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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 485 of 536

#4833 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [lehrer1] by roadburner

Oct 02, 2010 (9:00 pm)

Replying to: lehrer1 (Oct 02, 2010 11:30 am)
Dealer maintenance prices are outrages in comparison with private garages.
 
It really depends on the dealer. My local dealer(Swope BMW, Louisville KY) provides excellent service at extremely reasonable prices. Here are a few examples of service costs for my wife's 2004 X3 2.5:
ATF and Transfer case fluid change(I don't believe in "lifetime" fills): $207
Oil Service(AKA 15K service)+coolant flush: $128
Inspection I(30K service)+brake fluid flush+wiper blades: $302
Inspection II(60K service)+brake fluid flush+repair curbed LF wheel: $424
That said, I also use an excellent independent BMW shop(Performance Specialties) for service on my 1975 2002 and 1995 318ti when I don't have time for DIY.

#4834 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [roadburner] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 03, 2010 (9:13 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 02, 2010 9:00 pm)
Also the dealer is supposed to know what they're doing. I'm not a big fan of going to an indy shop that says 'German motors", under the assumption that all German cars are the same for some reason---they certainly are not. A superb Mercedes mechanic could totally screw up an Audi, for instance.

#4835 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [roadburner] by rfl

Oct 03, 2010 (10:25 am)

Replying to: roadburner (Oct 02, 2010 9:00 pm)
Now...remember...we're talking about a larger market---suburban Philadelphia to be exact:
 
Local garage---owned and operated by two fine Italian mechanics (from Sicily) with 60 years of "foreign car" experience: All of the latest bells and whistles for electronics on ALL late model vehicles.... they also sell gas and ONLY pump it for you same price...no self serve.Granted... the loaner if you need one (at no charge by the way) might be a Pinto!
 
Oil change with Mobil 1, filter(non OEM,,,, a filter is a filter)... $60. Coolant flush? Why in heaven's name would you ever flush coolant? Toilet need flushing...coolant is like luggage... it lasts FOREVER!
 
Repair curbed left front wheel (me too!)...$85.
 
State Inspection including (damn them) the emissions inspection $89.
 
I have found that quality does not necessarily relate to price charged.
 
I am satisfied to be ripped off when I buy a BMW...damned if I'll tolerate it for service too.

#4836 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [rfl] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 03, 2010 (10:42 am)

Replying to: rfl (Oct 03, 2010 10:25 am)
The basic coolant doesn't ever wear out, you are completely right about that, but the rust and corrosion inhibitors in that coolant do most certainly wear out---and that's why you flush.
 
I also agree with most of what you say, except "a filter is a filter".
 
It has been my experience, and that of my friends who specialize in German cars, that a cheapo off-brand filter can cause problems.
 
If you see a shop about to install a "Mrs. Fields Oil Filter" in your car, leap across the room and knock it from their hands, please. (no offense, Ms. Fields--just a joke).
 

#4837 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [Mr_Shiftright] by rfl

Oct 03, 2010 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 03, 2010 10:42 am)
should have prefaced my message by telling you that I usually don't keep keep a BMW out of warranty, have never put more than 10m per year on any of them so coolant should not get dirty. I do like the oil changed every winter/summer season and BMW will only pay for one of them...so in the off-change I use the Mrs. Fields Oil filters(good enough for 5000 miles). They double as a great chocolate-chip cookie when you are finished with them!

#4838 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [rfl] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 03, 2010 (12:36 pm)

Replying to: rfl (Oct 03, 2010 12:08 pm)
I know you probably won't believe me (and I didn't believe this either until I saw it demonstrated) but you can actually get an Audi V-6 to misfire by installing a Ms. Field's oil filter. How is this possible? It somehow disrupted sufficient oil pressure to the hydraulic valve lifters at idle speeds
 
Okay, how about a Frau Feld's oil filter at least?

#4839 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [Mr_Shiftright] by rfl

Oct 03, 2010 (12:40 pm)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Oct 03, 2010 12:36 pm)
Think FRAM !

#4840 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [rfl] by roadburner

Oct 03, 2010 (8:44 pm)

Replying to: rfl (Oct 03, 2010 12:08 pm)
have never put more than 10m per year on any of them so coolant should not get dirty.
 
Coolant is not replaced because it gets "dirty"; it is replaced because the corrosion inhibitors lose their effectiveness and the coolant pH becomes acidic.
 
Think FRAM !
 
I have to assume you are joking- I can't believe you'd be that naive. I once checked out an STP filter that supposedly fit the M54 in my wife's X3. The pitiful thing was stamped "Made in Malaysia" and cost $10.49. The BMW(Mann) filter cost $7.49. As far as I am concerned, if the filter is not made by Mahle/Knect or Mann it is not going to be installed on any of my BMWs.

#4841 of 5349 Good to know by nyccarguy

Oct 04, 2010 (9:55 am)

The auto parts store I buy the Royal Purple from for my Prelyde ONLY carries MANN filters.

#4842 of 5349 Re: maintenance prices [rfl] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Oct 04, 2010 (9:58 am)

Replying to: rfl (Oct 03, 2010 12:40 pm)
You're scarin' me, man....

Messages Page 485 of 536

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