Proactive fluid changes

Brendon · 01-23-2025, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lloyd99

I am debating between the dealership and indy shop. The price wasn't too much difference, so I am leaning towards the dealership (avoid any potential finger-pointing issues, plus I get a loaner vehicle).

Curious what they each quoted you?

chefwong · 01-23-2025, 09:52 AM

I would prefer a Indy over a dealer anyday.
But it's the person or person who's working on the car or his employees and the level of service I know is being done...

OCD here and no clue who may be working on my car at the dealer. At a Indy, I know it's going to XYZ that will be working on it.

Cost wise - out here, a good Indy cost just the same or potentially more than the dealer for same services. Indy's out here charge by book time (same like dealer) vs. time actually spent. It may be just a hair less than a Dealer like you are seeing

My indy uses this model but since he's been my Indy forever....I'm still getting 1 cousin rates and not 3rd cousin rates ;-)

The approach to repair is different. For a fluid change, it is A-B-C straightforward. For something a bit more complex, a Indy will be like, well, it took me 2 hrs to teardown to get to this, while I'm in there, maybe you should replace this or do this. Etc. This might make the overall repair cost more but it's a more as your title states, proactive repair. You won't necessarily get that with dealer

tkelley86 · 01-23-2025, 01:04 PM

Car = 2021 X7 M50i @ 55K miles

I did front/rear diff and transfer case at the same time with BMW of Warwick RI.

Was $1300 out the door, parts and labor. These guys do great in my experience so I was fine with that. I also don't have time to do it myself with 2 under 3 so it is what it is...

Funny enough, the indy guys in my area wanted even more ($1600 from one guy and $2000 from the other). So BMW wins.

chefwong · 01-23-2025, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkelley86

Funny enough, the indy guys in my area wanted even more ($1600 from one guy and $2000 from the other). So BMW wins.

Nice. All the Indy's I would use are going by book time .....gone are the days of -time spent-. I guess there may be a pro/con to time spent as such...

01-23-2025, 09:52 AM	#24
chefwong Major 490 Rep 1,288 Posts Drives: X5 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	I would prefer a Indy over a dealer anyday. But it's the person or person who's working on the car or his employees and the level of service I know is being done... OCD here and no clue who may be working on my car at the dealer. At a Indy, I know it's going to XYZ that will be working on it. Cost wise - out here, a good Indy cost just the same or potentially more than the dealer for same services. Indy's out here charge by book time (same like dealer) vs. time actually spent. It may be just a hair less than a Dealer like you are seeing My indy uses this model but since he's been my Indy forever....I'm still getting 1 cousin rates and not 3rd cousin rates ;-) The approach to repair is different. For a fluid change, it is A-B-C straightforward. For something a bit more complex, a Indy will be like, well, it took me 2 hrs to teardown to get to this, while I'm in there, maybe you should replace this or do this. Etc. This might make the overall repair cost more but it's a more as your title states, proactive repair. You won't necessarily get that with dealer
	Appreciate 0 Quote

01-23-2025, 01:04 PM	#25
tkelley86 Lieutenant 343 Rep 484 Posts Drives: 2021 X7 M50i Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: RI iTrader: (0)	Car = 2021 X7 M50i @ 55K miles I did front/rear diff and transfer case at the same time with BMW of Warwick RI. Was $1300 out the door, parts and labor. These guys do great in my experience so I was fine with that. I also don't have time to do it myself with 2 under 3 so it is what it is... Funny enough, the indy guys in my area wanted even more ($1600 from one guy and $2000 from the other). So BMW wins.
	Appreciate 1 Brendon97.50 Quote