R1200RT Scheduled Service Costs

[Chip]

This is not meant to be a, "BMW Dealer bashing" thread. I like the place I have my service work done. The technician is top notch and my bike always runs perfect when I leave. That said, I thought I'd pass on my experience with service costs; just for information purposes and to laugh a bit as my wallet is so much lighter. I used to do ALL of my own work but, with this bike, decided to let a professional do it.

 

Just had the 24K service done on my 2010 R1200RT. $685.80 (this included four new spark plugs at $21 each). Yep, as the dealer said, "BMW means, 'Bring Money Withyou.'"

 

FYI - a list of the scheduled service intervals and costs per visit. Note: Dealer is in Houston, TX (technically Katy, TX)...ymmv

600 mile - $388.35

6000 mile - $323.14

12,000 mile - $595.81

18,000 mile - $349.12

24,000 mile - $685.80

Total to date - $2,342.22

 

btw, this is close to what I've paid in farkels (seat, windscreen, cylinder head protectors, tank bag, etc.)....

 

Kind of reminds me of buying a razor and then paying for blades.

[RTinNC]

Actually $685 does not sound too bad considering $84 for plugs! Depending on what all they did.

Curious what was included in the 24K as I am due in about 1,000 miles. I do my own oil, filter, Trans fluid. Also, you have a cam head ... were the valved OK and only required a check or did they have to adjust?

Edited August 26, 2012 by RTinNC

[dirtdreamer50]

Over the years, I have purchased nine bikes from the unnamed dealer you mentioned, including two BMW's. I've never had them do any work except for an occasional warranty job. Check with the other two BMW dealers in SW Houston and the city of South Houston, and you will probably find that the service costs will be about the same as you paid.

 

The plug price does seem high, but if they cannot be purchased at other sources, you are stuck with the price. tomp dd50

[terryofperry]

Seems in this case it is working out to $100 per month or $0.10 per mile in maintenance.

 

Depending on the weather that might be more on maintenance than on fuel to ride.

 

Terry

[Chip]

Yea, service costs are similar across Houston. I bring my bike to the dealer in Katy because David (BMW technician) has an outstanding reputation.

 

Although the dealer in South Houston is closer to home, I won't go there. Nuff said in a public forum.

[Chip]

I didn't have the opportunity to discuss exactly what was done as I was under some significant time constraints when I picked up the bike. I recall the valves were in good shape at the 18k checkup so I doubt they needed adjustment at 24k (the bike was running sweet when I brought it in). I do know the oil, final drive oil, and air filter were changed. There was no indication that brake fluid was flushed (it looks pretty clean in the reservoir).

[lkchris]

Just had the 24K service done on my 2010 R1200RT. $685.80 (this included four new spark plugs at $21 each). Yep, as the dealer said, "BMW means, 'Bring Money Withyou.'"

 

It would be just like this for a Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, or BMW car. Can't imagine why you'd think a German motorcycle would be different than a German car.

[RAINEY]

My 2012 R1200RT is going in for the 1st 600 mile service. It's under $200.00 and I think he said it will be around $165.00. I'm lucky to have a great BMW dealer here in Grand Rapids, MI

[dirtdreamer50]

My 2012 R1200RT is going in for the 1st 600 mile service. It's under $200.00 and I think he said it will be around $165.00. I'm lucky to have a great BMW dealer here in Grand Rapids, MI

 

You are lucky. My dealer wanted to charge $385, and claimed they were needing to do things that can't even be done on a 12. I'm changing my own fluids this weekend.

[RAINEY]

Here's the general list:

Reset service date

Reading fault memory with BMW diagnostic system

engine oil change, with filter

change oil read drive

check brake fluid front and back

check freedom of movement of Bowden cables and checking for kinks and chafing

check tire depth and pressure

check lights and signaling equipment

function test, engine start suppression

check the synchronization

final inspection and check road worthiness

another reading fault memory with BMW diagnostic system

confirm BMW service in on board computer

 

This is a list that the Service Manager gave to me. It shows Maintenance Schedule 0440 - R 1200 RT, 00 00 119 BMW Running-in Check at the top

 

 

[RTJohn]

BMW has made a point of making our plugs available only from them. I asked Beemer Boneyard if they had an aftermarket plug for the NGK and they said no. They've added NGKs to the their oil change packages for RTs. Bring Money With you. Still...it's a great bike!

[lkchris]

BMW has made a point of making our plugs available only from them.

 

http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/motorcycle/8122765.html

[dirtdreamer50]

BMW has made a point of making our plugs available only from them.

 

http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/motorcycle/8122765.html

 

Gone are the days of $.99 Champion and $1.59 NGk's of my youth. All of my cars(3) have 100k mile plug change intervals. Guess the money saved on them I can put towards the BMW plugs, when needed... tomp dd50

[terryofperry]

Supposedly the Camhead plugs are available to order from OReily's.

 

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/NGK0/8765/N0246.oap?ck=Search_N0246_-1_-1&pt=N0246&ppt=C0218#at

 

I have not asked but I will tomorrow. There was an NGK statement not too long ago that said these plugs would be available aftermarket in the near future.

 

Terry

[terryofperry]

I did get by the auto parts place and they are available to order. 2 days to my Oreilly's from South Carolina and the price is as stated.

 

Terry

[Norm 427]

600 mile - $388.35

6000 mile - $323.14

12,000 mile - $595.81

18,000 mile - $349.12

24,000 mile - $685.80

Total to date - $2,342.22

 

That's a vert good argument for DIY maintenance.

 

[RAINEY]

600 mile - $388.35

6000 mile - $323.14

12,000 mile - $595.81

18,000 mile - $349.12

24,000 mile - $685.80

Total to date - $2,342.22

 

That's a vert good argument for DIY maintenance.

 

Crazy Stuff. Hopefully that "Rip Off" dealer loses enough business to see the error in their ways. I guess there will still be enough people who pay it that they don't really care.

[RTinNC]

600 mile - $388.35

6000 mile - $323.14

12,000 mile - $595.81

18,000 mile - $349.12

24,000 mile - $685.80

Total to date - $2,342.22

 

That's a vert good argument for DIY maintenance.

 

Crazy Stuff. Hopefully that "Rip Off" dealer loses enough business to see the error in their ways. I guess there will still be enough people who pay it that they don't really care.

 

I gotta tell you those #'s are not that out of line from what I have seen.

[Dave_in_TX]

BMW has made a point of making our plugs available only from them.

 

http://www.wunderlichamerica.com/motorcycle/8122765.html

 

There a lot cheaper at sparkplugs.com than what Wundelich charges.

[David R]

I changed the oil and filter at 190 miles. I changed it again at 900 miles and checked the valve clearance. I bled the brakes just a little. One small bubble out of the rear. I inspected the spark plugs and put some anti seeze on them. I expect a lot of miles out of those spark plugs.

 

If the fuel gauge is the only problem, I will just ride it.

 

My dealer did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling.

 

So far I have spent about $30.00 I am checking things for tight and full as I go along. If I had to pay those prices I would ride something else.

 

David

[Chip]

600 mile - $388.35

6000 mile - $323.14

12,000 mile - $595.81

18,000 mile - $349.12

24,000 mile - $685.80

Total to date - $2,342.22

 

That's a vert good argument for DIY maintenance.

 

Crazy Stuff. Hopefully that "Rip Off" dealer loses enough business to see the error in their ways. I guess there will still be enough people who pay it that they don't really care.

 

Like I said at the beginning of this thread, I didn't want to get into a Dealer bashing thread. My technician is extremely good. Obviously, it would be nice to have less expensive maintenance; but I'm not going to fault a guy who is an expert in his field and charges what he can.

 

In any case, I ride what I consider to be the best sport touring bike in the world. When it is running perfect, there is nothing like it. I want it to run perfect. So, I take it to who I consider to be the best BMW motorcycle technician in the Houston area.

 

 

[tallman]

600 mile - $388.35

6000 mile - $323.14

12,000 mile - $595.81

18,000 mile - $349.12

24,000 mile - $685.80

Total to date - $2,342.22

 

That's a vert good argument for DIY maintenance.

 

Crazy Stuff. Hopefully that "Rip Off" dealer loses enough business to see the error in their ways. I guess there will still be enough people who pay it that they don't really care.

 

Overhead varies by location, often quite a bit.

 

For years I've often wondered why more people don't open a dealership as it is a certain cash cow in many minds.

Having worked at one part-time for years, and after seeing what has happened to many great dealers I'll just say

try it before knocking it.

Best wishes.

[mneblett]

For years I've often wondered why more people don't open a dealership as it is a certain cash cow in many minds.

Having worked at one part-time for years, and after seeing what has happened to many great dealers I'll just say

try it before knocking it.

Best wishes.

How do you make a small fortune in the motorcycle sales business? Well, you start with a large forture, and ...

[dirtdreamer50]

Single make dealers, except for Harley Davidsons, are having a harder time surviving in this economy. My closest BMW dealer also sells Victory, Kawasaki, Yamaha, Triumph, Sea Doos, Polaris trikes and atvs, and Ducati. Scooters there, too. Something for everyone. The quantity of machines that exit their doors each month us staggering, according the the manager, I know there.

 

Back to scheduled service costs, I did the 600 mile on my 12 RT and had less than $60.00 invested, using all synth fluids and an OEM filter. The above dealer wanted $385, to do it. The savings makes next month's payment on the RT. I can go for that. Took about an hour, and that included the FD fluid change. tp dd50

 

 

Edited September 9, 2012 by dirtdreamer50

[lkchris]

Single make dealers, except for Harley Davidsons, are having a harder time surviving in this economy. My closest BMW dealer also sells ...

 

My dealer also sells BMW cars. This is the best you can get.

[ottawaRT]

I changed the oil and filter at 190 miles. I changed it again at 900 miles and checked the valve clearance. I bled the brakes just a little. One small bubble out of the rear. I inspected the spark plugs and put some anti seeze on them. I expect a lot of miles out of those spark plugs.

 

If the fuel gauge is the only problem, I will just ride it.

 

My dealer did not give me a warm fuzzy feeling.

 

So far I have spent about $30.00 I am checking things for tight and full as I go along. If I had to pay those prices I would ride something else.

 

David

 

Be careful what you wish for. I had a Honda St1300 before purchasing my RT and I can tell you that the parts are just as expensive and in some cases more. (compare the price of OEM basic service parts-air filter etc. and you will be surprised) and service is a joke. In my experience because the Honda dealers sell and service so many models the techs have very little experience with each model. If you read the boards you will see many horror stories of Honda dealers trying to diagnose and service the linked brakes on the higher end models. The hourly rate for service in my area is comparable between brands but I know when I take my RT in for service I'm probably paying someone who knows my bike and doesn't say "I've always wanted to work on one of these".

 

[OlGeezer]

 

Crazy Stuff. Hopefully that "Rip Off" dealer loses enough business to see the error in their ways. I guess there will still be enough people who pay it that they don't really care.

 

This is one of the most rediculous statements I've read on this forum.

 

Have you ever run a retail business? Paid rent? Paid employees? Paid insurance? Paid taxes and advertising? Then, did you buy that rediculous collection of BMW special tools? Then, after all of that, have to put up with customers like you and me on a regular basis? Frankly, I have NO IDEA why they do it, but I'm glad they are there. Sure, I try to do the regular maintenance myself mostly because I'm as cheap as the next BMW motorcycle owner. That's why I own a Boxer. But, I'm glad that expertise is available when I need it.

[David R]

I am a 30 year mechanic. Each time in my life I took a bike (3 or so) to the dealer for work, I did not get what I expected.

 

I wish for nothing. Bike now has 6,000 miles on it, I did the service except change the rear drive oil, that will be done when I put on a new PR3. I have the tire machine and balancer to do the job.

 

The salesman said "Leave us a key to your bike and when the sidecases come in we will key them to the bike" When I picked up the side cases, they told me it could not be done so I would have a separate key. I installed the rear rack kit in the parking lot and went home. I the removed the locks and re keyed them my self.

 

I now have a BMW that only needs ONE key like I thought I was buying.

 

They offered me $3500.00 trade in on my RT until I told them I rebuilt the motor at 130,000 miles. Then they told me they would not take it in trade because of the risk.

 

No warm fuzzy feeling here.

 

I am lucky I can do my own work. I just bought a new torque wrench that reads in Ft Lbs, In Lbs and NM. It beeps and vibrates when it gets to the proper torque. Nice tool.

 

If the bike needs warranty work, on the truck it goes to the next closest dealer which is MAX near Troy.

 

David

[beauXjames]

The spark plugs my mechanic is using on my 2016 R1200RT -- currently about 15 bucks on AMZN

https://www.amazon.com/NGK-93444-LMAR8D-J-Standard-Spark/dp/B00DZQ69BA