[1997gtx]

As some of you might know, I recently bought a 2008 328xi sedan. I am having the car shipped to me in a couple weeks, and want to make an appointment with the dealer to have the checked out locally to ensure everything is OK - and replace anything necessary under warranty.

Does anyone know what a realistic price for this should be? I've called a few local dealers and they are all quoting me vastly different prices for including similar services (ie - road test, inspection, oil change, etc...).

Also - with the BMW warranty/maintenance, are things like oil changes typically covered?

Thanks~
--Adam

[wilbur_the_goose]

Here's what I did - my state inspection was due so I let the BMW dealer do it. They didn't find anything, but did change the oil.

The mech put on the wrong month on the inspection sticker, so I got that for free too.

My free ride ends just before Thanksgiving. After that, it's back to my fantastic local mechanic, who charges MUCH less than the dealer and doesn't have the snooty attitude.

[1997gtx]

So, best to go to a local mechanic who knows BMW, and then bring it to the dealer if something needs to be fixed?

[cb1111]

Originally Posted by 1997gtx

So, best to go to a local mechanic who knows BMW, and then bring it to the dealer if something needs to be fixed?

Correct - ask in your local forums about a trusted local independent tech and ask them to look the car over. That should cost a half hour to an hour labor.

Remember that the dealership doesn't have a real interest in finding issues, but the indy has an interest in gaining a customer.

[jaybird124]

Originally Posted by cb1111

Correct - ask in your local forums about a trusted local independent tech and ask them to look the car over. That should cost a half hour to an hour labor.

Remember that the dealership doesn't have a real interest in finding issues, but the indy has an interest in gaining a customer.

Why wouldnt the dealer have interest? They do get paid for warranty work.

My dealer always was looking for things that needed to be fixed on my under warranty car. Awesome service dept.

[1997gtx]

^ Yes, this is what I was thinking. Every time I bring my Audi in, they find three things wrong (granted, it's an Audi). But they always like finding things, because they know they're going to get paid the more things they find, and they know I'll allow them to do it since it's all covered under warranty.