[singhr]

I am a relatively new 2011 328i owner with 46k on the clock (leased a couple in the past) and have been reading these forums quite a bit. They have been extremely useful for info BUT everyone recommends going to an indy shop for service. I have not had any luck with getting routine service done at an indy (and there are at least THREE BMW specialists in this small town) due to their pricing. For example:

1. Dealer replaced and registered OEM battery for ~ $320. Indy wanted at least $280+ for aftermarket. Even higher for OEM. I had the dealer do it to make sure extended warranty stays intact.

2. Got oil changed at dealer today for $79.95 - value svc. One indy wanted $120, others $150-160.

3. Dealer quoted $300-$350 for spark plugs (I know DIY parts are $70-100 and I'll do it myself). Indy quoted me $320 and at least 2 week wait for appointment - WTH!!

All the forums recommend indy over dealer - am I missing something here? Maybe it is a local thing for Nor Cal??

It seems my only reasonable option is DIY

[AnthonyT]

Originally Posted by singhr

I am a relatively new 2011 328i owner with 46k on the clock (leased a couple in the past) and have been reading these forums quite a bit. They have been extremely useful for info BUT everyone recommends going to an indy shop for service. I have not had any luck with getting routine service done at an indy (and there are at least THREE BMW specialists in this small town) due to their pricing. For example:

1. Dealer replaced and registered OEM battery for ~ $320. Indy wanted at least $280+ for aftermarket. Even higher for OEM. I had the dealer do it to make sure extended warranty stays intact.

2. Got oil changed at dealer today for $79.95 - value svc. One indy wanted $120, others $150-160.

3. Dealer quoted $300-$350 for spark plugs (I know DIY parts are $70-100 and I'll do it myself). Indy quoted me $320 and at least 2 week wait for appointment - WTH!!

All the forums recommend indy over dealer - am I missing something here? Maybe it is a local thing for Nor Cal??

It seems my only reasonable option is DIY

What area are you in? SJ?

[tlow98]

The indies in SF are way overpriced, I can attest.

[Hannibal4444]

What's a good indy shop in SJ?

[John 070]

I've found the same, and indies rarely offer free loaners. At my indie I saw 2 991 911 turbos, circa 2012. That's probably where the indie is less (new clutches). Or if you have a 1986 944 Turbo. Or even new turbos on a n54. The bigger ticket items, not brakes, plugs, etc. if the indie is cheaper, good chance cheaper parts being used IMHO

[derryck]

I live near Tampa and generally have the same experience. Indy shops are near or sometimes more than the dealer charges and I get a loaner car from the dealer. I think indy labor rates have climbed over the years more than dealer rates have and I find a lot off shops attach a sort of surcharge with later model BMWs (and maybe other German cars) because they don't really want to work on them.

[rick100]

you comparing small jobs vs small jobs. Try comparing big jobs to big jobs, that is where you save the big bucks

Water pump replacement, turbo replacement , etc etc...

That is only part replacement , try comparing the diagnostic chargers dealers have. Most indy shops do not even charge you for diagnostic

Also , not all indy shops are cheaper, usually the ones that don't do a lot of work on BMWs are more expensive because they take longer to do the job and diagnose the problem, while the indy shops that specialized in BMWs tend to be cheaper as they can do jobs in less time doing both and they probably have the right equipment on site

Most of the time you find the right shop by recommendation of someone else with a BMW or go online ( like this forum) and checking your local section. I found mine that way and it is a lot cheaper than the dealer

[Kolyan2k]

Yeah, my Indy shop is expensive too. Wanted $1200 for carbon buildup cleanup on N54......that's crazy expensive, I heard some paying as little as $300 bucks

On my other car a forum member who's also a tech used to service my it....$100 bucks to do tranny, engine, diff, clutch, brake fluids, and accessory belt. Took him 1 hour for everything. Unfortunately doesnt do it anymore....

[cybermgm23]

Originally Posted by singhr

I am a relatively new 2011 328i owner with 46k on the clock (leased a couple in the past) and have been reading these forums quite a bit. They have been extremely useful for info BUT everyone recommends going to an indy shop for service. I have not had any luck with getting routine service done at an indy (and there are at least THREE BMW specialists in this small town) due to their pricing. For example:

1. Dealer replaced and registered OEM battery for ~ $320. Indy wanted at least $280+ for aftermarket. Even higher for OEM. I had the dealer do it to make sure extended warranty stays intact.

2. Got oil changed at dealer today for $79.95 - value svc. One indy wanted $120, others $150-160.

3. Dealer quoted $300-$350 for spark plugs (I know DIY parts are $70-100 and I'll do it myself). Indy quoted me $320 and at least 2 week wait for appointment - WTH!!

All the forums recommend indy over dealer - am I missing something here? Maybe it is a local thing for Nor Cal??

It seems my only reasonable option is DIY

Agreed, I'm also in Nor Cal and the indy's/dealers are usually not far from each other. At least with the dealer, you get a loaner and a free wash/vacuum.

[singhr]

Originally Posted by AnthonyT

What area are you in? SJ?

I am in Chico CA - about 90 miles north of Sacramento - small college town. At least we have a local BMW dealer so I have that option in case Indy doesn't work out.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

Yeah, my Indy shop is expensive too. Wanted $1200 for carbon buildup cleanup on N54......that's crazy expensive, I heard some paying as little as $300 bucks

On my other car a forum member who's also a tech used to service my it....$100 bucks to do tranny, engine, diff, clutch, brake fluids, and accessory belt. Took him 1 hour for everything. Unfortunately doesnt do it anymore....

$1200!? One of the two local dealers advertised a 'special' of $450 last year and you get a loaner. I think my indy charges the same.

[John 070]

the walnut blast is a good example of a win....I see $400's at 2 local indies....dealer can't touch that....

[motherkin]

Originally Posted by tlow98

The indies in SF are way overpriced, I can attest.

They are top-notch and charge half of what dealer charges
https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-and-d-autowerks-santa-clara

[Needbmwpartzz]

You really need to Price out services....sometimes dealer wins....sometimes indies!

[cybermgm23]

Originally Posted by leokungkin

They are top-notch and charge half of what dealer charges
https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-and-d-autowerks-santa-clara

Never been to a & d but pheadrus....forget about it.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

$1200!? One of the two local dealers advertised a 'special' of $450 last year and you get a loaner. I think my indy charges the same.

yeah 1200.....i just asked last week only because thats the only job i know the pricing for

he's a good guy and certified BMW tech, but I guess rent is coming up

[cybermgm23]

Originally Posted by leokungkin

They are top-notch and charge half of what dealer charges
https://www.yelp.com/biz/a-and-d-autowerks-santa-clara

doesn't really help me. i'm not going to drive 45 mins to get my car serviced.

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

You really need to Price out services....sometimes dealer wins....sometimes indies!

When I got my battery my dealer was $280. Another was $500, and one told me, "We can't give you that info without seeing your car."

BMW is not the friendliest as far as cross-shopping goes, but it does make sense.

[Needbmwpartzz]

Originally Posted by John 070

When I got my battery my dealer was $280. Another was $500, and one told me, "We can't give you that info without seeing your car."

BMW is not the friendliest as far as cross-shopping goes, but it does make sense.

That's how they play the game.....even many indies play it too.
Shopping around decreases their bottom line.......so confusion tactics along with entrapment etc = $$$$

[John 070]

Originally Posted by Needbmwpartzz

That's how they play the game.....even many indies play it too.
Shopping around decreases their bottom line.......so confusion tactics along with entrapment etc = $$$$

I remember another case where the dealer wanted $120 for a brake flush, and an indie said $160. So I paid $120 and took the loaner. I paid for another brake flush, $140. Now I diy....

With the brake flush, maybe I'm naive, but I trust the BMW dealership. I know that other places like muffler shops or the three stooges, likely cheat by bleeding only one caliper, or just exchanging the master cylinder....I would like to think indies would not cheat as their reputations are important...

[dleccord]

this thread has gone against the grain of everything i've learned about stealerships.