Warranty Question for 2011 R1200RT

[macx]

Starting new last April 1st, I put nearly 20k on it by late October,

and like a good boy brought the bike in to the local (Vegas) dealer for my 600 mile, 6k & 12k warranty required servicing.

 

The 6k was bad enuf, but the 12k was nearly $600!!! What a ripoff!

 

Anyway, I came up on 18k but knew because of work schedule and home trips over the holidays (I live in SE MO and am working a 2-1/2 year power plant construction job South of Vegas), I wouldn't be able to get it in for the 18k (6k) servicing, so changed oil myself of course using a BMW filter. I had even changed every 3k myself(between the 600 mile and the 6k, and again between the 6k & 12k required screwing) but have ridden it to work (80+ miles round trip) a few times on "nicer" days so now it's 20,700. According to the info I have, being I missed the 18k oil change I blew my warranty on any oil/filter related problems with the engine.

 

Is that pretty much a cut and dried fact? Or if I let them throw away my nearly new oil change and soak me for another one are they likely to maintain my full warranty?

 

I'm finally able to take it in either this weekend or next weekend when I can get an appointment, but don't want them dumping out my oil that only has 2,000 miles on it if I can

avoid it.

 

As long as I keep coming back for them to do all the other stuff, minus oil changes, that should still keep the warranty on everything but problems attributable to engine oil/filter changes intact, not?

 

The invoices they've given me don't itemize what they do, just a (big) lump sum for labor. Should I be able to specify that they do the other warranty related service (i.e. FD, trans, the scope, etc) and continue doing my own oil/filter changes?

 

Nearly $600 REALLY irritates me, as it takes them less than 2 hours or so and there's probly less than $100 worth of parts even for a 12k interval servicing.

 

And the svc manager keeps bragging that they've never had to actually adjust valves on a camhead, and I know how to do it and it doesn't take long at all just to check them.

 

Are they likely to agree to split out and not do the engine oil/filter changes when they do esp that godawfully expensive 24k (12k) service or will they insist on doing the whole thing even with my recent self oil change?

[SPX]

 

It is not a problem to ask for a 18k without an oil change.

[Paul Mihalka]

Servicing the bike yourself by itself does not void the warranty. If the bike has a defect that can be traced to lack of service or service badly done, for that defect the warranty is void.

I work at BMW dealers for over 20 years.

[Stan Walker]

6k & 12k warranty required servicing

Please tell us more, I've never heard of this!

 

Stan

[tsp]

I've had an independent BMW mechanic do 1 or 2 of my regular services. He's really good and a bit closer than the dealer. To my knowledge there is no problem in doing that. My bike is a 2010 RT with just over 24,000 miles.

 

tsp

Blog: www.swriding.blogspot.com

 

[tvguy]

There is no warranty issue at all when doing your own service. Your bike only needs the valve check every 12k miles. Most of the time the valves are within spec. Use quality parts and oil and you will be good to go.

 

The $600 price tag is for the labor and parts plus disposal fee and other BS from the state of Nevada. The spark plugs alone are $17+ each and you need 4... The parts alone are almost $200

[macx]

That's comforting to know. I got the "dealer required" out of my manual that says the service must be verified by either the dealer stamp/signature in the book or by a dealer receipt so the warranty will cover any related problems.

 

I finally got the bike in, told him I had changed the oil myself

at 18.3k last fall because I knew I wouldn't be able to get it in for awhile because of work and holiday home travel schedule, and wanted to replace the 20w50 mineral oil with 15W50 synth because I do ride in temps down into the lower 30's on occasion.

 

I was greatly relieved when, after I told the svc mgr what I had done and that I had receipts for the BMW filter, he said it was no problem.

 

From other things I've read since I posted this question, it seems there is some latitude from one dealer to the next on what they decide they'll warranty.

 

I'll have to go in for the 24k service in a month or so, let them do a thorough check out. I'm moving to a place it will be very difficult to do any servicing myself, esp involving oil, so will let the dealer do this one big last one and give things a good check over.

 

After that, - - -

 

Thanks for all the assurances!

[racer7]

I've serviced my 08 RT since new myself mostly because I'm old school and don't like being anywhere on something I don't know enough about to fix on the spot if it is possible. Besides, its silly easy for routine work. I buy recognized parts that meet BMW spec but are not always BMW (eg I use BMW syn oil but Mann Filters from Beemer Boneyard) and I get most of them at one of couple dealerships who know me when I walk in. I follow factory procedure and timing, document my work on the factory form and sign records in my own Riders Manual indicating I've done the work and make sure all the records can be crosschecked. Having taken mechanics in school in the 1960s and turned more than a couple wrenches since (though not for cash since the 1960s) I have no doubt that my work is as good as the typical shop though I'm likely not as fast as the guys who do it all day long.

The only time I needed a warranty item was when I did a roadside fpc bypass and stopped at Bob's in MD for a replacement. Was no issue- handled in minutes by their service folks who handed me a free replacement. I bought my bike at a different dealership.

 

But it is smart to know who the good pros are in your area BEFORE you need one in a pinch- and that can happen to anyone. Even if you know how, there are times when its wise to see a specialist.

 

It also seems you should get a better understanding of your dealers service records system. What comes up in the computer is the same stuff you can print from the factory RepROM DVD if you have one and it is the complete list for each service interval type. It also indicates which items are separately billable. If you've done some, you can certainly ask them to do the rest and unless you've got a pre 08 (RT) or a GS-911, you'll need the dealers computer to reset your service indicator.

 

 

[Boffin]

I buy recognized parts that meet BMW spec but are not always BMW (eg I use BMW syn oil but Mann Filters from Beemer Boneyard)

 

 

Ironically, the BMW branded oil is made by Spectro and is not OEM fit, whilst the Mann filters are one of the OEM fitted brands

 

All the above advice is good but be aware that BMW have refused engine warranty claims on the basis of using filters whose manufacturers do not list the machine they were fitted to.

 

The laws on what warranty claims may or may not be refused vary from country-to-country. In the UK for example, for motorcycles, manufacturers may stipulate services be carried out by authorised dealers for the warranty to be valid.

 

 

Andy