BMW 3-series 318i Full Service (Berkshire)

[Abu]

Is it reasonable for BMW dealerships and approved garages to be charging such high full-service rates of £450? Also, an additional £100 for investigations too?

Had this quote from two of my local BMW dealers. It's more than double the cost compared to other garages (Halfords, Kwikfit, Mr Clutch etc), but i'm concerned about the service history not going on iDrive and if i can trust other garages.

Anyone have any advice for me? Thanks.

[Greydog]

Hi Abu

Welcome to the Forum

A BMW Dealer will have an hourly rate close to £200 (someone has to pay for the free coffee) plus Oils, Filters and Fluids 

Try a search of the Register of BMW Specialists there should be one nears you who will (a) have all the right kit to provide a good full service and register it on your iDrive.

(b) They will also have up to date Diagnostics but hourly rate will be probably less than £100 per hour, no offense to Halfords Kwik Fit or Mr Clutch but I wouldn't let them loose on my BMW I have watched Kwik Fit boys slamming wheel nuts up with a windy gun and then put a torque wrench on the wheel nut!!! Yep it clicked, it would it's vastly over tightened.

 Hope this helps Good luck

Dave

[Abu]

Thanks Dave, this is really helpful advice. Agree with you about KwikFit and my experience with them in the past has not been great - but just using them to compare against what's out there. Just hoped BMW dealers would be more competitive and appealing to BMW owners financially. The quality of the work is very important, but the variation in cost is what startles me (+100% increase).

My nearest BMW specialist tried to scam me a year ago when i required a change of battery.

Regards,

Abu

[SuzukiBoy2]

I agree with Dave. The IDrive update is not an issue just ensure you keep all original bills/invoices. Oh and Kwikfit is a complete no, no - even for tyres or exhausts.

[SilverJohn]

Main dealers do have special offers occasionally but in general they tend to be the most expensive in my experience. I use a local independent BMW specialist and his rate is <£100 per hour. I've used him for servicing and a couple of small repair jobs and he's proved reliable and fair.

In contrast, the wife's Audi developed a fault with the rear parking sensors not working. Main dealer wanted £105 just to analyse. Local garage charged just £75 to "analyse" and fix a broken wire between the gearbox and the sensor control unit.

If you've had a bad experience with an Independent, do as Dave suggests and look at the register to find another one local to you.