E46 M3 Service Prices

[bigpr]

I just bought a 2002 M3 with the 6-speed manual trans. I took it to the nearest dealership (Los Angeles area) where they recommended an Inspection II Service. They quoted me the following prices for Maintenance services:
$450 - Oil Service
$1250 - Inspection I
$1700 - Inspection II
Is this what you all are paying for these services? I've never owned a BMW before, but these prices sound ridiculously high (especially the oil change). I'm not opposed to doing the work myself, I just need to buy a few new tools.

[superdeadman]

oil change does sound high
for my car (5 series), oil change is in high 60s, but it needs to be done like every 10k miles

as far as inspections go, i'd say it's normal since it probably takes a while to inspect a car and bmw does charge good $90/hour

[paco1076]

Yikes, that sucks. I don't know what the local place charges here (in Maryland), but I will ask and let you guys know.

[Teh Prof]

I pay very little for the oil service, about $400 for Inspection I, and $600 for Inspection II on my 97 M3. I have an independent BMW specialist mechanic in VA, just outside of the beltway on Lee Hwy.

[zoomzoom]

For what its worth, my son owns a M3, and when I asked him about cost, this was his reply.

"I just changed the oil last month, my 2nd oil change since I got the car. 1st time the dealer did it, also had the inspection 1 done while under maintenance warranty at XXX Dealer before it expired. No charge!! Inspection 2 is done at 60K and costs around 1500 from what I’ve heard. Oil change is about 60-75 bucks if you buy the oil and filter from the dealer, and is very easy to do (especially if you have a friend with a lift ;0) ) The M3 uses a specially formulated oil ava only from the dealer, Castrol 5w60 synthetic I believe.

The M3 is very easy to do because the oil filter is on top in front of the engine, and getting to the drain plug is the only challenge, which as I say is easy if I drive to XXX Location. I figure I need to get the oil hot any way, and XXX is very cool about letting me have lift time, if I give him notice, and come when convenient for him.

"I don’t feel the cost of maint is high compared to other marques, and if you buy new, it’s covered anyway, so why worry? My lubricated parts are covered for 6 years, or 100k due to the bearing recall done on this production series E46 M3."

ZZ

[EmPower]

Perhaps those prices are because the car has never had these services before and it is in crap condition? I've paid $60 for an oil service.... havent had inspection I/II yet but my service guy tells me $600/$900 on average for them respectively...depending on what they find and correct during the services

[MasterE46]

Dont feek bad I bought a 2004 M3 SMG in September, replaced the trans $11,000 and Head gasket $5000, and I haven't even gotten Inspection Ior II yet. It's just a rule of thumb, you gotta pay to play...

[MasterE46]

Ouch

[darkhorse737]

it's my turn to say... i don't know, man... i just don't know.

I hung out in a bar somewhere in the tropics, where the bartender would say:
"sometimes, i scratch my head AND wonder; and sometimes... I just scratch my head..."

[AlpineSixAndSeven]

this thead is from 06 when Teh Prof still had an M3....

[Teh Prof]

Originally Posted by AlpineSixAndSeven

this thead is from 06 when Teh Prof still had an M3....

Yes, now I just get to drive it :-)