[erick330]

Hey All,

First time posting on here!
Just hit 80k miles on my 2017 X3.

My vehicle car check light came on, so I brought her into the dealer and they recommended all of the following services:

Engine Ground Cable (corroded) - $530
Thrust Arm Bushings (cracked/work) - $1300
Spark Plugs - $500
Engine Air Filter - $160
Micro Filter - $172
Coolant Service - $250
Front/Rear Differential Service - $500
Transfer Case Fluid - $350
Oil Change - $99

Seems like a lot of issues all at once, and a rather hefty sum?
The car is running smoothly and wouldn't have noticed any of these issues if I hadn't brought the car in for a checkup.

Any advice here?

[mwat]

I would go to an independent shop.

Also I JUST paid $62 for the microfilter installed 3 days ago at a dealer (I have the unlimited oil changes deal)

Engine Ground Cable (corroded) - $530 ---- Can't say, seems questionable.
Thrust Arm Bushings (cracked/work) - $1300 -- get it quoted at an INDY
Spark Plugs - $500 --- If you've never changed plugs do this ASAP. DIY isn't too bad but the job is NOT worth $500.
Engine Air Filter - $160 --- DIY for much less
Micro Filter - $172 --- DIY for much less
Coolant Service - $250 -- Probably good to do it, pricing seems high but not super familiar with costs
Front/Rear Differential Service - $500 -- Probably good to do if you plan on keeping the car, again look at INDY shop
Transfer Case Fluid - $350 -- Probably good to do if you plan on keeping the car, again look at INDY shop
Oil Change - $99 -- Good price

[E36M3]

I’ve done all of these on our X3 35i and would recommend a DIY approach with parts through FCP Euro as they are lifetime warranties, to include oil and filters. For the transfer case service you will need a service tool to reset it after the fluid change and I would recommend ISTA that you can download.

[mwat]

Originally Posted by E36M3

I’ve done all of these on our X3 35i and would recommend a DIY approach with parts through FCP Euro as they are lifetime warranties, to include oil and filters. For the transfer case service you will need a service tool to reset it after the fluid change and I would recommend ISTA that you can download.

What was your mileage at Tcase + front/rear diff service?

[frisbeeguy]

Originally Posted by erick330

Hey All,

First time posting on here!
Just hit 80k miles on my 2017 X3.

My vehicle car check light came on, so I brought her into the dealer and they recommended all of the following services:

Engine Ground Cable (corroded) - $530
Thrust Arm Bushings (cracked/work) - $1300
Spark Plugs - $500
Engine Air Filter - $160
Micro Filter - $172
Coolant Service - $250
Front/Rear Differential Service - $500
Transfer Case Fluid - $350
Oil Change - $99

Seems like a lot of issues all at once, and a rather hefty sum?
The car is running smoothly and wouldn't have noticed any of these issues if I hadn't brought the car in for a checkup.

Any advice here?

Dealerships inspect very thoroughly so that's why the list for old vehicles is often large.

Engine Ground Cable (corroded) - If you have no issues/lights, don't bother fixing it unless you care for cosmetics. It can "potentially" be an issue in the future, but if it is, you replace it then.
Thrust Arm Bushings (cracked/work) - You should do this. Go to an independent mechanic however.
Spark Plugs - You don't need this if service was done at 50K. Check service records cause usually under leases/free warranty fixup time, the dealer does this free at approximately 50K.
Engine Air Filter - Independent Mechanic
Micro Filter - Independent Mechanic
Coolant Service - Postpone, no need until around 130K miles.
Front/Rear Differential Service - Do the Front. You can skip the rears until 100K, or you can do both, but it costs more. Up to you.
Transfer Case Fluid - Independent Mechanic.
Oil Change - Independent Mechanic

If you get a good independent mechanic, your bill will easily be less. However, if you need a loaner car, fancy coffee and metal bottle waters, then the prices you posted are justified.

[E36M3]

Did it around 90k miles.

[Opie55]

You don't even say which engine you have. But these prices are mostly just stupid. I just did spark plugs on a BMW V8 myself for $56. They want almost 10 times that for either 4 or 6 plugs? $160 to swap a $20 engine air filter that takes 10 minutes? If you are at their mercy, then just pay it.