Inspection I breakdown - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Mmm-Five · 9th September 2003, 12:43

I've just had two quotes for my imminent Inspection I from two stealers.

Both include 53 work units (4 hours 25 minutes), parts & vat.

Dealer 1 - £506
Dealer 2 - £757

From first glance it looks like the difference is down to hourly rates, but when questioned it seems the difference in hourly rate is only £10 so the difference should be only £42

So, my questions are:

1) Where's the extra £100 being spent?

2) What parts are needed for an Inspection I

3) What's included in an Inspection I

4) Should I tell BMW to fück off and stick to independents (currently only use BMW for Inspections/Services anyway)

PS - I am also going to build up a list of prices for Inpsections/Services from my local (within 30 minutes) dealers/independents as every three months I go through the same procedure!

Thanks guys (probably Ivan for #3

)
Tony

IvanDias · 9th September 2003, 12:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Mmm-Five
What's included in an Inspection I
Thanks guys (probably Ivan for #3 )

I only have the list for Inspection II.

Inspection II checklist given to me by MikeK

Price is for the standard work and included Insp II parts. I`m sure a dealer will find addtional chargeable parts that need replacing...

Ivan.

Mmm-Five · 9th September 2003, 18:59

I've now spoken to 9 dealers/independents and the top price is still £757 but I have an independent quoting £213.

Although I have used this independent before for non-service work, it looks too cheap.

Also, does anyone know if the valve clearances are adjusted at every inspection or just at every 1nd Inspection II - because three dealers say it is done every time!

sdc77 · 9th September 2003, 19:18

My understanding is that valve clearances are checked every inspection 2.
An inspection of the clearances involves a new gasket .. which should be on the invoice (along with any replaced shims).
Seems a lot of dealers avoid it.. and a fair few independants don't like doing it.. from reading posts here.
I do my own.

ECM4 · 9th September 2003, 19:45

The book says every second Inspection 2 but sdc77's correct. I went round to my local friendly German car specialist and they'd never checked clearances ever, didn't even have a tool I could borrow! Borrowed a Mk1 Golf tool which looks similar (but may not work!). Valve clearances are a big job. It takes about an hour just to measure them, the engine has to be cold (not hot like the VW's) and it's a right pain dismantling all those ignition coils.

I read the Inspection 2 section in my service book and thought 'that's ok I can do all that in an afternoon' then read 'All of Inspection 1 Plus the following for Inspection 2'!!!!

Why don't you make out a list of tasks and send it out for quotes?

I'll send you my Excel spreadsheet as a starter.............

Mmm-Five · 10th September 2003, 12:22

When I asked for the dealer quotes I also asked what was invovled in the Inspection I as I remember it being much cheaper last year.

Three of the six quoted the valve clearances and the other three weren't sure as they were just customer service reps not technicians.

Strangely though, the three that included the valve clearances were not the most expensive!

I'll have to check with the independents to ensure their price includes it so I can assess them on an even basis.

Looks like I'm going for one of the cheaper independents though for my 130,000 mile service!

sdc77 · 10th September 2003, 12:47

Again.. looking at past posts on this. There seems to be a good chance that a valve clearance check wont be done. Even though people may get charged for it. The gasket is an indication. But all I can go off is my last experience with our latest BMW dealer.
I asked about buying shims. They didnt stock any they said. I asked how long they would have the car for for a service 2. One day they said. When I pointed out that the engine had to be cold to check clearances that they then had to order replacement shims etc making it possibly as long as 3 days he (possibly joking) suggested I take it to a specialist engine builder.

Thats why I do them myself.

Steve Mac · 11th September 2003, 23:12

Very few stealers do this job but will charge you for it.

They SHOULD be checked EVERY inspection 1 + 2

My local stealer even told me they didn`t have the tool

I told them i had one they looked V surprised

I then took mine to Munich Legends and was pleased with the service(although some board members have different views)

£350+VAT for the insp 2 not bad me thinks.......

Mmm-Five · 12th September 2003, 11:23

I would use Bexley Motor Works or Munich Legends but they're not local to me for either home or work.

I'm starting to trust my local independent as he will actually repair things if he can rather than replace the whole unit.

A case in point was one of my headlamps blew the bulb and in the process of changing it the little spring clip flew off into the undergrowth. I got home with one headlamp and went to BMW for a replacement clip - no clips available sir, only the headlamp which is £70 or so!

Autotech replaced the clip from an old E30 foglight instead for free!

DrSakke · 12th September 2003, 21:15

Valve clearances should be checked EVERY insp. I & II, says so in the manual and so has my local dealer also stated (AND done) !!!
I would guess that if you don´t punish the car, every insp II would suffice though.....
Anyway I will have it done at every insp.

´Bye
Sakke