Know now why everyone leases
 

Seems to me that BMW has done an excellent job of gaming the cost of ownership studies. My 35d has been out of warranty/free maintenance for 9,000 miles and so far has required a $500 oil change and now a $700 battery replacement. I also didnt get a brake replacement under warranty because I drive so many highway miles. God knows what that will cost.

Anybody that thinks these are reasonable maintenance expenses is insane. As good as these cars drive, I will never own another. Might lease one. Maybe. I'm getting an Accord for my daily driver.

Nobody is holding a gun to your head to have it serviced by a BMW dealer...

+1

Repair shops are free to charge whatever they want but to put it bluntly, whoever is working on your car is ripping you off.

Very true. Nobody is holding a gun to my head making me own this money pit either. The maintenance is still cheaper than a new car though.

BMW of Sterling this time.

Anybody have a recomendation for a good indy shop in the Northern VA area?

As an example, I'm also too lazy to change my own oil so I get this kit from ECS:

BMW E70 X5 xDrive48i N62 4.8L Maintenance Engine Oil Service ES#257565 ECS Tuning Oil Service Kit - N62INS1

and take it to the local EZ Lube and for $20 cash they'll do the work.

That makes $120 for exactly the same ting your dealer charged you $500 !!

Pretty sure high quality Bosch or varta battery will be half that price.

I pay $134.00 for oil change at a local indy shop. Stop with the dealer, they will put a hurt on you. :-)

Good luck.

Smart BMW dealerships these days actually compete with indies. I have seen advertised prices at the dealer where I serviced my vehicle under warranty. When time comes to change oil (if I don't DIY it) I will consider that dealership.

BMW Repair Shops - Find a BMW Mechanic | BimmerShops.com

oil changes can be ~$100 and battery $250 programmed which is about what I paid through an indy.