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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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#4118 of 4446
Different Dealers - Different Prices by nyccarguy
Jan 18, 2009 (7:27 pm)
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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.
#4119 of 4446
Re: BMW 330xi intermittently starting [HCM5] by luvlincolns
Jan 28, 2009 (2:09 pm)
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Replying to: HCM5 (Jan 07, 2009 5:54 pm)

I have this same problem with my 2004 330 Ci. I don't drive the car daily, its normally in my garage but it has done it twice this month. Also, last month while looking at new BMW's the doors wouldn't open, windows wouldn't come down nor would the top. It took about 10 minutes before the doors would unlock and everything seemed normal. My car seems to require antifreeze to be added more frequently than I am use to. I filled it up the first of December but had to add more again about a week ago. Is this normal??
#4120 of 4446
Regular maintenance for BMW 3 series by asi12
Jan 28, 2009 (9:26 pm)
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Replying to: luvlincolns (Jan 28, 2009 2:09 pm)

What of regular maintenance is required for 3 series?
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?
#4121 of 4446
Re: Regular maintenance for BMW 3 series [asi12] by shipo
Jan 29, 2009 (5:08 am)
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Replying to: asi12 (Jan 28, 2009 9:26 pm)

Oil and filter: 15,000 miles
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
#4122 of 4446
Re: Regular maintenance for BMW 3 series [shipo] by roadburner
Jan 29, 2009 (8:28 am)
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Replying to: shipo (Jan 29, 2009 5:08 am)

I think BMW now does call for a 100,000 mile ATF change. I'm still on the cautious side; I change the oil at 7,500 miles and the transmission-slushbox OR stick-at 50,000 miles. Ditto for the final drive. If I use the car on the track I still use the 7,500 engine oil change interval, but I change the remaining driveline oils at 30,000 miles- and the brake fluid gets changed every six months. Having said all that, for the street driven BMW I'm sure Shipo's recommendations would be more than adequate. I just have a bad case of OCD when it comes to automobile maintenance...
#4123 of 4446
Re: Regular maintenance for BMW 3 series [roadburner] by asi12
Jan 29, 2009 (10:01 am)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 29, 2009 8:28 am)

I drive mostly city (stop and go) and like 5000 miles a year. What is best interval for driver like me, 6 months or a year?
 
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?
#4124 of 4446
Re: Regular maintenance for BMW 3 series [asi12] by roadburner
Jan 29, 2009 (4:56 pm)
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Replying to: asi12 (Jan 29, 2009 10:01 am)

I drive mostly city (stop and go) and like 5000 miles a year. What is best interval for driver like me, 6 months or a year?
 
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.
#4125 of 4446
Re: Regular maintenance for BMW 3 series [roadburner] by asi12
Jan 29, 2009 (5:03 pm)
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Replying to: roadburner (Jan 29, 2009 4:56 pm)

Thanks roadburner
#4126 of 4446
BMW for Disabled Person by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Jan 31, 2009 (7:04 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?
#4127 of 4446
Re: BMW for Disabled Person [Mr_Shiftright] by backy
Jan 31, 2009 (7:32 pm)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Jan 31, 2009 7:04 pm)

Did you know that BMW will pay to have a new or certified BMW equipped with hand controls? I didn't.
 
http://www.murraybmwofdenver.com/bmw-mobility-program.aspx
 
Don't know if this program is retroactive, but it's a pretty new car so it wouldn't hurt to check. Anyway, there's a link at the bottom of the page to find facilities that will do mods like this.
 
Here's what looks like a low-cost, even do-it-yourself hand control mod:
 
http://www.quickconnectionhandcontrols.com/benefits.htm

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