Indy prices

[RobD 41]

Rang two well known and respected BMW indys to get a quote for a basic oil and oil filter replacement using factory recommended parts. $340 + GST vs. $220 + GST. $120 isn't huge but the percentage difference is. I know where I'll be going and it's north over the bridge.

[charles28 136]

Hmm it can cost me near $200 to do it myself, due to needing 2 packs of oil at $85 each + filter

[qube 3570]

i just bought 2 bottles of castrol edge 5w-30 for $120 (usually cost $80-90 each) and the filter at team mcmillan for $35.

total cost: $155 + an hour of my time (still have half a bottle left over for next time so i only need to buy 1 bottle)

the mechanics would be getting the oil in a drum (much cheaper than what we pay for the 5L bottles)

lets say $15/L @ 7L ish is $105

1 hour labour $100?

filter say $30

so total: $235 + GST

not sure how 1 place got $340.. would have to be some special as oil.. or a filter made of gold.. or they are charging for like 2 hours of labour..

even 1 hour is heaps. cuz it will take 1 minute to lift on hoist. 5 minutes to undo undertray and/or remove bolt.. drain for an hour or so while working on another job/car

then come back plug back in, fill up oil. its realistically a 20-30 minute job...

[RobD 41]

Guess they have the oil available in bulk, but still. This is for an N54 engine so requires 6 litres of Castrol Edge. I figure $125 or oil, I know it's $35 for the filter, and then maybe 30 - 40 minutes labour at their rate of $90 an hour. That seems fair and reasonable. Not sure where the other crowd adds the extra hour plus of labour!

[RobD 41]

i just bought 2 bottles of castrol edge 5w-30 for $120 (usually cost $80-90 each) and the filter at team mcmillan for $35.

 

total cost: $155 + an hour of my time (still have half a bottle left over for next time so i only need to buy 1 bottle)

 

 

 

the mechanics would be getting the oil in a drum (much cheaper than what we pay for the 5L bottles)

 

lets say $15/L @ 7L ish is $105

1 hour labour $100?

filter say $30

 

so total: $235 + GST

 

not sure how 1 place got $340.. would have to be some special as oil.. or a filter made of gold.. or they are charging for like 2 hours of labour..

 

even 1 hour is heaps. cuz it will take 1 minute to lift on hoist. 5 minutes to undo undertray and/or remove bolt.. drain for an hour or so while working on another job/car

then come back plug back in, fill up oil. its realistically a 20-30 minute job...

Couldn't agree more. It's really a 30 minute job on a hoist. Maybe 10 minutes to do a general check around under the car while it's up. I don't mind paying the lower price at all as it seems fair, plus of course they do need to make a small profit. But the other crowd who shall remain nameless seem to be adding in an hour extra labour! I HATE the idea of being ripped.

[B.M.W Ltd 950]

My price would have been $220.91 + GST = $254.05. I'm sure the higher price that you were quoted by someone was for a full service

[Ahmedsinc 414]

As with factory backed service agents, there are some indies worth handing your money to and others that aren't. I've found the best way to find the good ones is ring them and ask for advice on small issues - the guys that bother giving me a little of their time and expertise are the ones I find to be the best. Probably not the same experience for everyone but so far gut instinct has served me well

In saying that, I haven't had to take either of my cars to the shop in a while (mostly down to said advice given freely). Will have to relent soon, trans servicing and smoke tests are things I can't do at home

[Allanw 1071]

I'd need a lot more info before "judging" either place, but my random thoughts are along the lines of:

Are they using the same oil? Is the oil to spec? Are they actually doing the same job.

One may just do the oil and filter, and nothing else.

The other might do the oil, filter, filter housing cap O-ring, sump plug washer, and a quick check over for faults or upcoming problems, trans fluid level check, diff oil level check and brake fluidlevel check.

So, depending on what they're quoting for, the cheaper one could be the actual ripoff.

If you had the cheaper service done, and then the diff destroyed itself because it was low on oil, would you go back and complain they hadn't checked it? (rhetorical - some people do!)

We have a specialist mechanical business in the family, and they only do the "proper" job, or won't do it, simply because people will come back complaining about the bit they didn't pay to have done.

So I'd want to know:

Is the more expensive one doing a better job than the cheaper one?

Is a BMW 3 series a ripoff, when a Chery is cheaper?

We have a mechanic up here that charges $35 an hour. My father in law goes there because it's "cheap". I would NEVER go there, because it's cheap. FIL pays bucket loads for stuff, because he gets this "cheap" guy to fit used parts (sometimes 3 times).

[RobD 41]

I'd need a lot more info before "judging" either place, but my random thoughts are along the lines of:

 

Are they using the same oil? Is the oil to spec? Are they actually doing the same job.

 

One may just do the oil and filter, and nothing else.

 

The other might do the oil, filter,  filter housing cap O-ring, sump plug washer, and a quick check over for faults or upcoming problems, trans fluid level check, diff oil level check and brake fluidlevel check.

 

So, depending on what they're quoting for, the cheaper one could be the actual ripoff.

 

If you had the cheaper service done, and then the diff destroyed itself because it was low on oil, would you go back and complain they hadn't checked it? (rhetorical - some people do!)

 

We have a specialist mechanical business in the family, and they only do the "proper" job, or won't do it, simply because people will come back complaining about the bit they didn't pay to have done.

 

So I'd want to know:

 

Is the more expensive one doing a better job than the cheaper one?

 

Is a BMW 3 series a ripoff, when a Chery is cheaper?

 

 

We have a mechanic up here that charges $35 an hour. My father in law goes there because it's "cheap". I would NEVER go there, because it's cheap. FIL pays bucket loads for stuff, because he gets this "cheap" guy to fit used parts (sometimes 3 times).

Completely understand the concept of a full inspection as compared to a basic oil and filter service, but in this case I specifically just asked for an oil and filter replacement to factory spec for an N54. But as mentioned, the process of replacing the oil and filter is no more than 30 minutes including getting the car up, drained, and down again.

[qube 3570]

ive had an oil and filter change done at a 'decent' garage that usually does jap cars (and the odd bmw here and there).

i went there ONCE and never again.

I only went there because I was living in an apartment so didnt have the space to DIY.

It look 20 minutes.. and after it was done, i found out they used wrong oil (i think it was 0w-30 or 15w-40 or something random) and it only cost $100..

checked the invoice and they charged me for only 5L.

my car was a e46 m54b30..

seriously.. i had to get it done properly the next week because i couldnt handle knowing it had been done WRONG. i dont even think it was fully synthetic oil!!

how much oil can u drain out in 20 minutes... 2.5L of old oil would still have been in the car if it filled up only 5L..

all im trying to say is.. at LEAST check which oil they are using.. and tell them that you want it completely drained and it doesnt matter if it takes an hour to do it.

specialist only from now OR DIY.. at least you have no1 else to blame but yourself if you mess it up lol.

[E30 325i Rag-Top 2956]

A lot of the difference could come from their definition of "factory recommended parts" as, technically, the factory only refer to Genuine Parts. Whereas some might use oils that "meet BMW LL-01 standard" and " OEM Quality" filters, etc.

[Driftit 2078]

If I was still out East I would be going to Glenn. Always trusted his shops work and advice.

On the shore there is huge number of Euro specialists.

But I have always had good experiences from Burger at Burgers Motor Works and Ernst at Bavarian Motor Works.

Pricing is always fair and the parts are up to standard. And these guys have been in the industry since the E9 was in the showrooms

Their are cowboys up this way though. But I don't want to hurt any feelings.

[RobD 41]

If I was still out East I would be going to Glenn.  Always trusted his shops work and advice.

On the shore there is huge number of Euro specialists.

But I have always had good experiences from Burger at Burgers Motor Works and Ernst at Bavarian Motor Works.

Pricing is always fair and the parts are up to standard.  And these guys have been in the industry since the E9 was in the showrooms

 

Their are cowboys up this way though.  But I don't want to hurt any feelings.

Burger has been my go-to. Totally genuine.

[vendt 1]

TM listing #801587536 looks like a good deal.

[BreakMyWindow 1874]

OP why not just do the oil and filter yourself? By far the cheapest way.

[qube 3570]

I have a jack and jackstand or car ramps and also oil catch bucket etc if u wana do it and need the equipment.

I live near sylvia park. Can come do it here or borrow them if u like.

As others have said, def the cheapest way.

Let me know

[RobD 41]

OP why not just do the oil and filter yourself? By far the cheapest way.

Hey guys, I used to do my own oil changes on previous cars, but I guess with the E90 I wanted to have some sort of "official" service history should I ever come to sell it. Plus I don't think I have the right tool to get the oil filter housing off? Qube that's super generous of you, much appreciated. I would definitely take you up on the kind offer otherwise!

I have a jack and jackstand or car ramps and also oil catch bucket etc if u wana do it and need the equipment.

I live near sylvia park. Can come do it here or borrow them if u like.

As others have said, def the cheapest way.

Let me know

[Driftit 2078]

Burger has been my go-to. Totally genuine.

Get to have a look at the Turbo E21 Alpina too.

[RobD 41]

 

Get to have a look at the Turbo E21 Alpina too.

I wish he wasn't always so busy whenever you try to talk to him though. Would love half an hour of his time to pick his brains! Just think how much knowledge he has!