what did you pay for you 6K service?

[LeonardoNYC]

I tried searching the archives here with no luck. I am taking bike in NJ for oil change and items covered under warranty and the service manager suggested a 6K service while it was in there. What was refreshing is that he actually gave me the price before I had to ask and he said it would be $375 for parts and labor.

From what I can tell this is what will be done: http://www.ascycles.com/pdf/ServiceSche ... 00R_6K.pdf
Doesn't look like many parts will be needed. Is most of this $375 for labor? This is a dealer in NJ so I have to think their labor rates are about $75 an hour.

I tried calling Manhattan BMW to see what they charge as I live in Manhattan but to get someone on the phone there seems to require a skill I have yet to master.


LB

[kay bill c]

if my memory is correct 4-6 hrs labor,plus parts is the going rate.

[mogu83]

That's about what I paid, but then if that's the dealer right off Rt287 it's where I bought my bike. If you get it done while you wait you'll have to get there early to let the engine cool down for the valve adjustment. There's a diner about two miles North on Rt27 that opens at 7AM, plenty of time for a nice morning walk,breakfast and get back to dealer before they open. I was relatively satisfied and will go back for services till I'm out of warranty.

[ka5ysy]

Here is the 6000 mile breakout from Hebert's BMW. Keep in mind that I supplied my own oil (Amsoil Motorcycle synthetic) and Mobil-1 Full synthetic GL-5 gear lube for the transmission and final drive.

1. 6000 mile service 1.5 hrs @ 80.00/hr= 120.00
2. Rear Drive Service .5 hrs = 40.00
3. Gearbox Service .5 hrs = 20.00

Prebooking special discount = -30.00

PARTS:

Oil FIlter 16.05
wast disposal fee 3.00
Misc shop supplies 5.00
seal .77
gasket ring 1.54


sales tax 15.87


TOTAL 6000 mile service bill $192.23


The actual service time is dead on to the estimated flat rates in the service guide.

I requested the additional service of the transmission and final drive as it is not that much trouble to change it when on the lift, and is good insurance to keep the fluids changed regularly.

Considering that I had the pleasure of playing with the R1200RT and the F800ST bikes for the whole time I was in for service, I find the whole experience and pricing quite reasonable.

[towerworker]

I've only had my bike back to the dealer for routine service once since 2003. Paid about $140 for the 600 mile service. Went back a couple of times for warranty issues but I quickly learned how to do all the other service items myself (thanks to the education I received from this board)
Learning how to do stuff like valve adjusts and TB sync's really was fun. Put 42K on the 03 prior to totaling it in an accident and now have 30K on an 04. Have yet to do the ABS bleed but will tackle that one soon.

Wayne

[NeilS]

I had my dealer do the 600 mile service. They didn't do a bad job (took about 3 hours) and they charged me just under $300.

Then I had it back last fall for the brake line and antenna ring recalls. Their work was so sloppy that I vowed to not ever see them again. I could list everything they screwed up, but that would only raise my blood pressure (again).

So I did the 6000 mile/2 year service myself. Took around 3 hours, including the gear oil change and the valve adjustment, but not including rear drive oil or TB sync. Cost was only for the oil, filter, and seal rings.

Definitely not my first motorcycle service, but it was my first BMW motorcycle service. It wasn't anything to be afraid of.

[OU812]

I have wondered if you do the service yourself does the warranty stay in effect? Done my own on all of mine when the warranty was done.

[mogu83]

I have wondered if you do the service yourself does the warranty stay in effect? Done my own on all of mine when the warranty was done.

I assume (yes - I know about assume) that the warranty would still be good, but they might question if the service was performed correctly. I figured it's just easier to let them do it because if figured per mile it's not a lot of money (at least in the NYC area) and 'they' have no one to blame if the rear drive blows up or something else horrible happens.

[OU812]

That is what I am worried about. BMW Motarrad ? is known to knock off the coverage if their dealers don't do it all.

[USMCDad]

That is what I am worried about. BMW Motarrad ? is known to knock off the coverage if their dealers don't do it all.

That is illegal by Federal and most states' laws as well, but unscrupulous/uncooperative dealers do prey on consumers with that myth. And BMW nor any other major mfgr does not engage in this practice (individual dealers however, may attempt to do so). If a mfgr makes a warranty dependent on their own or their dealers' service, or their parts, then by law they must provide such service or parts free of charge to the consumer. Dealers may be an obstacle when one is trying to get mfgr's warranty service, but most of the time they just need a little reminder call from the factory zone rep and service improves. There is no such thing as a warranty being "voided" by improper, non-dealer, or even lack of service. The mfgr must prove that the improper or lack of service directly caused the failure in question. For example, if you don't change your engine oil and your rear drive fails, not changing your engine oil does not "void" the rear drive warranty.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson-Moss_Warranty_Act

[NeilS]

I'll leave it to the lawyers among us to explain the details of the Magnuson-Moss Act, but the short answer is that a manufacturer cannot deny warranty coverage because recommended maintenance is performed by other than authorized dealers or with other than official factory parts. In the case of DIY service, they could ask you to demonstrate your competence, and they can ask to see parts receipts, but if you can do that the warranty stands.

Harry, I agree that the cost per mile is low enough that I could let "them" do the work, but I need to believe that "they" can do at least as good a job as I can.

[deilenberger]

Neil - I'll just add:

If you're DIY - buy the parts from the dealer you'd be making a warranty claim with.

While under Magnuson-Moss BMW technically can't deny warranty - they can actually deny it and then you have to fight them to enforce MM. They have more lawyers then most people here do - and it doesn't actually cost them much to use them (they work for BMW.) It gives them something to do. If you at least buy the parts from the dealer - you have a chance the dealer will help with approval of the warranty claim. It really all comes down to your relationship with the local dealer - if they're in your corner, you are usually just fine under warranty.

Of course this always starts an argument about how BMW can't deny warranty. They really CAN - the denial might not hold up - but do you want to be in the position to prove it? I don't. People like to wave Magnuson-Moss around like it's magic. It's not. BMW can claim you weren't competant to do the work - you have to prove otherwise. BMW can claim you didn't use the correct parts - you have to prove otherwise. IF you can prove it (which becomes expensive since you need expert witnesses to show your competance) then you stand a chance of collecting for the repair. You won't collect for the cost of proving it, nor the lawyer you need to fight a warranty denial.

I do ALL my own work. I document it. It's in my service booklet. I use factory parts purchased from my friendly local dealer. So far - my only warranty claim - a lost screw from a saddlebag - was approved just fine. If you're at all worried about it - while under warranty - my advice is - take it to the dealer for the regular service.

[deilenberger]

Oh - I'll just add for the people who want to argue what I said:

Do whatever YOU want to do. Believe whatever YOU want to believe.

I base my OPINION on postings on warranty claims complaints/denials I've seen on other BMW forums, and on common sense. What you choose to do with your bike and your warranty is between you and whatever diety you may or may not choose to worship. It's no skin off my nose if you care to ignore my suggestion. But please don't come around complaining if it happens to you.

[NeilS]

Actually, Don, I'm surprised that you take the position you do. IIRC, you're a veteran of Corporate America, so I'm pretty sure you know about transfer costs and overhead. Those staff attorneys may just be sitting around waiting for your call, but they're not billing your cost center until they start working on your case.

Considering everything involved (lawyers, witnesses, travel, etc.) the cost to BMW of winning a warranty suit are probably greater than the cost to settle it. It might even be more than the value of the motorcycle in question. And, of course, they might even lose.

My point isn't to encourage litigation, but to say that we shouldn't be intimidated by the prospect of "losing warranty coverage."

[deilenberger]

My point isn't to encourage litigation, but to say that we shouldn't be intimidated by the prospect of "losing warranty coverage."

My point is - I can direct you to several threads where BMW *did* deny warranty coverage due to people not using parts or materials (oil filters, oil) that was "approved for use" with the bikes. While eventually there was a semi-positive outcome for the owners of the bikes (sometimes BMW eventually paid part of the warranty claim - not always all) - it was a huge hassle for the people involved, and they were without their bikes for months at a time.

As I said - do whatever YOU want. If BMW then denies warranty coverage and you have to fight to get it, well.. can't say I didn't warn you. BMW can be a very stubborn and Germanic company at times. I prefer to simply avoid any question of using the correct parts/fluids by using ones I buy from BMW. After spending $15 large for a bike, using a BMW filter or oil isn't going to break the bank. I'm basing this on experience - not on theory. You may consider it intimidation, I consider it common sense.

[lewellen]

To throw more gasoline into this particular file....

There is, to my understanding, one unequivocal case in which an automotive company can deny a warranty claim when service work is done at a location other than the dealer network or approved repair facility.

That's when the service work is paid for by the auto company during the warranty period. An example would be a new Volkswagen ... it comes with service for the first three years (or whatever).

Now, I could be wrong, and there could be exceptions (e.g. you live 300 miles from the nearest dealer), but I've heard this from a few people including a very good independent moto shop owner / service chief.

Not that it applies to most motorcycle brands, however. Other than that, you (or your smiling local friendly shop) need to use materials and parts that meet the minimum specifications established by the manufacturer, but that's it ... formally.

Personally, I find that bringing a package of Costco cookies or some home-made bread or something to the parts & service department, when I bring in the bike for service or to buy a part or something, goes a long way towards generating smiles and good memories. Besides being fun, it's cheap PR; and I like having a service manager who smiles when he sees me. (Believe me, it's never due to my looks....)

Good roads,

- Lewellen180

[thepeacebullgrunt]

Is it OK to give the bike for the 6K service to an independent Mechanic that can't update the servicing infos on the BMW dealer database ?
I know him...he is known from friends and works only on BMW bikes... he's asking +/- $200 for a 6K service following the official BMW task list as he said.

By the way do you have this official BMW 6K task list ? or is it somewhere in this conversation ?...well let me read all first..

My bike turned to 6K yesterday ! (I still didn't install all my electrical add-ons)

Called a few Official dealers in & around Los Angeles their estimate for the 6K service
was in between $260 and $355 or more if I remember well with IRV seaver in Orange County.

So ! logically I guess that I have up to ride up 6.6K to really do the servicing on time...

[outnabout]

Looking back at my receipt for my 6K service, I paid $345 at Capitol BMW in Raleigh, NC. I am getting the supplies together to do the 12K service myself this month. I'll play it safe and use BMW filters and fluids until my warranty runs out. For me, doing the work yourself does require some upfront expense for oil filter wrench, spark plug socket, and video plus BMW manual. I have all the other tools required and enjoy doing the work myself, but others may prefer the drop off and pickup method at a higher cost--to each his own.

My experience with BMW cars (don't know about MC) is that they are generally willing to work with you on major warranty issues unless they suspect abuse or neglect which may apply to using non-approved fluids. During my 6K service I had a good conversation with the service manager and he indicated that the onboard computer records a lot of information that can be viewed by BMW pertaining to how the motorcycle is ridden (e.g. how many times ABS is engaged, engine speed, revs, etc.).

[famousperson]

During my 6K service I had a good conversation with the service manager and he indicated that the onboard computer records a lot of information that can be viewed by BMW pertaining to how the motorcycle is ridden (e.g. how many times ABS is engaged, engine speed, revs, etc.).

That kind of scares me.

[LumpyCam]

My 6k service was 2.5 hrs labour and $84 shop supplies. Total $270CDN before government taxes (12% here for a total of $321).

Here's the 6,000 mi service to-do list:
http://www.ascycles.com/pdf/ServiceSche ... 00R_6K.pdf