Got this offer from Brisbane BMW this morning in my email...

[Harlequin]

What do we think? Good idea? I'm leaning towards yes but would appreciate some input...

[TimMc]

I couldn't justify it. I don't do enough kms and do my own basic servicing anyway.

[MrBlonde]

I wouldn't do it, I'd get it serviced according to my own schedule and not necessarily at a BMW dealer.

[Jude Starr]

Mmmmm, I confess I quite like the idea.

[MickyD]

doesn't seem that crash hot.... EPP includes first 2 years of servicing free, and service at ~55,000k's is about $300 including the brake fluid change. (got the service 2 weeks after EPP expiry... doh!), mind you I do a fair few K's

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I wouldn't do it, I'd get it serviced according to my own schedule and not necessarily at a BMW dealer.

I'm with Kenny. I prefer to get my car serviced according to my own schedule too.

[Harlequin]

Bearing in mind that I didn't lease my car... I want logbook services... and I only do about 12,000 - 15,000 Kms a year...

I'm looking at it from the perspective of this vs. paying for each service as they come up and I was reading a thread on here the other day about someone paying (or not paying) $600 for a single service recently?

I should clarify that I'm looking at the basic 3 year option. I plan to do the BMW performance rotors and some better pads when they wear out and I don't plan to wear out the clutch a DCT anytime soon...

[Hawkeye 135i]

Let's try and break down the prices a bit (based on previous invoices):

Vehicle check (15,000km) ~ $187
Oil and filter change, window washer fluid ~ $267 (Oil ~ $152, Filter ~ $27)
1 year service (oil and filter, microfilter, brake fluid, vehicle check) ~ $796.65
Microfilter service ~ $129.87 + $40 labour.
Brake fluid change ~ $48 (fluid) + $108 labour.
Wiper blades ~ $180!!!
Wiper fluid ~ $2.88
Air filter ~ ?
Fuel Filter ~ ?
Spark plugs ~?

Obviously these parts are available from US for a fraction of the cost BMWAus charges, likewise labour.

Based on the above "unreasonable" BMW prices and extrapolating the costs out to 3 years, the basic package looks reasonable value.

[sparoz]

Originally Posted by MickyD

doesn't seem that crash hot.... EPP includes first 2 years of servicing free, and service at ~55,000k's is about $300 including the brake fluid change. (got the service 2 weeks after EPP expiry... doh!), mind you I do a fair few K's

New EPP includes 4 years of servicing - Get new car .

[BMW86]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye 135i

Let's try and break down the prices a bit (based on previous invoices):

Vehicle check (15,000km) ~ $187
Oil and filter change, window washer fluid ~ $267 (Oil ~ $152, Filter ~ $27)
1 year service (oil and filter, microfilter, brake fluid, vehicle check) ~ $796.65
Microfilter service ~ $129.87 + $40 labour.
Brake fluid change ~ $48 (fluid) + $108 labour.
Wiper blades ~ $180!!!
Wiper fluid ~ $2.88
Air filter ~ ?
Fuel Filter ~ ?
Spark plugs ~?

Obviously these parts are available from US for a fraction of the cost BMWAus charges, likewise labour.

Based on the above "unreasonable" BMW prices and extrapolating the costs out to 3 years, the basic package looks reasonable value.

Some of these prices are insane. $169 to change out a microfilter? $180 for wiper blades? The microfilter costs about USD$40 + delivery and given the AUD is stronger at the moment you can save a lot of money doing it yourself. It's possibly the easiest thing to change on the car - remove 6 screws, take out old microfilter, put in new microfilter, put 6 screws back in.

If you know you're keeping the car for the long haul you might be better off doing as much as you can yourself besides what is needed to keep the warranty intact. Spend a bit of time and learn how to do things the right way in the DIY section and you will not only save a lot of money but you will be satisfied knowing the job was done properly. Nobody looks after your own car the way you do.

I've had my car on a hoist immediately after a service that involved an oil change and found oil splattered all over the under-tray. Nobody bothered to clean it up although I didn't notice any leaks. I noticed the same thing with the brake fluid another time. I trust my dealership takes adequate care of my car but the standard of care will never be the same when it's not their car.

[Hawkeye 135i]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Some of these prices are insane. $169 to change out a microfilter? $180 for wiper blades? The microfilter costs about USD$40 + delivery and given the AUD is stronger at the moment you can save a lot of money doing it yourself. It's possibly the easiest thing to change on the car - remove 6 screws, take out old microfilter, put in new microfilter, put 6 screws back in.

If you know you're keeping the car for the long haul you might be better off doing as much as you can yourself besides what is needed to keep the warranty intact. Spend a bit of time and learn how to do things the right way in the DIY section and you will not only save a lot of money but you will be satisfied knowing the job was done properly. Nobody looks after your own car the way you do.

I've had my car on a hoist immediately after a service that involved an oil change and found oil splattered all over the under-tray. Nobody bothered to clean it up although I didn't notice any leaks. I noticed the same thing with the brake fluid another time. I trust my dealership takes adequate care of my car but the standard of care will never be the same when it's not their car.

I couldn't agree more mate. Just trying to help the OP decide whether the offer represents value for money (given that he wishes to have BMW undertake his scheduled servicing) based on the prices for my 6mth and 12mth service - subsequent services done by indy garage. I certainly didn't purchase new wiper blades at $180

[ozzie135i]

I'd do it. I have a service plan with mine and I can't recommend it more. You get everything you need done and costs you nothing on the day. Its a great feeling knowing you can take it in and get it done by the experts and they not charging you extortionist prices because you need it done.

[Caduceus]

Originally Posted by BMW86

Some of these prices are insane. $169 to change out a microfilter? $180 for wiper blades? The microfilter costs about USD$40 + delivery and given the AUD is stronger at the moment you can save a lot of money doing it yourself. It's possibly the easiest thing to change on the car - remove 6 screws, take out old microfilter, put in new microfilter, put 6 screws back in.

God knows we've all done that enough times. JB3 goes in, JB3 comes out, dealer service then repeat.

I can say that now since I'm out of warranty.