Author Topic: How much does the first service cost?  (Read 12405 times)

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malky

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Reply #30 on: January 06, 2016, 10:00:34 am
Holy F...! What's the hourly wage for a qualified tradesman over there?
If you own a BMW auto in some parts of the U.K. you may be expected to pay £215/hour = $314us / $445 au / 21037Rs.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2016, 10:17:58 am by malky »
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Otto_Ing

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Reply #31 on: January 06, 2016, 10:11:49 am
Unless bmw puts the oil stick back on their engines, I would not buy one...the service at the dealer won't include much more than an OBD readout.
« Last Edit: January 06, 2016, 10:28:10 am by Otto »


Rattlebattle

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Reply #32 on: January 06, 2016, 03:00:55 pm
A friend of mine has a Beemer. Not only does it not have a dipstick but he has to check the oil level while driving it. He has enough sense not to go to a BMW agent for servicing though; he uses a local independent (same as me with my VW). I suspect only company cars etc use BMW agents.
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Richard230

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Reply #33 on: January 06, 2016, 03:15:23 pm
Holy F...! What's the hourly wage for a qualified tradesman over there?

You can bet it is not nearly that much.  From what I hear from my friends, tradesmen are being squeezed from one end by the shops they work for that are trying to compensate for rising overhead and from the other end by our very high cost of living around here (typically about $2,500 to $3,500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment). It is a tough life, but I am glad there are still people willing to take on the task.
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malky

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Reply #34 on: January 06, 2016, 03:29:38 pm
I thought all BMW cars had a dipstick. Usually found behind the steering wheel. ( British humour, with tongue wedged firmly in cheek.) :) ::)
I was Molly Sugdens bridesmaid.

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Otto_Ing

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Reply #35 on: January 06, 2016, 03:42:42 pm
 :) :D ;D ;)...I had a dipstick less bmw if you don't count the one behind the wheel. It was unpleasant as it was consuming oil. The sometimes working digital meter was really useful to figure what is going on... :o

my old one from 1980 didn't consume a drop and had a stick in its cast iron block, that was a good car. Fun in the winters...
« Last Edit: January 06, 2016, 04:41:50 pm by otto »


Kevin Mahoney

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Reply #36 on: January 09, 2016, 04:51:15 am
Motorcycle shop rates in the US seem to vary from about $50/hr to $120/hr.
The biggest cluster is around $80-$85
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gizzo

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Reply #37 on: January 09, 2016, 07:17:06 am
You can bet it is not nearly that much.  From what I hear from my friends, tradesmen are being squeezed from one end by the shops they work for that are trying to compensate for rising overhead and from the other end by our very high cost of living around here (typically about $2,500 to $3,500 a month for a one-bedroom apartment). It is a tough life, but I am glad there are still people willing to take on the task.

That's what I meant: What the tradesman earned, not what the workshop charges. UK and the US both sound like tough places to earn an honest living.
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malky

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Reply #38 on: January 09, 2016, 07:25:57 am
That's what I meant: What the tradesman earned, not what the workshop charges. UK and the US both sound like tough places to earn an honest living.
Cheers
One of the big problems in the U.K. is the various Business rates you have to pay for the premises you operate out of, and unfortunately the only way this can be recovered is by " hitting "the customer.
I was Molly Sugdens bridesmaid.

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Rattlebattle

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Reply #39 on: January 10, 2016, 10:22:05 pm
...and the fancy showrooms and "free" coffee. That's why I go to independent specialists (for cars; I always service my own bikes). If the Government gives back the responsibility for setting business rates to local authorities as has been mooted expect big variations in the amounts charged....
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wildbill

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Reply #40 on: January 17, 2016, 12:57:37 am
usually do mine myself for the cost of oil and filter change so that's works out at around $4 for the imported indian filter and about $18 for the oil plus say half an hour  to 40 minutes to do it properly.
I never torque wrench any of the bolts just finger tightened and snug them up a bit at a time from there. never want to risk snapping the bolts off like I have read other have done.
even from new or last few bikes I always do about 3 oil/filter changes in the first 300 miles even after that I am still under the cost of one service plus transporting the bike 400 miles return trip to do the service plus the drive hours and waiting time.
now as to them BMW which I have owned about 15 of the crappy cars including 4 z3 which I still have one and a z4. I still say they are not much of a car but image wise -they look good ;) so for that reason the lone z3 stays...lol
now you imagine what crap get thrown about in the z3 forum which I belong too when they go on about how good their cars are and as I also have the mazdaspeed Miata factory turbo which is easily the better car I am in a position to give them a serve- as I hold both units...lol
really is very good car that's why the z3 was left home in the garage when I took the 11,000klm road trip to central Australia in the mazda. I didn't want to be stranded in the aussie outback and ripped off heavily in the pocket should the bmw pack it in........and it would have! ::) 


mevocgt

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Reply #41 on: January 18, 2016, 04:30:48 pm
My first service cost me a free afternoon at the Brittish European bike show, working the booth with my friends' shop. ;)


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Reply #42 on: January 20, 2016, 05:03:29 pm
Exactly these high costs (Germany between 80-130 €/h) have been the reason, why I do ALL work myself.....you know WHO made it and HOW the work was done...you sit in your own garage with a beer or coffee, radio on, heater on.....everything fine !

I also did it with my MV for checking rear wheel bearing-unit (complete disassembly.....but I have the workshop manual) and for valve adjustment......3 evenings a 2h...everything fine !
Best regards from Ottweiler Germany

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