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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 400 of 535

#3989 of 5349 Re: BMW 330xi oil change [ilovebeemers] by roadburner

Oct 07, 2008 (9:24 am)

Replying to: ilovebeemers (Oct 07, 2008 7:39 am)
Also, do you think it is a must to change the brake fluid in the 2 year intervals
 
You should change it every two years at the very least. I usually change it every year on my wife's car. My track rats get fresh DOT4 fluid every six months.
 
and when do I "need" to change the manual transmission oil?
 
On this question I'll have to differ with my friend shipo; if I was planning to hang on to the car for 10+ years then I'd change the transmission oil(AT or manual), the final drive(front and rear diffs) oil, and the transfer case oil every 50K. That's the schedule I'm following on my wife's 2004 X3, as I intend for it to last long enough to see my now 13 year old through college. I change the transmission and final drive oil on my 1995 3er every 30K, again because it sees the track from time to time. That said, if you are going to flip the car in 2-4 years I'd just follow BMW's maintenance schedule.

#3990 of 5349 Re: re 335 xi 8800 miles fuel pump problem [shipo] by xeye

Oct 08, 2008 (3:32 am)

Replying to: shipo (Oct 07, 2008 6:56 am)
Shipo is right in this regard, but I put it in a way to the service director at my dealer that he really couldn't deny. I did get the Sport package because I wanted the seats. I believe the engine is the same twin turbo as the 335i, but because BMW doesn't think anyone will track a 335xi, they don't think you need an oil cooler, especially if you don't order the 18" performance tire/wheel combo.
 
I said this was a load of hooey, and asked him to check with his technical experts at BMW. If the engine has the same power, it's not about whether the car can handle the speed and cornering - it's about whether the engine can cool itself under stress. He could not find anyone who could explain why the 335xi should not have the cooler if the RWD version came stock with the cooler. After a few months and some gentle reminders (and a change in service directors), I asked about the status. To my amazement, the new service director was aware of my inquiry and said that they would honor the installation of the oil cooler.
 
When I picked up the car, the lead mechanic said that the engine design is different in the 335xi and handles the heat in a different way. Whether this is true or not, I now had the oil cooler installed. Evidently, the "different design" is still built to accept the oil cooler at the right front corner of the engine compartment. If you look into the front of the wheel well, you should find the cooler radiator fins if there is an oil cooler installed.
 
My oil temp has never bumped the 250 degree mark even under reasonable stress. It's never seen the track either, and likely never will.
 
I figure I've extended the life of the car and possibly even enhanced the resale value.
 
I also see a thread regarding the quantity of oil to use. Is it reasonable to measure the amount that drains and simply put back the same amount? I know a reputable BMW shop that told me they use this practice, but there's at least one obvious flaw in this logic. We've had a dipstick-equipped 318ti serviced there for years with never an issue, but I'm less confident with the 335xi because of uncertainty in the amount of oil actually required.
 
xeye

#3991 of 5349 Extended Maintenance Upgrade by birdrules

Oct 08, 2008 (8:36 pm)

The free maintenance on my '05 325i is expiring at the end of Oct with approx 40k miles. The dealer is offering full maintenance upgrade (6 yrs/100,000 mi) for $1695. Is this a good deal, given the anticipated maintenance needs? Are there other maintenance options available? Thanks for sharing your experiences.

#3992 of 5349 Re: Extended Maintenance Upgrade [birdrules] by kyfdx HOST

Oct 09, 2008 (7:24 am)

Replying to: birdrules (Oct 08, 2008 8:36 pm)
Looks like you only drive 10K mi.//yr.. The upgrade will only be good for 2 more years.. That's only 20K more miles.. Maybe an oil service and the Inspection II, plus brakes if needed...
 
You aren't likely to come out ahead at that rate...
 
Also, that doesn't extend the warranty....
 
regards,
kyfdx

#3993 of 5349 Re: Extended Maintenance Upgrade [kyfdx] by birdrules

Oct 09, 2008 (10:05 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx (Oct 09, 2008 7:24 am)
Actually, I got the car in Jan 08 with 23k miles, so drive about 20k mi/yr. In the next 2 yrs or at 80k miles, does this change your recommendation...? thanks.

#3994 of 5349 Pinging by stephend

Oct 10, 2008 (7:18 am)

I recently bought a 2008 328xi. I have about 2000 mile on it. As I drive the car it would ping a little. Not extensively but sometime you would hear a slight ping every 30-60 seconds and than it would go away than it would come back. Is there any adjustments to correct this or is this just normal and I am making a big ado about nothing. Otherwise I love the car.
 
thanks

#3995 of 5349 Re: Pinging [stephend] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 10, 2008 (8:28 am)

Replying to: stephend (Oct 10, 2008 7:18 am)
Are you quite sure this is pinging you are hearing? Pinging would occur under some kind of engine load, like going up a hill in a high gear.
 
If indeed it is pinging, and not lifter noise, and if indeed it happens under light load, that's a serious problem. Prolonged pinging for more than a second or two is very dangerous for an engine. Pinging is your internal engine parts rattling around under stress. Not good unless it is very brief, and only under heavy engine load.
 
Have it looked at right away if you aren't sure what you are hearing.

#3996 of 5349 Re: Extended Maintenance Upgrade [birdrules] by kyfdx HOST

Oct 10, 2008 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: birdrules (Oct 09, 2008 10:05 pm)
Well.. that certainly changes the calculation..
 
I'm still not sure I'd recommend it. But, you have to decide. Once you are out of warranty, will you be taking it to the dealer for repairs? Or, will you look for an independent? If you are going to the dealer for all service, then it might pay off. Going from 60K to 80K is just one more oil service on the schedule, though ($125?).
 
That's a big chunk of change to put upfront... to not gain any sort of warranty coverage. I'd be inclined to leave it in the bank and draw it down, as needed.
 
regards,
kyfdx

#3997 of 5349 Advice for buying used 99 - 01 BMW 3 series by kapitanraider

Oct 10, 2008 (5:42 pm)

Im looking to buy a used BMW(first car) but i have concerns about the reliability, life and cost of maintanence and repairs. Im looking at the following(all have clean autocheck):
 
2000 BMW 328i - 95k miles
2001 BMW 325i - 134k miles
1999 BMW 328i - 140k miles
 
looking at between 7k to 9.5k for these.im a college student in Orlando, Fl.
and i will atleast on a vehicle another 3 years/30miles.
 
1). At this mileage is it even a wise idea to buy one of these?
2). when do the major things get replaced by on average in the 3 series? In other words, is buying the BMW around 95 - 100k better than one at 133. From what i have read, most problems that need costly replacements happen around 95 - 110k. So is better to go with something with more miles?
3). im willing to pay premium fuel, and do maintainence, but i dont have money for repairs or replacements of major parts. at this mileage/age what issues should i look out for? if i take it to a good mechanic and have them check it out, will he be able to accurately tell me when the different parts are gonna need to be replaced/die or will it happen randomly.
4) i heard that the transmission gets shot up on these cars at 100k. how do i check , to see the car im gonna buy doesnt have that happen.
3) is it better to actually buy a 1997 or 1994 at half the price at around 160k, knowing that probably all major things would have been replaced hence the car will atleast give life for another 25k/3years? are the 3 series <1999 more reliable. I have talked to BMW owners. and i always get mixed answers. all love their cars, but some have no issues and others have problems all the times. How do i make sure that i buy a car that is in the former group. Anyhelp will be greatly appreciated... I have tried my best to read and get educated. but i feel that i need someones real ADVICE!

#3998 of 5349 Battery life by lehrer1

Oct 15, 2008 (10:20 pm)

I have 06 325i BMW bought in the middle of 2005. How many years the battery should last? I have only 4000 miles.
Best regards, Lehrer

Messages Page 400 of 535

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