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600 mile service

D

daveb

Guest
Hi,

Just curious about what is involved with a 600 mile service?

Change the fluids in the tranny, final drive, and engine?

Anything else?

Has anyone done this themselves?

The reason I am asking is that I am contemplating getting one (GS) and it seemed easier to do it myself than to hassle with the bike drop off, ec. Also, the dealer quoted about $250 for the service.

Thanks,

Dave
 
daveb said:
Hi,

Just curious about what is involved with a 600 mile service?

Change the fluids in the tranny, final drive, and engine?

Anything else?

Has anyone done this themselves?

... the dealer quoted about $250 for the service.
Click to expand...

Assuming we are talking about a hexhead R1200 -- yes, there is more to it.

One very important item perfomed at the initial 600 mile service is the re-torque of the heads. Aside from fluid/filter changes, I believe the tech will go over the bike checking key fasteners, synchronizing the throttle bodies, adjusting valves, etc.

I do most of my own maintenance, but the 600 mile service is unique and I believe critical enough that I didn't think of doing that one myself.

The price the dealer is quoting seems more than reasonable. When the dealer performed the 600 mile service on my '07 RT, I was waiting around the dealership for more than half of the day, and it was the first bike to be serviced that day.

Again, the exact model hexhead and options will have a bearing on the time required for the service.

Here are the items that were part of my service:

Reading fault-code memories with the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
Performing bleed test with the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
Engine-oil change, with filter
Tightening cylinder head fasteners
Checking secondary spark plugs
Adjusting valve clearance
Checking brake-fluid level, front brakes
Checking brake-fluid level, rear brakes
Checking freedom of movement of throttle cable and checking for kinks and chafing
Checking tyre pressures and tread depth
Checking lights and signalling equipment
Function test, engine start suppression
Checking synchronisation
Test ride as final inspection and function check
Reading fault-code memories with the BMW Motorrad diagnostic system
Confirming BMW Service in on-board documentation

(Not mentioned on the above list, but now routinely included -- final drive fluid change)
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
While we are talking about service, what is involved in the 6,000 mile service?

I remember someone providing a website that listed the components of each service, but I can't find it.
 
$250 is really reasonable for a 600 mile service. I think I paid about $350 for mine, which was done last fall. Personally, I would have the dealer do the 600 mile service and if you are mechanically inclined do the subsequent ones yourself. There are good resources out there on DVD's or Haynes manuals with info of what's all involved for each hexhead service interval.
 
$250 is a great price.
Plus, as my dealer explained - don't think of it as the first service, think of it as your first accessory buying opportunity!
Tom
 
Maybe the reason it sounds so good is that the dealer said that they do not adjust the valves at the 600 mile check and only at the 6K check. He said that they started doing this but found afer many checks, the valves rarely if ever needed to be adjusted.
 
daveb said:
Maybe the reason it sounds so good is that the dealer said that they do not adjust the valves at the 600 mile check and only at the 6K check. He said that they started doing this but found afer many checks, the valves rarely if ever needed to be adjusted.
Click to expand...


even with a retorqueing of the heads? odd.
 
I spoke to my dealer about the 600 mile service and decided to just do it myself. Really just an oil change (unless something is obviously out of whack). I regularly check/re-torque around the bike before rides anyway.

I did ask about the fluid change in the drive and was told that it is not done until the 6K service. I'll likely take it in for that one, and any of the larger services where they do stuff that I can't (like ecu diagnostics).

I'd rather save my money for the farkles...
 
That's Interesting!

I have never heard that said!

Quite a few folks say they are not happy with the way the valves are adusted - but I have not heard that the dealer says it's unecessary.

Personally, I plan to check them when I get the bike back and make my future decisions on what I observe. I am not familar with this dealership, or the bike either for that matter.

I just thought that would get me more in tune with the machine and have a chance to evaluate the dealership service at the same time.

Besides, I am anal as hell about valves!!

Can't help it - goes back to solid cams on Saturday night!
 
I negotiated the 600 mile service into the purchase once I had settled on the price. I'll do my own maintainance from there on.
 
bjhughes said:
I spoke to my dealer about the 600 mile service and decided to just do it myself. Really just an oil change (unless something is obviously out of whack). I regularly check/re-torque around the bike before rides anyway.

I did ask about the fluid change in the drive and was told that it is not done until the 6K service. I'll likely take it in for that one, and any of the larger services where they do stuff that I can't (like ecu diagnostics).

I'd rather save my money for the farkles...
Click to expand...
Your dealer has really done you a disservice.

The 600 mile service includes retorquing the head-bolts, a valve adjustment and the final drive fluid IS changed as per BMW. It's considerably more than just an oil change.

FWIW.. I wouldn't listen to that person at that dealership.. and I'd worry about going there for any service if they can get something this basic wrong.
 
Marco,

I went to the website and read the 600, 6,000, and 12,000 mile inspections plus the annual inspection for the R1200RT and none of them mention the final drive. The 12K+Annual says change the gearbox oil (then notes every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers) and front and rear brake fluids, but again, none of them even mention checking the FD level, much less changing it.

Am I missing something?
 
Professor said:
Marco,

I went to the website and read the 600, 6,000, and 12,000 mile inspections plus the annual inspection for the R1200RT and none of them mention the final drive. The 12K+Annual says change the gearbox oil (then notes every 2 years or 40,000 kilometers) and front and rear brake fluids, but again, none of them even mention checking the FD level, much less changing it.
Am I missing something?
Click to expand...

Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff that's posted isn't updated. When I bought my '06RT, I was given the "latest" maintenance schedule which was for the R1150RT!
As of the '07 model, BMW specifies one FD change - at the 600 mile service.
Tom
 
TomfromMD said:
Unfortunately, a lot of the stuff that's posted isn't updated. When I bought my '06RT, I was given the "latest" maintenance schedule which was for the R1150RT!
As of the '07 model, BMW specifies one FD change - at the 600 mile service.
Tom
Click to expand...

The bevel oil change is not listed in the latest maintenance schedules. BMW came out with a bulletin, however, which stated that it should be changed at the 600 mile check starting with '07. Reason mentioned was to remove manufacturing substances. No further changes needed. As far as I can find, there is no additional mention of any bevel changes and no word about the '05 and '06 bikes. Note that the drive is not vented, so no moisture issues hopefully...only wearing out of the viscosity and additives. How soon does that happen?
I would change the bevel if it hasn't been done and at the 600 on any new bikes. Fill with 75W90 synth long drain gear oil as recommended by BMW.
 
Final Drive at 600 mile servive

If the schedule you have doesn't show a final drive gear oil change at 600 miles....you don't have the most CURRENT schedule. Had my 600-mile service last week...the most current BMW 600-mile schedule fora R1200RT includes final drive gear oil change. PERIOD!
 
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