12,000 mi. $$$

[oob]

when will i learn? dropped bike off in S.F. for the 12 G service and print out estimated at 800. next time round anyone in my area will be invited for a teaching lesson at my place to show me how easy the valves are (read about it on this site and think i can do it) but more importantly, the throttle synch. the wifey even gave her ok. shame on me. Rob

[bmweerman]

Amen Bro...

 

And it feels good too!!

[bmweerman]

Actually on that note....

 

Have been perusing the thread on tires and my rear Z6 needs replaceing...the last time I bought Z6s at the BMW dealer they charged me $350.00. Just came from the local Honda dealer and they will sell me a set installed for a little over $200.00

 

What is up with that!?!

 

Sorry to hijack your thread BTW

 

Take Care

[russell_bynum]

Good Lawd!!!! $800 for a service?

 

Is that just for a 12K or are they doing something else too (tires, brakes, etc???)

 

I forget what BMW recommends, but at 12K, I do the following:

Oil/filter change.

Valve adjust

TB sync

Transmission oil change

Final drive oil change

spark plug change

General inspection of everything...brakes, tires, swingarm pivot bearings, adjust the clutch, drain the airbox oil, etc.

 

I change the fuel filter, main throttle cable, and the alternator belt every 24K.

 

It's an afternoon's worth of work once you learn how.

 

Don't wait until you need another service...keep your eyes open for a Tech Daze near you, and attend one. Even if you're not working on your bike, you should be able to learn what needs to happen by watching/helping others.

[Jim Moore]

$800? You're kidding, right

[russell_bynum]

Actually on that note....

 

Have been perusing the thread on tires and my rear Z6 needs replaceing...the last time I bought Z6s at the BMW dealer they charged me $350.00. Just came from the local Honda dealer and they will sell me a set installed for a little over $200.00

 

What is up with that!?!

 

[bmweerman]

Last 12K I had done was just about that!!!!

[scottie_boy]

Sunday I adjusted the valves, synced. the throttle bodies, replaced all four spark plugs, and changed the air filter on my RT in approx. three hours. This was the first time I had done it myself too. It will only get easier every time. It's really pretty dang easy if you have a little mechanical skill. The hardest part was removing the tupperware. In the past, I always paid the dealer to perform the services because the bike was still under warranty. Boy did I waste a lot of money and time! Someone in the Atlanta area was kind enough to show me how to do the maintenance. Offer to buy a twelve pack of their favorite brew and I'm sure someone will be glad to help you next time. There are some very knowledgable and friendly people on this site.

[DogGone]

OK,

 

I take back most of the bad things i've said about my local dealer. Two months ago i had the 12k done on my '04 1150 Adv.

 

$290.00, exactly what they'd quoted me.

 

wow

[oob]

i know there are a couple of guys on this board who live in the area (antioch) but dont remember who. I'll keep an eye out for them. I think 'bob' is one, cop i think? anyway, in 6,000 miles i'll be hunting you down!

by the way, yes, my brake light assembly (the WHOLE thing) fell down and into my wheel on the freeway but BMW says that's under warranty and i'm not being charged for it. So, ya, the 800 is just for the 12,ooo.

[Richard_D]

I would call a few dealers and get a quote such as Haps in Sarasota Fl. Tell your dealer he must have made a mistake in a nice way when you tell him of other much much less quotes and see what he says . There was another guy on the board I suggested this too and his dealer said they did things they weren't supposed to do by mistake and gave him a refund, I think , of more than half his money back.

[Waltman]

My local dealer wants around $550 for the 12K service. I said thank you. The kit for the 12K service retails about 145.00, so $400 for labor is absurd. 12k Kit

[ShovelStrokeEd]

What is so absurd? Shop labor rates average about $70/hr. So 5.7 hours total time to remove and replace tupperware, oil service, valve clearance check, throttle body balance, R&R spark plugs, lubricate stands, Moditec test for faults, test ride and about 12 things I didn't include from the 12K check list. A good tech will probably knock that out in about 4.5 hours as he does it for a living and is very familiar with the process. The dealer still gets to charge you the full boat cause he can.

 

You can always learn to do this stuff yourself. Nothing is beyond the reach of a back yard mechanic except the Moditec stuff. Feel free to have at it.

[Jim Moore]

My local dealer wants around $550 for the 12K service. I said thank you. The kit for the 12K service retails about 145.00, so $400 for labor is absurd.

 

2-Valve Cover Gasket (large)

2-Valve Cover Gasket (small)

1-Oil Filler Gasket (base)

1-Oil Filler Gasket

2-Spark Plugs FR6DDC

1-Air Filter

4-20W50 Engine Oil (quart)

1-75W140 Synthetic Hypoid Gear Oil (quart)

2-Crush Ring 18MM

1-Crush Ring 16MM

2-Crush Ring 14MM

1-Oil Filter

 

 

Here's the list from the kit. You don't need the first two, and I don't even know what items 3 & 4 are. You're still getting ripped off.

[Joe Frickin' Friday]

...So 5.7 hours total time...A good tech will probably knock that out in about 4.5 hours...The dealer still gets to charge you the full boat cause he can.

 

A bad tech will take 6.5 hours, but the dealer will still only charge you 5.7. Book rate works both ways. Sometimes it's good for you, sometimes it's bad, but either way you know at the outset what you'll be paying.

[BFish]

i'm not going to defend/criticize hourly rates of dealers or anyone else, as i make my living, for the most part, on charging hourly rates. an auto/moto shop that uses standard hours for certain jobs "usually" only charges for the standard time allotted. many times they eat any overage if the tech is inefficient. while my non-work time is valuable to me i'm not a wrench and many of my clients come to me as they are not proficient in my field. i'd like to point out that in my case organization and neatness saves the clients fees. with my dealer i've saved some $$ by doing the oil, tranny, rear end services and documented this to them. i ask for quotes for the full service then tell them i've done this and that. the price comes down. maybe not as much as i'd like but it does come down.

 

hourly rates are one means of charging for services. do not assume that it is all profit. even showing up with fairing off will save $$$'s. also, each of us needs to determine what our personal time is worth and how much we can tolerate the rates of our service providers. when i retire...my tolerance will surely drop.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Good point, Mitch. I failed to show the other side of the coin.

[BFish]

shovel-off topic, but how'd you make out with wilma down your way? brother in pompano plans on being w/o power for a while.

[skinny_tom (aka boney)]

Have tools, will travel. It's easier than you think, and will save you big bucks.

 

Put up a post before your next service that you need a little help and at least one, probably several, of us will converge on your place. Or, if you prefer, my place.

[jrbldr]

Shop labor rates are extremely high in the Bay Area due to cost of living which is highest in the country. That may have also included a brake system flush, at roughly $100-120 which is the only part of the service that I have done by the dealer.

[russell_bynum]

Here's the list from the kit. You don't need the first two, and I don't even know what items 3 & 4 are. You're still getting ripped off.

 

What Jim said. I'm at 78K and I haven't replaced the valve cover gaskets. If they leak, replace them. Otherwise, don't bother.

 

Jim, I think the 3 and 4 are the little plastic doohickey and the O-ring that the oil filler cap screws into on the left valve cover. I've replaced that stuff once because it was leaking, but there's no reason to do it if it's not.

[Rt4Me]

As Boney has said, I also have tools and will travel to help.

 

I'm in the Roseville area and you can Pm anytime for help.

[oob]

thanks everyone. i myself don't mind riding out to learn these basics. I'll let you know.

[SWB]

What is so absurd? Shop labor rates average about $70/hr. So 5.7 hours total time to remove and replace tupperware, oil service, valve clearance check, throttle body balance, R&R spark plugs, lubricate stands, Moditec test for faults, test ride and about 12 things I didn't include from the 12K check list. A good tech will probably knock that out in about 4.5 hours as he does it for a living and is very familiar with the process. The dealer still gets to charge you the full boat cause he can.

 

You can always learn to do this stuff yourself. Nothing is beyond the reach of a back yard mechanic except the Moditec stuff. Feel free to have at it.

 

All good points. The 12K list of "recommended" service is extensive (takes me 4.5 hours just to read through it).

 

I put my used R1100RT(P) into a local dealer for my 54K service. Nice guys, looks like a good shop, but they pay their staff well, and pay huge rent and local, state, and federal taxes. I don't fault a shop for charging me $350 for a 6K tune up, or $600+ for a 12K tune-up. It is what it is.

 

Plus, the BMW dealer is charging BMW prices for every little part. I think they charged me $2 just for the replacement zip ties. Again, it's BMW's wholesale plus standard markup less overhead (rent and taxes).

 

I buy stuff cheap ($3 for a pair of plugs versus $20+), and work cheap (beer and pizza).

 

One of there reasons I put my bike into the dealer was that it was used (50K miles) when I got it, it is the most complex motorcycle I've ever owned, and I wanted to feel "comfortable" that the bike wasn't going to fall apart from under me at 80MPH.

 

At this point, however, I'll feel "better" if I've seen the work done myself. Did the service tech actually lubricate the bike center stand? The automatic windscreen? How accurate was his valve adjustment? Did the guys who just mounted my new tires put locktite on the front fender screws, or is it going to wrap around the front tire again at 80MPH like last time?? I've had this bike into BMW shops twice now, and both times it came out with fewer screws on the fairings then when it went in (and maybe that now defunct front fender as well).

 

I've got major work planned around Christmas, and intend to do it all myself. That's because, if I don't, I won't know what was done, or how well it was done.

 

One more story: I took my RT to a local independent to mount two new Z6 tires ('cause I was too lazy to do it myself). Their rates are low, I know the shop manager and owner, and these guys are generally competent. He pointed over to one of the stalls with a half disassembled R1100RTP and said "Just make sure you never go through a clutch on one of these things... we've been working on this for two days". He was at same point as Ted was at on his spline lube DVD after 2 hours.

 

So, either I do the work myself, or I hire a Beemer specialists, because the R1100RT is a beautiful piece of engineering, but it takes a guy familiar with the bike to do the job properly. In my case, I'll feel more comfortable riding my bike if I've done the work myself.

[ddreger]

 

I'm one of those Antioch yahoos. I've been taking my bike to the Concord shop since they repaired my burnt valve (damage caused by another dealer or just bad luck). I've been really happy with the maintenance service that they have been providing though they don't have loaner bikes. They charge alot less than the SF shop.

 

I think SJBMW has the best price on a set of tires installed.

 

I've been meaning to start doing my own service but the problem is time. It seems each time there is a local techdaze I am out of town on business. Oh well one of these days. If you decide to host one I will be sure to participate.

 

We should go for a ride some day.

 

Doug

[oob]

Thanks Doug. ya, time is usually at a premium for me too. I just called Concord BMW and was told they dont do bikes, did you mean one of the other bike shops there? Honda of Concord? S.F. did loan me an R1150R but wouldnt need it if i only had to ride to concord for some service. You will be invited on the next 'tech' thing. I'll jot your name down so i don't forget... nice helpful group on this site. I'm impressed.

[Robp]

I just paid $340 for my 12k in Atlanta...02 RT

 

Guess it's just another thing about CA that's expensive...

 

rp

[Cali Kid]

Rates go up? I remember A&S did my 12K with new tires for $745 2 years ago

Last time I took it to a dealer for any regular service. Course, I had just bought the bike. Didn't know squat about it.

[Lyter]

OK everyone in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT). BMW of Manhattan's 12k service:

 

Parts: $182.33

Labor: $488.84

EPA Fee: $5.83

 

TOTAL: $677.00

 

I've got some kids for sale. Need money to pay the bill.

[Chugger]

OK everyone in the tri-state area (NY, NJ, CT). BMW of Manhattan's 12k service:

 

Parts: $182.33

Labor: $488.84

EPA Fee: $5.83

 

TOTAL: $677.00

 

I've got some kids for sale. Need money to pay the bill.

 

Jack, Cliffs will do my abs service for 280.00. Did the balance of 12k service myself. When it's time to do your Valves and TB sync Give me a call if you need help.

 

Chugger

BLU 02 RT