Should I? - BMW Forum

BeemerMan · 05-18-2006, 01:40 PM

Hey guys! I was thinking of taking my 528i in the BMW Stealership for a 32 point inspection. I want to get an idea what things need to be done to my car, and its free! But, I'm not sure how accurate it would be. The dealership may just point things out that really don't need to be changed, so that they can just charge me an arm and a leg. Do you guys recommend I do this? Any other suggestions?

thejobman · 05-18-2006, 02:03 PM

It's free? If that is the case... then why not?

, thats just my 2 cents

Eric S. · 05-18-2006, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BeemerMan

Hey guys! I was thinking of taking my 528i in the BMW Stealership for a 32 point inspection. I want to get an idea what things need to be done to my car, and its free! But, I'm not sure how accurate it would be. The dealership may just point things out that really don't need to be changed, so that they can just charge me an arm and a leg. Do you guys recommend I do this? Any other suggestions?

If it's a free no-obligation inspection by a certified BMW tech, I'd say to go for it, especially if you can be there while he/she does it, to discuss findings point-by-point. Even so, don't treat every single "finding" as something that has to be made like new right away. Ask the tech how long each item can go until something needs to be done. Also ask about upcoming recommended maintenance items. If something they say sounds weird, post it here and ask for feedback.

BeemerMan · 05-20-2006, 11:46 PM

Well as expected, the dealership service guy hands me the 30 point inspection invoice. After reading all that needed to be replaced, the total bill would come to over $4,000!!!!!! WTF

: I grabbed the invoice, and said thank you, but I need to evaluate this before I repair anything. So, thereafter, I took it to my trusted mechanic, and he said they got a couple things right that need immediate attention. Like my Thermostat Housing, and Power Steering Hose. The rest didn't need to be replaced, and was just mumbo jumbo so that the dealer can rape my wallet.

Anyhow, the thermostat housing, and Power Steering Hose would of cost me $775.00 if done at the stearlership. My mechanic was only charging me $200.00 parts/labor.

Now, that's more like it! I'll post a scan of the inspection invoice from the dealer, so you all get an idea. lol

Eric S. · 05-21-2006, 12:21 AM

$200's a good price to pay someone to do both of those items together. I am curious as to what all the other items were on your list and would love to comment on them, if you don't mind sharing. Many are probably things we (on this forum) have seen or heard before and can offer practical what-really-needs-to-be-done advice. I would be wary of just dismissing everything on the list just b/c your mechanic says so.

For instance, a BMW tech actually told me not to bother replacing my O2 sensors on my '99 540 (maintenance schedule calls for replacing all O2 sensors at 100K miles and I am well past that). As it turns out (from research on multiple forums), replacing the front (upstream) sensors is very important, and upon replacing them I re-gained a good bit of lost mpg.