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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 383 of 536

#3813 of 5349 Re: BMW 325xi 2004 maintenance! [jodan] by roadburner

Mar 16, 2008 (12:11 pm)

Replying to: jodan (Mar 15, 2008 9:53 am)
So the service specialist told me that my car is due for a 14 pt inspection/check and I ask him how much it is, he told me it's going to be $750 for the check, I was a little shock and I just opted for a change oil. I needed an advice for my next service appt due approx. 6 months if I really needed the major inspection
 
If the car was due for an Inspection II it SHOULD have been performed- either by a dealer or a good BMW independent shop(see below). BMWs need to be maintained by the book, or the repair costs will get you. In most cases, the best way to keep maintenance costs reasonable is to find a GOOD independent BMW tech; you will save 25%-50% on service compared to the dealer. You should also join the BMW Car Club of America, which will provide benefits such as technical advisors and 10%-20% discounts on parts and/or labor at many BMW dealers and independent shops. As you probably know, modern BMWs use a Service Interval Indicator to inform the driver when routine maintenance is required. On a 2004 E46 an oil change will be called for at 15,000 mile intervals. A minor service(Inspection I) will come up at 30,000 miles and a major (Inspection II) service at 60,000 miles. An oil change using synthetic oil will cost $60-$100, an Inspection I $150-$300, and an Inspection II $450-$800. Coolant must be changed every three years-using BMW Coolant ONLY, while the DOT4 brake fluid gets flushed every two years. In the newer cars I change the so-called "Lifetime" ATF fluid or manual transmission oil and the final drive oil every 50,000 to 60,000 miles. On an AWD vehicle you should change the transfer case fluid as well. I also change the oil myself at 7,500 mile intervals using Mobil 1 0W-40 and a BMW filter. Note that my cost numbers are approximate. For example, if you change the oil yourself using a BMW filter and Mobil 1 or BMW synthetic the cost will be $45. Based on my experience, a BMW 3 Series like yours will usually cost $50-$75 per month to maintain. Please don't take offense, but if you are unable or unwilling to maintain your BMW properly you should probably look for a vehicle which does not require quite so much care.

#3814 of 5349 Any respectable non-dealer shops? by skj109

Mar 17, 2008 (7:18 am)

I own a 2006 330i that has 33,000 miles. I'm already starting to get nervous about when the warranty is up. I owned a 1998 M3 before and was unable to find someone I could trust to take my car to. I hate to say it, but i really feel like i'm going to be ripped off by car shops. I'm a woman who knows very little about cars so i'm not in a position to challenge when they come with all these things that so-called need to be fixed. So I thought I would start my search now for anyone that knows or can recommend a place I can take my car. The dealers are just too darn expensive. I live in the Wilmington, DE area and travel to the Washington DC area alot. So anywhere in between there or even Philadelphia area would be convenient. Thanks!

#3816 of 5349 Re: Any respectable non-dealer shops? [skj109] by roadburner

Mar 17, 2008 (8:31 am)

Replying to: skj109 (Mar 17, 2008 7:18 am)
Check out BIMRS. It wouldn't hurt to join the BMW Car Club either, for the reasons mentioned in my prior post. CCA members are one of the best sources for information on BMW dealers as well as good independent BMW shops.

#3817 of 5349 service engine soon fault code 2761 by kissiovs

Mar 17, 2008 (12:43 pm)

I have 2003 325i, 50000. The service engine soon comes on and off. It was serviced 3 weeks ago and the light was off, but the service center says it will come on again and so it did. Funny it did! The fault code is/was 2761. Honestly i have a feeling they are doing this on purpose just to sell service you don't need. Anyway can anyone help with reading the code and what can I do to clear it.
Thanks!

#3818 of 5349 Weird noise at startup. by nbb

Mar 19, 2008 (10:14 am)

This is a weird one. I have a 2001 325 CiC with 69K. This noise has been there for years. It only occurs when the car has been parked for about 12 hours, and cannot be heard once the morning temps are above around 60 degrees. About two or three seconds after the engine first starts, I hear a scraping noise that almost sounds like a belt or pulley. When I put it in reverse, I hear the noise while backing out of my garage. But once I go forward a short distance it goes away and does not return until the car is again parked overnight. The noise does not happen when I leave work each day. I guess because it's only parked about 8 - 9 hours.
 
If it was a pulley, wouldn't it make noise all the time? Same for the belt? Any ideas are welcome!

#3819 of 5349 Re: Weird noise at startup. [nbb] by kyfdx HOST

Mar 19, 2008 (10:36 am)

Replying to: nbb (Mar 19, 2008 10:14 am)
Rust forming on your brake rotors, overnight?

#3820 of 5349 Re: Weird noise at startup. [nbb] by roadburner

Mar 19, 2008 (11:31 am)

Replying to: nbb (Mar 19, 2008 10:14 am)
About two or three seconds after the engine first starts, I hear a scraping noise that almost sounds like a belt or pulley. When I put it in reverse, I hear the noise while backing out of my garage. But once I go forward a short distance it goes away and does not return until the car is again parked overnight.
 
The belt tensioner on my 3er does the same thing. It's made the noise for a couple of years and I've been to lazy to fix it.

#3821 of 5349 Re: Weird noise at startup. [kyfdx] by nbb

Mar 19, 2008 (11:58 am)

Replying to: kyfdx (Mar 19, 2008 10:36 am)
Doesn't seem to be related to pressing the brakes. Would it rust that fast?

#3822 of 5349 Re: Weird noise at startup. [roadburner] by nbb

Mar 19, 2008 (12:00 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Mar 19, 2008 11:31 am)
If it was tensioner, wouldn't it make the noise all the time?
 
If it is the tensioner, is there an easy fix for this?

Messages Page 383 of 536

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