2009 for maintenace

[obeythelaw]

I have a 2009 BMW 328 xDrive. Love the car. I have just approached 50,000 miles and therefore my original maintenance warranty is now over. I purchased it at Morristown BMW in Morristown NJ and always liked their service. I never had any issues so I don't know how they are from that standpoint.

Anyway, does anyone recommend sticking with the dealer for maintenance beyond the warranty? I may be in the market for a new or CPO X3 or X5 next year and wasn't sure if that would give me leverage.

If not, can anyone recommend a good and honest BMW service place in northern or central NJ?

[mryakan]

If there prices are competitive and their service is good, why not? I owned my e36 for 7 years past warranty and kept taking it to the dealer for most items since they had very competitive prices, a loaner/shuttle service, and parts+labor deals that most times made it less advantageous to go elsewhere esp. if sticking with OEM parts (and getting the dealer 2 year warranty on replaced parts+labor).
If they are more expensive than other options, look into a competent indie.
You'd want to visit the regional section for local recommendations, you'll get more responses there.

[obeythelaw]

Thank you. I think I've just been reading on here too much that it appears so many people recommend dumping the dealer because there prices are not competitive. I honestly don't even mind paying an additional 10% premium, for example, if it means I get a better warranty and they are the original parts. I'll post in the regional board and get some recommendations but I think I will just wait when I need my next maintenance to see what they are pricing and then come back here to find out if they are competitive prices.

[mryakan]

I do not understand why some people hate dealers outright! Maybe bad dealer experiences in the past? But for me, it is about 2 things: Money and convenience. The dealer almost always wins in convenience over indies (unless you know someone who picks up your car and gives you a loaner while it is being fixed). So it comes down to how much you save outside the dealer. And I agree, 10% sounds reasonable for the convenience and added warranty (not to mention expertise). I'd even go as high as 20% for things costing less than 500 or so.
Funny thing is, I know someone here at work who takes their 10 yr old e46 to a independent BMW specialist, and pays more than I do for my e90, go figure!

[Luis costa]

Oh on one other note I just paid $79.00 bucks for a oil change at the BMW dealer and my wife got her Chrysler Pacifica at the Chrysler dealer for $90.00 bucks go figure lol