[djinferno]

Some will say its only 200$ but dam, is it normal for a dealership to charge 200$ to change a front light bulb? The part is 60$

I might be wrong but to me this validates why people claim bmw's are to expensive to maintain...

for some strange reason, today was a Monday so I actually tough a car dealership would take care of there owners because you want them to keep coming back... god was i wrong!!!

Its funny because to me a BMW is a symbol of love for driving, its always been about a community of drivers helping other drivers, that's what i tough the brand was about, today, my opinion of BMW as a brand has changed...

Having a bmw has been a long life dream, im not born into money like allot of people, I own a bmw because im a fan, today, my opinion of this brand changed...

[arctic330i]

Like the angel eye? or main headlight? both are DIY worthy

[bimmertt]

how many BMW techs does it take to change a light bulb?

[iBoost]

3hours of labor? all light bulbs are about $5 except for angel eyes and HID

oh yeah and i guess it is normal, since they try to rape you on whatever they can.

[tilua]

you drive a premium car, expect to pay premium labor rate lol

[PTinVT]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

how many BMW techs does it take to change a light bulb?

7.

1 to open a PUMA case, 1 to install the latest lighting software upgrade, 4 to perform road-tests, and 1 to determine the broken light bulb is still within spec.

[cole92]

Which bulb was it?

[djinferno]

Who cares what bulb, its a 60$ bulb, why does the final bill amount to 200$

[Uber V8]

$200 and $60

DIY.

[Stein67]

Originally Posted by djinferno

Who cares what bulb, its a 60$ bulb, why does the final bill amount to 200$

Sounds like $60 parts and $140 for one hour minimum shop charge, or thereabouts.

I wouldn't have been surprised to see a $140 diagnostic fee on top. It would read like this:

"Headlight bulb, permanent failure. Replace with new bulb."

The "Permanent Failure" is their words, not mine. That is how the burned out bulbs appear on my service history report.

[E91 Hoarder]

Originally Posted by PTinVT

7.

1 to open a PUMA case, 1 to install the latest lighting software upgrade, 4 to perform road-tests, and 1 to determine the broken light bulb is still within spec.

[reaper335]

sounds about right.. should of done it yourself

[bmodzelewski]

yeah.. they wanted to charge me 105 to replace one ae bulb

[Royal Flush]

Originally Posted by bmodzelewski

yeah.. they wanted to charge me 105 to replace one ae bulb

They wanted, or they did?

[Raja Ventureshield]

yeah, sounds right cuz they prey on people that do not do their own work and make $$ of money and then open up super BMW dealer with every model on the lot. Then they also hire really stupid people who think they know it all.

[e92phreak]

Originally Posted by iBoost

3hours of labor? all light bulbs are about $5 except for angel eyes and HID

oh yeah and i guess it is normal, since they try to rape you on whatever they can.

Maybe aftermarket bulbs. Bulbs at the stealership are much more than $5. Just my rear brake bulb was $20.

I hated having to go through all the trunk panels to get to the light.

[fdriller9]

The dealers like taking the bumper off to change the bulbs. That's why you see more than 1 hours worth of labor.

My father was quoted $400 and change to swap out the angel eye bulb on his old E65.

It was $23 and took me 30 minutes to change. I didn't pull the bumper. I just loosened the headlight housing and I was able to get my hand behind the bulb and twist it out.

[fdriller9]

Originally Posted by e92phreak

Maybe aftermarket bulbs. Bulbs at the stealership are much more than $5. Just my rear brake bulb was $20.

I hated having to go through all the trunk panels to get to the light.

Dude the brake lights are the easiest to change. lol

[ciomas]

Originally Posted by PTinVT

7.

1 to open a PUMA case, 1 to install the latest lighting software upgrade, 4 to perform road-tests, and 1 to determine the broken light bulb is still within spec.

ahahahaaha!

[hypnotiq]

I recall about 5 years back when I had my 2001 330i I went in to ask how much a rear bulb would be because it went out. I spoke to the guys that simply deliver the cars to customers and back (loaner, completed serviced vehicles, ect.) They said that they "would just do it for free". The went to parts picked up a new bulb and came back and installed it right on the spot for me, for free. Guess I came in on a good day and spoke to the right people.

[335BBS]

Originally Posted by hypnotiq

I recall about 5 years back when I had my 2001 330i I went in to ask how much a rear bulb would be because it went out. I spoke to the guys that simply deliver the cars to customers and back (loaner, completed serviced vehicles, ect.) They said that they "would just do it for free". The went to parts picked up a new bulb and came back and installed it right on the spot for me, for free. Guess I came in on a good day and spoke to the right people.

You were probably really polite and friendly. Mr. Raja in post #15 would have a hard time getting the same service with his attitude. He is correct to a degree in that most people don't look into doing it themselves. I'm sure most dealerships rely on that.

[hypnotiq]

I agree, presentation and attitude are key to getting great service. Dont get me wrong I have had some very memorable, negative experiences with the same dealer. It just depends on who you get and how that dealership is run. Best thing to do however is DIY anytime possible as many have said before. This is especially true with things such as replacing bulbs, changing oil, ect. Dealerships become highly unreasonable when it comes to these simple things.

Originally Posted by Leaker

You were probably really polite and friendly. Mr. Raja in post #15 would have a hard time getting the same service with his attitude. He is correct to a degree in that most people don't look into doing it themselves. I'm sure most dealerships rely on that.