Servicing - Dealer, Independent or DIY.

[Mark05RT]

With my 2010MU rapidly approaching its 12k service, having put 3,500 miles on it since June, it's developed a couple of niggles.


1. The LCD display frequently flickers, and when it settles, leaves a line across the display.
2. The screen decided to deploy itself to the fully raised position in the rain on the way home from France last week, after a few such incidents where it was returned to the low position by the switch, it eventually stuck itself in the high position.


The dealer has assured me they'll put them right and I'll take it to them for the service too!


I know I could do most of that service, but I do like to maintain a good relationship with a dealer I'm expecting to support their warranty, on this occasion, a newly franchised BMW dealer.

[Catfunt]

Re the unexpected screen lift, my 2013 had the same happen on odd occasions along with intermittent switch issues. Cannons swapped all the switches free of charge as part of the current 'technical campaign'. Re servicing, have done mine since the 600 mile service for two reasons, 1) I love doing it and 2) I'm paranoid about the work being done right and not being rushed (from experience). Like most things, it's down to choice IMHO

[stelyn]

+1 on that....

[Our Gee]

The subject of Torque Settings is a good one. I too had a problem after my rear wheel bolts where vastly overtightened by Coopers. I can normally remove my wheels with tools which fit into the on bike tool roll. After Coopers fitted my rear wheel I snapped a good quality Torx bit trying to remove the bolts. I had to dash down to Halfords for a replacement a few days before setting off for France. It required the new Torx bit and an 18 inch Breaker Bar to remove the bolts. Never been back to Coopers since. My Engineering Year book advises that Torque Settings which are given for "Dry Threads"  should be recuced by 25% when threads are lubricated. A friend of mine who works in Industrial Bolt Tightening / Tensioning says more threads are damaged with Torque Wrenches than with normal tools. There is a lot to get wrong.

[David.]

I think independent tyre fitters are fine after all its their job, providing they are aware that TMPS are fitted.

A friend asked for some advice on where to get tyres fitted locally. I recommended National Bike Tyres at Newton Aycliffe, http://www.nationalbiketyres.co.uk/.

Suggested he made sure that they were aware that TMPS were fitted.

He had a Pair of PR4 GT's fitted, "Ride in - Ride out", without any problems.

[Zebedee]

Just had the 24000 mile service done on my 2010 RT plus break pads front and rear, new alternator belt and mot £430. Mollspring motorcycles in Honley nr Huddersfield. They came highly recommended and they deserve it. Andys a top bloke.


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[JonA]

I believe it's 10% - 25% depending on the type of lubricant used. I reduce the torque by about 20% and have never had any problems. Rear wheel bolts however I do not grease and go 60nm

Didn't know abut the copper grease issue, I come from a marine servicing background and we'd use the stuff on pretty much every thread to combat salt corrosion.

[Nobby]

There's one thing (well, there's probably more somewhere if you look hard enough) that we can thank the EU for; you can now have warranty work carried out by anyone (VAT registered) provided they use genuine manufacturers parts.  Car and bike manufacturers can no longer insist that in order to keep any warranty valid, that you have to use a franchised dealer.  The caveat is that you must use genuine parts and the service schedule must be adhered to.


Of course, its still a personal choice as to whether you use an independent (and there are some who know what they're doing) or the dealership.  Personally, I use a dealership when its under warranty (because they'll also pick up minor recalls that are done at a service) and then I use an independent BMW specialist who comes to the house and services the bike in the back of a 3.5 tonne truck kitted out with all the gear.  He is also used by the local BMW dealers when they are up to their eyes in work and lead times for servicing are going out too far.

[David.]

Have spoken to Paul Fennell at The Workshop in York, http://www.theworkshopyork.com/page1.php, he is now VAT registered, therefore can carry out work on BMW motorcycles whilst upholding the T&C's of a BMW Insured Warranty.

Think I'll be considering using him in the future, his labour costs per hour, are half that of a BMW Dealer.

[simbo]

Ordered the parts today for my next 'DIY' service @ 25'000 (12 months & 6k)  8)
4 Litre's of Castrol Power 1 4T 10w-50              £41.88
1 Litre of Castrol Syntrax Longlife 75w-90        £16.80
Mahle Air & Oil filters with 3 crush washers      £28.99
Continental Alternator Drive Belt                      £18.00
1 Day in garage playing and inspecting the bike F.O.C
                                                                -------------
                                                                  £105.67  (costs aren't dissimilar to other make shaft drive bikes I've owned really)


I'll change the Engine + Filter, Gearbox & Final drive oils, Replace the air filter, Check the valves and adjust (order the shims) if necessary? Check & Balance Throttle bodies if needed? and replace the Alternator Belt (should be done at 24k apparently) Then give the bike a good shake to see if anything falls off? before resetting the service reminder with a GS-911. Hopefully this will give me another 12 months trouble free riding 

[Peter Baker]

My view if buying privately would be to look for BMW service history or minimum recognised specialist, but as mentioned above I think if you are going to part ex. it at a dealer they would be less worried as they would know the risk they were taking on...  I think it is completely debateable if you would get back in re-sale value what you would spend at an official BMW dealer.  Think it is a case of you pays your money and your choice!  Nothing is simple...  Peter

[David.]

Used BMW bikes are sold with a 2 year warranty, for which the customer has the pleasure of paying over £400, this amount is included in the purchase price.

The risk is not borne by the BMW dealer, but the insurance company who provide the warranty.

[simbo]

My BMW was purchased 'privately' by myself but with 'full' BMW Service history, In my 'unprofessional' opinion it was maintained to a very poor standard by so called 'professionals/specialists'. My life is on this bike, not some service engineer who might be having a bad day or whatever.

[simbo]

All serviced and ready for 2018    nothing untoward to report other than the paint and pitting on the underside of the valve covers, probably due to being hidden behind the plastic head guards? Crash bars might be a better option for cleaning purposes giving better access.

[Ganesh]

Just had the 30,000 and annual service from the local dealer. Identified a sticking piston on one of the front calipers and tread is down to 1.6mm on both but even, that's about 9.5k on the set.
Think it's reasonable value for money and as I haven't got a full tool set or some of the one off's for the BMW leave it to the techies. Tried an independant for a simple 6k and wouldn't do it again. Admitted when I went to pick it up that he didn't have a coil extractor and tried to take it off with a screwdriver, thankfully stopped before he snapped the coil but marked the head. Also had to go out and get the oil filter extractor and couldn't reset the service indicator.