BMW Service Information

Are you unhappy about BMW's decision last Fall to discontinue the provision of service manuals for motorcycles?

I am. I won't be purchasing any motorcycle for which the manufacturer will not provide service information in a format useable by the average owner. I know that my decision won't make a bit of difference to BMW but that's not my purpose - it makes a difference to ME.

Nor will BMW be impressed if I write a letter. I'll just get a boilerplate reply.

I think that the only hope to get any kind of compromise out of BMW on this issue is through a collective representation of owners acting together. The probability of success may well be low but I am 100% sure of the result of inaction.

BMWMOA isn't interested. I'll stop there.

I was wondering what our Club could do IF members wanted to do something. My own view is that the best course of action lies in contacting all the other BMW motorcycle clubs that are in BMW Clubs Canada (BMWCC) with a view to convincing BMWCC that it should:
- convey the concerns of members about this decision to BMW Motorrad Canada and seek a dialogue on alternatives to no service information at all
- make representations to BMW Clubs International that it should do the same with the BMW Group

The lack of service information negatively impacts BMW owners by:
- depriving DIYers from information they need to service their own bikes
- depriving independent service outlets from having the information they need to serve BMW owners thus giving BMW dealers a virtual service monopoly
- giving owners no choice but to have service done by a dealership when dealerships are few and often far away
- limiting the "adventure" potential of supposed adventure bikes because the owners won't have access to the information they need to effect a repair when far away from a dealership or roadside assistance

Not objecting to this policy invites more negative poliocies in the future. Some of you will have heard of the uproar in the UK over BMW's plan to lease accessories like heated seats already installed in the car you bought . The seats would be equipped with heaters but they won't be activated unless you pay a monthly sum. Is this the future of the "Connected Ride" on new BMW bikes? Will you want to pay monthly for heated grips?

Thanks for reading this. If you don't agree I am ok with that. Just wanted to give the discussion a chance to take place.

Regards
Mike

Actually I believe the Service Information is available. You have to buy a subscription to ISTA. 30 US dollars per 24 hour period Or 250.00 US for a month and on up. This will give you Dealer Level Diagnostics, not sure of basic info I haven't need that in the shop yet!!. But I think it is there. Of course you will need an interface between your bike and your lap top. We have a Drew Tech J2534 device 2000.00 plus from your local Snap-On dealer, there may be cheaper versions. Plus you need the latest software in your laptop plus their security software. Takes a day to set up. Ask me how I know that!!!! Next time we need to program a module on a BMW car I will check to see what else is available with an ISTA subscription. Of course you need to plug the bike in so the system can Identify what it is working on. WE have had limited success at the shop and originally had trouble as we were trying to work on a car with the laptop connected to only Wi-FI Since then we only use a ethernet cable now connected to the Modem. Faster! Of course BMWs help line was no help!!!! You are pretty much on your own. BMW is not the only one doing this, All the German makes and now Fiat/Chrysler have certain areas of info that are are only available with a factory subscription and factory scan tool in your laptop. Fiat/Chrysler now requires 3 subscriptions and a license agreement before using the tool and their info. I hear GM and Ford are right behind. As of right now Our Ford Subscription is only 1295.00 US a year and the interface tool was only 1800.00 Canadian. A win!! It is why there is a big push on in the Automotive industry to Have "Right To Repair" brought in as law. Right now it is still only voluntary and they have made it expensive. Example, tried to diagnose a 2011 Audi A4 transmission that would not go into gear randomly. Absolutely zero info, Zero help in any of my many scan tools, Zero help from my subscription based help line. The only way to get any thing was to buy the factory scan tool and a subscription to the on-line diagnostic system. Would have been 1500.00 US before I even put the car in the bay!!! Also I quote US dollars as Canada has no agreements with any of the manufacturers so every thing is pirated from the US. Some of the trade groups are lobbying the Government about it but it seems to be a back bench issue. Letters to your MP might help. Letters to BMW will probably get tossed.

Thanks for sharing that. I edited my post to qualify that the service information to which I refer is that accessible to the average owner. I have the BMW REPROM for my bike on DVD for use at home and on a USB drive when on moto trips. I don't carry a laptop. Windows computers are plentiful and one can find one to use most places with little effort other than in the bush, but you can't find a service manual just anywhere.

I am not advocating that we get all tied up in the Right to Repair movement or that we go political. I am solely suggesting that organizations that represent BMW motorcycle owners should be speaking up to BMW.

Not being mechanically inclined and having been a professional in a suit during work days and sometimes weekends, I left anything other than oil changes to mechanics. If the motorcycle or other vehicle was used or beyond the warranty period, a local garage or motorcycle shop otherwise did the service. New vehicles I took to BMW, Ford, Mercedes, Nissan,or GM until past the warranty period.
The service done was on a bill in the old days and is now on a computer accessible world-wide and I haves used that on my 2014 BMW GSA in Brazil and in Bolivia. I have never been broken down on the road and have no experience with Roadside Assist or the BMW MOA although I have helped fellow motorcyclists.
Now that I have aged out and am selling my moto, my asking price is high even with high mileage (70,000KM+) because I can demonstrate all service intervals done properly.
And finally, peace of mind for me and my time not devoted to bad wrenching is more than worth the price.

I understand, it would nice if there was a manual on paper--or even on-line info. What I was trying to explain is that even the Factory or dealer has no info to speak of in one place. Once you plug the car in the system brings up the necessary info for that particular issue and such. I wanted a wiring diagram for my 2018 GSA, BMW can't print one out unless they are plugged into my bike. Then just the circuits in question. At least that is how I understand it. This is also becoming an issue for the major Diagnostic tool guys Like Snap-on as the factory will only release certain things as time goes on. A lot of things are just not there. Why I have 5 plus scan tools at the shop plus multiple On-line subscriptions for info or help. I hope to hell that between it all that what I need is there some where. The thing is how long are they even going to be effective. Maybe the info will filter out and some one will collect it all and put it in one place but for now the info is just out in cyber space and the mother ship doesn't want to let go

It seems to be the theme of all manufactures and can say as a person whom lives almost three hours from a dealership it is very frustrating. I had issues with upgrades on my 2021 1250RT and all I received from BMW was oh well it will be done when it will be done but not considered important enough to upgrade when available at their cost. Fortunately Kelowna Power Sports got me in prior to my planned trip this spring to complete the upgrade but it was done because they care about customer service to a person whom shops from that dealer and where I purchased my bike. Looking at so many different BMW forums it appears that this is a common theme with BMW. From my perspective they want complete control over anything done to a BMW bike.