BMW Parts rip off

[Deleted member 2146]

BMW pricing for replacement parts are absolutely shocking !

For example : BMW kit to replace all parts of the complete front variator = £ 496
Malossi kit to replace all parts of the complete front variator = £ 141
BMW Drive belt £165
Yamaha drive belt equivalent £ 90

The same goes for all parts.

The difference is ridiculous. I love my C400 but as it ages and clocks up miles it could end up costing me a fortune and that is without the main dealer labour rates.
Scooters are supposed to be a cheap form of transport !

My car will be cheaper to run than this thing.

What are your thoughts ?

 

[Pappy13]

Download a repair manual, read the posts that deal with your model, and get ready to get your hands dirty. You are already finding alternative parts to the OEM from BMW, not all parts that fit are worth the time to install them, as I find alternative parts I'll post about them in the forum, others have done the same and we can all save money and effort by posting a review (BOTH good and bad). You are correct that BMW charges too much for parts, BMW can mean "break my wallet", or, 🤠"bring more wampum", but there are quality parts that interchange and can keep the costs reasonable. I happen to be one of those people that actually enjoy working on bikes, for the most part, after I get everything in proper working order I'm starting to look for another challenge. Scooters are a new world to me, I've learned a lot about scooters working on this one, and the C650 is actually easy to work on once you get past the plastics and understand the principles of the drive system.

You can find a good shop near you that works on scooters and save on labor if you aren't inclined to work on your own, you've already found some wear items at great savings and many shops don't care if you bring your parts for them to install. I like to keep wear items on the shelf for when they're needed so maintenance doesn't include 2 weeks waiting on parts. I've spent most of my life working with my hands, I am an electrician, have worked for car dealers when I first got out of the army, worked in car shops before I went in the army, taught many of my buddies in the army how to work on bikes they bought while in Germany (I had motorcycles before the army that if they got fixed I had to do it as I couldn't afford the pay someone to work on them) but not everyone likes to work on machinery. Find your comfort zone, do what you can and what you have tools for, build a relationship with that local shop, continue to research your bike and the ride just gets better.

 

[speednuts]

BMW pricing for replacement parts are absolutely shocking !

For example : BMW kit to replace all parts of the complete front variator = £ 496
Malossi kit to replace all parts of the complete front variator = £ 141
BMW Drive belt £165
Yamaha drive belt equivalent £ 90

The same goes for all parts.

The difference is ridiculous. I love my C400 but as it ages and clocks up miles it could end up costing me a fortune and that is without the main dealer labour rates.
Scooters are supposed to be a cheap form of transport !

My car will be cheaper to run than this thing.

What are your thoughts ?

By now, you should have learned BMW stands for Bring My Wallet! My 24,000 mile service on my C 650 GT cost me $1,400. Almost had a heart attack. The bike is WAY more expensive to run than my Jeep Grand Cherokee!

 

[Ceesie76]

FWIW for the last 4 years and 6,000 miles I've owned my 2016 C650 I've only spent maintenance money on oil and filters, and brake fluid. $25 a year maybe? Will do major service myself, figure main cost will be the Mitsuboshi belt when that time comes.

 

[Deleted member 2146]

Title of this thread is "BMW Parts Rip Off."

"Rip off" is defined as "cheat someone, especially financially; to steal."

That's unfair. No one is cheating you or stealing from you. BMW a premium brand. They charge premium prices for products, parts and service. If you don't like it, buy another brand.

Or complain, as many do.

Or ... do your own work.

"FWIW for the last 4 years and 6,000 miles I've owned my 2016 C650 I've only spent ... $25 a year maybe?"

That's about right. With a BMW Service Manual, this is a super easy bike to work on (speaking for the 650 GT; I don't know the 400).

Everything on the 24,000 mile service can be completed for a couple hundred bucks to cover fluids, parts and a few special BMW tools. The satisfaction of doing your own work and not plunking down $2,000 at the dealership -- priceless.

And in your opinion. what makes BMW a premium product?
The little blue and white badge stuck on the side?
Rose tinted glasses come to mind.

 

[Deleted member 2146]

The phrase is rose-colored glasses, at least on this side of the pond. This is about reality.

Survey 100 people in a mall in 100 cities and ask, "Would BMW be considered a premium car (or motorcycle)?

Whaddya think, 95% say "yes?" Maybe more. I'd bet my GT on that and win.

Unless, of course, all those people have figured out the BMW rondel is just a clever front for vehicles built with the quality of a Yugo. Doubtful.

I Googled this and here are the first three results. !

"Their models utilize more complex engineering, which may contribute to reliability issues. BMW is another motorcycle brand that ranks extremely low in reliability. They have an impressive model line, but are known to be temperamental, and repairs can be costly".

" According to latest Consumer Reports customer satisfaction poll, BMW is dead last when it comes to reliability. It seems like newer Beemers are plagued with reliability issues and owners are not happy about it. Ducati is not far ahead, with similar issues reported. At least Ducati was never known to be a reliable brand and issues are almost expected".

"The BMW Reliability Rating is 2.5 out of 5.0, which ranks it 30th out of 32 for all car brands. This rating is based on an average across 345 unique models."

The list goes on and on.!

I'm not sure what rock you have been hiding under for the last 20 years but I suggest you crawl out from under it ?

You would have lost your bet.

BMW have built an industry around customers like yourself.

 

[EvilTwin]

And in your opinion. what makes BMW a premium product?
The little blue and white badge stuck on the side?
Rose tinted glasses come to mind.

Well, you did buy a Chinese bike with a BMW rondel on it. Not quite sure how premium that can be, except for what they charge for it.

 

[Deleted member 2146]

Ah, I see how this works.

When you lose the debate, you change it. First it was premium product, no doubt BMW is that. But suddenly, you change the debate to reliability.

Done wasting my time with you, dim bulb. Enjoy your on-going grievance festival.

Definition of premium product in dictionary.
"Premium products are typically defined as products that cost 20% more than the average category price"
So you are happy to pay 20% more for a brand that has proven near bottom reliability ratings.?
If I'm a dim bulb, then you must have blown years ago.
It is a well known fact that some people could fall into a vat of s*** that had BMW written on the side and convince themselves it is the latest must have perfume for Christmas.
Merry Christmas Del.........uded......ray

 

[Deleted member 2146]

Well, you did buy a Chinese bike with a BMW rondel on it. Not quite sure how premium that can be, except for what they charge for it.

Exactly right, That is what I am trying to get through to Del uded ray.
I put my hands up and admit I have made a huge mistake regarding my purchase. I have looked to offload it as a part exchange, but only been offered a paltry £ 5,000 for it.....so much for BMWs holding value.