BMW Service

Hey all I am new to the BMW world and I have a 20002 325i that has close to 65,000 miles on it. Anyways I ran it a bout 500 miles past the service indicator. You know that mile count down thing? Anyways so I call the BMW dealer to make a appointment for what I assume is just an oil change and he tells me its the Spec 2 inspection or something and its $380 bucks for a oil change soma air filters and a 2 hour inspection. Is this standard? Does everyone take their car into the dealer when this service indicator gets to 0 or do you go somewhere elese/Do it yourself? Also does anyone know how long it will be once it has been servied until this service indicator gets back to 0 again? Im wondering how long this $380 dollar ispection will last me

Thanks a ton - jon

Reply to
langjr15
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The service book describes what is done at each service, and the sequence of services - oil, inspection 1, inspection 2 etc. And how the service indicator works.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

The dash countdown will indicate service every 13,000 to 17,000 miles, depending on how you drive it. The service order is: Oil Service, Inspection I, Oil Service, Inspection II, etc., so 65k is about right for an Inspection II. $380.00 is pretty cheap for a dealer - but you should also have a brake fluid change every 2 years and a coolant flush every 4. If these are due, they'll cost another $200 or so.

Do you have your warranty/service manual? It's all detailed there.

Tom K.

Reply to
Tom K.

a écrit dans le message news: snipped-for-privacy@m73g2000cwd.googlegroups.com...

[...]

- Standard service : 150 bucks, merely plain synthesis oil, standard grey can and visual inspection performed by a mid-aged mechanice. The car needs to be left for the day.

- Gold Service : 250 bucks, merely plain synthesis oil, pink can and visual inspection performed by a 30/35-y old girl. As a bonus, your Frequent Flyer card will be credited of 1200 miles. The service is 4 hrs duration.

- Platinium Service : 500 bucks. Full synthesis oil, red can with a crimson ribbon around. Visual inspection performed by a 20-y old cute thong girl plus boobie wash. Filter replacement if needed is free of charge. Your Frequent Flyer card will be credited of 2500 miles. Not time limited. You're allowed to remain in the car while it's operated.

Personnally I've subscribed to the Platinium Service and I use to go to the dealer twice a month. Hey! when you drive a Bimmer, you must pamper it with the best oil in the world. Isn't it ?

Reply to
frischmoutt

It's not a mile countdown, it monitors fuel usage as an approximation of the service your car has experienced. Roughly 16K per interval: Oil / Insp 1 / Oil / Insp 2 and so on. At approximately 64K you were about due for the Insp 2 as outlined in your service handbook. It's fairly extensive, includes a code dump of the ECU, etc. Usually the oil and filter, microfilters, etc are included. Other wear items that may need replacement are not included (brakes, etc). This is a good time to change diff oil, ps fluid, trans oil (manual ... if it hasn't been done on the auto you're a bit late) and also the coolant (BMW - 4 years from manufacture, indies 2 years).

The service indicator will be reset. You can expect your next oil change to show up in about 16K and Insp 1 in about 32K after this service. All mileages are approximate, but pretty close. Much of this stuff is DIY if you have the skills.

R / John

Reply to
John Carrier

\

But Dave, he has a 20002. They haven't written that book yet, it is still

17,996 years before they print that one.

TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER Go the book store and buy a Robert Bentely Publishers service manual that covers your car. It lists the Service Items, and will give you considerable insight into your car. The Owners Manual will tell you all you need to know too, but many used car buyers do not get the Owner's Manual with their purchase, and the book store (Barnes&Noble, for one carries them) has a very good after market book that is a Must Have.

Reply to
Jeff Strickland

65k miles and you're saying it's "a bit late" for changing the auto trans fluid?
Reply to
Jeremy

The general consensus recently has been to change ATF at about

30,000 mile intervals. I guess this is based on the higher temperatures an auto trans is subjected to in modern cars. However, I also believe the mileage is based on conventional (dino) ATF. These days BMW is using synthetic ATFs in their transmissions. Synthetics do hold up better to heat and resist shear. So conventional wisdom might not apply. But who wants to be the guinea pig?

What I can say from my experience is that I owned a 1991 325i auto and changed to synthetic ATF at 30,000 miles. I continued at that interval until I sold the car with 160,000 miles. That ZF 4HP22 was not known for its longevity, but there was no sign of impending failure on that one.

Take it for what it is worth.

Reply to
Bob Smitter

Well sure but I thought I'd read commnets on here about the E39 trans being a "sealed for life" unit but that it was recommended to change it maybe at 80 or 100k "to be on the safe side" - perhaps the OP's auto trans is that different?

Reply to
Jeremy

I'd hope the manufacturers supplied these.

Reply to
Dave Plowman (News)

E-39 trans was "lifetime fill" until 2002 year and BMW decided maybe 100K was a bit more realistic (I suspect they were seeing trans failures at an earlier than expected point), so your 2001 wouldn't reflect the running change. It's applicable to all auto trans cars that were lifetime fill. Most BMW technicians think that's far too optimistic and I've seen numbers from 30-50K thrown about (so yes, 65K is a bit late). The manual trans remains lifetime fill, but I change the lube every Insp interval (about

32-33K in my case, 530i 5sp).

The problem with the auto trans is that the BMW magic elixir is VERY expensive and cannot be purchased in quart/liter sizes. It's tricky to figure out if synthetic fluid of some formulation or other will substitute (I suspect yes), and so it can really cost you to do a drain and fill of the

5-6 quarts dropping the pan will release.

R / John

Reply to
John Carrier

Yes the price is high but as it's only available in 5 Gall drums or 25 Litres that's why.

However any good auto Trans shop should have some in stock - maybe the following might be of help.

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BMW says changing fluid is not an option and the dealers won't do it. It's called "Lifetime fluid." I don't understand it, but fortunately, there are fill and drain plugs on the transmission.

The fluid I used, recommended by ZF, is: Esso LT - 71141. The label is Exxon Mobile Lubricants and Specialities, Belgium.

It was literally half price from the same stuff under the BMW label, but still the most expensive transmission fluid on the market by lots.

It came in a 20 liter container, a little less than half of which I've still got and plan to use in another 30K or so miles. In summary, I'd recommend replacing the fluid, filter (use only a BMW filter), O ring and of course, the pan gasket.

We drained the transmission and refilled it with the same amount, although the

5HP24 I have can't be over filled as it has a overflow hole. I drove it around for 20 miles or so and then we dropped the pan (cleaned it of the small deposits of "mud"), drained it again, changed the filter, used lots of carb cleaner on the solenoids to get them squeeky clean and then put it all back together.

I was quite surprised at how much better it performed. By performed, I mean harsh shifts that had always occurred on firm accelerations and fast decelerations were eliminated.

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Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys. Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen snipped-for-privacy@h-gee.co.uk Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

Reply to
hsg

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I want to mention that there is a far less expensive and more convenient fluid if available where you live. Amsoil Synthetic ATF meets the Esso LT-71141 specification and is available by the quart as well as larger packaging.

Reply to
Bob Smitter

Heh, it's always a problem isn't to know in whom to place your trust. I contacted the garage who have looked after my BMWs for the past 4 years or so (independent BMW & Merc specialists who have a good reputation) and they say not to touch it unless there are signs of leakage.

Is there anything from BMW themselves on this matter?

Reply to
Jeremy

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