In praise of independent shops/mechanics

ulrichd · 04-28-2015, 04:55 PM

I am not a dealer hater, as a matter of fact there are some services where I would be more likely to take my 6 year old 128 to a dealer. But it just so happens that I work from a home office and I have a great independent mechanic three blocks from my house.

My car is in need of a battery replacement and as most of you know these require coding in addition to just fitting a new one. Dealer quotes range from $590 - 645 all included. My independent guy runs $355 including coding. The fact that the battery runs around $230 means that these dealers are charging 2-3 hours for the coding which seems a bit greedy.

Yeineken · 04-28-2015, 05:59 PM

I'm beginning to think dealerships charge so much because they don't want to do the service. It does take time and holds a service bay up.

Dackelone · 04-28-2015, 06:31 PM

My German BMW dealer will only charge 1/2 hour's labor to code a new battery. I have not changed it - yet. But I asked bc of all the high prices that I have heard, here on 1Addicts.com

I think a new battery is under 180 euros. My dealer charges 110 euros per hour.

gap · 04-28-2015, 07:47 PM

I use Doc's Bimmers Shop in Oxford, MS. Both he and Karen are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and offer great maintenance advice with a eye on keeping my car healthy, not just creating billable hours. They have a passion for BMW's that I haven't seen at a dealership.

dm874 · 04-29-2015, 06:38 AM

It does sound greedy but like Yeineken said, it does take up a service bay. I've worked in a dealership before back in highschool and simple routine maintenance jobs like an oil change is considered a waste of time by the service advisors/mechanics.

bmw1racer · 04-29-2015, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ulrichd

The fact that the battery runs around $230 means that these dealers are charging 2-3 hours for the coding which seems a bit greedy.

I know this all too well.

An AGM battery at Kragen/O'Reilly is about $160... A Bluetooth OBD2 dongle and the BMWhat app (to register the battery among other things) is about $100... $260 total.

ShocknAwe · 04-29-2015, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmw1racer

I know this all too well.

An AGM battery at Kragen/O'Reilly is about $160... A Bluetooth OBD2 dongle and the BMWhat app (to register the battery among other things) is about $100... $260 total.

Yup, I'll be DIYing it for sure with the app. It's drop dead easy to use. It was probably one of the absolute best purchases for the car so far.

JimD · 04-29-2015, 03:30 PM

Advance Auto parts has batteries as cheap as $137, AGM is about $180. $230 is too much. BMWhat looks interesting but I still have a cable and NCSExpert so that is probably what I will use. The cable costs about $100, software can be free depending on where you get it.

matmanx1 · 05-02-2015, 11:03 AM

I'll report back later but I am taking my car to Bimmer's Service Center in Kennesaw, Ga today for a battery replacement on my new-to-me 128i. The quote I have for the direct replacement is $330 which seems in line with what other independents are charging. The car was turning over slowly and this car is still on its original battery (build date 9-10-2008) so I had it tested at Autozone this morning and they confirmed that it is on its way out.

Stock4Evr · 05-02-2015, 02:12 PM

Had mine replaced after only 2 years with 17595 miles. Cost: Parts $228.42, Labor $162.88. When my warranty is over I will be seeking an independent shop.

04-28-2015, 04:55 PM	#1
ulrichd Colonel 210 Rep 2,233 Posts Drives: 128i M-Sport Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (6)	In praise of independent shops/mechanics I am not a dealer hater, as a matter of fact there are some services where I would be more likely to take my 6 year old 128 to a dealer. But it just so happens that I work from a home office and I have a great independent mechanic three blocks from my house. My car is in need of a battery replacement and as most of you know these require coding in addition to just fitting a new one. Dealer quotes range from $590 - 645 all included. My independent guy runs $355 including coding. The fact that the battery runs around $230 means that these dealers are charging 2-3 hours for the coding which seems a bit greedy.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

04-28-2015, 05:59 PM	#2
Yeineken Colonel 1301 Rep 2,093 Posts Drives: '11 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delmarva Peninsula iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 135i [8.20] '16 Ford Hatchback [0.00] '15 X5 [10.00]	I'm beginning to think dealerships charge so much because they don't want to do the service. It does take time and holds a service bay up. __________________ Pyrat Clone
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2015, 06:31 PM	#3
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	My German BMW dealer will only charge 1/2 hour's labor to code a new battery. I have not changed it - yet. But I asked bc of all the high prices that I have heard, here on 1Addicts.com I think a new battery is under 180 euros. My dealer charges 110 euros per hour. __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-28-2015, 07:47 PM	#4
gap First Lieutenant 105 Rep 376 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: MS iTrader: (1)	I use Doc's Bimmers Shop in Oxford, MS. Both he and Karen are enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and offer great maintenance advice with a eye on keeping my car healthy, not just creating billable hours. They have a passion for BMW's that I haven't seen at a dealership. __________________ ER CP, Forge DV, Wagner FMIC, PE, Maddad Mid, ER Sports OC, BMS OCC, RB Check Valve, AFE intake, Cobb AP3- Stage 1+ drive, BMW SS, PS Springs, Yellow Koni external, M3 Control Arms F & R, M3 Strut Brace, M3 Sub Bushing, Rouge Toe, Dinan Camber Plate and Rear Shock Mts., E93 M3 front sway bar, Mfactory Diff, Arc 8 PSS 235/40/18-265/35/18
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2015, 06:38 AM	#5
dm874 Lieutenant 84 Rep 501 Posts Drives: 15' M4 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Bucks County,PA iTrader: (0)	It does sound greedy but like Yeineken said, it does take up a service bay. I've worked in a dealership before back in highschool and simple routine maintenance jobs like an oil change is considered a waste of time by the service advisors/mechanics.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-29-2015, 03:30 PM	#8
JimD Brigadier General 368 Rep 3,547 Posts Drives: 128i convertible Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Lexington, SC iTrader: (0)	Advance Auto parts has batteries as cheap as $137, AGM is about $180. $230 is too much. BMWhat looks interesting but I still have a cable and NCSExpert so that is probably what I will use. The cable costs about $100, software can be free depending on where you get it. __________________ 128i Convertible, MT, Alpine White, Black Top, Taupe Leatherette, Walnut, Sport Ordered 5/22/09, Completed 6/4/09, At Port 6/9/09, On the Georgia Highway 6/13/09, Ship Arrived Charleston 6/24/09 at 10pm, PCD 7/21/09
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2015, 11:03 AM	#9
matmanx1 Private First Class 102 Rep 101 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GA iTrader: (0)	I'll report back later but I am taking my car to Bimmer's Service Center in Kennesaw, Ga today for a battery replacement on my new-to-me 128i. The quote I have for the direct replacement is $330 which seems in line with what other independents are charging. The car was turning over slowly and this car is still on its original battery (build date 9-10-2008) so I had it tested at Autozone this morning and they confirmed that it is on its way out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

05-02-2015, 02:12 PM	#10
Stock4Evr RetNavSpook 67 Rep 398 Posts Drives: 2012 135i - 2016 320i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Canyon Lake, Texas iTrader: (0)	Had mine replaced after only 2 years with 17595 miles. Cost: Parts $228.42, Labor $162.88. When my warranty is over I will be seeking an independent shop.
	Appreciate 0 Quote