Greetings from TX. I recently purchased a 04' 325i sedan, and have a few questions about the maintenance interval schedule. It had (at the BMW dealer) oil changes at: 10k 15k 22K 34k (when I purchased it--non BMW dealer). The paperwork the dealer gave me said FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, MP-LOW MILAGE ANNUAL OIL SERVICE for each of the first three entries. How do I tell if Inspection I, and/or II were completed? Thanks in advance…
I don't know about E46s, but if they only changed the oil, it was not Inspection I or II. On my E36, Inspection I was many check this and that, then empty wallet. Inspection II was change this and that, then empty bank account. My Inspection II is basically a tuneup.
I think since BMW started including maintenance the days of Inspection I and II are long gone. On my E23 and E30s the maintenance schedule was more rigorous but worth it. On my E46 and E60 the only maintenance that has been done (per BMW) is oil changes. One has 36K miles and the other has 28K miles. I hate to say it but the new maintenance plan is a load of crap designed to keep the leasing crowd happy and the hell with the long term owners.
On my 2003 E46, the service order is Oil Change, Inspection I, oil change, Inspection II.... The car would have been due for Inspection I at about 30,000 miles depending on the service indicator. Do you know if the service indicator was reset during any of the oil changes? You should see the mileage to the next service on the odometer display when you first start the car. It should say oil service or Inspection I / Inspection II and the mileage to service. Here is a link with pictures of the indicator - http://www.savagebmw.com/Service/content_service_IntervalsLED.htm Here is some info on the maintenance intervals- (I think only the M cars get spark plugs at 60,000 miles) http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm
Thanks for the advice. I'm not sure who did the reset, but the Service Interval Indicator shows OIL SERVICE 7375 miles. So, I'm guessing the (non-BMW) dealer changed the oil before I bought the car, but probably didn't reset the service indicator. Just to be safe I'm going to change the oil/filter myself. Should I reset the indicator when I change the oil? Thanks again...
The 15k mileage oil indicator does have one good thing When I reset the service indicator on my 330ci it shows 15,500 miles to the next oil change. Right. I use the indicator to remind me to change the oil at 10,000 miles, 5,000 miles and 0 miles, making for 3 oil changes in the aforementioned 15k. Works perfect. The sales people will tell you that the engine and oil can do the 15k mile oil change interval with all being well but that is BS. If you change the oil and filter every 5k miles on your car with an A3 rated synthetic oil and never let it overheat from loosing the coolant, there will be a day you'll pray for an engine failure so you can get a new car. BMW engines have a reputation for long life, properly maintained. The only kicker to that statement might be the latest engines from BMW that followed the M52/54 engines. One has twin turbos and the other an aluminum bore for the pistons to ride in - the jury is still out on these two. My 3 liter M54 has been a joy to own; it runs better now at 120k miles than when new. In fact, I figure over the next 50 thousand miles or so it will be fully loosened up and ready for severe service. Just kidding. Cheers!
Are you sure the svc indicator doesn't say negative 7375 miles?? The full maint oil service with microfilters was done 10/06 with 15,162 miles on it. There is no warranty maint coverage since 7/31/08 so I can't tell if a dealer did an inspection I service since it would have been customer pay. You can only track service history that is paid for by warranty from other dealers. Anything you pay for can only be seen by that dealer. I'd say since you bought it from and independent, it was not done. I'm sure they changed the oil with the cheapest oil/filter they could get away with. Hard to say for sure though because mileage wise looks like you're going to be due for the 45k oil svc pretty much on schedule according to the indicator. I'm assuming you have around 35-37k on the car now. Looks like all the work was done at BMW San Antonio, so I'd call them and ask if it was ever done or not. Maybe try the other dealers also in the area if they haven't just in case. Regardless, you did not buy the car from a dealer and are (no offense meant here) not familiar with these cars so you need to have the car looked over by a dealer anyways. If I told you how many cars I came in contact with that were sold the day before as "perfect condition" that needed $1000 or more of needed repairs you'd be sick. Repair History (Claims) Center ID Loc ID Claim Number Repair Order Number Repair Order Date Repair Entry Date DAVIS # Mileage Defect Code/Description 42164 01 37860 391379 01/11/2008 01/15/2008 N/A 22,434 10320105MP STATE & LOCAL TAXES - FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM 85990087MP MP-LOW MILEAGE ANNUAL OIL SERVICE 42164 01 312560 370005 02/12/2007 02/15/2007 N/A 17,096 6121001200 Vehicle battery permanent failure 42164 01 264690 362398 10/07/2006 10/10/2006 N/A 15,162 10320105MP STATE & LOCAL TAXES - FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM 85990089MP 1ST ENG OIL SERVICE-FULL MAINTENANCE 42164 01 145090 344652 11/25/2005 12/06/2005 N/A 10,028 10320105MP STATE & LOCAL TAXES - FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM 85990087MP MP-LOW MILEAGE ANNUAL OIL SERVICE 42164 01 138490 344071 11/12/2005 11/15/2005 N/A 9,799 11009999SA BMW NA RENTAL COST - GOODWILL 1261001500 Oil level/oil condition sensor (T\NS / QLT) permanent malfunction 6135621400 Remote control key/ID transmitter occasional malfunction
Thanks again for the advice. I actually had the car inspected by an Independent shop in San Antonio before I purchased the car. They said I'd be looking at new rotors next brake job, and lower control arm bushings. Seems like the pre-purchase inspection was the equivalent of an Inspection I. I double checked the service mileage indicator, and it is ticking down, definitely not showing a negative number. I'll leave it alone and change the oil again in 7300 miles. BTW--I just changed the oil & filter (it had a FRAM oil filter), which the torque was way beyond the service manual spec's. Glad I did the oil change. I'll give the BMW dealer a call--I appreciate your help!
Hello, I just purchased a 2005 330Cic but the dealer (a MB dealer) has no service records whatsoever, except that the car had been serviced at Berkeley BMW in the SF bay area. Can you please check the records for me? The last 7 digits of the VIN # is PL48438. Thanks!
Repair History (Claims) Center ID Loc ID Claim Number Repair Order Number Repair Order Date Repair Entry Date DAVIS # Mileage Defect Code/Description 04247 01 223550 469242 01/19/2009 01/23/2009 N/A 57,959 34000077MP BRAKE FLUID CHANGE- FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM 61610077MP FT WIPER RUBBER INSERT-MP 85990087MP MP-LOW MILEAGE ANNUAL OIL SERVICE 04514 01 147410 104035 07/18/2008 07/22/2008 N/A 55,245 0012190200 SIB #12-06-06 RECALL 06E-A01 N52 REPGM OBD DIAGNOSTIC ON N52 04247 01 958500 416653 12/07/2007 12/10/2007 N/A 48,898 34217777MP REAR BRAKE PADS & ROTORS - MAINTENANCE PLAN 61610077MP FT WIPER RUBBER INSERT-MP 85990091MP OIL SERVICE(MP)AFTER THE 1ST 04247 01 698060 358469 09/15/2006 09/19/2006 N/A 30,808 34000077MP BRAKE FLUID CHANGE- FULL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM 61610077MP FT WIPER RUBBER INSERT-MP 85990092MP INSPECTION 1 (MP) 04247 01 509000 315703 09/23/2005 10/18/2005 N/A 15,225 61610077MP FT WIPER RUBBER INSERT-MP 6166037600 Windshield washer system, spray nozzles dirty / blocked 85990089MP 1ST ENG OIL SERVICE-FULL MAINTENANCE 04514 01 133930 53280 06/07/2005 07/08/2005 N/A 10,606 11009999SA BMW NA RENTAL COST - GOODWILL 4151004100 Front doors poorly adapted/fitted 5431122900 Cover, headliner sticking/jammed 04514 01 90660 46212 12/20/2004 12/30/2004 N/A 3,164 6135491400 Convertible top control module/convertible top module CVM / convertible top module CTM occasional ma
Thanks for the info! Seems like the car was well taken care of, except there is no coolant flush ever. And I checked the air filter. It was dated 5/04 so it has never been changed for 5 years/60K+ miles. The air filter has the foam pre-filter and didn't look too bad, but I am going to replace it anyway and do the coolant flush as soon as possible.
You'll have to do the complete cooling system. The cooling system in E46's aren't what I would call strong. That means: water pump, thermostat, cooling hoses, coolant flush, and probably a couple of other things I can't remember at the moment. And if you do the water pump (which you really should), remember to get the one with the metal impeller.
I will the coolant flush first and wait for a while. The Stewart water pump is supposed to be the best at 3x of the OEM one. Ouch.
Not to stir the pot, but looking at the Bentley service manual, it states on pg. 020-7, ,,2004-2005 models: Engine coolant has a lifetime rating, no change interval specified." Do I need to change my lifetime rated coolant every 2-3 years? Just wondering, I'm a new E46 owner... Thanks again.
As far as flushing the coolant goes, look at it this way: when it comes to automotive stuff, there is no such thing as lifetime. Lifetime to me is a marketing gimmick designed to keep the manufacturer's wallets nice, fat, and juicy. What is cheaper insurance; changing the coolant every 2 years or letting the coolant just sit there for years on end and have the possibility of causing a problem? Personally, I have flushed the coolant no more than every 12 months. The cooling parts corrode or wear over time and sidements can get into the coolant. I wouldn't want that crap floating around my cooling system.
