Question about BMW Service

Gizzy's_M235i · 11-14-2014, 07:10 AM

What's up boys (and girls),
Looking for some advice here. This weekend my car wouldn't start so I had it towed to BMW. BMW sends me a quote charging a fee for diagnosing the non start issue, starter replacement, and then other items they identified my car as needing now or in the near future like tires, alignment, and breaks. I called the dealer and said to just fix the starter which was over $1000. When I went to pick up my car they also charged me for diagnosing the problem. Is that standard with BMW? I've taken my car for service before and wasnt charged for a diagnosis. I've always thought if you fix your car there they dont charge for diagnosing the issue. I sort of feel like I might of gotten ripped off. Somebody please talk me off the ledge here. In all seriousness, does anybody have experience with this? Does anyone know if this is standard procedure? Thanks for reading and your replies.

PichaDis11 · 11-14-2014, 07:34 AM

Yup normal raping procedure and you have already assumed the position by going there. Lol

Yes there are shop hrs to be accounted for finding your problem. Advantage to this is Atleast you know the work is warrantied and if this problem to happen shortly you can take it back to them.

hockeyplayer · 11-14-2014, 08:35 AM

Don't take it to the dealer unless you absolutely have to. Find a good indy shop in your area that is experienced with BMWs.

Good luck.

ctuna · 11-14-2014, 11:17 AM

In the Big Metro Area's the dealers gouge extra hard.
New York City , San Francisco , LA , Silicon Valley etc etc.
If you can find a good Indy you can save 20 to 50 percent.
There are a lot of DIY's and some things you can do quite easily
like Air Filter for examples.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16

One guy reported the labor rate at Silicon Valley Dealer at 199 per hour .

krahooligan · 11-14-2014, 11:53 AM

GO TO AN INDY.
Unless you know one of the Service Advisors really well.
But normally anywhere will charge a diagnostic fee. Standard Stealership procedure.

Agentphish · 11-14-2014, 11:55 AM

I have had experiences where the diagnostic fee was applied to the repair cost if the repair was performed then and there by that shop or dealership, so I get where the OP is coming from and what he's thinking/feeling...

Unfortunately, BMW charges out the ass for everything possible. It does suck.

As other's have said, a good indy can save you a lot of money. DIY can save you even more.

El Cheapo Loco · 11-14-2014, 12:19 PM

Definitely NOT standard procedure. I've never been charged diagnostic fee if the shop completes the repair. This goes for dealer or indie. I just had my starter replaced by a dealer in LA for $940 out the door. They waived the diag fee.

AnthonyT · 11-14-2014, 04:38 PM

I've never been charged, only time they said they'd charge is if I didn't fix it there.

JonathanRPicasso · 11-14-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrgiz13

What's up boys (and girls),
Looking for some advice here. This weekend my car wouldn't start so I had it towed to BMW. BMW sends me a quote charging a fee for diagnosing the non start issue, starter replacement, and then other items they identified my car as needing now or in the near future like tires, alignment, and breaks. I called the dealer and said to just fix the starter which was over $1000. When I went to pick up my car they also charged me for diagnosing the problem. Is that standard with BMW? I've taken my car for service before and wasnt charged for a diagnosis. I've always thought if you fix your car there they dont charge for diagnosing the issue. I sort of feel like I might of gotten ripped off. Somebody please talk me off the ledge here. In all seriousness, does anybody have experience with this? Does anyone know if this is standard procedure? Thanks for reading and your replies.

Yea if you read your warranty it doesn't cover diagnosis

paprmkr · 11-14-2014, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elcheapoloco

Definitely NOT standard procedure. I've never been charged diagnostic fee if the shop completes the repair. This goes for dealer or indie. I just had my starter replaced by a dealer in LA for $940 out the door. They waived the diag fee.

Plus BMW warranties the starter for 2yrs. did you know that even if you or indy installed the starter bmw will replace if fails.

11-14-2014, 07:10 AM	#1
Gizzy's_M235i Private First Class 14 Rep 181 Posts Drives: X1 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	Question about BMW Service What's up boys (and girls), Looking for some advice here. This weekend my car wouldn't start so I had it towed to BMW. BMW sends me a quote charging a fee for diagnosing the non start issue, starter replacement, and then other items they identified my car as needing now or in the near future like tires, alignment, and breaks. I called the dealer and said to just fix the starter which was over $1000. When I went to pick up my car they also charged me for diagnosing the problem. Is that standard with BMW? I've taken my car for service before and wasnt charged for a diagnosis. I've always thought if you fix your car there they dont charge for diagnosing the issue. I sort of feel like I might of gotten ripped off. Somebody please talk me off the ledge here. In all seriousness, does anybody have experience with this? Does anyone know if this is standard procedure? Thanks for reading and your replies.
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11-14-2014, 07:34 AM	#2
PichaDis11 Colonel 295 Rep 2,202 Posts Drives: E90 N52 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	Yup normal raping procedure and you have already assumed the position by going there. Lol Yes there are shop hrs to be accounted for finding your problem. Advantage to this is Atleast you know the work is warrantied and if this problem to happen shortly you can take it back to them. __________________ Retrofits: 322, 609, 6FL, 6NR, 6VC, 2TB.. Upgrades: Bilstein B8 Eibach Spring kit
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11-14-2014, 08:35 AM	#3
hockeyplayer Captain 74 Rep 776 Posts Drives: 2006 325i, 2006 325xi Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: NC iTrader: (0)	Don't take it to the dealer unless you absolutely have to. Find a good indy shop in your area that is experienced with BMWs. Good luck.
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11-14-2014, 11:17 AM	#4
ctuna Lieutenant General 1911 Rep 13,103 Posts Drives: 325xi 06 wagon MT Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Santa Cruz, Ca iTrader: (0)	In the Big Metro Area's the dealers gouge extra hard. In the Big Metro Area's the dealers gouge extra hard. New York City , San Francisco , LA , Silicon Valley etc etc. If you can find a good Indy you can save 20 to 50 percent. There are a lot of DIY's and some things you can do quite easily like Air Filter for examples. http://www.e90post.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=16 One guy reported the labor rate at Silicon Valley Dealer at 199 per hour .
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11-14-2014, 11:53 AM	#5
krahooligan Lieutenant 52 Rep 405 Posts Drives: 2008 328i e90 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: WEST COAST iTrader: (0)	GO TO AN INDY. Unless you know one of the Service Advisors really well. But normally anywhere will charge a diagnostic fee. Standard Stealership procedure.
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11-14-2014, 11:55 AM	#6
Agentphish Major 129 Rep 1,052 Posts Drives: '08 328i Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: SF Bay Area iTrader: (2)	I have had experiences where the diagnostic fee was applied to the repair cost if the repair was performed then and there by that shop or dealership, so I get where the OP is coming from and what he's thinking/feeling... Unfortunately, BMW charges out the ass for everything possible. It does suck. As other's have said, a good indy can save you a lot of money. DIY can save you even more. __________________ '08 328i \| TiAg \| 6MT \| CDV Mod \| RevMotoring Silicon Intake Tube \| AG M310 \| Cold \| Premium \| HiFi \| V1 Hardwire \| AirPlay - FiiO DAC '15 Golf SE Sport \| Pure White
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11-14-2014, 12:19 PM	#7
El Cheapo Loco douchebaggo 186 Rep 972 Posts Drives: stick Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	Definitely NOT standard procedure. I've never been charged diagnostic fee if the shop completes the repair. This goes for dealer or indie. I just had my starter replaced by a dealer in LA for $940 out the door. They waived the diag fee.
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11-14-2014, 04:38 PM	#8
AnthonyT First Lieutenant 29 Rep 357 Posts Drives: 2008 335I Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	I've never been charged, only time they said they'd charge is if I didn't fix it there.
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