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BMW service costs

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  1. #1

    BMW service costs

    Hi, can anyone give me a sense for how much they spend per year in maintenance on their BMWs, for BMWs that are 2005-2009 model years? Looking at buying a used 3 or 5 series. I was spending around $1500 USD a year on my 2008 5-series in the US after it came off warranty.

    Also, in terms of getting the car serviced, are there options besides the BMW dealer? In the US, there were not many BMW "experts", so I was stuck using the dealer and paying their exorbitant service costs.

    Thanks.


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Nov 2007
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    There are a lot of non-dealer garages specialising in German branded cars here. They come in all forms from reputable to otherwise. A user here called Skyhook is our resident car expert, he might be able to advise in more detail.

    I have a 2009 Audi and I usually spend around 4 - 5K (HKD) per year in servicing costs (from an independent garage).

    Last edited by jmbf; 31-07-2015 at 11:40 AM.
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  3. #3

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    Quote Originally Posted by jctrinyc:
    Hi, can anyone give me a sense for how much they spend per year in maintenance on their BMWs, for BMWs that are 2005-2009 model years? Looking at buying a used 3 or 5 series. I was spending around $1500 USD a year on my 2008 5-series in the US after it came off warranty.

    Also, in terms of getting the car serviced, are there options besides the BMW dealer? In the US, there were not many BMW "experts", so I was stuck using the dealer and paying their exorbitant service costs.

    Thanks.
    Quote Originally Posted by jctrinyc:
    Hi, can anyone give me a sense for how much they spend per year in maintenance on their BMWs, for BMWs that are 2005-2009 model years? Looking at buying a used 3 or 5 series. I was spending around $1500 USD a year on my 2008 5-series in the US after it came off warranty.

    Also, in terms of getting the car serviced, are there options besides the BMW dealer? In the US, there were not many BMW "experts", so I was stuck using the dealer and paying their exorbitant service costs.

    Thanks.
    A single oil change at a normal ( non BMW garage here = $1500HKD - $1800hkd depending on sump size and what the filters cost.

    I'd budget about $5000 - $10,000hkd per year to properly maintain the vehicle of that age. If you get a properly maintained one with full service books from the start you should be relatively trouble free.

    Martin at Total Tuning in To Kwa Wan is who I would recommend as an alternative to BMW themselves if you want the car maintained by the factory checklist/schedule. He's excellent.
    Last edited by Skyhook; 31-07-2015 at 05:52 PM.
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  4. #4

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    Yeah, typically you can get most of the work done with your MOT check-up. Take to any garage, probably better to go to one in Sai Kung so you can communicate well with them. I had a friend take my car in last year after a failed MOT and they charged me 3500 to fix it (dealer wanted 20k), and I also did an oil change myself for 1800 at a petrol station (synthetic 2.8L) with a free umbrella haha. I also changed 4 tires for HK$400, the guy said he had used tires that were in good shape, so I'm happy with that (new ones were over 6k). So I'm budgeting around 7k per year for MOT/oil/small fixes, but I'm sure it will cost more one year.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2010
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    So you are buying a car which is almost 10 years old, the chance that the car needs major repair work is not low.
    Your spending of 1500 USD in the states means the car didn't have any major issue, and that's only about regular service. For example, for e46, the surely-will-happen problem is the cooling system. I did an overhaul myself (waterpump, reservior, pulley, belt, thermo, coolant) and the parts cost 1k usd.
    There are a couple good parts shop (Valiant) and you can easily access cheap quality parts. For example, 7 liter of BMW oil and an oil filter cost 535, then you can find any gas station to change for you for 250. For this kind of service you probably prepare 3-5k per year, you know, tire, brake, oil, all filters.
    But if anything really breaks, VANOS if you know what I mean, sub-frame (US had this "recalled"), cooling system. It may cost quite a bit. But it's really hit-or-miss.
    Anyway, owning a car in HK isn't cheap, tag and insurance cost 10k, parking easily 10-30k, gas/tunnel... I really don't think repair gonna be a major component on the bill. Labor isn't expensive at all if you can find a reliable garage.


  6. #6

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    Agreed but you also need to know yourself what needs to be fixed. Otherwise a lot of try a new this and that. Granted you can get a lot fixed for a couple k plus parts but if you try 5 different fixes, it all adds up.

    Plus I think it's important to get an idea of the usage in the recent years. Cars that are stored and not used I think are likely to have more problems. You might find a 100k mileage car but check records and find out 3 years ago it had 98k so something isn't adding up. On my car, the air con wasn't working for the first 13 months, took it to 4 shops they all said to change the compressor (5k job so not bad) but they didn't check anything and I needed to order the part myself from the states so I did further research. Anyway I found out how to check the compressor to see if it is working / activating and it was. So I was worried that fixing this might not solve the issue and have another 5k fix (aka try/attemp) after. Weirdly, one day it kicked on and it's cold and has been working since. No idea why.

    Cars are a mystery. With BMW, check the air con (make sure you're freezing cold), check for any leaks including in the trunk (easy electrical problems). Tires brakes oil easy to change as long as the engine isn't knocking.


  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by MandM!:
    Yeah, typically you can get most of the work done with your MOT check-up. Take to any garage, probably better to go to one in Sai Kung so you can communicate well with them. I had a friend take my car in last year after a failed MOT and they charged me 3500 to fix it (dealer wanted 20k), and I also did an oil change myself for 1800 at a petrol station (synthetic 2.8L) with a free umbrella haha. I also changed 4 tires for HK$400, the guy said he had used tires that were in good shape, so I'm happy with that (new ones were over 6k). So I'm budgeting around 7k per year for MOT/oil/small fixes, but I'm sure it will cost more one year.
    Umm sure, Stewart at Hp Cars in saikung is a native English speaker, as is Martin C/- Total Tuning at To Kwa Wan, he's a Chatswood NSW boy from Australia.

    Properly qualified in my professional opinion, and very experienced with German vehicles, having done his apprenticeship in Australia, very proficient on VAG inc modern Lamborghini and Bentley. He's fine with Bmw and Mercedes vehicles also.

    Put it this way, he's good enough that I'd be happy to have him as an employee, I like his work that much.
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  8. #8

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    I agree with that.

    Quote Originally Posted by Skyhook:
    Umm sure, Stewart at Hp Cars in saikung is a native English speaker, as is Martin C/- Total Tuning at To Kwa Wan, he's a Chatswood NSW boy from Australia.

    Properly qualified in my professional opinion, and very experienced with German vehicles, having done his apprenticeship in Australia, very proficient on VAG inc modern Lamborghini and Bentley. He's fine with Bmw and Mercedes vehicles also.

    Put it this way, he's good enough that I'd be happy to have him as an employee, I like his work that much.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Apr 2012
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    Hi all. Anyone know if Total Tuning is still in business? I drove by on a Saturday and they were closed. Tried calling their number on weekdays and no answer. Also tried emailing them but no response after a week.

    Thank you in advance.