5349 messages,
Last post on Apr 30, 2013 at 3:31 PM
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BMW 3 Series, Sedan
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#4984 of 5349 Re: 2008 335xi Twin Turbo [rhmass]
by roadburner
Feb 07, 2011 (1:51 pm)
The service advisor told me the dealer's service foreman would not recommend such maintenance performed due to the potential damage to the respective components.
My dealer performed a drain/fill on the automatic transmission(no filter R&R) and transfer case of my wife's X3 without any hesitation- the total bill was $207. If you want to replace the filter on the newer ZF autoboxes -like your car uses- you have to replace the oil pan and filter as a unit. and the new part costs
$270. Having said that, a simple darin/fill or the AT and TC is NOT rocket science, and I'd be very inclined to tell your SA that if the foreman doesn't think his shop is competent to handle what is a very simple job then you will find a shop that is qualified.
A few other observations:
BMW still calls for a 100,000 mile ATF change on most of their automatics; what does your dealer tell those customers?
The transfer case is equipped with sensors that actually indicate when the fluid needs to be changed and will indicate a fault when hooked up to the DISplus or GT1 diagnostic computer. Does your dealer just ignore the fault and send the customers down the road in blissful ignorance?
Just my $0.02...
#4985 of 5349 Re: 2000 323ci fuel filter needed? [kburger1]
by roadburner
Feb 07, 2011 (1:53 pm)
Change it; a clogged filter won't damage your engine but it could shorten the life of your fuel pump(s).
#4986 of 5349 Re: 2000 323ci fuel filter needed? [roadburner]
by shipo
Feb 07, 2011 (8:56 pm)
Change it? Why? Fuel filters these days are good for an easy quarter of a million miles, errr, that is unless you live in the middle of a very dusty desert.
#4987 of 5349 Re: 2000 323ci fuel filter needed? [shipo]
by qbrozen
Feb 08, 2011 (6:30 am)
? what makes you say that?
I can't say I've had a newer vehicle long enough to text your theory. Last vehicle I even took past the 100k mark was a '98. But if a fuel filter would last that long, what would be the point to having a filter at all? I mean, if what is coming out of your tank is THAT clean, then it certainly wouldn't hurt your engine.
#4988 of 5349 Re: 2000 323ci fuel filter needed? [qbrozen]
by shipo
Feb 08, 2011 (8:05 am)
Fuel filters aren't at all like they used to be, nor is gasoline. The filters are way-way larger and the fuel we buy now is cleaner by many orders of magnitude. FWIW, we've run two cars over the 200,000 mile mark with the factory filter, and have another two with 191,000 and 156,000 miles respectively, both with the factory filters in them as well.
The fact is, in-tank fuel filters in modern cars will easily last a quarter of a million miles unless you either buy horrifically bad gasoline (i.e. fuel which is nowhere near up to the minimum standards now required), and/or live in a very dusty area.
To turn the tables a bit; can you name me even a single (non-exotic) car sold in North America in the last decade that recommends periodic fuel filter replacement? I cannot.
#4989 of 5349 Re: 2000 323ci fuel filter needed? [shipo]
by qbrozen
Feb 08, 2011 (9:16 am)
huh. good question. I can't find the schedule for the wife's T&C, but I found the schedule for the GTI/Rabbit and it only suggests fuel filter replacement for the TDI.
#4990 of 5349 Re: 2000 323ci fuel filter needed? [qbrozen]
by shipo
Feb 08, 2011 (11:29 am)
We've have/had a T&C and two GrandCaravans of various vintages starting in 1998 and none of them have any recommendation what-so-ever regarding the fuel filter.
Feb 08, 2011 (11:51 am)
How awesome is it that this guy is driving around with 325,000 miles on his BMW? I love it!
#4992 of 5349 Did anyone's AT fail for E90 because transmission oil wasn't changed?
by Firebird_EOU
Feb 08, 2011 (9:28 pm)
My E90 is 101k now and hasn't changed and don't plan to.... I'll see what this life time thing would last.
#4993 of 5349 2011 328i x-drive ashtray
by qali
Feb 16, 2011 (11:07 am)
Sorry if this is the wrong forum to put this question...
I am picking up my new 2011 328i x-drive tomorrow. I noticed that they have done away with the ashtray that had a cover-lid and cigarette lighter and replaced it with a rubber lined cavity. Is there a way to purchase an accessory that goes in that area and that gives me that lighter socket (for a charger) and the cover?