BMW servicing prices

jlfrs01

Hi all,

This is something of a heads-up for any members who own a BMW (as I do) and use BMW dealerships for servicing. BMW have a number of service packs customers can buy at a standard price. You pay upfront or you pay monthly and you can choose any dealership you like to carry the work out. BMW also advertises a menu of maintenance products for customers who don't take the service packs. Again, it's a case of choosing your preferred dealer. However, despite these being standard products, the price for the same product varies from dealer to dealer. I found a 12% difference between services at my 2 local dealerships. I asked BMW UK and the dealerships to provide an explanation because customers shouldn't have to shop around to avoid being ripped off. No response. So folks, the message is to either do your homework before ordering a service or if you have the choice, go to an independent garage.

Car_54

jlfrs01 wrote: »

. I asked BMW UK and the dealerships to provide an explanation because customers shouldn't have to shop around to avoid being ripped off. No response.

The explanation lies in the Competition Act 1998, which makes it a crime for BMW and its dealers to fix prices.

jlfrs01

Car_54 wrote: »

The explanation lies in the Competition Act 1998, which makes it a crime for BMW and its dealers to fix prices.

If that were so, the Service Packs would differ in price but they don't. Pricing is uniform across all dealerships.

daveyjp

All BMW dealers are are companies who sell BMWs, just as Asda and Tesco both sell Mars bars. These companies are free to charge whatever for a service.

The problem is because car dealerships are franchises you don't realise that the companies running them are different.

When I had a Mercedes I could stay local, but all my local franchises have the same pricing as its the same franchisee. However neighbouring counties have different franchisees and all three charged different prices.

A better example is probably Macdonalds where different outlets charge different prices as it depends on the franchisee.

Servicing packs are different. They are an offer from BMW UK and not the dealership franchise.

Nobbie1967

jlfrs01 wrote: »

If that were so, the Service Packs would differ in price but they don't. Pricing is uniform across all dealerships.

???

I thought you said it was unfair because the prices were different? Now you say they are all the same?

Car_54

jlfrs01 wrote: »

If that were so, the Service Packs would differ in price but they don't. Pricing is uniform across all dealerships.

daveyjp has pointed out that service packs are sold by BMW UK, rather than the dealerships.


Even if that were not the case, there is nothing in law to prevent BMW publishing "recommended" prices, as indeed they do for their cars.

neilmcl

Wow, different dealerships charging different prices for servicing, quelle surprise :rotfl:

fred990

Not wanting to derail the thread but does anyone know of a BMW parts supplier at trade/diy prices?
Failing that a febi/bosch/meyle type equivalent? Local main dealer has a near new 535d estate I quite fancy, the obd diagnostics is doable, the parts from them is a rip-off!

Iceweasel

fred990 wrote: »

Not wanting to derail the thread but does anyone know of a BMW parts supplier at trade/diy prices?
Failing that a febi/bosch/meyle type equivalent? Local main dealer has a near new 535d estate I quite fancy, the obd diagnostics is doable, the parts from them is a rip-off!

For OEM quality DIY service parts - filters etc. such as Mahle, Europarts are hard to beat. Very quick and free delivery.

Not to be confused with EuroCarParts.

But for genuine BMW parts with 10% to 20% off then you really need to join a free on-line BMW Forum and get access to a BMW Dealership site-supporter/sponsor's discount.

Free postage too.

Have a look at this one for example:

https://www.bmwland.org.uk/index.php

Load of info and assistance available from the friendly forum members - not all of whom run the very latest super expensive models - as on some other forums.

fred990

Thanks for the info that'll give me something to look at.
10-20% off will be good.
Definitely agree about eurocarparts. Expensive, even for the junk stuff....!

Jonesya

fred990 wrote: »

Not wanting to derail the thread but does anyone know of a BMW parts supplier at trade/diy prices?
Failing that a febi/bosch/meyle type equivalent? Local main dealer has a near new 535d estate I quite fancy, the obd diagnostics is doable, the parts from them is a rip-off!

Few places to try:
https://www.buycarparts.co.uk/
https://www.mister-auto.co.uk/

Strangely enough, Amazon UK now stock quite a range of car parts if you go diving down through the website, even have a vehicle make/model search facility to find the right parts.