[driverseven]

I'm already out of warranty on my '06 325 and so now I have to decide how to get the oil changed.

With my previous BMW, I would try to get it to the BMW expert mechanic for the changes, when I could. And occasionally, I'd use a Jiffy-Lube type place and take a chance on the quality of parts.

The local dealer is asking $130.

I haven't priced it, but I'll bet the quick change places would charge about $80 or so.

What have other people been paying and is it worth the extra bucks to get BMW parts?

[chuckvic]

I have a 2006 E90 and my self pay oil changes cost about $75 at El Paso BMW dealer. However its so easy per postings on this board, I will start doing them my self now that I bought the oil filter tool.

Chuck
2006 E90
MTech Body Kit
18"BS-CH wheels
BMW Short Shift Kit

Pictures soon I Promise!!!!!!

[STE92VE]

You have over 50,000 miles on your '06.....that's a lot of driving.

Have you considered changing your own oil? It's not difficult and you know you won't strip the drain plug threads like those quick lube places usually do.

[John 070]

I paid $71 for my first change at 1600. I asked for a discount so they gave me $20 off.

I would like to DIY as I do my Nissan and have for years. My friend talked me out of it, he said just take it to the dealership, you have free maint. If you want to do one in-between, it wont kill you to pay $71 (assumption is I need new ramps and my current jack wont work on the 335). His feeling is under warranty, let them have a record of the service.

[scollins]

I had mine done recently at an independent BMW specialist shop. It was $77 after sales tax, using BMW-branded synthetic oil. It took about 30 minutes from drop-off to leaving. They also took an oil sample for me (Blackstone Labs.)

My receipt breaks it down to $20 in labor and $50 in materials. I'd be paying at least $50 for the materials ($10 oil filter and probably $6/qt x 7 qts) to do it myself. Then I've got the hassle of disposing of the oil afterwards. For $20, I'd rather just have someone else do it for me.

The dealer wanted double what the independent shop wanted, efff that! So, if I couldn't find an independent BMW specialist shop in the area, I would do it myself before I'd ever let some flunky at a Jiffy-Lube type place touch my car....

[am_ver]

can anyone recommend an independent BMW shop in bay area (peninsula works best) for an out of warranty oil change?

[gongtowjai]

Habberstad in LI. It was $87 incl taxes.

[stressdoc]

DIY

[black36]

I dont have any tools, so i couldnt do DIY. However, I just went dealer and got oils and new filter, and took to my local autoshop to do for me. They charged $10, so total i spent about $60. If you do yourself, maybe can save little more, but anyway you should take those used oil to local autoshop or Jiffy-lube to take care for you.

[808AWD325xi]

My dealer charges $79.95 for an oil change.

[GMWNashville]

doing it yourself is cool...if you want one in between its not like we reset your CBS anyway...other than it being on the dealer records its not a big deal..just keep the receipts from where you got it done and youd basically have the same effects in the long run...

[driverseven]

Well this thread has convinced me to do it myself next time. Seeing how easy it is to get at the oil filter sealed the deal -- the last time I changed oil (more than 25 years ago on a Plymouth Satellite), it was a major pain to get access to the oil filter.

But it's also 26 degrees and the thought of laying out in the driveway in this weather is not appealing, doing this for the first time. So I brought it in.

The prices for most things in this neighborhood, where I work, are inflated. I once had a local gas station swap out the snow tires and he charged me $150.

One thing I learned -- the price of a rear brake job (pads and rotors) is $650 at the dealer. I'll definitely make an appointment with my indepedent shop (Bimmers Only in Bedford Hills, NY) for that. Frankly, I would not have bought a BMW this time I hadn't found them with my last car.

[Arrowhead]

I dont have tools and time to DIY..call me lazy. Can anyone also recommend an independent BMW shop in Fremont or San Jose? Thanks.

[driverseven]

Just got back from the dealer and boy, am I never going back there again if I can help it.

When I bring it in, the SR tells me it's due for a new air filter and that's $24. OK, I figure that's not so bad. I could order it online but I won't save much. The estimate is $178 for the oil and filter change.

I pick it up and the bill is $194. WTF!!?!?

I see there is a $10 charge for windshield fluid and the labor to put it on. That's BS. I just topped it off last weekend and squirted it once.

He goes in back and comes out and suddenly, the bill is $141. Obviously, he knows he was caught.

At least they washed it, but they didn't even dry it.

In case anyone is wondering, this is Darien BMW.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by driverseven

Just got back from the dealer and boy, am I never going back there again if I can help it.

When I bring it in, the SR tells me it's due for a new air filter and that's $24. OK, I figure that's not so bad. I could order it online but I won't save much. The estimate is $178 for the oil and filter change.

I pick it up and the bill is $194. WTF!!?!?

I see there is a $10 charge for windshield fluid and the labor to put it on. That's BS. I just topped it off last weekend and squirted it once.

He goes in back and comes out and suddenly, the bill is $141. Obviously, he knows he was caught.

At least they washed it, but they didn't even dry it.

In case anyone is wondering, this is Darien BMW.

Places like this gave rise to the term "stealership"......the only way you can stop BS like this is to honestly rate them when you get called.

[808AWD325xi]

Originally Posted by driverseven

Just got back from the dealer and boy, am I never going back there again if I can help it.

When I bring it in, the SR tells me it's due for a new air filter and that's $24. OK, I figure that's not so bad. I could order it online but I won't save much. The estimate is $178 for the oil and filter change.

I pick it up and the bill is $194. WTF!!?!?

I see there is a $10 charge for windshield fluid and the labor to put it on. That's BS. I just topped it off last weekend and squirted it once.

He goes in back and comes out and suddenly, the bill is $141. Obviously, he knows he was caught.

At least they washed it, but they didn't even dry it.

In case anyone is wondering, this is Darien BMW.

Paying for an out of cycle oil change is one thing. But why wouldn't the air filter and windshield fluid be covered under warranty?

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by 808AWD325xi

Paying for an out of cycle oil change is one thing. But why wouldn't the air filter and windshield fluid be covered under warranty?

He's out of warranty as stated in the first line of his original post....

[SinCity89]

Payed $128 here in Vegas at 5k. Took 2 hours with appoinment. Last time I got an oil change on E46 I paid $60. Kind of a suprise when I got the bill.

[driverseven]

Yes, I'm at 51,6000 miles after 26 months.

It's also just a bit annoying that the "service" light comes on at 51,000 -- I had warranty-covered service at 46,000 miles (brake fluid, I think ).

[nmulax]

Erhard BMW charges $85

[XPO186]

My stealership charges ~120ish for an oil change... when I did it myself @ break-in, filter plus 7qts of oil cost about 80 so savings for me were pretty nice. If the cost of an oil change was the same as parts, I'd have them do it for me instead.