1999 323i Service 1 Necessary?

Hey guys -

Have a 1999 323i with about 51,000 miles on it. Had the brakes replaced back in February and the dealership told me I had two leaks. I never noticed any leaks and waited to address the issue. Now I call King BMW in Freehold, NJ, and they want over $500 to run the Stage I check. I was told I could get it done for $260 back in August 2004 at Circle BMW in Shrewsbury, NJ.

First, is this check really a necessity, or will the dealer try to get me to do repairs if I just simply get an oil change?

Second, I feel that King BMW overcharges, however, I also feel that Circle BMW is dishonest. What is the best remedy to avoid shady dealerships?

Thanks
LJ

Inspection I should only cost you about $250-$300, plus the cost of any repairs required. Most of the items on the checklist you can probably do yourself. If you keep good service records as most BMW owners do, it's a good idea to have the inspections done if you plan to sell the car later. They're a great selling point, and can add to the value of the vehicle.

A good way to avoid shady stealerships is to do what you're doing now- check the forums to get the going rates for jobs performed.