Dealership Oil Service Charge?

T

tuckster

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Hi all-

I own a 2000 323i with 45,000 miles and live in the SF (San Francisco) bay area. I called a dealership for an oil service (different from an oil change) and they said that although a oil change cost about 180, the oil service would costs around 270. This is not an Inspection I, mind you. Is this correct? I was expecting maybe 150 but I'm thinking this is way expensive.

Can anyone in the forum who lives in the SF bay area recommend a dealership to go to if this sounds excessive? Thanks!
 
G

Gr8ful

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An oil service is different from an oil change in that they also change out your micro filter, change your oil, give you a new oil filter, and top off any fluids that might be a little low like your windshield whiper fluid and/or radiator fluid (which they normally will top off with most other services..depending on your dealer I suppose) and do a low-level vehicle inspection (they checked my brakes and tires when I had my oil-service done) as well as reset your oil service light.

They claimed it was going to cost me about $270.00 but after it was all finished it only came out to $192.46. I'm pretty sure it was less because it didn't take them as long as they expected so the labor charge was reduced. I went to my local dealership to get it done which is right out side of los angeles.

Hope this helps..
 
codex57

codex57

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$270?!?! Who'd you go to? Allison? That's a complete rip. Unfortunately, most of the Bay Area dealers suck. Allison is one of the worst, Stevens Creek gets lots of complaints, SF BMW is ok but the people who drive your car in and park it are notorious for scratches and stuff. I think the one in Oakland/Berkeley has a pretty good rep. I wouldn't touch Peter Pan with a 1000 foot pole.

For a simple oil change, best to just go to your local independent BMW dealer.
 
Tom

Tom

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That is terrible, take it to Steven's Creek BMW or if you don't mind driving a little to East Bay BMW in Pleasanton. Even with Synthetic oil, my dealer only charged me about $120.
 
bmwrocks

bmwrocks

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wood_e said:
Am I wrong to suggest he could do it himself?
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IMO, you are correct. He could easily do it himself. If you have the right tools, the oil/filter change is a joke. The microfilter is also a joke, as is the intake filter. The other fluids? Joke.

The inspections however are more advanced and unless you are a pretty good mechanic with advanced tools, you wouldn't be able to perform the checks (like rotor thickness).

Someone already said it, but check with your local BMWCCA chapter to see which independent shops are good in your area. And let them do it if you are uncomfortable with any of it.
 
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Big Daddy

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I pay about $30.00, using Mobil 1, because I too do it my self. An oil change takes about twenty minutes, because I let the oil drain while I "inspect" the car. And even if I need a little topping off, I doubt it costs me more than a couple of more bucks. I should get into the oill service business.
 
aNoodle

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Big Daddy said:
I pay about $30.00, using Mobil 1, because I too do it my self. An oil change takes about twenty minutes, because I let the oil drain while I "inspect" the car. And even if I need a little topping off, I doubt it costs me more than a couple of more bucks. I should get into the oill service business.
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Seriously, BigD. That's why I stear clear of the stealerships on oil and filter changes. Give me a break. We're talking about popping one bolt with a 17mm and then the filter with (i forget that size). About as easy as it gets. Take the old oil to the JiffyLube and dump it in their canister. The micro filter is three little twisties, don't even need any tools. The engine filter has two clamps i think and the hose going into it has one. Again, you don't even need any tools. These prices they are quoting are such a rip off. Plus, the last time my stealership changed my oil, they didn't even bother putting on the washer in the drain plug. I've changed my own oil ever since out of warranty. The money I save goes to some nice steak dinners! Plus, I just like working on the car sometimes and this stuff is all as easy as it gets.
 
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Big Daddy

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$26.00 per 6 quart case at Costco. Mann filter for $4.99 at Eurasian or Pelican Parts or better when I buy bulk, which I do often. So my oil changes run between $30 - 35.00 each time. At times I will even find Mobil One on sale and buy it then. The Costco price comes out to about $4.33 per quart.

aNoodle your exactly right, the difference is a good steak dinner, or maybe some lobster....mmmm
 
T

tuckster

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#14
Thanks all! I have heard good things about the Berkeley dealership myself and local independents do the job cheaper. I use to own an Acura Integra that I use to do everything on (oil, all the filters, brake pad/rotors, plugs/rotor/distributor, etc.) but I thought I'd leave the BMW to experts. Now though, I don't know. I'm willing to do it this one time to see what they say. But after that, I'll look into independents and/or doing it myself.

And Codex57, you must know the dealerships well. I did go to Allison (which is in Mountain View).
 
M

My Toy 95

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Big Daddy thanks for the info. at those prices it sounds like I might have to go for both the Steak and Lobster for dinner, nothing like some surf and turf!
 
codex57

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tuckster said:
And Codex57, you must know the dealerships well. I did go to Allison (which is in Mountain View).
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I know them fairly well. G/F lived across the street from Allison BMW (in those apartments next to the lot where they store their extra cars). Went there a couple times for different things. Didn't have a good experience both times which matched what other people say. Unfortunately, almost all the NorCal dealers suck. The Berkeley one is the only one that seems to have a fairly decent rep. I know both Sacramento area ones (Niello and Roseville) suck too cuz I was in Davis when I was BMW shopping.

Since you're in Mountain View, Stevens Creek has a slightly better rep in the service dept. than Allison does. Allison is just bad. Not as bad as Peter Pan (one of two worst in CA it seems), but pretty bad. Stevens Creek has lots of complaints, but it also has a decent amount of people who received good service. 50/50 chance is a lot better than 80/20 which seems to be Allison's percent for bad service.
 
codex57

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well, technically, it only requires an oil change every 15,000 miles or so. Hopefully you don't wait that long. In between the scheduled services, you could do it yourself to save money. Then you could still tell the buy (and show them) that every scheduled oil change was done at the dealer.
 
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