Hi,
I bought my bike at the Mountain View BMW shop and one of the perks they offer is the opportunity to have prepaid annual service. What are your thoughts on this?
I can share more details if questions come up.
Pre-Paid Annual Service
Moderator: Moderators
Pre-Paid Annual Service
Gaston #1135
'03 R1150R Black
'99 Suzuki Bandit 1200 BRG
El Cerrito, CA
'03 R1150R Black
'99 Suzuki Bandit 1200 BRG
El Cerrito, CA
Do they offer any price break from the standard pricing? What exactly does it cover (parts, labor, shop fees, etc?) I'm leary of prepaid service plans since it seems like they can always get you on things that aren't included in the standard service (I guess you would pay for them anyways but....it's easier to add on to a repair bill if you only had to pay $100 instead of $500 at the counter). Plus, you are typically financing the service and paying interest on it, so you may end up paying more.
Is the prepaid only for the annual service, or all services? The annual service is in addition to the normal intervals (6k, 12k, etc.) and usually includes brake fluid flush and bleed checks, among other things.
I guess it would make sure the required service does get done if it was already paid for!
On another note, my wife bit off on the pre-paid service for our last car and it is convenient, but car service is more predictable than motorcycle. But that service only included oil/filter changes, not necessarily the 12k mile service 'check', which is a little more than oil/filter.
Is the prepaid only for the annual service, or all services? The annual service is in addition to the normal intervals (6k, 12k, etc.) and usually includes brake fluid flush and bleed checks, among other things.
I guess it would make sure the required service does get done if it was already paid for!
On another note, my wife bit off on the pre-paid service for our last car and it is convenient, but car service is more predictable than motorcycle. But that service only included oil/filter changes, not necessarily the 12k mile service 'check', which is a little more than oil/filter.
John
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
Member 293 (I think)
'17 Triumph Tiger 1200 XRX
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peterbulgar
- Basic User
- Posts: 188
- Joined: Wed Mar 23, 2005 8:40 pm
- Location: San Francisco, CA
BMW has free service for 5 years/60K miles (or something like that) for their high-end automobiles. Of course the service isn't free at all - it is built into the cost of the car. It is convienient for the (wealthy to be sure) owner because there's never a question of what is covered under warranty - everything from brake pads to oil filters is "free". Just take the car to the dealer at the specified intervals or whenever anything is wrong and you don't pay a dime.
I've been dealing with Cal BMW in Mountain View since they opened and have always found them to be a fair and honest shop that does very good work. If the annual service plan is purchased along with the bike, then you are financing the service, perhaps at a low rate. The advantage is that you don't take a big hit in your wallet when it comes time for the somewhat pricey BMW service, and you won't be inclined to put it off. Unless there was a price break of some kind I wouldn't go for it myself, but YMMV. It's an intriguing way of dealing with all those complaints (on this forum and others) about the high cost of BMW service.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA
I've been dealing with Cal BMW in Mountain View since they opened and have always found them to be a fair and honest shop that does very good work. If the annual service plan is purchased along with the bike, then you are financing the service, perhaps at a low rate. The advantage is that you don't take a big hit in your wallet when it comes time for the somewhat pricey BMW service, and you won't be inclined to put it off. Unless there was a price break of some kind I wouldn't go for it myself, but YMMV. It's an intriguing way of dealing with all those complaints (on this forum and others) about the high cost of BMW service.
Peter '73 R75/5, '04 R1150RA
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Paul Mihalka
- Basic User
- Posts: 201
- Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 8:45 pm
- Location: Maryland
A bit of hijack story: When we moved to the USA in 1982, I walked into the closest BMW dealer - 441Cycle in Ft. Lauderdale - and purchased a new R100 without much hagling. I visited two weeks later and the owner very kindly told me that he just instituted a incentive that everybody buying a new bike will get one year of free service including all necessary parts, and as I was so nice, he will give it to me too. At that time he didn't know me and didn't know that I will ride over 30K miles in the year. 
He got some of it back. Three month later I started working for him
He got some of it back. Three month later I started working for him You don't stop riding because you get old - you get old because you stop riding!
hi thanks, again, you guys are a great support. John, all great points and I'll fill in the details before making a decision. Peter, great to hear you like CalMoto, all of my experiences there have been very positive too. I'm not sure I'm looking for a job but Paul, your tale speaks well of BMW!
Gaston #1135
'03 R1150R Black
'99 Suzuki Bandit 1200 BRG
El Cerrito, CA
'03 R1150R Black
'99 Suzuki Bandit 1200 BRG
El Cerrito, CA
Think about this. Pre-paid service. Present value of $ always exceeds future value of $ given the inflationary nature of $. Since the dealer figures you are financing the bike (not a good idea), you'll be willing to add in the prepayment too. He jsut increased his commission he's gonna get from whatever financing agency he uses. A good deal for the dealer and a not so good deal for you. Don't forget, the dealer is never going to "give" you anything. You will always pay for it somehow.