Inspection II @ 60K for $710 @ Dealer, Is it worth it?

[bmwx5lover]

I just came back from Fairfax dealership, and got a quote for inspection II @60K for $710. Does Inpsection II increase the X performance as they say they will replace a lot of stuff. Or I can just do the Oil Service which is quoted for $220. I am confused right now. Any suggestions?

[UCrewX5]

On the home page is an article that lists everything covered under an Inspection I service. My advice is go a-la-carte. The ones you can do yourself, scratch off the list, and just tell them specifically the items you want them to perform. This should cut your cost down significantly.

[motordavid]

What "a lot of stuff" are they quoting to you,
as being "replaced"?

My Insp1 was free:
they changed the oil/filter, microfilter in HVAC,
put in some windshiled squirter, said the brakes were ok,
(and then those same front brakes & rotores got R&R'd
a month later, under Ext Maintenance, ).

Same for my water pump: that was "fine" under Insp1 and
was also repaired free, during the same brake re-do.

They said "everything else" was "fine". My car was on the
lift a total of 35 mins, max.

My point is, they "check/inspect" very little, imo, at least at
the idiot Stlr I was at. And, since my Insp1 was "free" they
wanted to actually address or, fix, none of my concerns.

I think they assumed they would see me in a few months with
brakes and a water pump that needed repair.
(I bought the Ext Warr. during my short wait for that marvelous
30 min, Insp 1 service.)

My advice, unless the Stlr is your Bro-n-law and you want to spend
money there, take a Pasadena on Insp1, if not covered by Maintenance.

Get an oil change, etc., brake fluid change, coolant change if you wish...
the rest is Utter BS, imo.

If you can't resist spending dough or, the "inspection process" makes you
feel warm and fuzzy, go find an Indie BMW joint and have them do
some "inspecting".

My 25Cts worth...

PS: the price they quoted is std rip-off Insp1 pricing; they are
dying to trot out a list of stuff that needs repairing or replacing,
if one is off Warr&Maintenance.

PSS.."oil service" for $220?

Does that really make any sense to you?!

Other than an oil change, nothing they "do" during Insp1 will result
in one iota of performance increase to your fanny or any dynamometer,imo.

[The Cleaner]

I second Motordavid.

[JCL]

I agree that it is a lot of money for some vague checks.

Do the oil service, and any specific checks that you like, but do ensure that you have the brake fluid flushed. That is one that gets skipped too often, and which will cost you money if you leave it out.

[Aimster]

you rich? If so go for it.

otherwise waste of money IMO. Just inspect the car yourself.

[Driver8]

I'm with El Jeffe and MD...go a la carte on the Insp I with a dealer if you need to go that route, or alternatively, in your area there are several high rated independent BMW shops that I bet would do a great job at a much lower cost.

And yes, you can do a lot of this yourself. A $220 oil change just blows my mind when you can do it yourself, buy the oil, filter, and a drainable drainpan for around $60 tops and bond with your X5 at the same time. Check out the procedure on the X5World front page. It's so easy...YOU can do it. Just take your time with it and you will do fine. You can have the brake fluid flushed for around $80 or so...this is very important to do every 24 months as JCL points out.

IMO, a $220 oil change speaks to the dealers' perceptions of the "typical" BMW owner, which sure has changed over the past 15 years, don't you think?

[Aimster]

The dealer said the oil change would be $220?

I thought BMW oil changes for the X5 were 75-100

[Boston X5 4.4]

"Inspection I @ 60K for $710 @ Dealer, Is it worth it?"

Yeah its worth it!! For the dealer, that is!

I agree with everyone else here - change oil and bleed brakes at dealer/independant or yourself.

Use the spare $ to support your detailing habit (JK)

[Kewl X5]

Actually, are you sure you don't mean Inspection II at 60K miles?

Anyhow, Inspection II is alot different from inspection I. But, agree with everyone above, see what stuff you can do yourself and what stuff actually needs to be done.

At 60K miles, I would at least do the fuel filter. If it has been 4 years, coolant nees to be flush. You may want to replace your water pump at the same time. Brake fluid needs to be flush if it has been 2 years.

Automatic tranny fluid with BMW special ATF is a consideration. Of course, change oil/filter. Change air filter if needed. Spark plugs should be good till 100K miles, but you can change those if you want now.

Good luck.