6000 mile service, what gets done, is it worth it?

ewenn342 · Post by **ewenn342** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:01 pm

What exactly gets serviced at 6000 miles. My dealer quoted me $230. he mentioned an engine oil change and throttle synk. Is that all? Should I just change my own oil and skip the throttle adjustment if it is running fine?
I am considering having the break oils changed out since it is 5 years old. Any thoughts on if this is a good idea?

Thanks

Post by **taosports** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:37 pm

Five years since your last brake bleed? If so, you are way over due. BMW recommends annual brake bleeds.

As far as the 6,000 mile service, it's pretty much just an oil/filter change and a valve adjust along with the throttle sync. Even if the bike is running fine, I'd still have the valves checked - it's just good preventive maintenence.

If you enjoy working on the bike and have a few basic tools, you can do all of the maintenance work and save yourself lots of $$ in labor costs. These bikes are very easy to work on.

Post by **challey** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 10:55 am

Here's a link to an outline of what should get done at each service: http://www.parmidge.com/pokie/service.htm Though the outline was done for the R1200C, it is basically the same as for the R1150R.

I agree completely with taosport's recomendation to get the the brake and clutch fluids changed. I believe that the factory recommended intervals are annually for the brakes and 2 years for the clutch. You're well beyond that. The suggestion to at least check valve clearance is also a good one - a throttle body sync should also be done, particularly if valve clearances are adjusted.

The $240 quote is really not out of line for an oil change, valve check/adjust and TB sync. You can save some money by changing the engine oil yourself. Though not on the factory service schedule until 12k miles, given the 5 yr interval, I'd suggest that you may want to change the fluids in the gearbox and FD - again easy to do yourself

Charlie

Post by **baltm604** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:36 pm

$230 may be a pretty fair price, but it depends on where you live. Mine was closer to $300, but that was 4 years ago, and it was in chicago where the shop rate may be $30-$40 higher than let's say, Omaha

invest the $40 bucks in a mityvac and bleed your own brakes and clutch. First is it easy to do, and secondly it is something you need to do at least every 2 years, irrelevant of the miles ridden.

If you plan on doing a lot of miles, learn how to do the 6k service yourself. it is all pretty easy except the valve adjustment and TB sync. Those steps are very doable, but very time consuming the first time if you are paranoid like I am..

Bill

geothepencil · Post by **geothepencil** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 1:27 pm

Force them onto the clock from the flat rates by doing the oil and filter change yourself. If that is convenient for you, I would think you would then be billed for just the time to set the valves. The TB balance is not a time consuming step if everything else is working right.

I've had very fair billings from my dealer where we had done part of the work.

geo

Post by **CycleRob** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 2:36 pm

ewenn342,

Your profile is empty after a year of being here. Not even what country you are in.

There are members here that can help and even perform the 6K service with you. The fee, if any, would be a fraction of what you are looking at with BMW.
In light of your concern of the cost, if you are in riding distance of such a qualified member, that should be your first choice.

Lacking that, consider your tools & wrenching abilities before you tackle any service job yourself, then if you are confident you can, learn and do the 6K yourself.

Post by **Biff's R** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 5:59 pm

taosports wrote:Five years since your last brake bleed? If so, you are way over due. BMW recommends annual brake bleeds.

On bikes withe the newer stainless brake and clutch line, those intervals were extended to 2 years.

Post by **OU812** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:41 pm

Biff's R wrote:
taosports wrote:Five years since your last brake bleed? If so, you are way over due. BMW recommends annual brake bleeds.
On bikes withe the newer stainless brake and clutch line, those intervals were extended to 2 years.

I am 2+ years behind.

Spookymonster · Post by **Spookymonster** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:14 am

My bike's 7 years old with pretty low (< 6k) mileage. I'm guessing that prior to me doing an oil change, none of the vehicles fluids were ever changed out. I can understand how age would affect brake fluid (7 years absorbing any available moisture in the cylinder), but I don't see how motor/gear oil 'goes bad' before hitting the recommended mileage?

I was planning on leaving my tranny and final drive fluids alone until my 6k checkup, but now you've got me second guessing myself. I've got a few bottles of Shockproof sitting in the shed... should I switch 'em out this weekend?

Post by **sjbmw** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:28 am

Happy belated anniversary CycleRob. 6 years on the board!

pneuby · Post by **pneuby** » Thu Sep 13, 2007 3:47 pm

Don't forget that these bikes are also supposed to get an 'annual' service, regardless of whatever interval visits your riding mileage dictates. ALL fluids are changed out on that one.

Spookymonster · Post by **Spookymonster** » Fri Sep 14, 2007 8:15 am

Good point. Guess I'll do a drain and fill this weekend. Gives me a good enough excuse to ride the bejezus out of it for the next week or two!