BMW will cut no-cost maintenance program to 3yr/36k for MY2017, and exclude items

[sjpaul]

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned the impact this will have on the Dealers.

Not being able to bill BMWNA for brake jobs is going to be a huge hit for the dealer service departments. Great for the local independent shops though...

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by sjpaul

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned the impact this will have on the Dealers.

Not being able to bill BMWNA for brake jobs is going to be a huge hit for the dealer service departments. Great for the local independent shops though...

Oh, it's been mentioned numerous times in this book of a thread.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by sjpaul

I'm really surprised that no one has mentioned the impact this will have on the Dealers.

Not being able to bill BMWNA for brake jobs is going to be a huge hit for the dealer service departments. Great for the local independent shops though...

I'm suspicious of the number of people that will try and find an independent shop, rather than just go back to the dealer by instinct. And--I'm willing to buy that the amount BMW reimburses dealers for included maintenance items is substantially less than the retail price charged to customers (like insurance reimbursements vs. patient charges by doctors).

Those poor, poor dealers are going to come out just fine.

[tturedraider]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I'm suspicious of the number of people that will try and find an independent shop, rather than just go back to the dealer by instinct. And--I'm willing to be that the amount BMW reimburses dealers for included maintenance items is substantially less than the retail price charged to customers (like insurance reimbursements vs. patient charges by doctors).

Those poor, poor dealers are going to come out just fine.

Agreed. Today's BMW buyers are exceedingly more likely to continue with dealer service after the maintenance plan and new car warranty end. Folks on these forums way over estimate how many consumers care about these things as much as they do.

[Joshhleee]

No brakes.. Thats going to cost a pretty penny.

[crono06]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Agreed. Today's BMW buyers are exceedingly more likely to continue with dealer service after the maintenance plan and new car warranty end. Folks on these forums way over estimate how many consumers care about these things as much as they do.

I can't even convince my own father to bring his car to an indy even though it is now done with the free maintenance plan.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by crono06

I can't even convince my own father to bring his car to an indy even though it is now done with the free maintenance plan.

In fairness, depending on each person's situation, the availability of a service loaner is huge, and may be worth the high service charges. If you take it to a local shop, and you have to wait there, or find someone to give you a ride back and forth...it may not be worth it.

I'm lucky to have found a great indy shop within walking distance to my office. Drop it there before 8:00am, my car is ready at the end of the day.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by sygazelle

No need. They are not only lurking, they predicted the reaction before the announcement and they probably guess within a couple percent of what the poll indicates. They also know a couple of things more: 1) The emotional responses that feed this poll will subside by the time we actually go make our next car purchase. 2) They know that if BMW is the car you want to drive otherwise, this change is not going to affect the ultimate decision for most buyers since the competitions' plans free maintenance plans are even worse than BMW's new plan. 3) They have predicted how many buyers will actually leave the brand vs how much money they will save and decided to move forward with the decision based on that analysis. These guys and gals know what they are doing. As a business person I really admire their growth from a niche enthusiast player in the 80s to an amazing global brand today. Its incredibly hard to do what they have done and it isn't luck. So, send the poll results. They are already off working on their next decision.

Agreed. They modeled the potential for adverse reactions and are using this for validation purposes, only. Off the the next decision.

[DarthBalls]

I don't know if this is enough for me to bail on BMW, but it's enough for me to at least look around... which many may do. I will say, i'm on my 3rd 3 series, and I've had the brakes/rotors replaced on each of them at least once during the first 3/36k, current 335 only has 19K, but they replaced pads on rear at 11K..must have been a bad batch as i don't track the car and i'm not that hard on the brakes.

It is basically 2 oil changes is what we get. Again, not a deal killer, it wasn't the reason I drive these cars, but it was a nice perk that won't be there anymore

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by MalibuBimmer

Of course for those of us with the bigger BMWs, X5, 5, 6 & 7 series, the biggest expense during early ownership is tire replacement. Which comes a lot sooner and a lot more often than for other cars. Or so it seems.

Ssssshhhhhhhh. Don't bring up the tires. Don't bring up the tires.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by DarthBalls

I don't know if this is enough for me to bail on BMW, but it's enough for me to at least look around... which many may do. I will say, i'm on my 3rd 3 series, and I've had the brakes/rotors replaced on each of them at least once during the first 3/36k, current 335 only has 19K, but they replaced pads on rear at 11K..must have been a bad batch as i don't track the car and i'm not that hard on the brakes.

It is basically 2 oil changes is what we get. Again, not a deal killer, it wasn't the reason I drive these cars, but it was a nice perk that won't be there anymore

335s are fairly hard on rear pads, I think part of it is the usage of the rear brakes to help control wheelspin with that torquey motor. My 135i and 335is both needed rear pads frequently. I also had front pads and rotors replaced on my M3 after a few track sessions at around 25,000 miles.

[tex2670]

Originally Posted by Spartikus

Cadillac has a 4yr 50k maintenance too. Not bad on a 600hp V car.

If anyone is buying a V because of the maintenance plan, they should face a firing squad at dawn.

Imagine what the ATS sales, and sales incentives, would be without the included maintenance? I looked at the ATS before I got my car; then I sat in one at the Philly auto show, after I had my F30 for about a week. When I got out of it, I knew immediately I made the right choice.

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by tex2670

And isn't this the joke of it all??? Let's put this thread parallel to one of the "Should I buy the extended maintenance/service plan for $X,000?" People are already shelling out pre-paid for service; but now people are going to go apeshit because they might have to tack on an extra year to that?

All the "enthusiasts" here and on other BMW forums chastise anyone that doesn't option out their BMW the proper way; but BMW trims back the maintenance program, and they are done with the brand? That was the thing holding everyone to the BMW brand--a year of maintenance and free wiperblades and brake pads??? Cry me a river....

I wish there was as much outrage about BMW making HID/LED headlights, back up cameras, blind spot monitoring, fully functional Bluetooth, etc., extra cost options. Again, the enthusiast crowd jumps down people's throats when this is raised--"That's not why you buy a BMW!" "Go buy an Accord with all those things if that's what's important!"

Is it customer unfriendly? Absolutely. But that's really about it....

I think Volvos have a pretty comprehensive service program.....

/ENDRANT

I honestly wish BMW would put more money into the front suspension for all cars, real performance tires for M-Cars, and better quality buttons. The latter is a real pet peeve.

The buttons on my M6 look new after over 100k miles. The buttons on the X5 started rubbing off after about 30,000 miles.

Cheers-mk

[DarkstarZero]

Jaguar has a 5 year, 60,000 miles no-cost maintenance and bumper to bumper warranty.

[PhillyNate]

I've already left for Porsche but goodbye BMW forever. You've completely lost your way.

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by BIMPY3011

someone send the poll results to bmw.

You do realize that the poll is only from 423 people.. BMW sold 344,601 cars in 2015.. so this pole result is representative of .00122% of that number.. The enthusiasts here are a tiny part of the big Picture. Although we are special !!

[PushingRedline]

Originally Posted by tturedraider

Is your lease for more than 36k miles? Have you needed a brake job during your lease terms? How many other brands that are direct competitors of BMW offer a more extensive maintenance plan? How many have lease terms that are better than BMWFS?

My lease is for 36k miles but was thinking of purchasing the next car. BMW now has a maintenance program similar to Cadillac so it really does level the playing field. Cadillac also has very favorable lease terms too.

I will be looking at getting a cheaper car now (like a Focus RS or VW Golf R) or maybe looking at other brands depending on where I am next year. I will still consider BMW but again this was a big blow to that idea. Lower priced cars like the VW or Ford would combat the cost of paying for these things now. Also, still mad I can't push BMW to my friends and family.

I don't think BMW makes superior cars to everyone else. They make good car but I have had just as many issues with my bmw as with other brands (with service and quality).

[MKSixer]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

You do realize that the poll is only from 423 people.. BMW sold 344,601 cars in 2015.. so this pole result is representative of .00122% of that number.. The enthusiasts here are a tiny part of the big Picture. Although we are special !!

It's not just the poll, it's the commentary too. There is a wealth of information contained herein and I'm sure BMW is/has monitoring it in some manner.

[nicknaz]

This won't affect me financially since I have my own non OEM parts I want to put on my purchased M3 anyway, and my leased 335 hasn't been getting much more than an oil change (wife drives car so gently brakes last the whole length of lease, and car is AT)

but it does make me a feel a bit worse about the brand. Each time I feel worse about BMW or the "value" story goes away, it makes it that much easier to switch over to Porsche

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by DriveHard

You do realize that the poll is only from 423 people.. BMW sold 344,601 cars in 2015.. so this pole result is representative of .00122% of that number.. The enthusiasts here are a tiny part of the big Picture. Although we are special !!

It's 0.122%

This is not a mundane detail, Michael!

[sjpaul]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I'm suspicious of the number of people that will try and find an independent shop, rather than just go back to the dealer by instinct. And--I'm willing to buy that the amount BMW reimburses dealers for included maintenance items is substantially less than the retail price charged to customers (like insurance reimbursements vs. patient charges by doctors).

Those poor, poor dealers are going to come out just fine.

To an extent I agree with you. There are still lots of people, for example, that buy their tires at the dealer. But its gotta be way less people than currently have their brakes done at the dealer.

I'd think that some people, hopefully a significant percentage, would look beyond the dealer for brake jobs that are no longer covered...

[David70]

Originally Posted by tex2670

I'm suspicious of the number of people that will try and find an independent shop, rather than just go back to the dealer by instinct. And--I'm willing to buy that the amount BMW reimburses dealers for included maintenance items is substantially less than the retail price charged to customers (like insurance reimbursements vs. patient charges by doctors).

Those poor, poor dealers are going to come out just fine.

Agree, dealers are probably happy they aren't doing brake jobs at super low margins.

Originally Posted by PhillyNate

I've already left for Porsche but goodbye BMW forever. You've completely lost your way.

Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't in now

BMW = 3 years/36 months free maintenance
Porsche = Nothing

Obviously a free maintenance plan wasn't a big deal to you and this helps reinforce BMW's decision?