Car main dealer prices vs. Independents - Worth reporting?

[fossyant]

Just checked - only available from BMW via a dealer, resellers can't stock them. I don't know your model but you're looking in the order of £380-£520 each, plus VAT.

They're trendy cars, intended to serve they're trendy niche. They cost 50% or more than the equivalent Fiesta for no more actual ability or substance. Bearing in mind the cost to acquire is inflated quite heavily just because of the 'name' and image, I'm at a loss to understand why someone would then be surprised when parts prices were similarly daft.

We all buy fancy bikes when a £200 subway would do ?

 

[Venod]

You run a BMW, you pay BMW prices, same with Mercedes and AUDIS. They are all snob cars but no better than other cars

But with Audis you can fit some components from Skoda, Seat, VW.

 

[Crackle]

There's a garage close to me who regularly fails cars on corroded brake pipes.

Finding an honest garage is a job in itself.

 

[numbnuts]

If you can't do it yourself your a cash cow

 

[fossyant]

As mentioned even light surface corrosion gets an advisory. What's 5 minutes and a slap of grease to stop it developing. But then again, few people ever open the bonnet never mind pop a wheel off to get to the brake pipes.

 

[fossyant]

My sister sold her mini as it was unreliable and had various problems. She bought a boring Focus Titanium Nav instead that's been faultless, was cheaper and has more stuff in it.

 

[NorthernDave]

[QUOTE 4920807, member: 76"]You can use the independent from the word go. As long as they genuine parts then the warranty remains in place.[/QUOTE]

Yes - while that's quite right, the obstacles that can be put in the way of getting a warranty claim honoured make it not worth the hassle, in my experience.

 

[swee'pea99]

5 year old car with brake pipe corrosion. OMG.

At least they needed a clean. Had similar on my 15 year old car. Advisory so I cleaned the pipes externally and applied a thin coat of grease to prevent further corrosion. No advisories since.

That is a serious rip off. Brake pipes are nothing fancy.

At last! A response that isn't basically 'you bought a poncy car - what did you expect?'

First off, as you say, '5 year old car with brake pipe corrosion. OMG.' My Golf is over 20 years old and I've never had so much as a peep about the brake pipes. If a 'premium' car has a problem after five years, shame on BMW.
Second, it didn't. The independent garage confirmed it. Subjective schmubjective, this just reeks of those holiday car-hire firms that hit people with massive, spurious 'damage' penalties.
Third, how in God's name can BMW justify charging '£380-£520 each, plus VAT' for a brake pipe? It's a pipe, fercrisakes, not a hi-tech piece of electronics. That would make it a hundred times more than 'the cost of a new brake pipe - £5'. How come? Is it a, like, really really good pipe?
Fourth, even if it cost that much, how can it be over a grand to supply & fit it? It's a pipe! Which means you have to undo the nut at each end, remove it, put in the replacement and do up the nut at each end. 10 minutes? 20 with topping up the brake fluid and making sure everything's good. How can that cost hundreds of pounds?

It's clearly an outrageous ripoff. I don't know who you can complain to, but to suggest there's anything defensible about it because a Mini is a poncy car is just wrong.

 

[Profpointy]

to put this in perspective I have just had an engine rebuilt on my 20 year old Saab. Total bill including fitting and a couple of unrelated jobs £2200 from an independant Saab specialist.

£1000 for a couple of brake pipes is just a piss take.

 

[snorri]

Someone has to pay for the comfy seats, car mags, smartly dressed 'customer care' people and free coffee on offer at Main Dealers.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Third, how in God's name can BMW justify charging '£380-£520 each, plus VAT' for a brake pipe?

They don't have to justify it. Pay it or go somewhere cheaper.

 

[Jason]

Someone has to pay for the comfy seats, car mags, smartly dressed 'customer care' people and free coffee on offer at Main Dealers.

which are very welcome whilst "she's" within the 3 year warranty.
Luckily I have a good reputable indy a few miles away

 

[Profpointy]

They don't have to justify it. Pay it or go somewhere cheaper.

Well, you semi-regularly hear of "roofers" sent to prison for charging little old ladies £20k to replace a couple of slates. Same thing isn't it?

 

[Tommy2]

Same as open heart surgery innit, you just slice it open fix the busted bit then sew it up..... Easy.

 

[Profpointy]

Same as open heart surgery innit, you just slice it open fix the busted bit then sew it up..... Easy.

yebbut you'd not expect the same cost for removing a splinter as for open heart surgery