Should BMW service show you the fault codes?

bmkman · 05-17-2016, 01:14 PM

Recently, my X3 would not mysteriously start again so I brought it into the dealership for service. I asked to see the fault codes but they seem to be a bit dodgy on the request. Is it common to withhold fault code information from the client?

Pinewood · 05-17-2016, 03:30 PM

Of course it is. If you give your prespective clients all of your info, they no longer need your services and can shop around for other vendors to provide the service you charge a premium for.

Radioactive · 05-17-2016, 08:15 PM

Take BMW out of the equation for less than $30 USD. I recently took by daughter's aging 325i to the dealer for a repair. They, of course did their unrequested "World Class Inspection". Finding more things wrong than what the car is worth. No codes were provided, only what needed repairing. They wanted to charge a $175 to read codes, then after the repair to charge a $245 to clear the codes. $245 to hit a button on their computer.

Since I was going to diy most of the repairs I decided to purchase a OBD II wi fi interface and download a OBD II program (FusionOBD) for my iPad. Works great. Read all the codes and clear them at the push of a button. The interface can be wifi or bluetooth and the program can be found for both iOS and Android phones/tablets.

05-17-2016, 01:14 PM	#1
bmkman Enlisted Member 5 Rep 33 Posts Drives: BMX X3 F25 N52 Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Somewhere iTrader: (0)	Should BMW service show you the fault codes? Recently, my X3 would not mysteriously start again so I brought it into the dealership for service. I asked to see the fault codes but they seem to be a bit dodgy on the request. Is it common to withhold fault code information from the client?
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05-17-2016, 03:30 PM	#2
Pinewood First Lieutenant 45 Rep 363 Posts Drives: BMW X3 30d M sport LCI Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Buckinghamshire iTrader: (0)	Of course it is. If you give your prespective clients all of your info, they no longer need your services and can shop around for other vendors to provide the service you charge a premium for.
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05-17-2016, 08:15 PM	#3
Radioactive Captain 43 Rep 764 Posts Drives: '11 X3 28i '10 535i '04 325i Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Diego iTrader: (1)	Take BMW out of the equation for less than $30 USD. I recently took by daughter's aging 325i to the dealer for a repair. They, of course did their unrequested "World Class Inspection". Finding more things wrong than what the car is worth. No codes were provided, only what needed repairing. They wanted to charge a $175 to read codes, then after the repair to charge a $245 to clear the codes. $245 to hit a button on their computer. Since I was going to diy most of the repairs I decided to purchase a OBD II wi fi interface and download a OBD II program (FusionOBD) for my iPad. Works great. Read all the codes and clear them at the push of a button. The interface can be wifi or bluetooth and the program can be found for both iOS and Android phones/tablets.
	Appreciate 0 Quote