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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

5349 messages,  Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan

    
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Messages Page 313 of 536

#3116 of 5349 Re: 2000, 323i , Auto Trans, 121K kms [2mnycats] by div2

Nov 30, 2006 (8:10 pm)

Replying to: 2mnycats (Nov 29, 2006 4:33 pm)
but at any rate I got no battery light
 
Your BMW doesn't have a "battery light". The light that you are refering to only illuminates when the charging system malfunctions.
 
they gave me a new alternator free
 
BMW dealers often provide no-cost goodwill repairs to loyal customers.
 
Your car is a 2000 with 121k miles, so it doesn't really surprise me that BMW is being balky at fixing the transmission.
 
I can't think of of a single manufacturer that would pay for repairs on a car that was 2 years and 71,000 miles out of warranty. Furthermore, I'll bet that the ATF was NEVER changed. My 1997 E39 is cruising along in the hands of its third owner and the automatic transmission operates as new. Of course, I did change the ATF at 100K- as Munich recommends.

#3117 of 5349 Re: 2000, 323i , Auto Trans, 121K kms [div2] by ftroha

Nov 30, 2006 (9:28 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Nov 30, 2006 8:10 pm)
My 2000 BMW 323i has 64,000 miles on it, not 121,000 miles as you say. (Are you thinking kilometers perhaps?) My car has been meticulously maintained. A little research on the Internet quickly revealed that my make/model/year has a transmission defect, consisting of failure to go in reverse. I learned about the defect through the National Transportation and Safety Board web site as well as others. Unfortunately, BMW does not want to own up to the defect, and I am pursuing an equitable resolution with the help of an attorney.

#3118 of 5349 Re: 2000, 323i , Auto Trans, 121K kms [div2] by ftroha

Nov 30, 2006 (10:25 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Nov 30, 2006 8:10 pm)
In my earlier reply to you, I neglected to provide the following link to many complaints about my make/model/year's transmission failing to go into reverse despite relatively low miles (64,000) and excellent maintenance. The complaints you'll see are of course just the tip of the iceberg. There are many more on other sites and no doubt many, many more that have gone unreported via the Internet. If you'd care to copy and paste the following web address into your browser, I think you'll find it interesting reading. Apparently taking excellent care of a BMW cannot compensate for careless engineering on BMW's part. (They are not "the ultimate" when it comes to performance and reliability -- though they were in the early 90's.) As for the despicable dealership from which I bought my Certified Pre-Owned BMW -- enough already said in my first post.
 
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/automotive/bmw_trans.html

#3119 of 5349 Yawn by div2

Dec 01, 2006 (12:44 pm)

Whatever...

#3120 of 5349 Post Warranty Service by bmw3guy

Dec 02, 2006 (1:08 am)

I live in minneapolis, i bought a used 2003 325i, is going to the dealership the only option for service? Or should i buy into the predatory extended warranty service providers.

#3121 of 5349 Re: Post Warranty Service [bmw3guy] by div2

Dec 02, 2006 (8:45 am)

Replying to: bmw3guy (Dec 02, 2006 1:08 am)
is going to the dealership the only option for service?
 
No. A good independent BMW tech will be able to service your E46 with no problem. If you are a BMW CCA member I would contact some of the local chapter members and see who they use/recommend. That said, I've found my local dealer's service pricing to be very competitive for many procedures. I certainly would not advise buying any extended warranty other than the one(s) offered by BMW NA; the third party warranties are really just glorified insurance policies- and all too often it proves very hard to recover any reimbursement from the insurer.
In any event, the E46 has proven to be a very durable model. Change the engine oil every 7500 miles, the gearbox and final drive oil every 50000, coolant(BMW Coolant ONLY) every three years, and brake fluid(DOT4) every two years. I'd be surprised if your maintenance costs exceed $600/year-they will be even less if you can perform the simple procedures such as oil changes and brake pads/rotors.

#3122 of 5349 Body Shop Recommendation : So. Cal by kenshiro

Dec 02, 2006 (7:13 pm)

I recently got into an accident with my bmw 330 2006. Anyone has recommendation on BMW certified body shop in southern cal.?
 
Thanks

#3123 of 5349 Re: Post Warranty Service [div2] by bmw3guy

Dec 02, 2006 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 02, 2006 8:45 am)
Thank you, very helpful suggestions.

#3124 of 5349 Battery - when to replace? by sunilb

Dec 05, 2006 (12:20 am)

I've been reading of other owner's having their battery die after 3-5 years... is there any way to know when the battery might die and/or when a good time to replace it is?
 
Thanks.

#3125 of 5349 Re: Battery - when to replace? [sunilb] by div2

Dec 05, 2006 (6:56 am)

Replying to: sunilb (Dec 05, 2006 12:20 am)
is there any way to know when the battery might die and/or when a good time to replace it is?
 
The OEM batteries almost always fail due to a lack of maintenance. The electrolyte level needs to be checked at least every six months and topped up with distilled water as needed. I followed that regimen with my Club Sport and my E39 and their batteries lasted ten years. In fact, the battery in the Club Sport never actually failed; I simply replaced it so I wouldn't be left stranded somewhere when/if it finally died.

Messages Page 313 of 536

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