Ok, if it is just an estimate to replace a door panel then they shouldn't have charged for that... Where you should pay for an estimate is on something more involved like a service engine/airbag light, fluid leak, drive-ability problem etc.

But yeah, it can be tough at times. Some weeks I book over 50 hours, some weeks under 30... it kinda averages out usually.

You would def. not be charged for an estimate for this at any dealership here. I could see if they needed to hook up a code reader for some kind of prelim diagnosis but for a cursory look and quote :confused:

Sounds to me that they are not selling too many new cars in the current economic climiate over there and need to gouge where they can.

In my experience the decision on whether to charge for an estimate or not is based on whether a technician is required to produce the estimate. If the parts department and service advisor can do the estimate themselves, there should be no charge. If installed parts have to be removed to determine how much needs to be done, there is a good chance that you will be charged. An estimate that involved a technician is sometimes more solid, because the service advisor may not know about additional work that needs to be done, which the tech is more familiar with. Or, the service advisor estimate may just have a limitation that if more is discovered once the job is underway, you will be contacted for additional approvals. That can leave you with few options, though, if the vehicle is no longer mobile.

Even if there is a charge up front, a dealer should be able to tell you how much to produce an estimate, it shouldn't be a blank cheque.

In hindsight I guess I should have gone in there and asked for a written price for a particular part number. I knew there was nothing other than the card required but the dealer didn't. If I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt then I would believe that he was just providing a high quality and thorough BMW service. I'd love to believe that but I could never be 100% sure he wasn't just trying to make some money out of my simple question.

In the end anyway, I left with my estimate and no charge. The service adviser and the parts guy both went to look at the door and it must have been plainly obvious that just the card was required.

EUR1,170 for the card by the way, plus EUR70 to fit it. :wow: