BMW servicing

[conkerman]

Man up you lot

The 11S Boxer is just about the easiest bike todo a basic service on there is.

Good 3/8 socket set with torx and hex bits + boxer specific stuff (plug and oil filter tool) is all you need.

This guy has a bunch of videos about various jobs on BMWs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BavarianBomberWrench

Failing that, find a local member with spanners and bring a crate of beer

[eyore]

Man up you lot

The 11S Boxer is just about the easiest bike todo a basic service on there is.

Good 3/8 socket set with torx and hex bits + boxer specific stuff (plug and oil filter tool) is all you need.

This guy has a bunch of videos about various jobs on BMWs.

http://www.youtube.com/user/BavarianBomberWrench

Failing that, find a local member with spanners and bring a crate of beer

Hear, hear. Apart from a full brake fluid change which needs a diagnostic plug in , everything else is easily accessible and pretty basic which is the great joy of an air/oil cooled boxer.

[Blackal]

Over on UKGSer - there is a large number of people who lambast those who choose to have their bikes serviced by the main dealer.

I suspect they are also the ones who bemoan the fact that there isn't a dealer local to them - for them to have a test ride, or get parts from.

Well - here's a newsflash................ If you don't support a dealer - don't be surprised when they close.

Al

[slparry]

UKGS is full of impolite faux tough guys who like to bully others, which is why I prefer it here where mostly everyone's more civilised

[eyore]

Over on UKGSer - there is a large number of people who lambast those who choose to have their bikes serviced by the main dealer.

I suspect they are also the ones who bemoan the fact that there isn't a dealer local to them - for them to have a test ride, or get parts from.

Well - here's a newsflash................ If you don't support a dealer - don't be surprised when they close.

Al

Its a catch 22, but do you spend more than you need ,to subsidise a dealer just so he will remain in business. I won't. At the end of the day you will get anything you need online and delivered to your door cheaper. Not saying its right, but dealers woulden't be going to the wall if they were competitive on price whether sales, service, parts or accessories. If they are not competitive people wont use them and they will go bust which is natural selection.
We only have two BMW main dealers here in Ireland and two independants , I have never been to any of them ,which is more their loss than mine.

[eyore]

UKGS is full of impolite faux tough guys who like to bully others, which is why I prefer it here where mostly everyone's more civilised

Absolutely right Steve, dreadful place full of nasty keyboard warriors whose egos are out of control which is a shame as there is a huge knowledge base there.

This is a much nicer place

[slparry]

UKGS is full of impolite faux tough guys who like to bully others, which is why I prefer it here where mostly everyone's more civilised

Absolutely right Steve, dreadful place full of nasty keyboard warriors whose egos are out of control which is a shame as there is a huge knowledge base there.

This is a much nicer place

The other place I used to frequent, Twinspark will know where I mean, is similar. In the end I just got bored with the racist slurs etc (apparently you can't make a comment against islam etc but being Welsh/Irish/Scottish means you're fair game). In the end it just got too tedious to get involved with. I pop in and out of the FB page, (largely because if someone's particularly obnoxious on FB I can simply block them and never see their ramblings) but never use the Usenet forum anymore

[Dezie]

As simple as it may be, many owners (me included) rely on a garage for servicing and maintenance. And they don't all perform to a good standard.

How about a section for members to comment on their local preferences? It could also be used by members who are willing to do these jobs for others.

Des

[slparry]

As simple as it may be, many owners (me included) rely on a garage for servicing and maintenance. And they don't all perform to a good standard.

How about a section for members to comment on their local preferences? It could also be used by members who are willing to do these jobs for others.

Des

I use Williams Manchester for my K12GT, largely because it has BMW extended warranty on it. I've always been happy with them and their prices usually, especially when compared with servicing costs on Japanese, HD, Triumph and Ducati's etc.

When I had my DRZ400 I rode the 30 miles round trip to the local Suzuki dealer for an oil filter for it, to be told they were'nt a stock item (!) ... heck when I was involved with Kawasaki air and oil filters where a basic minimum stock item along with spark plugs, points and condensers (it was a while back )

They said they could get one in for me in two days time, I declined and just said I can order one for tomorrow and save another 30 mile trip

This is the problem with multi franchise dealerships I feel. At the end of the day they have a % of budget for holding stock. With a single franchise dealer that % stretches further than if you're selling 4 or 5 brands

[Steve1200S]

Had the 36k service done on my GT a few months ago, £450+! It's the same as the 18k which is the most expensive. Apparently thats almost all labour for getting to the valves (front end needs to come off!).

Think the next is about £250ish for all fluids changing. want to keep the warranty up, and I need a curtasy bike, which is why I'm still going to the main dealer. + they are 10mins away from my work.

I was quoted £300+ to repace all the brake pads as they are 70/80% worn! £150 for the set (brembo) from motorworks.... think I'll do that my self!

[slparry]

Had the 36k service done on my GT a few months ago, £450+! It's the same as the 18k which is the most expensive. Apparently thats almost all labour for getting to the valves (front end needs to come off!).

Think the next is about £250ish for all fluids changing. want to keep the warranty up, and I need a curtasy bike, which is why I'm still going to the main dealer. + they are 10mins away from my work.

I was quoted £300+ to repace all the brake pads as they are 70/80% worn! £150 for the set (brembo) from motorworks.... think I'll do that my self!

Just cable tie the pad warning thingies out the way Steve, I put EBC's in the front and rear of mine, however the OEM has sintered front and fibre rear, the EBC's upset the linked brake balance a bit so I've got an oem set for the rear and will put ebc's in the front again.

EBC did design and make replacement pad wear warning wires for the K's, they even have an EBC part number but BMW threatened to sue them if they were released :S so only the pads can be supplied by EBC not the wear cables !

[Boxermed69]

As simple as it may be, many owners (me included) rely on a garage for servicing and maintenance. And they don't all perform to a good standard.

How about a section for members to comment on their local preferences? It could also be used by members who are willing to do these jobs for others.

Des

Quite right Des. I can feel a recommendation coming on. Best stick it in the proper section though.

Mike

[bobtail]

'I use Williams Manchester for my K12GT, largely because it has BMW extended warranty on it. I've always been happy with them and their prices usually, especially when compared with servicing costs on Japanese, HD, Triumph and Ducati's etc.'

Fully agree with you, Steve, about Williams.

Bought the K12S from them had it 'looked after' by them ever since and as my mechanical abilities are not much better than kicking the tyres I rely on them to keep it in fine fettle and, to date, have been very pleased with the service they provide.

[Blackal]

Over on UKGSer - there is a large number of people who lambast those who choose to have their bikes serviced by the main dealer.

I suspect they are also the ones who bemoan the fact that there isn't a dealer local to them - for them to have a test ride, or get parts from.

Well - here's a newsflash................ If you don't support a dealer - don't be surprised when they close.

Al

Its a catch 22, but do you spend more than you need ,to subsidise a dealer just so he will remain in business. I won't. At the end of the day you will get anything you need online and delivered to your door cheaper. Not saying its right, but dealers woulden't be going to the wall if they were competitive on price whether sales, service, parts or accessories. If they are not competitive people wont use them and they will go bust which is natural selection.
We only have two BMW main dealers here in Ireland and two independants , I have never been to any of them ,which is more their loss than mine.

You can also make a couple of sandwiches at home - cheaper than you can buy a sandwich from M&S.

For some reason people accept paying a company to make them a laptop, without querying the profits made, but pitch a fit because the BMW dealer makes a profit?

You also pay 20% vat on the labour - but that's hardly the dealers' fault.

Al

[bikesnbones]

Not saying its right, but dealers woulden't be going to the wall if they were competitive on price whether sales, service, parts or accessories.

The problem for the dealers, in whatever retail sector they are in, is that they cannot compete with the internet sellers because they have relatively large overheads.
So it's not a case of them not wanting to be competitive.
Mostly, it's because they can't.
So slowly, in our relentless pursuit of a bargain no matter how small, the high street starts to disappear and we all suffer, as our local high streets become ghost towns full of charity shops, poundlands and bakery's.
I went to my local BMW dealership (Ocean BMW) this morning to buy a new pair of boots.
I ended up in there nearly 2 hours.
They're a great bunch of guys, and I ended up talking biking bollox with a couple of them over a coffee for ages,
Then I went into their cafeteria for a cheese and ham toasty and a read of MCN, before finally paying for my new boots, and talking even more biking bollox with the clothing salesman.
I had a good old chin wag with a bunch of enthusiasts, got a good cheap meal, oh and a pair of nice new BMW Summer boots.
In other words, I had a great morning out
That's something the internet cannot give you, and what we will all miss when it finally (as I'm sure it will), destroys the high street traders.