Howdy folks,

My 2004 E60 is coming up on 95k miles. I use it to commute 400 miles each week, by my quick math about +95% highway miles - since the car is in great shape I'd like to keep it a while longer...

I've asked my local dealership (BMW of Dayton, Evans Motorworks) a quote for a few items... the quote is below...
1.) Manual Transmission service $132.14
2.) Differential service $106.12
3.) Drive Belts $179.20
4.) Standard Scope and Spark plugs $330.73
5.) Coolant Flush $139.53
6.) 4 Wheel Alignment $173.29
( total $1031)

I think everything is in line with my expectations except the standard scope and plugs. I asked to break out the two tasks but they didn't, and replied "Without the standard scope process the vehicle service reminder cannot be reset. Since your 2004 5 series was new, EVERYTIME the vehicle has required maintenance the standard scope has been performed. During the warranty period BMW paid for this process."

Is this necessary if there are no warning messages or problems with the car? I think $330 for plugs is crazy... I'd do all this myself but I'm a bit tied up with work for a while...

thanks,

Mike

 

i hate that scope crap. the oil change on my car is $150 and then they want to charge $70 for a scope. next time i'm going to tell them to go to hell and not do the scope and i'll reset the computer myself when i get home

 

How do you reset the main service indicator? I know how to do oil, brake fluid, etc.. but not the main service one. I'm not sure what the main service one really is, anyhow.

regards,

Mike

 

If you know how to reset the oil, brake fluid, etc., in iDrive, then you know how to reset them all. Just cycle through the remaining service items (Vehicle Check, Spark Plugs, etc.) and use the same procedure to reset them. Am I missing something?

 

So to follow up - the dealer told me today that the scope is $23 and the spark plug replacement is $307

Wow. $307? Plugs are $8 each.

-Mike

 

I would try to find a good independent BMW mechanic. With that aside,

$64 for plugs, 8 Cylinder??
1.5 hours at $160/hr
Total=$304

1.5 hours seems reasonable but closer to the high side for changing plugs. But with these newer BMW's there are a lot of clips and covers that need to be removed and replaced, which is a pain.

 

530i - 6 cly. $160/hr? I dont know their shop rate. But I pay a 25+ year race engineer less than that an hour to work on a much more finnicky car with alot more riding on it than this thing... yeesh!

I use The Garaj for my Porsche work in Dayton... I'll see if they're interested, if not, I believe Foreign Car Service in Dayton/Huber Heights is good.

regards,

-Mike