Sp8er8er Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I found myself in Modesto this morning so I stopped by the BMW dealer to pick up an oil filter and some crush washers. The building was empty but their new address was posted. Not being that familiar with Modesto I asked Dorothy (my GPS) where it was and we proceeded on to the new location. The new-improved-better-than-ever filters are $18.90 before tax. Each. Just down the street at Kragen I can get a new filter with 5 quarts of oil (on sale) for $11.99. I was going to post the new location. nah. BMW has destroyed my demand for any parts I can get elsewhere for less as I felt pretty stupid all the way home. I know, you've heard it all before and there are alternatives listed on this site. I just thought I'd display some customer loyalty. bah. There. Now I feel better. I think. As soon as the stupid wears off. :dopeslap: Link to comment
T__ Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Sp8er8er , what’s the deal on “The new-improved-better-than-ever filters are $18.90”? Is BMW offering a different filter for the oilhead now? They didn’t sell you a hexhead filter did they? Can you furnish us the part number on the new filter? Twisty Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I think that was tongue-in-cheek. There is no new oil filter. The standard oil filter for oilheads is BMW MSRP $18.90. Take it or leave it. Link to comment
Boone60 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 My dealer's service tech warns not to use car oil in the airhead and newer bikes. Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 My dealer's service tech warns not to use car oil in the airhead and newer bikes. I hope not to start a oil thread, but I'd like to ask any technician/expert/whatever how many BMW engines they have seen destroyed or with excessive wear because of using "car oil" or not "motorcycle oil". Only bikes with wet (oil bath) clutch should not use the latest "energy efficient" car oils. That includes the latest BMW K, F and G bikes. Link to comment
T__ Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 clip~ Only bikes with wet (oil bath) clutch should not use the latest "energy efficient" car oils. That includes the latest BMW K, F and G bikes. Paul, this has also come up on the GoldWing sites as well as other motorcycle sites.. While there is always the chance that some oil additives (especially concentrated stand alone oil additive supplements) might not be the best for a wet clutch but I always ask for ONE verified example of a failed wet clutch due to using energy rated car oil.. So far I haven’t seen one verified example.. You work for a motorcycle dealer that sells wet clutch motorcycles.. Do you know of anyone that has failed a wet clutch to using car oil? Not to abuse or improper clutch usage but actually attributed to using car oil.. Twisty Link to comment
Dave in Doodah Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 My dealer's service tech warns not to use car oil in the airhead and newer bikes. (whispering...) I understand the oil threads here are notorious but, for a data point, I just wanted to note that my airhead has been leading a very happy, healthy life on car oil for 25 years. That said, I am very careful to match the API service class recommended by BMW for the oilhead. Link to comment
Boone60 Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 My dealer's service tech warns not to use car oil in the airhead and newer bikes. (whispering...) I understand the oil threads here are notorious but, for a data point, I just wanted to note that my airhead has been leading a very happy, healthy life on car oil for 25 years. That said, I am very careful to match the API service class recommended by BMW for the oilhead. Never been into an oil debate here, and don't intend on it. After thinking about what the tech said, I recall now that he was talking about wet clutches. He did mention that an airhead was fine on good auto oil. Link to comment
T__ Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I think that was tongue-in-cheek. There is no new oil filter. The standard oil filter for oilheads is BMW MSRP $18.90. Take it or leave it. Paul, I guess that shows you how long it’s been since I have bought an OEM BMW oilhead oil filter.. I had no idea the oilhead oil filters cost that much now.. I’m used to paying $3.89 per filter buying by the case for aftermarket.. In fact I just bought 10 Bosch filters on sale for $1.99 ea a short while ago.. Twisty Link to comment
Dick_at_Lake_Tahoe_NV Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 After going through what I did with getting my engine warranty denied for my Hexhead, I decided to get 5 Quarts of "BMW Engine Lubricant" (aka: Engine Oil) and two Filters with crush-washers. Total Bill including tax, $81.50. Link to comment
boatzo Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 I know that BMW does not make oil, and probably they do not make oil filters either. I understand how this may effect warranty, but with my mileage, I am sticking with Amsoil oil and filters which I believe are Wix. My 2 cents. Link to comment
Sp8er8er Posted January 16, 2009 Author Share Posted January 16, 2009 Twisty- Paul had it exactly right, I was being sarcastic as it seems twice what I paid last year. Part # 11 42 1 480 845. My point is I would like to buy from the local dealer, just as I like to buy from the local guys in the small town where I live. But it seems the markup is 1000%. And I have no beef with the personell as everyone I've come in contact with at the dealership is helpful and pleasant. But I really did feel stupid driving home. My take is BMW would rather not be bothered with the small everyday stuff we need to keep our bikes on the road. regards- Link to comment
Paul Mihalka Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Just in case, the BMW dealer's cost of a BMW oil filter is higher than the retail price of a quality filter (Bosch, Mann) on the internet. Link to comment
rob1100r Posted January 16, 2009 Share Posted January 16, 2009 Just in case, the BMW dealer's cost of a BMW oil filter is higher than the retail price of a quality filter (Bosch, Mann) on the internet. *We have to realize the pricing of goods from Europe are going up (like anything else). I didn't look up a currency exchange rate lately, but the Euro is stronger than the almighty dollar. I had to get OEM BMW parts two years ago for the bike (I purchased from MAX BMW) and used their on-line Parts Fiche. There is a very notable price increase on some of the things I bought between then and now (I looked them up just for the heck of it a few months ago and noticed this). I work in music (retail/repair) and a German-made Hohner Blues Harp harmonica sold for about $18.00 two years ago, that same thing now sells for $31.00! I'm sure the dealer's cost (of that Austrian-made filter) has gone way up. Link to comment
AZKomet Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 Just in case, the BMW dealer's cost of a BMW oil filter is higher than the retail price of a quality filter (Bosch, Mann) on the internet. But why? The last Bosch for my Ridgeline was $3.99 @ checker. I know...not a m/c. But what makes a bike filter soooooooo pricey? Someone mentioned it in another post, calling it "BOUTIQUE" pricing. I must agree on that. Link to comment
outpost22 Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I do not wish to name (implicate) a good BMW dealer I know, just in case Der Fuhrer monitors this forum. He did NOT want to sell me an BMW oilhead filter for $18+ dollars, because he thought it was crazy to pay that much for a filter. He sold me a K&N oil filter instead for about $11.00. Yeah, I know the $3 filters are available down the street at the auto stores, but I would also like to support him too. In fact I still buy BMW oil (all 2.8 quarts) for the F650 from him too. He more than makes up for the difference in price with great service. Link to comment
Smoky Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I don't know what the CDN price is for BMW filters, I get filters from the local auto parts store, about $5. But the little paper oil filter for my KLR 650 costs $17 at the Kawasaki dealer. Link to comment
AZKomet Posted January 17, 2009 Share Posted January 17, 2009 I don't know what the CDN price is for BMW filters, I get filters from the local auto parts store, about $5. But the little paper oil filter for my KLR 650 costs $17 at the Kawasaki dealer. WOW! 17.00 for a KLR filter...my dealer is 6.00!!!! Quick...move to the US and get a discount! Link to comment
R80RTKen Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Castrol GTX changed every 2500 miles, and an aftermarket filter.. been using it for 10 years on my Oilhead R1100, and on my 1983 R80RT.. and my ZRX1100... 3 bikes, 10 years,100,000 miles ridden... of reading oil threads.. 10 years of saying screw them all and using good dino oil.. no engine wear... Buy synthetic oil and OEM filters at your own risk.. at 100$ per oil change, times 3 bikes, over 10 years.. Icould have bought another bike for that kind of money.. do the math.. change your own oil, change it often.. See ya -Ken Link to comment
upflying Posted January 20, 2009 Share Posted January 20, 2009 Have you priced aircraft oil filters? About $20 for a Champion filter to fit an air cooled, horizontally opposed 4 cylinder. Much of aircraft markup has to do with product liability. Everyone is sued when an airplane gets wadded up. Not implying liability is the same with motorcycles but how much of the cost of a motorcycle is marked up due to product liability issues? Link to comment
Sp8er8er Posted January 21, 2009 Author Share Posted January 21, 2009 I suppose there could be a liability markup factor, never considered it. In a perfect world dealerships could provide less expensive non BMW brand items to keep their customers coming in the door and still stock OEM parts for service work and warrantee compliance. However I could see there might be a franchise agreement prohibiting that practice (just a WAG on my part). Keeping customers coming in the door is a key issue here. If you haven't bought a bike at a dealership when you were looking for something else I bet you know someone who has. A case of Bosch filters at 1/3 the OEM price buys customer traffic and dealership loyalty. (In my humble on often disputed opinion) regards- Link to comment
skyskier Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 I find this tread interesting. I was just at Brown's BMW in Pomona yesterday. They have a sign on the wall that says they'll do an oil change with filter on my RT for $39 dino, $59 syn. Pretty good in my opinion, I just drive it in, no muss, no fuss. All I have to do is chat with the sales guys for awhile, and hope they don't sell me a new bike. Link to comment
Boone60 Posted January 21, 2009 Share Posted January 21, 2009 All I have to do is chat with the sales guys for awhile, and hope they don't sell me a new bike. "Here Steve why don't you just take this for a little ride while the shop gets to work on your bike." Link to comment
upflying Posted January 22, 2009 Share Posted January 22, 2009 I find this tread interesting. I was just at Brown's BMW in Pomona yesterday. They have a sign on the wall that says they'll do an oil change with filter on my RT for $39 dino, $59 syn. Pretty good in my opinion, I just drive it in, no muss, no fuss. All I have to do is chat with the sales guys for awhile, and hope they don't sell me a new bike. Yep, those are loss leader promotions to get you and your bike in through the service entrance. While draining your oil, they do a "free 39 point safety check" and notice other more costly items that need your attention. Lose money on the oil change but they make up for it on other services. Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.