Not really.

Last time I was in for service, I declined the "inspection" portion of the 10,000km service (odo read 10,080), opting only for an oil change. The "inspection" service includes tire rotation and a look-see at the undercarriage, declined on the grounds that I swap and rotate my tires winter and spring at home, hence no need for rotation. While in there, I check for problems with suspension, brakes etc. When I got the car back, the 'tire maintenance' warning was on (wasn't on when I dropped the car off, and they only put ~10kms on it during road test). The mechanic must have set the reminder for 10,000kms. Pretty cheeky...

Also, I'm not convinced they actually changed the oil. When pulling the dipstick at home later that day, the oil looked to be the same colour and had the same smell as it did before the change. I have a hard time believing that a new engine would dirty the oil so quickly after a change (~25kms). Next time I get a change, I'm going to take a sample before and after and have them analyzed.

They don't call them 'stealerships' for nothing. If it didn't kill re-sale value, the car would never go back there.

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Anthony, until I read that first line I was about to die of surprise since I assume your stealership is Hyatt and I have not heard good things about them. I wonder if your dirty-looking oil is as a result of a poor job of pumping it out (which I assume they do rather than properly draining it...anybody know for sure?? )

 

I think that's a dealer to dealer thing.....
My old dealer used to drain. (saw them do it)
I've also heard that many BMW dealers extract it rather than drain.

:edit:
As a side note, on some cars (mine) the pan holds at least half a liter after drain due to partial dry sump.
Sooo... extraction can get out more oil than draining.

 

It really begs the question: does a self-maintenance service record detract that much from your perception of a vehicle's condition? Some people would say that full dealer records for service are the only way they'd buy a car, but based on the kind of work that seems to be done there I'd be more inclined to trust an owner who knows his stuff.

Of course, bear in mind these are unsubstatiated comments, perception only.

The car needs to go in for some warranty work (new steering column ). Hopefully all will go well.

 

Good points all; draining might actually be easier on a G given the position of the dipstick (if that is in fact where they would extract it from).

Like you, I would personally prefer to see records of a good DIYer than a full dealer service record, but that's jut me and I would also judge based on the person I was dealing with.

In the end, I guess you have to ask yourself will it make enough difference that you will get more for your car on resale than you spent in $$ and aggravation of having the dealer do everything? I dunno.

 

Definitely NOT.
I did all but the initial change on my car.
I kept records & did oil test samples.

I pretty much closed the deal site unseen, when I sent the buyer these....

 

I have been getting my routine services done at Sunridge Nissan, unless I have a warranty issue I would prefer not to return to Hyatt for anything.

Question (sorry for thread jacking Anthony): I'm coming up on my 24k service, should I let them do the full service or just get an oil change? I'm hesitant to pay for them to check my brakes/rotate my tires as my winters were only installed in December and I have noticed no signs of wear with the brakes. In addition almost any brake shop will do a free inspection. Which services are really necessary at this point?

 

IMO, the service schedule is excessively tight for these cars. At 24,000kms, I'd say that a mechanical inspection of the brakes/suspension along with cabin and engine air filters would be indicated. Various lubrication of pivots/hinges as well.

Rotating tires makes very little difference to overall life. BMW actually recommends NOT rotating tires, mostly due to their more radical wear patterns (camber) front to back. I tried explaining to the service guy that rotating wasn't required as I'd just installed the winters - blank look...

 

^^^ Yeah, like that!!