Dealer fraud? Where is the trust? How do I check all my fluids as if its new or not?

I took my car to Santa Monica only couple of time for oil change and brake pads. Today, I met a friend and he told me about his experience at the dealer. He dropped his car for an oil change. When he got home, he checked the oil was black bad as the dealer only reset the computer.

I was wondering a year ago when my car was at 50k miles, i've done several fluids replaced include transmission, radiator, power steering and differential at South Bay BMW.If they cheated I really wanna do something about it. At least I can replaced them all again at a trusted indy or sue them.

I just posted about a dealer (before I bought the car) resetting the brake fluid interval when it was clearly not done. Mechanics are paid based on the "hours required" to do a job. So if they can fit 16 hours worth of work into an 8 hour day, they get extra money. So if the book gives you 2 hours for a brake bleeding job and you just reset the counter, you're ahead by 1 hour and 55 minutes. And since you can't see the fluid (or oil in your case) without some serious effort, who will ever know? Crappy but true.

You need to start doing this yourself or go to an independent. If you're not going to do it yourself smear a sample of old fluid vs. new fluid on a paper towel when possible.

If you truly suspect the fluids were not changed have them inspected at an independent. You probably won't be able to get anything from dealer but at least the car will have fresh fluids.

Wasn't it your car that got 2k worth of cooling system hoses some time ago. Can't remember for sure it was someone in around LA and that was a total BS repair. Sounds like the dealers in your area are worse than Bay Area. Luckily, we have some great indies around here.

I cannot imagine a dealer skipping the oil to cut corners, I could see them maybe not changing the filter. If you want to find out for sure if the oil was changed get a oil analysis kit from a local oil testing firm and send off a sample (about $20). The analysis will show how old the oil is. Every major city will have at least one company doing oil analysis - trucking fleets use them.

If the old oil was very dirty, the new oil will also turn black after running the engine for a few minutes. I've seen this happen myself when I've changed oil on poorly maintained cars (not mine!) You need to change oil every 3K miles if you want new oil to stay yellow for more than a few minutes.

Speaking of dealers cutting corners, here is a shot of the brake fluid I extracted from my car during my first brake pad change. It was dealer-only maintained by one of the more respected local dealers. The dealer definitely never changed the fluid, it should be light yellow like a Corona beer and it stays that way for years.

If you own a BMW & don't care about maintenance, trade it before the warranty expires. If you plan on keeping your BMW, make sue it is maintained properly. You can do that by doing your own work, or hold your dealer or INDY accountable. BMW's 15k mile oil change, only benefits them! If a dealer thinks that you don't know what is right or wrong, they will bend you over happily!

In Ga. & the Carolina's, only Atlanta & Charlotte NC have oil analysis labs. Atlanta has 3 that I know of, & Charlotte has 1 I believe? As far as the quality of their results, most of them run automotive samples. This means that they run over a 1000 a day. I have seen many errors in sample results. Not having the correct info entered into the computer, can cause much confusion! I personally reviewed. pulled, & inspected over a 1000 samples a year, before retiring. You will usually spot a problem, before the sample is sent in for results!

Hold your mechanic accountable!

Originally Posted by reytran

I took my car to Santa Monica only couple of time for oil change and brake pads. Today, I met a friend and he told me about his experience at the dealer. He dropped his car for an oil change. When he got home, he checked the oil was black bad as the dealer only reset the computer.

I was wondering a year ago when my car was at 50k miles, i've done several fluids replaced include transmission, radiator, power steering and differential at South Bay BMW.If they cheated I really wanna do something about it. At least I can replaced them all again at a trusted indy or sue them.

I had the same skeptical feeling when I had my PPI done at Bob Smith BMW. The guy who worked on my car said that he changed the oil, but 1 week later, I had to add a quart of oil as the warning light came on.

Originally Posted by FredoinSF

You need to start doing this yourself or go to an independent. If you're not going to do it yourself smear a sample of old fluid vs. new fluid on a paper towel when possible.

If you truly suspect the fluids were not changed have them inspected at an independent. You probably won't be able to get anything from dealer but at least the car will have fresh fluids.

Wasn't it your car that got 2k worth of cooling system hoses some time ago. Can't remember for sure it was someone in around LA and that was a total BS repair. Sounds like the dealers in your area are worse than Bay Area. Luckily, we have some great indies around here.

Well, sadly that was me. After that BS, I almost do everything myself up to today. There also a time when I got battery dead and they replace for $900+. I find out they quote a 3 series guy for $700+. I guess 6 series use more expensive battery then. With the money I spent I think I should just end up with buying a brand new for extra $20k for worry free. Because it was my first BMW so I didn't wanna buy it brand new.

Originally Posted by Mulchman

I just posted about a dealer (before I bought the car) resetting the brake fluid interval when it was clearly not done. Mechanics are paid based on the "hours required" to do a job. So if they can fit 16 hours worth of work into an 8 hour day, they get extra money. So if the book gives you 2 hours for a brake bleeding job and you just reset the counter, you're ahead by 1 hour and 55 minutes. And since you can't see the fluid (or oil in your case) without some serious effort, who will ever know? Crappy but true.

Seem like my first BMW teach the painful lesson. I wish I loved my car less when I just got it. Your front looks great. I want that so bad now.

Originally Posted by 07 E63650i

I had the same skeptical feeling when I had my PPI done at Bob Smith BMW. The guy who worked on my car said that he changed the oil, but 1 week later, I had to add a quart of oil as the warning light came on.

So far, I believe the Crevier BMW in Santa Ana has the highest review and reputation for their service department. At least I don't have to pay for a quart oil there. Ridiculously, the SA at South Bay BMW (where I threw thousands cash) even ask me to pay for a quart oil to top up.

Originally Posted by reytran

So far, I believe the Crevier BMW in Santa Ana has the highest review and reputation for their service department. At least I don't have to pay for a quart oil there. Ridiculously, the SA at South Bay BMW (where I threw thousands cash) even ask me to pay for a quart oil to top up.

I did not buy my car from there, but it was purchased and maintained there with the first owner for the first 30k miles. My car was in excellent shape when I bought it with 36k miles so I think they may be reliable dealer.

Sorry if this sounds blunt, but after the hose thread you should know there are better options than the dealer once the car is out of warranty. I wouldn't blame the car for the money you've spent it. Sounds like 80 percent of the thousands you have spent was dealer making stuff up and / or padding the bill and at some point you take ownership for going back for more.
Again, time for a reputable independent. There should be a ton of them where you live. Look them up on bimrs.org or your local BMW CCA site.

As Agent Mulder says... TRUST NO ONE......

whenever possible, do your own fluid change, you will know its done and done right!

if your not under warranty, WHY THE F WOULD YOU GO TO THE DEALER. If your under warranty, I dont think bmw pays for brake oil replacements so WHY THE F would you go to the dealer.


Find an indy. Run with it.

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

if your not under warranty, WHY THE F WOULD YOU GO TO THE DEALER. If your under warranty, I dont think bmw pays for brake oil replacements so WHY THE F would you go to the dealer.
Find an indy. Run with it.

Easy with the capitol F's there dude.

For many people this is a big high tech investment and they are nervous about service.

Just because someone is an indy there is no guarantee they they are competent or cheap. Finding someone local you can trust is not always that simple.

I do some things myself and even though I have a very good local guy that I trust, I still need to go the dealer for somethings. Most indys don't have the gear to do things like 4 wheel alignment.

Regardless, you should be able to trust a dealer. You also have a better chance or raising hell with a dealer and getting satisfaction than from some guy in a garage.

Originally Posted by NoI4plz

if your not under warranty, WHY THE F WOULD YOU GO TO THE DEALER. If your under warranty, I dont think bmw pays for brake oil replacements so WHY THE F would you go to the dealer.


Find an indy. Run with it.

Because I don't drive a Lexus.

FYI: I have BMW Extended Warranty as well well Maintenance contract. I purchased it because, again, I don't drive a Lexus.


P.S: Is there anything from my Original Post mention anything about warranty? I believe what I said was about paying for self request maintenance.