Extend BSI or go independent?

[sj03]

Hi All, Just made the jump from a 440i to an M4. The 440i was good but the M4 is just in a whole different category!

The M4 I bought has a few months left on the BSI, so I’m just wondering whether to extend it or go to an independent shop after it expires. BMW have quoted me on extending the BSI Basic to 7 years or 100,000km, and obviously for what you get with BSI Basic, it’s going to be cheaper to go with an independent shop. The only concern comes down to resale.

So the pertinent question is, who here has bought an M4 that was serviced by an independent shop, and did the fact it was service by an independent shop change how you valued the car when buying it?

[rokkuchan]

I ended just taking back to bmw for service after bsi. The service cost (in Adelaide) to go independent is pretty close to bmw so I just stick to bmw. The oil they use is pretty good too basically shell helix ultra 5w/30 rebadged.

[icegrill]

Definitely do not go back to bmw unless it's absolutely necessary. Their rates should actually be investigated by the FTC.

[rokkuchan]

Originally Posted by icegrill

Definitely do not go back to bmw unless it's absolutely necessary. Their rates should actually be investigated by the FTC.

I felt the same way when I had the e92 M3 and service cost was around $3k.

But somethings changed since? My service cost through independent is around $600. Did a service with bmw recently also 6xx.

You're also paying for their service - pretty girls bringing you coffee lol, free courtesy car or free shuttle runs to your work and back, and free car wash/ vacuum which most M owners decline. Got a free bmw thermal water bottle during a bsi service before it expired etc. I think it's quite nice and they have a standard quality of assurance.

[amberzombie]

I tend to think that if you're an owner of a higher end car, and your local BMW dealership is a franchise and not owned by BMW themselves, then I'd take it back to them.

It's more for the relationship which you can count on when it's time to trade in/upgrade your car.

I took my old M4 to an independent previously but after comparison I realised that I actually wasn't paying that much less, AND I didn't get a courtesy car AND i don't get to walk around the showroom and test drive other beautiful BMW's.

Also note that not all independent shops have the software to update your service history, so you end up with half your service history on the car, and half on paper in terms of invoices to show to any potential buyers. That might put some people off.

[Uksa007]

Originally Posted by rokkuchan

I ended just taking back to bmw for service after bsi. The service cost (in Adelaide) to go independent is pretty close to bmw so I just stick to bmw. The oil they use is pretty good too basically shell helix ultra 5w/30 rebadged.

I just take my own Shell Helix Ultra 5w40 to the dealer and save $200(buy it when on special at supercheap need 6.5L for S55)
Their oil is basically the same Shell Helix Ultra in 5w30 they buy in bulk, seems to be made of gold the price they charge for it.

Edit: Why 5w40 for S55? it was originally designed and using 0w40 then bmw standardised their oil to pretty much all newer cars using 5w30 to improve fuel economy(at the risk of increased engine wear IMHO). Gets pretty hot here so I'm happy to use a 5w40 with slightly decreased fuel economy with better engine protection. You can use either in S55 as long as it is BMW LL01 approved.

[sj03]

Thanks for the replies. For those who don't take your M3's to BMW, did your M3's have a non-BMW service history when you bought them?

[PWR///M]

I feel like it really depends, personal preference. Personally i think the first couple of years of the cars life its probably pretty important to go to a dealer as they probably do software upgrades. And i feel like once they start prepping for LCI or new model they pretty much do less and less updates. So afterwards probably isn't that important as long as its like a good independent euro specialist.
I also am quite pedantic and don't follow the BMW condition based servicing for both my M3 and my wife's X3, i basically do my own service intervals and as the result i found that independent allowed me to build the trust and relationship with the people that are working on our cars as well as knowing exactly what needs to be done. You would be lucky to get an oil change every year under the dealership "service packages" as the condition based service does not always recommend oil change. Every 2nd "service" is like a vehicle inspection and to me that's just a waste of my time, plus changing oil at 25,000km is just ridiculous in my opinion especially on our motors. Coming previously from AMG i just found BMW services at dealerships to be too inconsistent to my pedantic nature and so I've jumped onto the independent band wagon since my M3 and haven't really looked back since. There are also independent workshops now where they can update all your idrive log books so you won't need to keep carrying around books etc.
From a new buyers perspective, assuming if they are looking into our type of cars they are generally a enthusiast and i feel like if i was the type looking i wouldn't mind where its done as long as it's a reputable euro specialist workshop and it's regularly serviced.
Just my 2 cent

[sj03]

Thanks for the insights. Everybody's given me food for thought.

[3lucidus]

Originally Posted by sj03

BMW have quoted me on extending the BSI Basic to 7 years or 100,000km, and obviously for what you get with BSI Basic, it’s going to be cheaper to go with an independent shop. The only concern comes down to resale.

how much was the quote?

[Chilled]

For me personally the service pack was not worth it. I want the oil changed every 5k, not 10-15k or 1 calendar year. Paying BMW money for a simple oil change is not worth it.

I would say if you can wrench on the car your self, go with that. For a peace of mind, as per the annual service/inspection plan. Run the car into BMW annually, pay $100 for a quick inspection.

For X5 $1,850 for Basic Cover over 3 years. Covers allot of DIY oil/sparkplug changes, as supposed BMW service schedule of only 3 oil and maybe 1 plugs.

[sj03]

The car was sold new with BSI Basic (3 years/60,000 Km). BMW quoted me:

> $1740 to extend it to 5 years/80,000 Km (i.e. 2 year extension)
> $3600 to extend it to 7 years/100,000 Km (i.e. 4 year extension).

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by sj03

The car was sold new with BSI Basic (3 years/60,000 Km). BMW quoted me:

> $1740 to extend it to 5 years/80,000 Km (i.e. 2 year extension)
> $3600 to extend it to 7 years/100,000 Km (i.e. 4 year extension).

Wow, nearly $800 - $900 per oil change for 2 or 4 changes, with a cabin filter. That's a good deal.

[Uksa007]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Wow, nearly $800 - $900 per oil change for 2 or 4 changes, with a cabin filter. That's a good deal.

$250 odd dollar of that will be in oil cost!, is it made from gold?
Take your own oil, save $200!

Their service plan is great if you can get it included in the purchase deal, otherwise I couldn't justify the cost, or see any significant saving buying it.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by Uksa007

$250 odd dollar of that will be in oil cost!, is it made from gold?
Take your own oil, save $200!

Their service plan is great if you can get it included in the purchase deal, otherwise I couldn't justify the cost, or see any significant saving buying it.

So I'm doing all the oils for my X. I ended up getting some oils (front diff, rear diff(centre and outer) and Transfer Case) from local BMW dealer, Lifeguard 8 from US, Transmission Filter from UK and in total I'm still under that 900 p/a. At that price you can replace all oils annually.


If they include the services for free (depends on whom you work for, some brands have partnerships with certain employers to inc free services), sure its worth it. But if your not getting it for free, or they are using the sale price as a buffer to "throw it in for free', then its a waste of money. IMHO.

[3lucidus]

i got a quote... retail is $4200 for 3 years / 40000km on the f80's. Unless you have a spark plug service coming up probably not worth it.

[7smurfs]

Originally Posted by 3lucidus

i got a quote... retail is $4200 for 3 years / 40000km on the f80's. Unless you have a spark plug service coming up probably not worth it.

Curious why unless spark plug service?

[3lucidus]

Originally Posted by 7smurfs

Curious why unless spark plug service?

Because the quote I got from a particular Sydney dealer for that service was $2400.

[Chilled]

Originally Posted by 3lucidus

Because the quote I got from a particular Sydney dealer for that service was $2400.

Wow, that's a really good deal. Does it include the premium air service?

Not sure how much plugs are for you F80 guys but i doubt they cost more than an F85. You can get a set 8x of stock Bosch plugs from FCP for approx. 80USD shipped. or a set 8x of NGK 97506 for approx. 130USD shipped. Even the BMW branded Bosch ones are still 250USD shipped.

[3lucidus]

Originally Posted by Chilled

Wow, that's a really good deal. Does it include the premium air service?

Not sure how much plugs are for you F80 guys but i doubt they cost more than an F85. You can get a set 8x of stock Bosch plugs from FCP for approx. 80USD shipped. or a set 8x of NGK 97506 for approx. 130USD shipped. Even the BMW branded Bosch ones are still 250USD shipped.

Process is very different, in your car, you remove a plastic cover to get to the spark plugs.
In an F80 there is probably an hour of labour including removing charge pipes and carbon brace etc before you can begin the process of changing them

[Chilled]

Just had a read through the DIY doesn't seem that difficult. Yep, a hour sounds good. Does not justify the $2.4k.

https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1401532

[3lucidus]

i dont make the prices mate lol i know someone in service and thats what i was told how much it is at a sydney dealer