2012 Twin Cam - Service Costs

[David.]

You might get a better price & job if you have the "alternator" belt changed.

The BMW maintenance schedule defo. describes the "alternator" as a "generator".
It gets better, the belt part no. & description on the estimate from AJ's is a "fan" belt.
A Continental "alternator" belt is cheaper than a BMW "fan" belt too.
/index.php?topic=4305.msg53316#msg53316

Plus, AJ's have included a front suspension bolt #6 at £4.55, don't see why, need to query that. This bolt wasn't required when the belt was changed in 2015 at 10,000 miles.
The service interval is every six years or 24,000 miles, might leave it until 2021 or 34,000 miles and save £37.70, excluding the bolt.

[David.]

Decided to order some oil & a filter from Wemoto.

Order arrived today, excellent service from Wemoto.

[David.]

Plus, AJ's have included a front suspension bolt #6 at £4.55, don't see why, need to query that. This bolt wasn't required when the belt was changed in 2015 at 10,000 miles.

Spoke to AJ's today, they have confirmed that this bolt is not required. I'm now supplying the belt too.

Have booked the bike in for a BMW Service, engine oil change with filter,  replace belt for generator, changing brake fluid F&R and correcting engine synchronisation for a cost of £161.93 labour only.

[David.]

Allan Jefferies have come up with £190.98, whilst Cooper at Sunderland want £237.74 for the same work, that's a difference of £46.76. Waiting for a reply from Barrie Robson at York.

Barrie Robson have come back with £200 labour only. AJ's labour only is £161.93, that's three vastly different prices for the same work.

Cooper Sunderland = £237.74
Barrie Robson = £200.00
Allan Jefferies = £161.93

[David.]

I've now found out why AJ's service costs are less than Cooper & BR. For bikes 5 years or older, AJ's have decided to offer a reduced hourly labour rate of £66.00 + VAT = £79.20. Apparently, BMW do not set the labour rates. AJ's rate for newer bikes is £83.30 + VAT = £99.96. AJ's reduced rate is to encourage owners of older bikes to have them maintained at a BMW dealer. I was pleased with the service offered for the price paid. This deal is perfect for me, I'll continue to use AJ's in the future for bespoke servicing of my bike. It maintains a full BMW service history, stamp in the book and allows me to purchase a BMW insured warranty for 7 months each year.

[David.]

Smith and Allan do a small range of motorcycle oils, inc. this fully synthetic 15w-50, 5 litres for £20, https://www.smithandallan.com/products/transport-motorcycle/4557-smith-and-allan-limitless-ultra-4t-15w-50---fully-synthetic-motorcycle-oil/

I now know of two RT owners who have purchased it for their own DIY use. Has anyone else had experience of using/supplying S&A oils to BMW dealers.

[Sullivj]

David,


By way of comparison, my bike (2012) had a 12,000 mile service on Friday by an independent BMW specialist who uses only genuine parts and oils.


He changed the engine, gearbox and differential oils, changed the brake fluid, checked the valve clearances, replaced the air filter and plugs, reset the service indicator, uploaded the service history to the BMW service system, gave it a test ride and handed me back the key!


It was £400 all in.

[David.]

My bike (2012) had a 12,000 mile service by an independent BMW specialist.

He uploaded the service history to the BMW service system.

How does an independent have access to the BMW Motorrad service history system.

[David.]

By way of comparison, my bike (2012) had a 12,000 mile service by an independent BMW specialist who uses only genuine parts and oils.

He changed the engine, gearbox and differential oils, changed the brake fluid, checked the valve clearances, replaced the air filter and plugs.

It was £400 all in.

My most recent DIY/BMW service was at 21,500 miles, I did it as if the bike had done 24,000 miles & was 5 years old, therefore, it's a 12,000 miles plus annual service.

The following work was completed.
Oil change, engine, with filter (BMW)
Checking valve clearance (DIY)
Gearbox-oil change (DIY)
Replace all spark plugs (DIY)
Replace air filter cartridge (DIY)
Changing brake fluid, front & rear brakes (BMW)
Correcting engine synchronization (BMW)

The total cost of parts, plus BMW labour was £248.

[Sullivj]

How does an independent have access to the BMW Motorrad service history system.

I don't know David, and I've not looked at the online record.  It was something he mentioned when he ran through what he'd done.  Perhaps they allow verified independents on there too?

[David.]

How does an independent have access to the BMW Motorrad service history system.

Looks like it is possible, "At Grosvenor we can directly log our services with BMW so the dealers have a record of everything that we have done."

http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/motorrad-servicing/

[David.]

Grosvenor say, "Our labour rate of £76.50 + VAT offers a substantial saving over main dealer prices!"  http://bmwspecialistreading.co.uk/motorrad/

Allan Jefferies charged me £66.00 + VAT per hour, hardly a "substantial" saving, plus, I get a BMW stamp in the book.

[David.]

Perhaps they allow verified independents on there too.

I've "sussed it out", apparently, Independents can register/create an account with BMW on their Aftersales Online System, https://aos.bmwgroup.com/web/oss/start

Once they have done that, they can login to record the work they have done on to the BMW system.

I wonder how many VAT registered Independents are aware of this system. It could certainly help to enhance their business.

[BMW (UK) can be contacted by phone on, 0370 505 0160, might be useful for future reference].

[Sullivj]

Interesting.  Thanks David