[Quick6EF]

My CPO'd 328i had its maintenance warranty expire 12/31/10.

Just had a fog light burn out and went to a brand new dealer because I just moved to Boston.

They said it would cost ~$130 for the total fix.

I felt that being two weeks out of the expiration it was worth a shot - so I asked if there was anything they could do for the price.


The SA called me back and said he spoke with his manager and was able to do me the favor and not charge me (but only this once, he emphasized).


Do I tip the SA $20?



Thanks duders.

[jpsum]

Are you kidding me? You dont tip an SA. They are doing this because they want your future business. No need to tip.

[Feyd]

Define "went out"

If the whole assembly fell out and needed replacing, then maybe...

If the "light stopped working", then no. Dealer cost on a bulb is probobly $2 and installation probobly took 15 seconds.




Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but bulbs aren't included in maintenance are they?

I'm also not married to having a dedicated SA when I go in. If you are in a situation where it behooves you to be that way, then good, but $20 isn't going to encourage them to remember your name IMO.

[Quick6EF]

Originally Posted by jpsum

Are you kidding me? You dont tip an SA. They are doing this because they want your future business. No need to tip.

Gotcha.

Originally Posted by Feyd

Define "went out"

If the whole assembly fell out and needed replacing, then maybe...

If the "light stopped working", then no. Dealer cost on a bulb is probobly $2 and installation probobly took 15 seconds.




Also, correct me if I'm wrong, but bulbs aren't included in maintenance are they? That part of my warranty expired 12/31/10

I'm also not married to having a dedicated SA when I go in. If you are in a situation where it behooves you to be that way, then good, but $20 isn't going to encourage them to remember your name IMO.

Bulb blew.

He said 1/2 hour labor. Don't know where the other charges are from as we spoke briefly on the phone.

Seems like $90/hr (right) for labor and maybe $40 for the bulb. He said they remove the wheel because it is a fog housing. I would change that shit myself but there is 6 inches of snow on the ground and I do not have a garage.



No, I do not need to be close with my SA, as I hope to not seem him, EVER.


Appreciate the opinions.

[koreez88]

Tips are for restaurants and bars.
A quality lap dance also deserves some extra dough.

[jpsum]

Just curious, which dealership did you go to?

[Quick6EF]

Originally Posted by jpsum

Just curious, which dealership did you go to?

Herb Chambers on Comm Ave.

[Kensta335]

Don't tip shit. Just give them a 9-10 on their survey.

[CollinsE90]

Don't tip, it set them back $20. BMW up charge on parts is ridiculous, I avoid the dealer like AIDS. I did get lucky and get my wiper inserts for $5 a few weeks ago but I had no choice to go to them. No euro parts stores here and AZ didn't stock them.

[Joonsup]

don't tip b/c since you are out of warranty, if you have to bring your car to bmw to get some sorty of repair or maintenance done to your car, you will be overcharged so save up while you can

[Quick6EF]

Waiting for him to call back and confirm -

He said "Are you sure you want me to go ahead and wave these charges? If you need something major done down the road we won't be able to work with you like we have now."


Seems like he was saying this is a 'free pass'.

When he was saying this, I wanted to call BS.

I am two weeks passed the exp. date of the warranty on maintenance; I at least have some sort of grounds in asking for a discount.

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Quick6EF

Gotcha.





Bulb blew.

He said 1/2 hour labor. Don't know where the other charges are from as we spoke briefly on the phone.

Can't speak for an E9x, but supposedly I had to remove the wheels on my Z4 to replace the fog bulbs as well. Low an behold a quick turn of the wheel to "steering lock" in both directions gave me more than enough clearance to access the covers.

Not sure what bulb you'd require, but a quick google search yielded H3 bulbs at ~$3-5/each retail for a Sylvania. Hellas were about a dollar more/ea. As mentioned any time you involve a dealership in anything mundane prepare to be hosed. If it seems wayyyy too expensive.. it probably is.


I remember once getting quoted something like $250 for a coolant flush as part of the "recommended maintenance" for the Z4. I told my SA right to his face that he was "out of his fucking mind". I asked him if people actually fell for that he gave me a cheshire grin with a chuckle and said "all the time".

That's SoCal for ya...




And don't fall for his threat.... if you need "major work" they absolutely won't help you do anything but swipe your credit card. Take what you can get now... even if it is a $130 fog light bulb.

[Blake]

I got my SA a $150 houstons gc once. He helped me get a set of new tires using the tire and wheel warranty I purchased with the car. Saved me $1200+. Him and his wife also recently had a baby, so it was kinda a double gift. He is a good guy and I still email him from time to time even though I don't currently own a BMW.

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Blake

...even though I don't currently own a BMW.

POSER (sig pic)

[Quick6EF]

Originally Posted by Feyd

Can't speak for an E9x, but supposedly I had to remove the wheels on my Z4 to replace the fog bulbs as well. Low an behold a quick turn of the wheel to "steering lock" in both directions gave me more than enough clearance to access the covers.

Not sure what bulb you'd require, but a quick google search yielded H3 bulbs at ~$3-5/each retail for a Sylvania. Hellas were about a dollar more/ea. As mentioned any time you involve a dealership in anything mundane prepare to be hosed. If it seems wayyyy too expensive.. it probably is.


I remember once getting quoted something like $250 for a coolant flush as part of the "recommended maintenance" for the Z4. I told my SA right to his face that he was "out of his fucking mind". I asked him if people actually fell for that he gave me a cheshire grin with a chuckle and said "all the time".

That's SoCal for ya...




And don't fall for his threat.... if you need "major work" they absolutely won't help you do anything but swipe your credit card. Take what you can get now... even if it is a $130 fog light bulb.

Regarding the bold, thanks for that.

I would totally buy my own bulb and install, but sucks for me because I have no garage and there is a lot of snow outside (plus it's fucking freezing).

Originally Posted by Blake

I got my SA a $150 houstons gc once. He helped me get a set of new tires using the tire and wheel warranty I purchased with the car. Saved me $1200+. Him and his wife also recently had a baby, so it was kinda a double gift. He is a good guy and I still email him from time to time even though I don't currently own a BMW.

Yea, I feel that's a good move Blake.

I am all about making some solid contacts where ever you go, no matter how small.




So for this case, I won't tip him. If it was something else I would maybe at least give it a try, even if he turns it down he knows I tried.

[Quick6EF]

Update:

He just called and they can do it for $41.24.

Whatever, I'll take it.




And a picture for your posts:

[Tondtar]

The best thing you can do for an SA is to give them rave reviews in the surveys BMW sends you after each service visit, IMO. It make a big difference to them and their career at the dealership they work.



Arnold's man-boob back at you as a reward

[Feyd]

Originally Posted by Quick6EF

Update:

He just called and they can do it for $41.24.

Whatever, I'll take it.

Saying that I've never opted for the more expensive "convienient solution" would be hypocritical. But I will say that you will probobly feel like you need a HOT HOT shower after a $42.00 bulb replacment.



















no homo.

[Quick6EF]

Originally Posted by Tondtar

The best thing you can do for an SA is to give them rave reviews in the surveys BMW sends you after each service visit, IMO. It make a big difference to them and their career at the dealership they work.



Arnold's man-boob back at you as a reward

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_4bmUy8PjwbI/SmgOyuLCZ8I/AAAAAAAAA1U/OGSYrNGjLzg/s400/actor+Arnold+Schwarzenegger+young+age+and+old+age. jpg[/IMG]

@ current Arnold

Originally Posted by Feyd

Saying that I've never opted for the more expensive "convienient solution" would be hypocritical. But I will say that you will probobly feel like you need a HOT HOT shower after a $42.00 bulb replacment.



















no homo.

I know. My pops said "who cares about a fuckin fog light anyway?"

- Me dad, I do.


Anyway, this was outside my loaner window on the way to work:

[PsychoSlug]

I never even see my SA, so I couldn't tip him easily even if I wanted to, which I do not.

[DarkRider23]

Couldn't you just not use your Fogs for a week or two until the snow cleared up and save yourself $40?

[ScaredOnce]

Don't tip. You may offend, or worse - they'll expect it. lol


Also, why not change both bulbs? Short of a short (), the other will likely go soon as well. It was like down to a day or two on my G8. As soon as one fog went, the other followed.