mcstahl
- Feb 21, 2008 1:11 pm
(#40 Total: 40)
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I have an 02 M3 and would always recommend you do the work yourselves. Especially brake and rotor changes. This couldn't be easier.
However, if you will still be taking your car to the dealership, look into joining BMW Car Club of America(BMWCCA). I get a 20% discount on all parts and it's my understanding that most shops do the same. $40 a year for the membership would save you much more than that on this trip alone.
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Please e-mail me, estreka. I'd like to understand the method to your madness.
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estreka
- Feb 13, 2008 5:18 pm
(#38 Total: 40)
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subarctic north - Great Falls, MT |
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Oh, I'm aware. My S was still under warranty when I first bought it when I took it to a certain Honda stealership in Santa Maria (hint: the only one). I told them I needed something done (can't remember what) and that it was covered under warranty. They went to work and fixed the little thing I needed, but then they also did a full lube and filter change, without my permission. I remember my bill being well over $100. I was miffed.
I called the local dealership and a few I used to frequent in San Marcos, Austin, and Lufkin as well as a few sample locations (New York NY, Montgomery AL, Orlando FL, and Lansing MI). New York was the highest with 12%, Montgomery reported 9%, and the other 2 were 10%. Oh, and I called a distributor after local guy gave me his number. The distributor confirmed avg 10% markup. We're talking 10% over cost, not 10% above what you can buy direct.
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I too have an E46 M3 and so I know that BMW dealerships rape you for service and parts. The bushings (RTAB's) are only $80 for a pair so they are charging you $720 in labor, which is 6 hrs @$120/hr. It should only take them 2-3 hours max to remove and replace the bushings! Even I did the same job myself in 2 hours. Alternatively, you can also buy polyeurathane bushings by Powerflex for $100/pair, which are stiffer and will last longer.
Also, the alignment should be $150 max.
I would advise you to find a good indy shop to do the suspension work and save a bunch of money!
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estreka, where was the general consensus was 10%? Price gouging probably isn't as rampant in Great Falls, MT as it is in areas such as Southern California.
Trying calling your friendly Southern California Honda dealership (those people in the blue shirts - Southern Californians will get what I'm saying (think: local Honda commercials)) or a few in other major metropolises. You'll easily understand how the term "stealership" became so popular.
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General consensus? Uh, so there is variation even among honda dealers? Did you survey a local area or over a state or nationwide?
FWIW, yes, BMW cars are bimmers. Beemers are motorcycles made by BMW.
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estreka
- Feb 13, 2008 3:08 pm
(#34 Total: 40)
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subarctic north - Great Falls, MT |
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I was writing an MBA paper on financing and I made a few calls, local and corporate. The general concensus was 10%.
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BMW parts prices may vary greatly from one dealership to another.
I don't believe the Acura dealership I used to work at charged 10% over MSRP on parts. Where did you hear/read that?
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estreka
- Feb 13, 2008 2:08 pm
(#32 Total: 40)
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subarctic north - Great Falls, MT |
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Suby - My understanding is that Honda charges a flat 10% markup on all parts. What's BMW's markup?
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Fact of the day:
Min Front Rotor Thickness for E46 M3 at which replacement is recommended per BMWNA Full Maintenance/Ultimate Service Plan: 26.4 mm (New: 28 mm)
Min Rear Rotor Thickness for E46 M3: 18.4 (New: 20 mm)
Here's a good dyk:
The cross-drilled brake rotors for the E46 M3 had (as of June 2006) the same MSRP as the regular brake rotors for the E46 M3. The thing is most dealerships don't charge MSRP for parts but much over. :(
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Wow, that Ferrari 308 is starting to look downright economical all of a sudden.
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I thought beemers were motorcycles?
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After 14 years driving beemers, I can tell you the bushing cost is about right and high performance beemers drivren hard eat the bushings, so check the fronts when you do the alignment. The other charges are off the wall. An alignment should run $100 or so. As to the brakes, make sure you really need new rotors. I know the BMW dealership routinely tell you you have to replace both rotors and pads, but my 25 year BMW trained independent mechanic told me that was bunk. So far, my experience is that he is right. High quality pad replacement should run no more than $300. As to tires, my current 540i seems to eat them for lunch and never last more than 20K miles at best, so feel free to experiment.
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Guys, keep in mind they're not taking the Ferrari to the Ferrari dealer for service. And if they take the M3 to a real repair shop instead of a stealership, the prices will drop by 30-40%.
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The idea that all cars are the same and therefore the prices for labor and service should be the same is pure fantasy. If you have a Honda or Toyota and want to keep it b/c it offers affordable upkeep - you shouldn't be anywhere near an M3. Run, don't walk away.
as for the bushings - the abnormal tire wear in the rear was all the evidence we needed.
Independent shops are great - we use one for our 308. Still, in most cases I'm willing to bet a dealership like Long Beach BMW has superior talent, technology and a deeper parts bin. Does that cost extra? Yep.
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I like that they are using a dealership for service, since that's what most people will do, and we learn about the experience on here. Although... they are using an independent shop for the Ferrari, and that seems to be the implied "comparison" vehicle here (used sports cars). And used car buyers are probably more inclined to go independent anyway, compared to new car buyers.
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Thats why you just buy a BMW new, and then pay a grand to extend the maintenance and don't worry at all about how much they want for a brake job or alignment.
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opfreak
- Feb 13, 2008 6:09 am
(#23 Total: 40)
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ouch as bad as the 20 year old red machine you have.
if thats the cost for both these machines. hmm. I might just stick with my econo cars unless i start making crazy money.
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rkoe36
- Feb 13, 2008 5:39 am
(#22 Total: 40)
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Ah the joys of taking an M3 to the shop. I had hoped to one day own an e46 M3, as it's the last real M3, but if things are still this expensive to fix (my e36 cost me $5000 over the course of about four months)I can't really see why anyone would pick one up. It's such a shame that BMW is supposed to build these wonderful cars and that goes to the mechanics' heads when they announce (because what else can you call it?) the bill.
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roblaw
- Feb 13, 2008 4:56 am
(#21 Total: 40)
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Are these normal prices for service for a BMW? My Lexus dealer charges $100 for an alignment, which is 40% higher than my Honda dealer. $1000.00 for pads and rotors? The hourly rate on this repair would seem to be higher than most lawyers and at least twice as high as most luxury car dealers I have ever dealt with.
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