Is this usual behavior for a BMW service center or should I expect more? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

djmccoy77 · 4th August 2004, 17:46

Yesterday my clutch finally failed while driving down the freeway. I had the car towed to Classic BMW in Dallas, my usual service center. There was no argument that it would not be covered under warranty since it was the first one in 57,000mi. The problem was that they wanted $1700 for a new clutch kit ($480 for parts and $1200 for labor!). If the flywheel needed replacement it would be an additional $1100.

Based on advice I recieved on the message board yesterday I decided to have the work done at BMW independent service center instead of attempting it myself with the help of a knowledgeable mechanic. Before I decided to bend over and pay the $1700 to Classic, I did some due dillegence and called the two other Dallas area service centers. John Roberts BMW gave me the best quote at $1100 ($480 for the part and $600 for labor). I promptly called my SA at Classic and told her that unless they matched the quote I planned to have the car towed from there so that JR could do the repair (for me, $600 savings was deffinately worth the hassel).

Initially my SA told me that there was no way they could meet that price and to go ahead and make arrangements for JR to put the new clutch in. When I left her voice mail to make the final arrangements for the towing service to pick up my car, she promptly called me back and agreed to match the price. She gave me some excuse about how orignally they planned to use some special engine technitian whose hourly labor rate was much higher than a normal service technitian. She told me that they could do the work with a regular technition for $1100 parts and labor (same price as JR).

Does anyone know what she was talking about regarding the technitians?

Sounds like a crock of BS to me. Seems to me like they thought they had me by the ba11s since the car wasn't drivable and they planned to take full advantage. I don't think they believed I would actually go to the trouble of having the car moved to another service center and they finally caved when they saw I wasn't bluffing.

marinakorp · 4th August 2004, 18:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmccoy77

Yesterday my clutch finally failed while driving down the freeway. I had the car towed to Classic BMW in Dallas, my usual service center. There was no argument that it would not be covered under warranty since it was the first one in 57,000mi. The problem was that they wanted $1700 for a new clutch kit ($480 for parts and $1200 for labor!). If the flywheel needed replacement it would be an additional $1100.

Based on advice I recieved on the message board yesterday I decided to have the work done at BMW independent service center instead of attempting it myself with the help of a knowledgeable mechanic. Before I decided to bend over and pay the $1700 to Classic, I did some due dillegence and called the two other Dallas area service centers. John Roberts BMW gave me the best quote at $1100 ($480 for the part and $600 for labor). I promptly called my SA at Classic and told her that unless they matched the quote I planned to have the car towed from there so that JR could do the repair (for me, $600 savings was deffinately worth the hassel).

Initially my SA told me that there was no way they could meet that price and to go ahead and make arrangements for JR to put the new clutch in. When I left her voice mail to make the final arrangements for the towing service to pick up my car, she promptly called me back and agreed to match the price. She gave me some excuse about how orignally they planned to use some special engine technitian whose hourly labor rate was much higher than a normal service technitian. She told me that they could do the work with a regular technition for $1100 parts and labor (same price as JR).

Does anyone know what she was talking about regarding the technitians?

Sounds like a crock of BS to me. Seems to me like they thought they had me by the ba11s since the car wasn't drivable and they planned to take full advantage. I don't think they believed I would actually go to the trouble of having the car moved to another service center and they finally caved when they saw I wasn't bluffing.

It it walks like a duck...

sounds like a bunch of BS to me...

??? several other M5 owners have had the clutch replaced under warranty (the first one)

from my understanding (and it is not complete sometimes

) that there is a replacement clutch for the M5... but only the first one

try a search and see what pops up... may be able to save the whole 1200!

Usually... I take my cars to BMW for warranty work only... I have an EXCELLENT Independant in my area (King of Prussia, PA) that will work on my car for outside of Wrnty issues.. in six months... he will be getting all the work (CPO ends then)

point being... why go to the dealer if there is a viable cheaper alternative tht you are happy with?

DrewKeen · 4th August 2004, 18:17

Not only are independant shops cheaper, I have noticed that are a lot more caring and meticulous to detail.

Lscman · 4th August 2004, 19:31

Dare I predict.....this shrewd, overcharging dealer who's "matching prices" will find a bad flywheel and charge you another $1100. This flywheel is worth $600 and the labor is removing & reinstalling 6 bolts which should take 15 minutes max. Sounds like they are estimating about $2000/hr for labor to replace the flywheel (lol).

M Power · 4th August 2004, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lscman

Dare I predict.....this shrewd, overcharging dealer who's "matching prices" will find a bad flywheel and charge you another $1100. This flywheel is worth $600 and the labor is removing & reinstalling 6 bolts which should take 15 minutes max. Sounds like they are estimating about $2000/hr for labor to replace the flywheel (lol).

Oooooohhhhh another cynic, just like me.

That was exactly what I was thinking. As for the "more expensive" technician who was originally going to do the work.. ton of B/S..

Tell your SA that she needs to work on her client retention skills.

Hope you get all this resolved to your satisfaction.

djmccoy77 · 4th August 2004, 20:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lscman

Dare I predict.....this shrewd, overcharging dealer who's "matching prices" will find a bad flywheel and charge you another $1100. This flywheel is worth $600 and the labor is removing & reinstalling 6 bolts which should take 15 minutes max. Sounds like they are estimating about $2000/hr for labor to replace the flywheel (lol).

No sh#*, you'd think I was retaining Kobe Bryant's legal defense for that price. I made it very clear to my service advisor that I wanted the dead flywheel if they had to replace it. I'll should be able to take one look at it and tell if the surface is warped or not. Don't you think?

Gustav · 4th August 2004, 20:04

Definetly. It should be blue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmccoy77

No sh#*, you'd think I was retaining Kobe Bryant's legal defense for that price. I made it very clear to my service advisor that I wanted the dead flywheel if they had to replace it. I'll should be able to take one look at it and tell if the surface is warped or not. Don't you think?

de Witt · 4th August 2004, 21:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by djmccoy77

Sounds like a crock of BS to me. Seems to me like they thought they had me by the ba11s since the car wasn't drivable and they planned to take full advantage. I don't think they believed I would actually go to the trouble of having the car moved to another service center and they finally caved when they saw I wasn't bluffing.

Total load of crap. Shes pulling out some BS. Some BMW techs have strengths in certain areas, but I am unaware of a graduated pay scale. Labor charge is labor charge, there isnt any special charges for a more experienced BMW tech. Plus...think about it...clutch service...what sort of expert does it take to do a clutch?

These labor costs are really sick. Whats even more of a kick in the pants is Ferrari of Denver charging $60/hr compared to the local BMW dealers which charge $85/hr! Hell even Lexus charges $70/hr! What gives here...BMW has always had lousy protection of its customers from greedy dealers.

howler · 4th August 2004, 23:03

I WISH I was paying only $75-85 per hour for labor.
The Roger Penske BMW dealership here Scottsdale, AZ clips me for $115.00 per hr.
I can say though the service is excellent, so maybe the rate is dependent upon the level of service given.
Plus I get a free hand carwash, Star Bucks coffee, and loaner car if they keep the Beast overnight.
Just my 2 cents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by de Witt

Total load of crap. Shes pulling out some BS. Some BMW techs have strengths in certain areas, but I am unaware of a graduated pay scale. Labor charge is labor charge, there isnt any special charges for a more experienced BMW tech. Plus...think about it...clutch service...what sort of expert does it take to do a clutch?

These labor costs are really sick. Whats even more of a kick in the pants is Ferrari of Denver charging $60/hr compared to the local BMW dealers which charge $85/hr! Hell even Lexus charges $70/hr! What gives here...BMW has always had lousy protection of its customers from greedy dealers.