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Sedans BMW 3-Series 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
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Replying to: montrealer1 (Jan 17, 2009 5:51 pm) 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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| Just like roadburner said. Different Dealers will give you different prices for the same work. A few months ago my wife backed into a rock wall trying to turn around in a driveway in her '07 X3. Thankfully she only cracked the right tail lamp. I called the dealer where I leased the car from and was quoted $120 for the part. I called a local dealer (a BMWNA owned store) and was told $85 + tax. I then asked if they give BMWCCA discounts...$75 all together. The best part is that I performed the repair myself and saved money just by making a few phone calls. | |
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Replying to: HCM5 (Jan 07, 2009 5:54 pm)
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Replying to: luvlincolns (Jan 28, 2009 2:09 pm) Would regular oil and filter change at 6 months (for less than 5K/m month driving) and big stuff like fluids (transmission, radiator, brake, steering wheel) change every 3-4 years are enough or it need more than that?
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Replying to: asi12 (Jan 28, 2009 9:26 pm) Coolant (flush and replace with BMW approved coolant only): Every 4 years Brake fluid (flush and replace with DOT 4 only): Every 2 years Manual transmission fluid (no recommended replacement): Probably should be done at least every 100,000 miles Automatic transmission fluid (no recommended replacement): Probably should be done at least every 100,000 miles Steering wheel: Last time I checked, those were good to go for the life of the car
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Replying to: shipo (Jan 29, 2009 5:08 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 29, 2009 8:28 am) Does BMW requires to do maintenance by their dealer only? Now with the digital advancement, more and more cars (even camry too) have electronics/computers in it. Does other repair shop needs to have some sort of computer? For example, I have heard most German cars require you do tire rotation or changing all 4 tires at once (esp. in AWD and which is not necessary in my opinion) or changing all season to winter tires by them otherwise car computer senses a mismatch. Is this the case with BMW? These are thing which I asked has to be done on every car, is there any thing special needs to be done with BMW?
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Replying to: asi12 (Jan 29, 2009 10:01 am) A annual oil change should be fine. Does BMW requires to do maintenance by their dealer only? Now with the digital advancement, more and more cars (even camry too) have electronics/computers in it. Does other repair shop needs to have some sort of computer? If the car is under the new car warranty have the work performed at the dealer as it is free. Out of warranty a good BMW tech can handle most all maintenance and repairs. That said, many dealers-such as mine-often can perform work at prices as good or better than some indie shops. For example, I have heard most German cars require you do tire rotation or changing all 4 tires at once (esp. in AWD and which is not necessary in my opinion) or changing all season to winter tires by them otherwise car computer senses a mismatch. Is this the case with BMW? The work doesn't have to be performed by a dealer, but if you only replace one tire on an AWD car there is a very good chance that it will cause additional wear or set a malfunction code- especially if the remaining tires are over 25%-30% worn. These are thing which I asked has to be done on every car, is there any thing special needs to be done with BMW? Follow the BMW service schedule and you'll be fine.
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 29, 2009 4:56 pm) |
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A friend of mine who owns a 2007 (??) 328xi needs to have this vehicle equipped with hand controls. Any idea of where I might find some info about this, so I can investigate this for her?
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