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BMW 3-Series Maintenance and Repair

4446 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2009 at 12:04 PM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan


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#4108 of 4446
Re: Recommendations on Shock/Struts Brands for 98 328i? [lokki] by roadburner
Jan 16, 2009 (8:54 am)
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Replying to: lokki (Jan 16, 2009 7:25 am)

If I recall correctly, the Monroes are made in Europe, and I know some folks on the Yahoo E39 group who have used them with no complaints. The other brand I'd consider would be Sachs/Boge. Bilsteins or Konis would be overkill for your application, I'd think.
#4109 of 4446
Thanks Gentlemen! by lokki
Jan 16, 2009 (9:26 am)
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I'll take a look at the Sachs/Boge too. Turns out I can't get the car into the shop till late next week sometime, but I'll come back with a report on what happens.
 
Appreciate it.
 
Lokki.
#4110 of 4446
Re: Where to get quotes for extended warranty and maintenance plan [kyfdx] by owner6
Jan 16, 2009 (11:16 am)
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Replying to: kyfdx (Jan 15, 2009 1:09 pm)

Thanks for your advise.
If I keep it should I now at 67k miles have the transmission oil (automatic), rear end oil, spark plugs and serpentine belt replaced as a precaution? And anything else you suggest.
I have been doing an in-between engine oil service at about 9K miles after the Free dealer service which has been recycling at about 18K miles in the service indicator. Last time i paid for an in-between service they charged me $91.95.
Thanks Owner6
#4111 of 4446
Re: Where to get quotes for extended warranty and maintenance plan [owner6] by kyfdx HOST
Jan 16, 2009 (11:48 am)
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Replying to: owner6 (Jan 16, 2009 11:16 am)

I'll leave maintenance recommendations to the rest of the board... I haven't had a BMW with over 50K miles since 1990!
 
$90 is not a bad price for a dealer oil change...
#4112 of 4446
Re: Where to get quotes for extended warranty and maintenance plan [owner6] by roadburner
Jan 16, 2009 (12:39 pm)
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Replying to: owner6 (Jan 16, 2009 11:16 am)

I'd change the ATF and diff oil, and I'd have the serpentine belt inspected-as well as the belt tensioner and idler pullies. If the car is running fine I'd probably leave the plugs alone, although it wouldn't hurt to change them. Be sure to change the brake fluid at two years from the in-service date and change the coolant at four years.
#4113 of 4446
Re: Where to get quotes for extended warranty and maintenance plan [roadburner] by owner6
Jan 16, 2009 (1:59 pm)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 16, 2009 12:39 pm)

Thanks HOST and roadburner.
 
I looked over my maintenance records. The brake fluid was changed twice. At 37 and 65 thousand miles. (Now has 67K miles on it). The oil has been changed seven times approximately every 9,500 miles. The BMW guy at 65K miles service said the belt was OK. I have service to 100K miles and the car computer states the transmission and plugs need serviced at 100K. I just thought I pay to have it done now. The car runs fine so the plugs must be OK. I really wanted to get a new 335I however I have read and heard many horror stories about the breakdowns and out of service for weeks at a time. I retired and dont need that at this point in life. Just want to have some reliability.
#4114 of 4446
Re: Not Pleased at all [Mr_Shiftright] by montrealer1
Jan 17, 2009 (5:51 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 10, 2009 1:54 pm)

Well, just a quick update on my oil separator issue.
 
I ended up bringing my 325i to a local mechanic. What started with a $1900 charge from a BMW Dealer ended up costing me $960!! at the local mechanic. What a difference! When you think about, way too much off a difference. Makes you think about the BMW organization and their approach to over the top repair costs.
 
Hope the car last for least another year.
#4115 of 4446
Re: Not Pleased at all [montrealer1] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jan 17, 2009 (10:11 pm)
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Replying to: montrealer1 (Jan 17, 2009 5:51 pm)

Pays to shop around! Good for you. Good for your mechanic. Good for your car.
#4116 of 4446
Re: Recommendations on Shock/Struts Brands for 98 328i? [lokki] by webdriver
Jan 18, 2009 (9:58 am)
Reply

Replying to: lokki (Jan 16, 2009 7:25 am)

I recommend OEM. My 99 328i (146K) is starting to show its age, however my independent mechanic tells me all of the original struts/shocks are not leaking (despite a broken right rear spring...most likely from a parking lot curb). I replaced the front control arms at 90K. It will keep going with some more money thrown at it, but I'm looking for a replacement...with a spare tire. Since yours has only 53K, it should have a lot of life left.
#4117 of 4446
Re: Not Pleased at all [montrealer1] by roadburner
Jan 18, 2009 (2:33 pm)
Reply

Replying to: montrealer1 (Jan 17, 2009 5:51 pm)

Makes you think about the BMW organization and their approach to over the top repair costs.
 
You have to remember that the US dealer franchise laws make if nearly impossible for manufacturers to get rid of a dealer short of actionable fraud or established criminal activity. I know for a fact that BMW NA is not pleased by this conduct, but their hands are literally tied. I've found that dealer prices for identical work can vary by a factor of three or more. Some dealers-like mine-do good excellent work at a fair price. That said, I also have a good indie BMW tech I use for some work, especially on my "vintage" BMWs.

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