Collecting maintenance costs

[lemos]

Hi everyone,

My name is André, and I’m on a mission to gather real-world car maintenance costs—whether they’re scheduled or unscheduled.

Why? Because I believe that fear of high maintenance costs often drives people away from certain brands, models, or even older cars, which leads them to opt for a newer vehicle instead (the FUD is real!). I personally experienced this when I let go of my beloved e39 Sport Package years ago (and yes, it still stings!).

If you're willing to contribute, I’d greatly appreciate your input. Please provide the following details about any maintenance work you've had done:

• Model (525i, 540d, 530e, etc)
• Model Year
• Mileage
• Service Name (scheduled, or unscheduled)
• Labor cost
• Parts cost
• Country the work was carried
• Year the work was carried

As we collect more data, we’ll be able to compare costs across different models, engines, and mileage. I’m excited to see what trends and insights emerge from this!

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

[M5Rick]

Model as shown, as no one has replied yet I'll come in.
It really depends how much you use the vehicle, the more you use it the more likelihood the maintain costs will rise. Things like brake pads you could do yourself choosing a set that would suit you eg low dust ones but of course it would need a dealer visit for other things like the yearly safety check and at the same time have that oil change with your choice of oil (recommended oil around a £100 for 10 litres) and their filter while its there saving you time and money and recording that in the service book.
Spark plug change time could be easy or tricky on some cars like on mine (£350 with 2 year parts guarantee) but things like air filters and smelly cabin filters are not hard to change yourself. Tyres are self explanatory and there are different ways you can go about to replace old or worn tyres whether buying new online or even slightly used ones to keep costs down, just need a friendly tyre shop to fit them, one or two bigger places won't even fit them only their own which really are where non car people, who know little about cars go and it could be against trade dealing agreement for them to refuse, for instance if they refuse to fit your better used tyre(s) or winter tyres you can report them to your local authority as its a safety issue.
With some cars like mine rather than an 'all in one' service with a huge bill at the end things come up which need to be done, like the 2 yearly brake fluid change, so you plan to book it in for that for instance to coincide with something else that you want done.
Hope this helps.

[lemos]

but that's exactly the kind of information that I think could be useful for me, and others. Especially if we're talking about an M5!

With enough data, one could plot how much an M5 ownership costs per mileage. Of course there will always be variations, like was it at an official dealership? In what country was it?

I do believe that with enough data, at least some cost boundaries will start to surface.

Like, how much was your latest yearly safety check?

Model: M5 F10
Model Year: ?
Mileage: ?
Service Name: Scheduled, Yearly safety check
Labor cost: £xxx
Parts cost: £xxx
Country the work was carried: UK(?)
Year the work was carried: 2024



I appreciate the honest, and detailed answer. I am still reaching out to my friends and colleagues to get as much of this type of information as possible (for as many brands as possible).

[M5Rick]

£54 and an additional 'health check' only at BMW is included where it tells you brake pad thickness, tyre tread depth, exhaust condition etc.
Mines a 2013 F10, next model up from the V10 engined E60 which would be more appropriate according to the thread but I thought I'd join in anyway.

[lemos]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

£54 and an additional 'health check' only at BMW is included where it tells you brake pad thickness, tyre tread depth, exhaust condition etc.
Mines a 2013 F10, next model up from the V10 engined E60 which would be more appropriate according to the thread but I thought I'd join in anyway.

I REALLY appreciate this:

Model: M5 F10
Model Year: 2013
Mileage: ?
Service Name: Scheduled, Yearly safety check
Labor cost: £xxx
Parts cost: £xxx
Country the work was carried: UK(?)
Year the work was carried: 2024


any chance you can share Mileage, and how costs were split between Labor and Parts?

It would be the first M5 in my database!

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by lemos

I REALLY appreciate this:

Model: M5 F10
Model Year: 2013
Mileage: ?
Service Name: Scheduled, Yearly safety check
Labor cost: £xxx
Parts cost: £xxx
Country the work was carried: UK(?)
Year the work was carried: 2024


any chance you can share Mileage, and how costs were split between Labor and Parts?

It would be the first M5 in my database!

With this type of car and lets say its an E60 V10 to keep with the 2005 theme also you don't wait for a 'yearly service' like in smaller engined cars it tells you on the dash what needs attention soon and if it's like an oil change you want @ 3000 miles needed then you take it in for that. I don't know what the labour hour charge is at BMW but there is a 'value service' type charges for older cars.
You basically have to ''use your loaf'' in what is best for your car to keep it running smooth with less chance of problems arising. my vehicle is a long term keeper so completely different to say someone who leases a car and changes every 3 years, where is the joy of ownership in that, and they don't actually own the car
I'm in Great Britain.

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

£54 and an additional 'health check' only at BMW is included where it tells you brake pad thickness, tyre tread depth, exhaust condition etc.
Mines a 2013 F10, next model up from the V10 engined E60 which would be more appropriate according to the thread but I thought I'd join in anyway.

Are costs slightly higher for older BMW's M5Rick? Reason being is because I am thinking to have a winter health check done on my 1 series and am shopping around.

Seems the franchises are selling the charge slightly lower.

[lemos]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

Are costs slightly higher for older BMW's M5Rick? Reason being is because I am thinking to have a winter health check done on my 1 series and am shopping around.

Seems the franchises are selling the charge slightly lower.

this is the exact reason why i want to collect this data. Still have a pretty small list so far.

[wizardofOz]

Originally Posted by lemos

this is the exact reason why i want to collect this data. Still have a pretty small list so far.

No I get that, for me personally, sorry but I don't have much to share at this point as the car is still fairly new and I have not had anything done to it at the franchises as yet BUT having said that I wouldn't mind sharing when things come up, so I can let you know then.

[M5Rick]

Originally Posted by wizardofOz

Are costs slightly higher for older BMW's M5Rick? Reason being is because I am thinking to have a winter health check done on my 1 series and am shopping around.

Seems the franchises are selling the charge slightly lower.

No the opposite, you get the health check free when you take it in for MOT at BMW..well I do. and its always better to have BMW stamp in your service book.
A winter health check any competent shop can do that.