6000 Mile Service

[FloridianRobert]

So I took my 650GT in to Hap's in Sarasota for the 6,000 mile service/addressing the recall issues. Once out of the shop, the bike seemingly runs better than it has in a while however my fuel mileage took a dump. I have cycled two tanks of 93 octane Shell gas and I am averaging 43.2 MPG. This is the actual gal/miles calculation, not the bike's calculation which was pretty spot on at 43.6. I had brand new Bridgestone tires front and back done at the same time. No change in load or habits. I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell happened to 52.5 MPG. I'm in Florida, so I ruled out winter blend gas as it's only October. I know this is a broad question, but does anyone see something obvious I might be missing? MPG doesn't mean much to me in general as the scoot is fun as hell to ride, but I couldn't help but notice the huge drop which got me thinking that something serious could be amiss here.

 

[TwoPort]

So I took my 650GT in to Hap's in Sarasota for the 6,000 mile service/addressing the recall issues.

This is a little of a side issue - but I thought the service was 6000 miles after the original 600 mile service; and an idiot light or something would tell me to get service. I got my 600 mile service done at 800 miles. Right now I've got about 6100 miles. I was thinking it would tell me about service about 500 miles in advance or something like that I can't quite remember. Do I need to take it in or will it tell me when?

 

[FloridianRobert]

My light came on at the 6,000 mile point. I was about 200 miles over. It seems to be hard line at the interval points (600, 6000, 12000, 24000, etc.).

 

[justscootin]

The service light is set when you go into the dealer for your service they will set it for 6000 miles or one year whatever comes first.
As a warning the odometer counts down as you approach the miles. When you first turn your key on.

 

[FloridianRobert]

Makes sense as I was off my bike for about five months. It must have come up as result of a year passing. Thanks for the info.

 

[TwoPort]

The service light is set when you go into the dealer for your service they will set it for 6000 miles or one year whatever comes first.
As a warning the odometer counts down as you approach the miles. When you first turn your key on.

I just checked this. There was no countdown or any changes in the display.... I'll call the dealer.

 

[Scorpion56]

So back to the original question. Makes no sense. I get pretty much the same MPG over many tanks of gas, that you are... 53 to 55 MPG. If they messed with the timing, then I'd guess you'd hear or feel obvious performance degradation. Second guess is the electronic engine control. Here's an except from the technical (really the technical marketing) manual:

"The electronic engine control unit (BMS-E) uses state-of-the-art microprocessors to control the entire engine operation of the twin power- plant and ensures excellent fuel efficiency and compliance............".

I'm wondering if they did a software update (probable). And that somehow messed with the electronic engine control. If it was my bike, I'd have it back to the dealer with a WTF question.

By the way, I'm about to have my 6K and tire replacement scheduled. I get the service reminder message at every engine start. I'm going to stay with the same Metzeler Feel Free's as the 650 GT came with. What did BMW tag you for this service??? Let us know what the eventual diagnosis is.

 

[yellasei]

I would say they carried out a software update, it makes perfect sense.
My 600 had the update at pdi so i never saw the change, i also show 53 mpg as an average but thats uk gallons, you guys must have the software for US gallons.

 

[FloridianRobert]

My invoice from Hap's Sarasota was $538.60. This was the service along with a new front and rear tire. I don't have the invoice here in my office with me, so I can't give you the breakdown of what was what cost-wise. That being said, they did update the software and that was something I didn't think about. Thanks for the good information. If this doesn't improve shortly, I'll be back to them for some additional face time to see what can be done. It's less about the mileage and more about the machine not being at its peak efficiency. I was getting the word "service" and a countdown odometer on the trip side.

 

[justscootin]

And UK gallon is a half quart more gas. In Canada we were on the gallon many moons ago. Before and after my software update I was getting 55 miles to the US gallon or 62 miles to the UK gallon or 4 litres per 100 km

I would say they carried out a software update, it makes perfect sense.
My 600 had the update at pdi so i never saw the change, i also show 53 mpg as an average but thats uk gallons, you guys must have the software for US gallons.

 

[Scorpion56]

@FloridianRobert - Thanks for the cost info. Seems reasonable including the tires. I agree with you that it's not the MPG, but did they inadvertently mess something up. Is the engine management software now running a too-rich mixture, for instance. Good luck.

 

[TwoPort]

I spoke w/ the service advisor at SF BMW. He said the reset starts a 10km timer. So he said if my service was done at 800 miles the next service indicator would go off some time before 10km has passed. He said services would then always vary depending on when the reset takes place.

 

[Snowdog]

So I took my 650GT in to Hap's in Sarasota for the 6,000 mile service/addressing the recall issues. Once out of the shop, the bike seemingly runs better than it has in a while however my fuel mileage took a dump. I have cycled two tanks of 93 octane Shell gas and I am averaging 43.2 MPG. This is the actual gal/miles calculation, not the bike's calculation which was pretty spot on at 43.6. I had brand new Bridgestone tires front and back done at the same time. No change in load or habits. I can't for the life of me figure out what the hell happened to 52.5 MPG. I'm in Florida, so I ruled out winter blend gas as it's only October. I know this is a broad question, but does anyone see something obvious I might be missing? MPG doesn't mean much to me in general as the scoot is fun as hell to ride, but I couldn't help but notice the huge drop which got me thinking that something serious could be amiss here.

Are you riding faster?

 

[Skutorr]

Uh, he stated "no change in load or habits..."

 

[FloridianRobert]

No, I cannot say that I am riding faster than I had previous. I really think this has to do with the computer somehow as it was upgraded during the visit. I appreciate all of the feedback on this topic and plan to return the bike back to the dealer for additional research. It's great to know that we can throw an issue out and get some great feedback on how to deal with it.

 

[grey.hound]

Just had my 6000 mile service done. Plus brake fluid flush and new tires front and rear. Total cost: $786. It'll sting for a while but once the springtime hits and I am on the road I won't even remember. Still, $786!

 

[exavid]

The BMW here charged me $165 for the 6000 mile check. I did the oil change just prior to the check so that knocked down the price a good bit. Also I had a pair of new Michelin Power Pure to install because the dealer didn't have any at that time. They installed the pair I supplied for an additional $25. So far after 1100 miles I'm very pleased with the Power Pure tires performance and wear.

Just for the record my GT has averaged around 45mpg over the 7000 miles I've ridden it. The Michelin tires didn't seem to make any noticeable mpg difference over the OEM tires.

 

[Snowdog]

When you have reduced fuel economy, start with checking your tire pressures. Not with the dash gauge , but, with a good tire pressure gauge.
If the tire pressures are good then move on. I would check the air cleaner next, then everything else.Many variables can effect fuel mileage, from wheel bearings to buying bad gas.

 

[grey.hound]

The price for the 6000 mile service and brake fluid flush was $365. Labor was 2 hours at $90/per. So needless to say, the majority of the cost was labor. I don't mind as long as they really spent two hours giving everything a once-over.

Update: Got the bike back, all is well, washed filled with fuel and BMW fuel system cleaner too. Tires were $150 and $111. Definitely labor is the more expensive part, the invoice totals about 4 hours labor.

 

[SteveADV]

I have the same kind of attitude. Trusting that the dealer did a thorough job is the big question for a non-mechanical type like me. So I look at a bunch of things to get a hint as to the likelihood that a good job was done. Many will pay more for what we perceive to be higher quality. And even though some may argue for Honda, Yamaha, etc....part of the quality equation for me is engineering innovation. All the top manufacturers have it. Some more, some less. So, then it can get down to the dealer. I am lucky that I have 4 BMW dealers within my service range.