First service this Friday

[LVR]

I thought the first service was free, except that the Oil change etc wasn't.

It ended up costing me about $250 for the privilege. Most BMW dealers in my experience do not do the old 'up sell' crap, but I have had awesome service from mine...... Menere's Brighton.

You're up in QLd or NSW?

[CaptOz]

My dealer is Alto BMW in Sydney who I must admit have been excellent so far fixing any warranty niggles. They also give nice loaner cars. We got a new 530d to drive around in last time. A great car with a great engine (same as the X5's diesel). So good in fact I'd consider buying one!

[PLAYERPRO]

Am I being paranoid or is it common for dealers to up-sell their servicing when you take the car in? What should I have done and is there anything I should avoid?[/quote]

Answer: yes it it quite common for dealer's to up-sell...
but in you case don't worry your under warranty.... and this is your 1st service.. the only "up-sell" would probably be for accessories..

like ipod,mud flaps,...Full detail.. stuff like that..

GL

[JCL]

While some dealers may upsell service work (not all of them, but it does happen), I don't think that this is any more common with BMW dealers than any other dealers.

Things the dealer suggests may be considered upselling or may actually be valuable information that can save you money in the long run. You need to decide. If the items they suggest doing are covered under the warranty (which only covers defects in materials and workmanship, not wear) then fine, they will do them under the warranty.

If they are finding wear items (which you will have to pay for, not having the benefit of either full maintenance plan like the US or the scheduled oil change plan like Canada), just check back to the maintenance book to see if they are normally scheduled items. Use the BMW booklet as your guide. I had a dealer in the past (not BMW) which went to the trouble of printing duplicate service books and including them with the owner's manual. Those books looked like the factory maintenance guides but had much-shortened maintenance intervals

[CaptOz]

Well I just dropped off the X5 for its oil service. They said they would do the oil, A/C microfilter, brake pads plus check the vehicle right over.

I mentioned to them about getting a wheel alignment and asked how much they would charge, expecting about US$50. The service guy said US$290 as they do a four wheel alignment. Does this sound right? Oh... I said no thanks to the alignment.

[CaptOz]

The Oil Service has been performed and the X5 is running well. Mind you, it ran well before the service.

As for the cost.....

The total was US$590.

This included:

1) An oil service (filter, washer additive and oil) total US$193. Note: the oil alone (Castrol TXT Softec LL01) was US$126.

2) Microfilter change US$130 inc labour.

3) Vehicle check US$131 - all labour.

4) Replacing brake fluid US$98 inc labour.

5) Interrogating memory in diagnostics - all labour US$36.

And THAT was a basic service????

[sgt.sweetchuck]

Remind me never to go to Alto BMW

[motordavid]

Originally Posted by CaptOz

The Oil Service has been performed and the X5 is running well. Mind you, it ran well before the service.

As for the cost.....

The total was US$590.

This included:

1) An oil service (filter, washer additive and oil) total US$193. Note: the oil alone (Castrol TXT Softec LL01) was US$126.

2) Microfilter change US$130 inc labour.

3) Vehicle check US$131 - all labour.

4) Replacing brake fluid US$98 inc labour.

5) Interrogating memory in diagnostics - all labour US$36.

And THAT was a basic service????

At least the brake fluid change out was a comparative bargain.

The charges for the other items are pretty stiff, imo.

Can't imagine what an Insp1 with the "found/required" fixes, parts
and labor would be. At least you might get invited to the Stlr Owner's
kid's graduation, .

BR,mD