As a BMW owner, chances are that at least once when picking up the car from a service visit, sticker shock has been experienced. This is in regards to oil changes as well as repairs when BMW service costs are found to be exorbitant in comparison to the usual brands. Is this a fair assumption, or is there a logical explanation in this regard as well?
As experienced BMW mechanics, we’re here to pull back the curtain and reveal exactly what factors contribute to the high price of maintaining your Ultimate Driving Machine. It is our hope that by knowing this information, you will be able to make well-informed decisions about what is best for your vehicle.
BMWs Employ State-of-the-Art Engineering as Well as Specialised
BMW hasn’t gained a reputation as a performance-luxury car brand by settling for commodities as components. Each BMW car is a result of decades of excellence in German engineering, combined with high-end technology that is not found in any common car.
Differing from mass-production car manufacturers that assign shared components to various brands in order to keep costs minimal, BMW employs a high level of expertise in creating specialised components that are only compatible with BMW models. This includes everything from high-performance engines that feature intricate cooling systems to suspension components that ensure that sharp BMW cornering is achievable.
The catch is that such specialized components will not be found in your local auto parts store. They will be European-spec components, requiring purchase from BMW themselves, possibly involving international shipping costs, as well as a sensor that will cost maybe $50 in a Toyota model but could easily cost in excess of $200 in a BMW model – not due to price gouging, mind you, but due to the costs involved in making such components.
Furthermore, BMW are constantly updating and optimising the components they use in the vehicles. This makes the level of specificity in regard to compatible parts exceptionally high as far as your model of the vehicle is concerned.
Dealership Labour Rates Are High
So, what exactly are you paying for when you take your BMW to a dealership service centre? You’re paying for a service that costs the dealership tens of thousands of dollars in training costs. They’re not simply mechanics; they’re trained specialists in BMW systems that the individuals themselves have studied extensively.
Dealerships will spend a great deal of money on approved factory diagnostic tools that in themselves cost a small fortune, often hundreds of thousands of dollars. It is no understatement to say that the diagnostic tools that BMW uses are incredibly advanced. They will often spot problems that a general code reader won’t even see.
Dealership labour rate – usually between $180 and $250 in large cities – represents this investment. You are paying for expertise, equipment, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the vehicle is repaired exactly as BMW prescribes.
However, independent BMW specialists such as us are able to provide the same level of expertise as well as the same specialised knowledge of BMWs in a more competitive pricing model. This is due to the fact that we, too, invest in the same tools, equipment, and training, except that we don’t have the same expenses as the large dealership groups.
Servicing is Based on Accuracy and Preventive Maintenance
BMW’s service approach is unlike most car brands. They do not wait until a part fails. Instead, the service is done according to a maintenance schedule that ensures your car is running at optimal levels.
This means that in this servicing process, the car will require servicing often with a much broader range of tasks done during that process. Servicing a BMW car is not a simple process of draining the oil in a car.
This is a precision maintenance strategy that will cost a higher upfront price, which will benefit the vehicle in the long run as maintenance costs will be much lower. It is important to address the wear pattern issues in the earlier phase of maintenance to ensure that the vehicle does not experience a catastrophic failure. A maintenance service of $500 today could save a car owner a whopping $5,000 tomorrow.
BMW’s condition-based servicing system checks everything from oil quality to brake pad condition, taking into account your particular circumstances of use. This is certainly a clever way of making sure that vehicles are never serviced too soon or too late – though it is a complex process that makes servicing that much more complicated.
Genuine Fluids and Software Updates Add to the Cost
Today’s cars, including BMW, are as much a computer as a car, with various modules that oversee everything from engine performance to safety functions. Software updates are a necessity rather than a nicety.
These updates could result in better performance, fuel efficiency, as well as greater reliability, as well as solve safety issues that came to light after the vehicle had been produced. However, to access BMW systems software requires a device that is authorised – another justified expense.
Equally, BMW recommends specific fluids that are not arbitrary recommendations. This is because the engines in BMW cars operate at a higher temperature than those of most cars in the market, making the use of synthetic oil a necessity. Using alternative fluids that are less expensive in the short term leads to a reduction in performance as time passes.
It will cost more. A BMW-spec engine oil could cost double that of a generic oil, but this is specifically designed to protect what is essentially a high-performance engine.
The “Luxury Tax” Effect
I mean, one of the things that you’re paying money for is a certain reputation. It wasn’t just a BMW that you bought; it came with this certain reputation that comes with a certain price tag.
They also understand that, as a premium car brand, owners’ service experience needs to be no less than that of a high-end product. This will obviously involve operational costs that will be taken care of in the service pricing.
There is also a “what the market will bear” consideration. BMW owners have been willing to pay a high price to have authorised service done, which enables dealers to charge higher margins than those of a mass service operation.
Still, this is a high-end positioning that doesn’t mean you’re getting taken in-it means that in addition to repairs, you’re paying for service. It becomes a question of what that service is worth to you.
Where You Can Save Without Sacrificing Quality
Here is what I mean by “independents”. They cater to a variety of cars. They are much less expensive than dealerships. They are also much more knowledgeable about cars than dealers. They will never
Look out for workshops that use BMW-trained mechanics who have invested in BMW-only diagnostic tools. They possess in-depth knowledge of BMW engineering systems yet keep costs much lower than dealerships, which means a saving of anywhere between 30% and 40% in labour costs.
Your best money-saving move is maintenance. By keeping to a maintenance schedule, new money drains don’t develop. Your oil service, for example, which apparently needs doing, will keep your engine in Wonderland, preventing costly repairs.
For the critical systems like engines, transmissions, and safety components, consider genuine components. However, consider high-quality aftermarket components for the less critical components. A knowledgeable independent expert will point you in the right direction on what components to use – aftermarket components where appropriate, and BMW components where they are imperative. It is important to consider a cost/quality balance.
Need Expert BMW Servicing in Brisbane?
At Brisbane BMW Service, we offer the expertise of a dealership combined with the value of an independent servicing centre. We utilise factory-trained mechanics with factory tools to ensure that we service your car exactly as the manufacturer specified – yet it won’t cost a fortune. We know BMWs backwards and forwards because that is all we do. We use that expertise to help you understand exactly what needs to be done to your car-and why. Ready to Feel the Difference? Contact us today to arrange a service appointment. Your BMW needs expert service – and so does your wallet.
