[strom]

My check engine light came on in my X3M40i, and took it for service. What I got back was a $3K bill for preventative maintenance. I don't wanna skim on any of it, but I also do not want to overpay. Hopefully, some of you can lmk if the prices are fair. (these are Penske dealer prices, I asked a local shop and they were actually pricier lol)

• Front Brakes: $1,123
• Engine DeCarb Flush: $271
• Clean Fuel Injection System: $271
• Alignment: $298
• Oil Change: $193
• Cabin Air Filter: $275
• Spark Plugs: $585

[Oldguysrule]

Did you authorize all of that work? It would be interesting to know what code it was throwing. Were your tires wearing uevenly? If not, the alignment wasn't needed nor related to an engine code. Brakes either although if original probably needed. Typical stealership charges too.

[Artdnj]

Curious to see others' opinion but the cabin air filter and oil seem a bit large as do the fr brakes assuming it's rotors/pads

[Oldguysrule]

Originally Posted by Artdnj

Curious to see others' opinion but the cabin air filter and oil seem a bit large as do the fr brakes assuming it's rotors/pads

Plugs at almost $100 a pop! 60K interval on plugs now as well per BMW.
Decarb engine? Is that cleaning the intake? This from the web:"1. Decarbonizing a modern day fuel injected petrol/ diesel car is not warranted as it does not substantially improve the overall health of the engine."
Cabin but not engine air filter?
Based on your mileage and work performed, I can't imagine what the code or issue was? Spark or fuel combustion related?

Penske shop prices?? Those are high for BMW shop prices. Hosed.

[ez311]

Originally Posted by strom

My check engine light came on in my X3M40i, and took it for service. What I got back was a $3K bill for preventative maintenance. I don't wanna skim on any of it, but I also do not want to overpay. Hopefully, some of you can lmk if the prices are fair. (these are Penske dealer prices, I asked a local shop and they were actually pricier lol)

• Front Brakes: $1,123
• Engine DeCarb Flush: $271
• Clean Fuel Injection System: $271
• Alignment: $298
• Oil Change: $193
• Cabin Air Filter: $275
• Spark Plugs: $585

This is highway robbery! Especially for that cabin filter (the part is ~ $40)

[Poppyboy]

If you go to the stealership, you’re just giving them an open checkbook. Read/understand the maintenance schedules on your vehicle. Learn to DIY. Find an independent mechanic.

[jeff3820]

1) I'm assuming the front brakes are for rotors and pads. That's about $300-400 high. Dealer price is absurd

2) Is there carbon buildup behind the intake valves or is this just some crap they will add to your gasoline/injectors. FYI, there is nothing they can add to the fuel system to get rid of carbon buildup. With direct injection the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, not to the back of the intake valve where carbon buildup can occur. This is just dealer profit.

3) Fuel injection cleaning is just another example of dealer profit. This is just something they will pour into your gas tank. This is utter BS

4) Are your tires wearing unevenly that an alignment is needed? What are the tire depths inner, center, outer tread? This is probably unnecessary unless there is tire wear.

5) Oil change, OK

6) $275 for the cabin air filter?? Part is maybe $40 at the dealer and maybe an hour to install. Is their hourly rate about $235/hr. Go somewhere else for this or do it yourself

7) You can probably wait another 10,000+ miles before doing spark plugs unless they are fouled. And $100/plug is very expensive.

You need to find a good indie mechanic...this dealer is abusing you with unnecessagy service at very premium pricing.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

You got killed. Its called upselling. You also did not say what the code was, its important.

That determines what work needs to be done & its not going to be a laundry list like you got.

First thing you do before you take the car in is check the maintenance schedule that came with the car. Go to 50K miles &/or age to see required items to be serviced.

Don't do anything not of the chart unless something broke.

Most of the list is at the DIY level without any real experience. For guys with experience only thing you need the shop for is alignment if, big if, an alignment is actually required.

Watch for dealers 'alignment specials" when the price is lowered significantly.

Just a quick add, agree no cleaner will clean the back of the valves. They need to be walnut blasted & the shop is not doing that for $271.

[TXGrey]

There is nothing wrong with using a dealer to do the work, so long as you are aware of what needs to be done and the actual costs associated with that job. Yes, you are going to pay more at the dealer… how much more depends on where you are and how much homework you've done. With my Macan GTS, I used both dealer and Indy mechanic… I split the services depending on what needed to be done and how I wanted to go about it. The same can be done for any BMW… know the required maintenance vs what they are trying to "tell" you what's supposed to be done, and go from there (and of course, how much they are charging Vs a good Indy close by).

[jeff3820]

Just checked with my brother who lives in Arizona. He uses Deyoung European Motors https://www.benzshops.com/arizona/deyoung-european-az since he lives in Prescott. He has also used Tech Plus in Scottsdale https://techplusautomotive.com/

[glennbk]

Originally Posted by TXGrey

There is nothing wrong with using a dealer to do the work, so long as you are aware of what needs to be done and the actual costs associated with that job. Yes, you are going to pay more at the dealer… how much more depends on where you are and how much homework you've done. With my Macan GTS, I used both dealer and Indy mechanic… I split the services depending on what needed to be done and how I wanted to go about it. The same can be done for any BMW… know the required maintenance vs what they are trying to "tell" you what's supposed to be done, and go from there (and of course, how much they are charging Vs a good Indy close by).

Whom is your Indy?

[freshxdough]

Originally Posted by jeff3820

1) I'm assuming the front brakes are for rotors and pads. That's about $300-400 high. Dealer price is absurd

2) Is there carbon buildup behind the intake valves or is this just some crap they will add to your gasoline/injectors. FYI, there is nothing they can add to the fuel system to get rid of carbon buildup. With direct injection the fuel is injected into the combustion chamber, not to the back of the intake valve where carbon buildup can occur. This is just dealer profit.

3) Fuel injection cleaning is just another example of dealer profit. This is just something they will pour into your gas tank. This is utter BS

4) Are your tires wearing unevenly that an alignment is needed? What are the tire depths inner, center, outer tread? This is probably unnecessary unless there is tire wear.

5) Oil change, OK

6) $275 for the cabin air filter?? Part is maybe $40 at the dealer and maybe an hour to install. Is their hourly rate about $235/hr. Go somewhere else for this or do it yourself

7) You can probably wait another 10,000+ miles before doing spark plugs unless they are fouled. And $100/plug is very expensive.

You need to find a good indie mechanic...this dealer is abusing you with unnecessagy service at very premium pricing.

Fuel injection service also includes running a can through the fuel rail/injectors with a special pressurized tool. And one that goes in the tank.

[IAmSpeed]

That's ridiculous pricing, find a good indie shop, and you can save some $ while getting exact service.

[M40i4me]

If you are handy, change the plugs yourself as they are really easy to do on a straight six engine. I am surprised they didn’t say you had a bad coil pack causing the code as plugs are usually in pretty good shape at that mileage. If DIY makes you nervous, YouTube is your friend for basic maintenance know how.

[bcwalks2]

Originally Posted by strom

My check engine light came on in my X3M40i, and took it for service. What I got back was a $3K bill for preventative maintenance. I don't wanna skim on any of it, but I also do not want to overpay. Hopefully, some of you can lmk if the prices are fair. (these are Penske dealer prices, I asked a local shop and they were actually pricier lol)

• Front Brakes: $1,123
• Engine DeCarb Flush: $271
• Clean Fuel Injection System: $271
• Alignment: $298
• Oil Change: $193
• Cabin Air Filter: $275
• Spark Plugs: $585

Tell the stealership to eat shit!

Likely don’t need rotors and pads are a few hundred.
Engine decarb and fuel injection cleaning is a crock of shit.
Alignment…why? That’s a high quote for an alignment. Unless your tires are wearing uneven there is no point.
Oil change is $60 and 30 minutes in the garage.
Cabin air filter….way high for a $40 part and a little time.
Plugs are less than $100 and take less than 1 hour with a magnetic spark plug socket.

Run fast and never go back.

[TXGrey]

Originally Posted by glennbk

Whom is your Indy?

Don't have one yet for the X4… I'm only 1.5 years into ownership so can use the dealer for almost everything (not to mention we only live 10 mins from all the Grapevine dealerships… both Porsche and BMW). I used RAC Performance when I had the Macan. Haven't decided yet on a Bimmer Indy… may look into using AutoScope, as one of the main mechanics at RAC Performance went over to AutoScope recently, and he's a good guy. Then again, it's DFW… I can prob throw a rock out the window and hit five good BMW mechanics with the number of Bimmers running around this town. I'll prob jump on the local BMW Club FaceBook page when the time comes, and just ask the group who people use around my side of town.

[bbb83]

Start with getting the code read at a car part place for free. Only fix what the code is pulling up.

[BMWZ4]

Front Brakes: $1,123...maybe, if it included rotors

Engine DeCarb Flush: $271...didn't need this if you're using 91 octane

Clean Fuel Injection System: $271...as above

Alignment: $298...as others have noted, were your tires wearing or was the vehicle tracking incorrectly?

Oil Change: $193...sounds about right, but not covered in the U.S.? You're just under the 50,000 miles so should've been covered, no?

Cabin Air Filter: $275...holy crap! that definitely doesn't sound right to me. In Canada, that's included during warranty

Spark Plugs: $585...mine were changed under warranty

[coolnesh]

Like others have stated here.

Cabin Filter - $45 for the part and honestly you can change it yourself within 20 mins (start to finish) + watching a youtube video for 10 mins. All you need is a T20 torx screw head. I did it very easily and then told the dealer No on several services.

Alignment is also ridiculously priced, unless you see uneven wear on tires or your car is pulling left/right, basically something that is highly noticeable, you may not need alignment ... and if you do you can get it done for lesser at independent shops around your city.

Here is the youtube link for changing the cabin filter, all the details and steps are fairly easy and very well expressed. Just remember to stretch before attempting it

[mascro]

You should log into your garage and check for coupons at the mybmw web site:
https://mygarage.bmwusa.com/vehicle-profile.html

For example, the Austin dealer offers these coupons (for my 2017 X3 xDrive35i) at the bottom of the page, via that link:
Value Service Offer: Brake Disc / Pads / Sensor Replacement - Front: $618.95
Oil change: $99.95
Micro Filter Replacement: $61.95
Spark Plug Replacement: $304.95

[FutureTrunks_M40i]

Has it been 3 years since you've have your M40i. If not, then you should be covered under your 3yr/50k service warranty that covers your oil change, cabin & engine filter, and spark plugs. The front brakes sound about right- however you can instead purchase an extended service warranty that covers your brakes and extends your warranty for about the same price as the brakes itself.

If you are using 91 octane- I wouldn't bother with the fuel injection cleaning service. But you can likely wait till 60k miles for that and include it during your next service.

[509er]

Curious - did the OP post and ghost?