unfortunately they were vital. The good news though is that you no longer necessarily have to do an oil change every year. With a car out of warranty I would still get it serviced as per the book. I would rather this than potentially have problems further up the line

My understanding of the 4 yearly change of the spark plugs is to prevent them from seizing in situ, which potentially is a very expensive problem.

Unfortunately and sound you believe it my plugs have to be changed every two years or 20000 miles.

My M4 is inits 6th wild change, 3rd brake fluid change and second set of plugs coming up end of march ay 35k miles, totally pointless based on the mileage.

I had a quote from Sytner for a full service and brake fluid change as one gout of sync due to Covid nd they wanted £1050, one local indie was £120 more so sent a few mails and got a quote from Autoworks in Swindon for £725 all in including diff oil, so its off in there at the end of march.

For me its too far out of warranty for any help via BMW if anything goes wrong so, an indie is now the way to go as long as they update the iDrive, I plan to keep the car at least 5 years (at the moment but I may get Pondrewitis at some point), so for me the saving is worth it.

Ole gits rule wrote: ↑Sat Feb 24, 2024 8:43 pm I had a quote from Sytner for a full service and brake fluid change as one gout of sync due to Covid nd they wanted £1050, one local indie was £120 more so sent a few mails and got a quote from Autoworks in Swindon for £725 all in including diff oil, so its off in there at the end of march.

Being an 'M' you get those 'special' 'M' rates, ie double everything!
I may be wrong but I don't think the oil is enriched with gold flakes, or the brake fluid made from Dodo blood. Or the air filter elements made from 1000 year old parchment.
Maybe the plugs are honed from a solid piece of 'unobtainium'?

Thanks for all the feedback guys

As a result on this occasion, I have decided to go with the major service but with an approved Indy nearby,(that B21 uses to tune his yellow peril.) Its money that I don't think is necessary but a compromise that's cheaper than the main dealership and it's still classed as being fully serviced as required if STMBO permits me to have a new 40M hopefully in the not too distant future.

Will be asking for the spark plugs they take out though, just in case I need to replace one in the future. Did the same with injectors in my previous E89 and a forum member benefitted from one. Will still feel ripped off