[Pauloxxi]

I was just presented the bill for the BMW VEHICLE CHECK "SERVICE". The dealer charged me $268.00 for this service, that I have no clear information of what it is about.
In the end I paid, and they say everything is fine with the car... but for this hefty fee, shouldn't they offer me a descent report, or a copy of the diagnostic with clean error codes?
I'm considering calling the dealer tomorrow and ask for the report hard copy, but I would not be surprised if they have done "nothing".

My question to this forum members is what you typically receive from the dealer after going through the BMW VEHICLE CHECK process?

Thanks

[eddymerckx3]

U need to be more specific. What model F30, 4 or 6 cyl? Miles? Was this listed as Inspection I or Inspection II. Your receipt should have a details on what was done in addition to inspection (e.g. oil change, replace micro filter?).

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by Pauloxxi

The dealer charged me $268.00 for this service, that I have no clear information of what it is about.

It seems to me you got screwed, and not in the good way. You should have been told in advance exactly what this service consisted of, and afterwards exactly what was done.

[Silverlining_m2]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It seems to me you got screwed, and not in the good way. You should have been told in advance exactly what this service consisted of, and afterwards exactly what was done.

Not to mention, I've had 3 of these in a year. 2 for new to me bmw's, and 1 to find out an issue I was having. All 3 came with receipts stating the services completed and each one cost me $150.

I'm not 100% sure if I had "inspection 1" or "inspection 2", but they checked the motor, chassis, and drive train all 3 times, as well as test driving it for drive ability.

$268 seems like a lot for no specific info to be given back to you OP.

[Desertnate]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

It seems to me you got screwed, and not in the good way. You should have been told in advance exactly what this service consisted of, and afterwards exactly what was done.

Agree. This sounds like one of the "free multi-point inspections" other dealers or auto service places perform.

Basically they put it on a lift, look around with a flashlight, and wiggle a few things to see if they're loose.

At least our local Honda and Toyota dealerships do it for free and then give you a 2~3 page report of what they "found".

[Billfitz]

The only thing that's free at a BMW dealership is the coffee in the waiting room. I'm surprised they don't all have pay toilets.

[Pauloxxi]

Yes, I have the feeling I was screwed. My car is CPO F30 330xi.
Has a little over 30,000miles.
So it was time to change oil and also the light for BMW VEHICLE CHECK was on.
The $268 is for vehicle check only... plus $120 for oil and respective filter change.
I just called the service advisor and he will check and send me the scanned report.
It is kind of important for me considering I forgot to ask such thing when I bought the car in February.

[Fliplegend]

Pretty sure that "Vehicle Check" warning is simply a reminder date that is programmed on the iDrive. Ideally, you set it to the month that your inspection/emission is due. It's not really saying something is wrong.

[jmack]

Originally Posted by Fliplegend

Pretty sure that "Vehicle Check" warning is simply a reminder date that is programmed on the iDrive. Ideally, you set it to the month that your inspection/emission is due. It's not really saying something is wrong.

This, it's just an appointment reminder. The interval can be changed in iDrive or turned off all together.

[Pauloxxi]

Really convinced I should go to my independent mechanic.
I just received that 1 page screen shot of the scan report. $268 for a 15 minutes task is beyond ridiculous.
I'm trying to follow BMW book while this CPO still is under warranty... but really sucks this kind of pointless vehicle check "service".

[Silverlining_m2]

Originally Posted by Pauloxxi

Really convinced I should go to my independent mechanic.
I just received that 1 page screen shot of the scan report. $268 for a 15 minutes task is beyond ridiculous.
I'm trying to follow BMW book while this CPO still is under warranty... but really sucks this kind of pointless vehicle check "service".

That definitely is not ideal, cost wise. Or service wise.

[paul e]

My dealer here in Charleston SC does the free service check....for free. Complete with report.

[adhrp]

I ignore the vehicle check...just reset it myself every time. The real vehicle check is when my indy does a walk-around during routine service and tells me if they spot an issue.

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by paul e

My dealer here in Charleston SC does the free service check....for free. Complete with report.

Originally Posted by paul e

My dealer here in Charleston SC does the free service check....for free. Complete with report.

I receive something like this every time I go there, for "free".
My dealer gauges me when they do the BMW suggested vehicle check as called in idrive screen.

[Elvisfan]

Originally Posted by Pauloxxi

I was just presented the bill for the BMW VEHICLE CHECK "SERVICE". The dealer charged me $268.00 for this service, that I have no clear information of what it is about.
In the end I paid, and they say everything is fine with the car... but for this hefty fee, shouldn't they offer me a descent report, or a copy of the diagnostic with clean error codes?
I'm considering calling the dealer tomorrow and ask for the report hard copy, but I would not be surprised if they have done "nothing".

My question to this forum members is what you typically receive from the dealer after going through the BMW VEHICLE CHECK process?

Thanks

I’m a little surprised that you would fork over that kind of money and receive no indication of what was done. You didn’t receive a checklist of services rendered?

[Billfitz]

$120 for an oil and filter change? Never have an oil and filter change done at a dealer unless it's a $79 or less promotional price, and when they try to sell you all sorts of other stuff that you simply don't need, like a vehicle check, say no. Hell no. Shit No!!!!

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

$120 for an oil and filter change? Never have an oil and filter change done at a dealer unless it's a $79 or less promotional price, and when they try to sell you all sorts of other stuff that you simply don't need, like a vehicle check, say no. Hell no. Shit No!!!!

I don't have proper setup to change oil. And if I need to pay $80 or $120, I would pay 120 for filter and oil.
This is not the problem.
They wanted to charge me to replace intake air filters and cabin filter and I told NO. I can do these myself.
The Vehicle Check really gave me heartburn and it is a lesson learned.

[Desertnate]

The cheapest synthetic oil change anywhere in my area from a reputable place is at least $90. Our independent BMW places are the same price as the dealership. The fact I can get a loaner makes paying the extra $20~$30 worth it.

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by Desertnate

The cheapest synthetic oil change anywhere in my area from a reputable place is at least $90. Our independent BMW places are the same price as the dealership. The fact I can get a loaner makes paying the extra $20~$30 worth it.

You nailed it... I guess real savings are only if you do yourself at home, and it is not possible for everyone. The loaner is also a good reason to pay more for this service. I understand everyone has it's justifiable reasons.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Pauloxxi

I was just presented the bill for the BMW VEHICLE CHECK "SERVICE". The dealer charged me $268.00 for this service, that I have no clear information of what it is about.
In the end I paid, and they say everything is fine with the car... but for this hefty fee, shouldn't they offer me a descent report, or a copy of the diagnostic with clean error codes?
I'm considering calling the dealer tomorrow and ask for the report hard copy, but I would not be surprised if they have done "nothing".

My question to this forum members is what you typically receive from the dealer after going through the BMW VEHICLE CHECK process?

Thanks

Did the SA inform you while you were sitting with him/her that they’ll charge you almost $300 just to reset something that anyone can do in their driveway? Also, the dealers I go to for discounted oil service includes a full complimentary vehicle check. As alway, decline decline decline anything they say.

As you’ve said OP, lesson learned.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by adhrp

I ignore the vehicle check...just reset it myself every time. The real vehicle check is when my indy does a walk-around during routine service and tells me if they spot an issue.

Exactly. Same here.

[Pauloxxi]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Did the SA inform you while you were sitting with him/her that they'll charge you almost $300 just to reset something that anyone can do in their driveway? Also, the dealers I go to for discounted oil service includes a full complimentary vehicle check. As alway, decline decline decline anything they say.

As you've said OP, lesson learned.

He told me the process, but I have not received any report at the end.
I believe this is BMW fault not making a clear procedure, or not revealing to the customer what we should see out of this process.
With COVID, we don't have much comfort to discuss deeply details with SA.
I expected some more detailed report, maybe with pictures and scanned data, but in the end I had to call them to provide me the document.
For this reason I decided to ask this community on what people receive from the dealer, and it appears everyone rejects this "vehicle check service".
It is a lesson learned and I'll feel much better to say NO next time.