Oil warning light went on the other day. Check display said all systems ok, so I swung by my dealer and asked them to check. Came back in an hour and they gave me a bill for six dollars and change, for a quart of oil. Said I thought maintenance was free. They said "scheduled" maintenance is free, not topping off oil.
Not that six bucks is a big deal, but am I being hosed? What's the next thing they'll nickel-and-dime me for?
Is ALL maintenance free or not?

 

you are being hosed. Had the same happen on my car, topped of with no bill. Also had a warning for low coolant, again topped off no questions asked and no bill. Wiper blades are no scheduled maint. but I had those replaced for free as well...

 

Your being hosed. I would talk to the Service Manager and express my concern about this. My Dealer does not charge me anything for this kind of quick service ( oil, coolant, light bulbs...).
That suck :thumbsdown:

 

Maintenance is supposed to include fluid refill/replacement. You got jammed.

 

Crooked dealer! Which one is it? so we can avoid it!

Now send them this link and go "see is this kind of publicity worth $6"

 

Save your wrath and your receipt. You don't mention your mileage, but with consumption like that, there may be bigger things in store...

Good luck,
Ray Hull

 

I'll agree with EBMCS03

 

Scheduled maintenance is free. I am not sure what the technicalities are on needing top offs, etc., etc.. I suspect your dealer was within its rights, but its customer appreciation is not apparent. My dealer goes out of its way to do all sorts of big and little things--including fixing a flat.

 

Yeah, the wiper blades are stupid expensive - particularly since they are kind of noisy at the best of times. When my microfilter needed replacement, I told them I also needed a new wiper blade on the drivers side. I was told I had to pay for it so was expecting $C 45 but the bill was over $C 70 including installation and top up of some unspecified fluids. I complained but the SA had conveniently gone for lunch. Definitely will buy the blade only next time as it is dead easy to change. Actually, will probably take the car somewhere else.

 

Scheduled maintenance is free. I am not sure what the technicalities are on needing top offs, etc., etc.. I suspect your dealer was within its rights, but its customer appreciation is not apparent. My dealer goes out of its way to do all sorts of big and little things--including fixing a flat.
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Here's the poop from my Service and Warranty Information booklet/US and Puerto Rico.

"Any authorized BMW center ... will perform the scheduled maintenance ... on your vehicle at no expense to you. The maintenance schedule intervals are based on average driving conditions and operation. Should you request more frequent maintenance service, the cost of these services will not be covered by the [Fulll] Maintenance Program.

Full Maintenance covers all factory recommended maintenance, as determined by the Condition Based Service System. Additional items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear, and that are not covered by the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty - such brake pads, brake rotors, and wiper blade inserts - are included, provided wear and tear exceeds BMW wear limits. Any adjustments required due to normal operating conditions are also included. See pages 6-7 of this booklet for additional information."

Pages 6-7 identify several fuids that should be checked (power steering, coolant, and windshield washer), but indicate that only the windshield washer fluid should be topped off if needed.

The bottom line is that I think that your dealer operated debatably consistently with BMW's agreement, but definitely not in the best interests of customer goodwill. I think that topping-off oil might reasonably be covered by "any adjustments required due to normal operating conditions are also included." I did not read farther trying to figure out the specific meaning of "adjustments required due to normal operating conditions." On the other hand, topping-off may not be "determined by the Condition Based Service System." I did not have time to try to find the defintion of "Condition Based Service System." My bet is that it technically does not determine when topping off is needed, although the on-board info system warns you when topping off may be needed.