Service from the manufacturer

fred246

It may have just forgotten. Especially with COVID it would have had plenty on its mind.

ps124

Hi All, so its been a month since the service and everything has been ok for the first two week, but the last two weeks, everytime I turn on the car for the first time in the day, there is a puff of smoke. Its white/greyish smoke. I called BMW today and told them its been happening since the service, so I was told to bring it in. The guy told me its likely to be burning some excess fuel and I should take it on a long drive to see what happens. Anyway, he said if I bring it in, they will look at it. If its unrelated to the service, I will get charged £174! Seems crazy/excessive. I'm not asking them to fix it, but they need to tell me if its service related. If its not, then tell me a price to fix it, not charge me £174! Seems mad. Thinking of calling the branch manager or something to complain. Any suggestions? Has this happened to anyone?

AdrianC

ps124 said:

I called BMW today and told them its been happening since the service, so I was told to bring it in.

No, you called your local BMW dealer. They are not BMW UK Ltd. They are a totally separate company who simply franchise the right to sell and maintain BMWs.

Anyway, he said if I bring it in, they will look at it. If its unrelated to the service, I will get charged £174! Seems crazy/excessive. I'm not asking them to fix it, but they need to tell me if its service related. If its not, then tell me a price to fix it, not charge me £174! Seems mad.

For a BMW dealer, especially if you're in the SE, that's probably one hour's labour (£145+vat), probably the minimum block of workshop time they'll work to. You want them to spend time looking at it?

ps124

AdrianC said:

ps124 said:

I called BMW today and told them its been happening since the service, so I was told to bring it in.

No, you called your local BMW dealer. They are not BMW UK Ltd. They are a totally separate company who simply franchise the right to sell and maintain BMWs.

Anyway, he said if I bring it in, they will look at it. If its unrelated to the service, I will get charged £174! Seems crazy/excessive. I'm not asking them to fix it, but they need to tell me if its service related. If its not, then tell me a price to fix it, not charge me £174! Seems mad.

For a BMW dealer, especially if you're in the SE, that's probably one hour's labour (£145+vat), probably the minimum block of workshop time they'll work to. You want them to spend time looking at it?

Hi Yes, thats what I meant, sorry. The local BMW dealer that did my service.

I thought its one of those things they can quickly look at by checking the data on your key or onboard computer?

born_again

ps124 said:

Hi All, so its been a month since the service and everything has been ok for the first two week, but the last two weeks, everytime I turn on the car for the first time in the day, there is a puff of smoke. Its white/greyish smoke. I called BMW today and told them its been happening since the service, so I was told to bring it in. The guy told me its likely to be burning some excess fuel and I should take it on a long drive to see what happens. Anyway, he said if I bring it in, they will look at it. If its unrelated to the service, I will get charged £174! Seems crazy/excessive. I'm not asking them to fix it, but they need to tell me if its service related. If its not, then tell me a price to fix it, not charge me £174! Seems mad. Thinking of calling the branch manager or something to complain. Any suggestions? Has this happened to anyone?

What sort of miles a day do you do?
Also we are getting cooler nights which lead to condensation in the exhaust system. Which causes steam (white/grey smoke) when you look behind. 
As well as when moving you are pumping out hot gasses into colder air. Just like a kettle boiling.

ps124

born_again said:

ps124 said:

Hi All, so its been a month since the service and everything has been ok for the first two week, but the last two weeks, everytime I turn on the car for the first time in the day, there is a puff of smoke. Its white/greyish smoke. I called BMW today and told them its been happening since the service, so I was told to bring it in. The guy told me its likely to be burning some excess fuel and I should take it on a long drive to see what happens. Anyway, he said if I bring it in, they will look at it. If its unrelated to the service, I will get charged £174! Seems crazy/excessive. I'm not asking them to fix it, but they need to tell me if its service related. If its not, then tell me a price to fix it, not charge me £174! Seems mad. Thinking of calling the branch manager or something to complain. Any suggestions? Has this happened to anyone?

What sort of miles a day do you do?
Also we are getting cooler nights which lead to condensation in the exhaust system. Which causes steam (white/grey smoke) when you look behind. 
As well as when moving you are pumping out hot gasses into colder air. Just like a kettle boiling.

I've worked from home for the last 7 years so on average 30-40 miles a week which I think isn't a lot? This isn't like condensation smoke...its like something burning smoke. The guy at the dealership told me white smoke = something to do with petrol and black smoke would be oil related. Anyway, been monitoring it for the past few days and it seems to have subsided.

jimbo6977

40 miles a week.

Are you sure you need a car? Or if you do, are you sure you need a BMW?
The cost per mile must be extra-terrestrial. 

Car_54

mattyprice4004 said:

cymruchris said:

It's not had an oil change since 2017?

Oil should really be changed every year as a bare minimum!

That has been the conventional advice for decades, during which time engines (and oils?) have changed beyond recognition.. Do you know of any research to support it? Ideally from a source which doesn't have a vested interest in servicing or selling oil!