Had a service recently and dealer told me the car is coming up for its bi-annual brake fluid change. They quoted me ?160 for the job. I decided to wait till it was actually due, which is now? My question is just because BM say it needs it does it actually need it? Will the warranty be voided if its not done? The cars done 20k and the brakes still feel fantastic.

I'd be grateful for some opinions?

 

Daylight robbery. They are absolutely taking the mick.
Ha d a quote from someone at my dealer, while my service manager buddy weren't in last year and he said anywhere between 90 - 110.
Had it done while in Germany for around 45 quid.
Spoke to my service manager here in UK afterwards and he said, he'd done it for 50 -60 quid, too.

Brake fluid is hygroscopic, so will absorb water over time. You can measure the water saturation and I think every 2 years is pretty short, but then to keep up the schedule, I still do it. I'd kick up a little fuss at your dealer. Should be about half an hour labour and a tenner or a little more for the brake fluid.

I can't get over the quote of 160 pounds

 

Is this service not covered by the free maintenance program 4 year 50,000 miles? Or is this maintenance program only available in the US.

My service light came on last week and I'm scheduled for service this Saturday. I assumed it was at no charge.

 

Just had my car served for the first time last month.

Since the brake fluid change was so close, I decided to do that as well.

The prices:

Service charge, change of motoroil and brake fluids €77,50
Shell Helix Ultra AP 5W-30 LL04, 6,5 litres €130
Oil filter €13,50
HWB DOT 4 brake fluid, 1,0 liter €10,50
Some waste charges etc.

All in all €240 including a 22 % Finnish value added tax.

That's about GB ?160 or US $310.

 

Well...

I've always done it regularly on BMWs (last 15 years). Given the E60 uses DOT5 liquid, which theoretically is not hygroscopic, the rationale for regular brake fluid change is somewhat decreased. Right now, having 5 years maintenance, it's "their" problem, not mine.

BTW - I thought the "fluid replacement" was brakes + coolant, which goes somewhere towards the ?160 (still steep, but getting rid of all the air in the cooling circuit on a BM is not the easiest/fastest thing in the world)

 

Not got the 5 year maintenance option.

 

U.S. spec cars include maintenance. Merv the Derv is in the U.K. no maintenance plan unless purchased separately.

 

Yep, do the biennial fluid change !
Nope, don't pay through the nose for it.

I take it to my local garage for non specialized (BMW) stuff like this. Half the price...

 

Think coolant is every 4 years, so only together with brakes every second time. 4 years is what it always used to be.

By the way, my 45 quid coolant change in Germany was at a BMW dealership.

 

merv had mine done last year just before i sold it! just to get rid of light but yes the fluid is recommended to be changed.it cost me ?40 at main dealer in cornwall.
thats thte only work they did at the time.
if that helps, phone cornwall get a price and i expect you will get a weekend break as well for your local price.also worth checking rates down here plymouth to falmouth all same dealers but i believe there rates are the lowest in the country.
a couple of years ago it was highlighted in the press to service in westcountry as rates were 1/2 the city rates