I'm an idiot

[SkiDork]

Took the 1999 528i BMW to the dealer for brake service (don't like to mess with brakes) and they said it needs a new master cylinder and brake booster (whatever that is). OK - how much?

$2800

It's $127 to get my car back, just for the diagnosis. Thinking about paying that and going somewhere else.

 

[marcski]

Took the 1999 528i BMW to the dealer for brake service (don't like to mess with brakes) and they said it needs a new master cylinder and brake booster (whatever that is). OK - how much?

$2800

It's $127 to get my car back, just for the diagnosis. Thinking about paying that and going somewhere else.

Yes, for sure, take it back. I stopped going to the dealer years ago and have enjoyed my car so much more since it has stopped adding to the national debt to get it serviced!!! I diagnose my car myself now, buy my own parts online and then just bring it to my local, long-time mechanic for the labor. Saves me a bundle!

 

[billski]

Yes, for sure, take it back. I stopped going to the dealer years ago and have enjoyed my car so much more since it has stopped adding to the national debt to get it serviced!!! I diagnose my car myself now, buy my own parts online and then just bring it to my local, long-time mechanic for the labor. Saves me a bundle!

+1 I have been told that OEM parts are (in general) made by the same manufacturer that provides parts to the auto company. I go to an independent who was factory trained at the dealership and runs at a much lower labor rate. I was able to get a bunch of stuff fixed including brake work for $1200 versus the 3,000 the dealer wanted.

They just don't have free coffee or cozy chairs!

Time to move on

 

[SkiDork]

Just spoke to a local independant BMW guy - he said MAX that job will be 2K from him.

I'm gonna pull it out of there and bring it to him.

Lesson learned.

 

[billski]

Just spoke to a local independant BMW guy - he said MAX that job will be 2K from him.

I'm gonna pull it out of there and bring it to him.

Lesson learned.

BTW, Indies often don't charge anything to run the diagnostics.

 

[deadheadskier]

Sounds like BMW dealerships are the devil just like Audi dealerships. I think they run on the assumption that people who drive those cars, don't care what it costs to maintain them as they're so expensive to purchase new.

 

[hammer]

Just spoke to a local independant BMW guy - he said MAX that job will be 2K from him.

I'm gonna pull it out of there and bring it to him.

Lesson learned.

Even 2K sounds like a lot of $$...but somehow I'm not surprised.

I don't know where dealerships get the idea that they can charge so much. They have to know that they are losing a good amount of business to qualified independent shops...

 

[Glenn]

Took the 1999 528i BMW to the dealer for brake service (don't like to mess with brakes) and they said it needs a new master cylinder and brake booster (whatever that is). OK - how much?

$2800

It's $127 to get my car back, just for the diagnosis. Thinking about paying that and going somewhere else.

The booster uses vaccum pressure from the engine to assist in braking.

What does that price include? Is that for all new pads and rotors too? Is the master cylinder leaking?

Dealer service writers work on comission...so they like high repair bills.

 

[SkiDork]

yesterday when I was speaking to the "representative" I mentioned I also wanted an oil change. He comes back with "we should really do a "service" based on your mileage, this would consist of oil change, plus air filter, microfilter, coolant flush and brake fluid flush.

OK, how much?

$1100

I think I'll just stick with the oil change...

 

[marcski]

Even 2K sounds like a lot of $$...but somehow I'm not surprised.

I don't know where dealerships get the idea that they can charge so much. They have to know that they are losing a good amount of business to qualified independent shops...

Plus, the guys that actually do the work on your car when you bring it to a dealer aren't "real" mechanics. They are really just "parts changers." There may be just one or two "real" mechanic that knows what he is doing in the service center of a dealer, who can actually diagnose and determine what is really wrong with a car. Then he tells the parts changers to change this or that or do a service maintenance A or b or what have you.

 

[hammer]

yesterday when I was speaking to the "representative" I mentioned I also wanted an oil change. He comes back with "we should really do a "service" based on your mileage, this would consist of oil change, plus air filter, microfilter, coolant flush and brake fluid flush.

OK, how much?

$1100

I think I'll just stick with the oil change...

Will this be your last time at this dealer's shop?

 

[SkiDork]

Will this be your last time at this dealer's shop?

ummmmm..... YES!

Shop is beautiful though. They actually purchased an old school and transformed it into a repair shop. 2 levels, gorgeous waiting room, food/drink bar, loaner cars, lots of glass etc.

But they rake you over the coals.

I guess you have to be a Doctor or Lawyer (or rap star) to use them...

 

[gmcunni]

Shop is beautiful though. They actually purchased an old school and transformed it into a repair shop. 2 levels, gorgeous waiting room, food/drink bar, loaner cars, lots of glass etc.

But they rake you over the coals.

somebody has to pay for all that stuff...

 

[bvibert]

ummmmm..... YES!

Shop is beautiful though. They actually purchased an old school and transformed it into a repair shop. 2 levels, gorgeous waiting room, food/drink bar, loaner cars, lots of glass etc.

But they rake you over the coals.

I guess you have to be a Doctor or Lawyer (or rap star) to use them...

How do you think they're paying for that nice shop??

 

[bvibert]

Plus, the guys that actually do the work on your car when you bring it to a dealer aren't "real" mechanics. They are really just "parts changers." There may be just one or two "real" mechanic that knows what he is doing in the service center of a dealer, who can actually diagnose and determine what is really wrong with a car. Then he tells the parts changers to change this or that or do a service maintenance A or b or what have you.

I've got news for you if you think that all the people who work in independent garages are "real" mechanics...

 

[Geoff]

I've got news for you if you think that all the people who work in independent garages are "real" mechanics...

At the small indy garage I use, there are two partners who are both competent mechanics and a couple of employees who do the routine stuff. It would be stupid to have a mechanic do oil changes.

 

[marcski]

I've got news for you if you think that all the people who work in independent garages are "real" mechanics...

My guys is my guy. Been going to him for 20 years. He has one Albanian guy that has worked on German cars his entire life that helps out 2 days a week. Otherwise...my guy does everything for me..including oil changes, Geoff!

 

[Nick]

Dealer service writers work on comission...so they like high repair bills.

Wow, seriously? I had no idea.

 

[Nick]

I've got news for you if you think that all the people who work in independent garages are "real" mechanics...

I had an independent guy fix my car, which I inherited from my dad. A 1973 Porsche 914 that he had bought brand new.

Here's the before / after when he replaced the fuel lines:

Before:

After:

 

[marcski]

I had an independent guy fix my car, which I inherited from my dad. A 1973 Porsche 914 that he had bought brand new.

Here's the before / after when he replaced the fuel lines:

Before:

After:

Doh!