Some New BMW Parsimony!

[Mr Rooty Von Tooty]

I guess most of you know that the maintenance part of the BMW warranty doesn't transfer to second owners when the car is still under the manufacturer's warranty.

Well now their is a new twist. Until today when I took my car in for its yearly service, BMW refused to do it! Now BMW will only give "free" service if the car has gone at least 10K miles since the last service.

In the past, BMW was doing the oil & filter change on my ride once a year regardless of the mileage. I hardly ever do 10K miles in a year, but I have always changed the oil once a year.

The SA saw I had only gone 5K miles since the last service, so I was told to come back when I had accumulated another 5K miles. My warranty on the car expires 5/22/17, so I set up the next appointment for service 5/17/17. Hopefully I will have gotten an additional 5K miles.

Porsche, Mercedes, and I believe Audi don't offer any "free" service. BMW used to make a big deal about maintenance being included in the price of the vehicle. Now it's becoming clearer that BMW is soon going to go the same way as the rest of the gang!

[B777flyboy]

That sa is wrong. I'm a low mileage guy. I just had a yearly and my sa said we didn't reset computer you will be back in 5k miles. Second time btw this has happened.

[Gray_Panther]

Mr. Rooty, same thing happened to me.

BMW has gotten stricter on their free maintenance policy.

[Hankdoll]

i just had an annual/time based oil change less than two months ago. Did they mention when this went into effect?

[champignon]

I am scheduled for an annual oil and filter change on my 135i coupe next week. They even let me schedule it after less than a full 12 months, but no less than 11 months, since the last one. I have (maybe) done 4000 miles in the car since the last one.

With a coupon, my dealer only charges $90 for the service even if you have to pay for it, and they give you a loaner car in addition.

Maybe time to change dealers?

[methodz]

I bought my car cpo in Feb 2015 and the dealer gave me service as if I were a new car buyer in March 2016 and I had only driven 7k miles in a year.

They also repaired my oil filter gasket with all new belts, changed my brakes for free and threw in some free wiper blades. Guess I got lucky.

[Suhb]

I bought my car used and got all maintenance and warranty work done for free until 50k miles.

[Mr Rooty Von Tooty]

I believe some of you are getting goodwill. The only way to tell is if the service is being charged back to BMW. I can tell you that the BMW accountants have very sharp pencils.

My SA adviser did check with the clerk who handles warranty work, and he refused service on my car due to only 5K miles since the last service a year ago.

There are only two BMW dealers in my town, and mine is the best of the bunch. However, it may be that Satan has had some influence on its thinking? They still have fresh chocolate chip cookies and the fanciest coffee machine in the USA!

[Downeaster1]

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

I believe some of you are getting goodwill. The only way to tell is if the service is being charged back to BMW. I can tell you that the BMW accountants have very sharp pencils.

This. BMW is getting insane with their maintenance changes. If you make a big enough deal about it, and you have a very good history with the dealer, they will be much more willing to goodwill stuff for you. My old E39 gauge cluster and transmission were goodwill'd from my old dealership before I worked there.

First of all, 15k mile oil services are a horrible idea from the start. When I ordered my first E82, I coded the DME and KOMBI for shorter interval oil services on CBS due to BMW having a loophole in their warranty system stating that if a CBS service appears in the cluster/idrive, the service is to be completed. However, due to lack of detection of software manipulation, the key reader just assumes that it's some weird factory option, and boom...oil change.

They just want to increase their profits and complete less and less maintenance service items if it is coming out of their pockets. I'm on my 17th or 18th BMW, and I'll tell you...that new Alfa Quadrifoglio coming out looks like it may be the next choice.

[zx10guy]

I just checked with my SA and he said to his knowledge there has been no change in the annual oil change policy.

[VRG_135]

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

I believe some of you are getting goodwill. The only way to tell is if the service is being charged back to BMW. I can tell you that the BMW accountants have very sharp pencils.

My SA adviser did check with the clerk who handles warranty work, and he refused service on my car due to only 5K miles since the last service a year ago.

There are only two BMW dealers in my town, and mine is the best of the bunch. However, it may be that Satan has had some influence on its thinking? They still have fresh chocolate chip cookies and the fanciest coffee machine in the USA!

Perhaps its not BMW policy, but your dealers policy?

[Mr Rooty Von Tooty]

Originally Posted by VRG_135

Perhaps its not BMW policy, but your dealers policy?

If BMW is paying for the annual oil change, then why would it be the dealer's policy? That just doesn't make sense.

I'll have to dig into this further. I suppose the best thing to do is to contact BMW.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by VRG_135

Perhaps its not BMW policy, but your dealers policy?

Perhaps this is his dealer's policy for getting rid of particularly annoying customers?

[Mr Rooty Von Tooty]

Originally Posted by champignon

Perhaps this is his dealer's policy for getting rid of particularly annoying customers?

Any dealer or human would want to lose an annoying worthless asshole like you!

[champignon]

Originally Posted by Mr Rooty Von Tooty

Any dealer or human would want to lose an annoying worthless asshole like you!

My dealer gives me coupons and discounts without my even asking for them.

Yours appears to have taken different approach, with you

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by champignon

My dealer gives me coupons and discounts without my even asking for them.

Yours appears to have taken different approach, with you

Yes, a good relationship with your dealer can go a long way. I've gotten some pretty decent discounts on Performance parts in the past because of an excellent relationship with my dealer.

[doublevanosrc]

Interesting since I bought my 2nd 135 "preowned" from a non BMW center. In June I took it in and had a bunch of service work done under warranty.

oil change
front brakes
Brake Flush
Cabin filter
wiper blades
coolant flush

I did press for the rear rotors to be exchanged for new ones due to excess rust but they refused claim they were up to "BMW specs".
Hearing things like this is and with the recent reduction in services it's safe to assume within a few years the BMW maintenance warranty will be a thing of the past.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by Esteban

Yes, a good relationship with your dealer can go a long way. I've gotten some pretty decent discounts on Performance parts in the past because of an excellent relationship with my dealer.

Indeed, I always bring my SA treats or small gifts as a token of appreciation. Then again I have know him for years.

[Esteban]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Indeed, I always bring my SA treats or small gifts as a token of appreciation. Then again I have know him for years.

Not a bad idea. I have been with the same SA for almost 2 years but have been going to the same dealer for 8 years and I think loyalty counts for something.

[champignon]

Originally Posted by doublevanosrc

Indeed, I always bring my SA treats or small gifts as a token of appreciation. Then again I have know him for years.

Rooty bores the SA with tall tales about his dad's car, then farts incessantly in the waiting room. This is where the "Tooty" part of his nickname came from :-)

[champignon]

Took my 2013 135i coupe in for its annual oil change today, after having driven 3076 miles in the last year.

Annual maintenance service completed without incident. Invoice for service was $0.00

One can only assume that the OP received the special service reserved for exceptionally annoying customers; they want him to go elsewhere!