Advice needed...

[toner87]

OK, long story short... I take my Rockster in for a 12000 mile service as well as an annual service last week at San Francisco BMW... Afterwards I look at the invoice and while comparing it to the 12000 mile service checklist I see that they didn't charge me for all the parts, just drive oil, brake fluid and a couple crush washers... I call today to make sure they'd actually installed the other required parts (new plugs for instance) and the service manager looks at his records and says "You got a deal, the parts were installed, but someone forgot to enter them into the system and saved you about $100.00." When I asked if he could verify the parts had been installed, he said "yes" and I said "I guess I have to take your word for it".
What would you do?
T.

P.S. Tao, due to the age of my bike, it does not look like they're going to address the front fork corrosion issue... Meaning I have a painting project ahead of me... If your bike is fairly new and you've got corrosion issues, take it in NOW.

[rdsmith3]

It should be easy to tell if the spark plugs are new, right? I would check the spark plugs.

[toner87]

That's where I'll start, RD. Thanks.
T.

[DJ Downunder]

I would trust them and think of myself lucky..

DJ

[Boxer]

Yeah, I'd trust them too. But its easy enough to pull a plug or peek under the seat to see if the air filter looks shiney new.

[R4R&R]

I'd check for a few new parts. When mine was in for the 24k service, which required plugs (I have a 'two-spark' model) I notied they only charged me for two plugs. When I asked him, he said they forgot to put them in, thinking it was the more common single plug model. They did have to check the bike though.

[Ed K]

Cliff,

Check... Prolly should not be this way...but I have this lingering doubt, even about the best dealers.

In fact, I brought my bike to one of the very best in the SF Bay area, for the 6K service. And afterwards, I asked who worked on my bike (although I did not say so, I wanted to chat for brief few seconds with the mechanic in friendly way...I figure it always good to have a pal in back room...and have worked on quite a few machines myself and thought the conversation would go naturally). Well, I happened to accidentally see the mechanic hanging-out, when I was doing something else and said, "oh you're so and so...and he said, "yeah" ... I said "mine is the Silver '04, I think you worked on it...how'd it look...valves a bit tight?" And you know there was that brief hesitation when he responded...perhaps my imagination...but thought I noticed it b/4 he answered...something that told me...hmmm...not sure he did really did the valve adjustment... And that was at one of best dealers... I could be wrong...but intuition...in indicated some doubt.

Also, when I had a tire replaced on another occassion...I noticed that counter weight appeared to be the same one that was on the last tire. I asked the service manager... "was this balanced" who in turn asked the guy who did it (I could hear his reply) and he sounded very sure when he said he did balance it and the weight was exactly in the same spot on the new tire. Hmmm. Doubt it. But I tried the bike well past 100mph...no shimmie/vibration. Maybe, he really did do it.

On another occassion, I had my heated grip changed because one died. They fixed it, and now they both work, but neither get very hot. Should I bring it back...maybe they'll ding/scratch my gas tank...maybe it'll not get any hotter anyway.

So, my recommendation is trust, but verified...even from the dealers with the very best reputations. I only go to the very best dealers, who will remain un-named...cause, heck I could be wrong.

Good luck...and let us know...

[ProductUser]

I always ask for the old parts (e.g., air filter, plugs, belt). Perhaps years as a mechanic (cars, boats, aircraft) has made me a little paranoid

ProductUser

[bmwdave52]

You all in NorCal come up to A&S in Roseville. You'll get what you pay for.