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In the short run. But if they mess it up it could be a lot more expensive in the long run
And if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his butt when he hops. Dealers can mess up just as much as an independent mechanic. Work is only as good as the person who is turning the wrench. The building they work in is just that, a building. Just because you take it to a dealer does not mean you are getting quality work done.
I once landed in a Volvo forum somehow. Maybe because buddy bought one and I was researching something for him.
Everything is a special tool. Tools start at $300 and go up fast. Some odd and weird couplings, connections, designs.
hence you can find a small shop that does nothing but a specific brand. It's because they are set to do it.
Also, esp on new and newer models, there is ton of proprietary digital stuff. Only dealer can access it or someone who forked for license.
That's why.
So a person has an expensive car that may require special knowledge and special tools for proper maintenance.
The real question here is why would you NOT go to the dealer for scheduled maintenance and repairs in the first place?!?
Cause anything that can't be done by a basic shop mechanic will have cost in the thousands, not hundred. I am not talking about high cost being on the parts.
Oil change.. not too bad but but anything more complex.. start pulling out your credit cards
There are indy shop that will be much less so the dealership can charge less but there would not be enough profit to make it world class.
The catch is that a lot of those folks who buy the expensive German car may not want to waste their time shopping for cheaper service place to DIY.
If you visit the BMW forums, it is not a surprising that there are plenty of write up on DIY for 3's or even M (enthusiasts) owner. Anything 5 and above.. good luck looking for DIY.
Cause anything that can't be done by a basic shop mechanic will have cost in the thousands, not hundred. I am not talking about high cost being on the parts.
Oil change.. not too bad but but anything more complex.. start pulling out your credit cards
There are indy shop that will be much less so the dealership can charge less but there would not be enough profit to make it world class.
The catch is that a lot of those folks who buy the expensive German car may not want to waste their time shopping for cheaper service place to DIY.
If you visit the BMW forums, it is not a surprising that there are plenty of write up on DIY for 3's or even M (enthusiasts) owner. Anything 5 and above.. good luck looking for DIY.
I am reminded of many years ago when I was working in a Mobil service station in West Seattle, and some guy brought in a car that was about a year old, wanting new spark plugs installed. I opened the hood, took one look at the engine, and said, "Sorry, no, take it to the dealer!"
The prospective customer demanded to see the boss, saying he was going to have me fired. The boss came out, opened the hood, took one look, and said "Sorry, my employee is absolutely right. I don't charge labor for replacing spark plugs, just the retail price of the plugs. It will take him hours to work around that mess, and I can't afford to do it free. Take it to the dealer!"
Yes, some shop owners WILL turn away work if they can not make a profit on it!
My husband owns an independent BMW shop, and there are several local "general" auto shops nearby that send BWMs to him. He has the diagnostic program and tools...any more you just can't do many BMW repairs unless your computer can read the diagnostic codes, and you need to pay to lease that software. He's a factory trained, award winning mechanic. He is not as up to date on the latest models as the dealer, of course, but if your car is old enough to be out of warranty, he's just as good if not better than the dealer.
Dealers are ridiculously expensive if your car is not under warranty, and usually try to upsell you.
A lot of good answers. I liked someone mentioned not scared but hesitant.
To work on BMW Audi,Vw etc. It requires many different tools for many nuts bolts and screw head. It's Rediculous. At the end of the day. It isn't worth taking on those jobs.
When I was running a shop. I d turn away mini coopers, all Vw, all Audis and Volvos, and stupid Jaquars. They are more headaches than money..
My husband owns an independent BMW shop, and there are several local "general" auto shops nearby that send BWMs to him. He has the diagnostic program and tools...any more you just can't do many BMW repairs unless your computer can read the diagnostic codes, and you need to pay to lease that software. He's a factory trained, award winning mechanic. He is not as up to date on the latest models as the dealer, of course, but if your car is old enough to be out of warranty, he's just as good if not better than the dealer.
Dealers are ridiculously expensive if your car is not under warranty, and usually try to upsell you.
So a person has an expensive car that may require special knowledge and special tools for proper maintenance.
The real question here is why would you NOT go to the dealer for scheduled maintenance and repairs in the first place?!?
Our local dealer, who I generally like, is probably not the most fiscally-prudent place to go for repairs. They do good work, at full fare, which on Porsches can be expensive.
I never, not once, used a BMW dealer here on the same principle.
Ferrari, don't even. I know few who get out of the Ferrari dealer for less than a couple thousand bucks even for stupid stuff like recommended services. Oil changes excepted, and those aren't cheap either.
Bigger metro areas like Seattle have specialty shops for BMW, Porsche, and sometimes exotics like Ferrari, Lotus, and Aston-Martin. The speciality shop I use for my Porsche work is 3/4 to half the cost of the dealer, usually, and provides a bit of custom counsel too based on your specific uses and needs. Again, nothing the local dealer couldn't do, but I like the independent shop(s) a little better for that personal touch.
I have had to make tools to do certain repairs on cars.
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