Time Consuming Oil Change

[JimD]

My 128i vert made it's first trip to the dealer where I purchased it today for the free annual oil change (my mileage is well below 15,000 miles in a year). It has had two oil changes by me but it was due per their tracking so I took it in. They said less than an hour so I was just going to wait. When they check my key, I need a reprogramming that will take 2-4 hours and then they say I need a replacement of the rear tail-lights that they have to order a part for. I have another vehicle and am leaving town for Utah tomorrow so I just had them drop me at home and will try to pick it up Saturday.

I am hoping this is unusual. Do you think if I gave them my VIN when I called they could have figured these things out in advance? Or was it because I had not been to the dealer before? I had some free time today but did not plan to spend it this way.

Suggestions?

Jim

[S54dan]

Oil changes are routine and take about 1 hour.

The tech likely found issues with it and reported it immediately. Also, a good service advisor will be able to point out obvious issues before it even makes its way into the shop.

Daniel Miles

[Tom K.]

I usually ask the SA if there are any recalls when I call for the appointment. He's usually very good at letting me know and setting me up for a loaner if it will be more than an hour or so.

Tom

[jpd]

It's the key that reveals potential problems before you are stranded. You should thank your tech. Additional oil are tough call. I would talk this over with your SA.

[esses]

Complaining about a proactive dealership? Careful what you wish for...

[Bimmer-Bob]

Just curious what sort of "reprogramming" you needed?

[JimD]

I don't really know what the re-programming was about. I was not having problems at least not until I was driving to the dealership. The radio started acting goofy - it would not switch off the aux port. Finally it did so I did not even mention it. SA just said it need re-programmed and I didn't ask why.

The oil change and programming are done, waiting on the part. I could have had it back and come back for the tail light but it was easier for me to just leave it. I never drive my bimmer to the airport anyway.

Jim

[Lexington]

Jim,

My 1er was in need of an oil change according to the BMW conditions based system. I had one last October and only had 2,000 miles since the last oil change but I don't think they had changed the setting on the car so it indicated I needed an oil change based upon the yearly requirement. Also, needed to have the brake fluid changed. When I made the appointment two weeks ago they indicated I also needed the brake light work done. So when I went to pick up the car, presume this is the same dealership as you, they indicate they need to order the parts and I will need to bring it back in next week. Pretty poor. They new two weeks ago. Also, they reset the oil change time to 17,000 miles or July 2012.

[tgxmike]

These dealships all sound reasonable. And we all know there are some minor issues with our 1er (I think it give them character.)

When I go to the dealer, I always leave the car for a day and take a loaner. even for a routine oil change.

But I also go to a small dealer in my town, and they all know me there.

[JimD]

The Columbia, SC dealership where I bought my bimmer and took it for service is small, at least compared to the dealerships for other cars I have been to and several of the other BMW dealerships I visited when I was shopping. But they seem to much prefer dropping you places and agreed to pick me up when I come back to get my vert on Saturday. Since I have a SUV I was planning to leave at the airport this week, I don't really need a loaner so I didn't ask.

I think the service I got is OK but what I wish they would do is to lookup what my vehicle needs before I show up for the oil change. Next time I will know to ask them to do this. I like the fact that they did do it but I would have preferred to know when I got there that it would be several hours, not an hour like we discussed, and that they would need to order a part for a recall. I would probably have scheduled the oil change for another day after the part was in. Two trips to the dealer is worse than one.

Jim

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by JimD

I was not having problems at least not until I was driving to the dealership. The radio started acting goofy - it would not switch off the aux port. Finally it did so I did not even mention it. SA just said it need re-programmed and I didn't ask why. Jim

Jim, I hope you realize that a car which develops a verifiable problem on the way to the dealer contravenes most known laws of the universe!

Be thankful.

Tom

[JimD]

Tom,

The reprogramming was not due to an issue I experienced, just something BMW apparently was recommending because of other peoples problems or something. I did notice an issue with the radio on the way to the dealer but I never even told them about it so I confident it was not the reason for the re-programming - unless that could show up on my key? My key is all the SA looked at before saying I needed the reprogramming. I assumed that meant it was due to the time period of manufacture.

I agree the SA cannot tell me what they need to do until after I've told them of a problem.

Jim

[Tom K.]

Jim, apparently this is pretty common. My wife recently had the first oil change done on her '10 Ford Fusion and the paperwork includes "Reprogram Powertrain Control Module". There were no obvious engine problems and it would have been about $50 had the car not been under warranty.

Incidentally, the Ford dealer normally charges $90 for an oil/filter change with 5 quarts of full synthetic - comparable to most BMW dealers charge of $100 or so for 7 quarts. As it was a first service, they discounted it down to $65, so we're not looking for independent shop just yet.

Tom