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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 504 of 536

#5027 of 5349 Re: BMW - Normal to burn oil [chewy2] by busiris

Mar 06, 2011 (4:08 pm)

Replying to: chewy2 (Mar 06, 2011 11:12 am)
Regarding oil change intervals, a local dealer told me 1 year or 15,000 miles is what is called for in my 2007 328i. Thinking back, could this be what the key told the service rep? I have put only 300 miles on the car so far, so virtually the entire driving history is related to the original owner - the only previous owner.
 
That is indeed the company line, so he's telling you what BMW suggests. Of course, all BMW is really interested in (as is every manufacturer) is getting the car through warranty, and most oil-related failures don't happen within the first 50K miles...
 
There are many of us that don't agree with that suggestion, and we see an oil change every 5-7.5 K miles as cheap insurance against what may be an incredibly expensive engine repair.
 
The oild change "timing" question on BMW's seems to be the #2 issue in new BMW's, only being surpassed by the run-flat issue.
 
Again, the only sure way to know the condition of YOUR oil is to get an independent oil analysis done.
 
Its pretty easy, and not terribly expensive.
 
On the other hand, I was having my wife's MINI serviced recently, and the advisor was on the phone with a client, explaining that he was getting a new engine/turbo unit on his 10 month old MINI (which was in for its first monitor-scheduled service at 18K miles) due to oil related engine failure. He was lucky, as it was under warranty.
 
IMO, I change it every year or 5K miles. Maybe some see that as foolish, but I have only had 1 engine related failure in all my years (I'm 56) and lots of cars, and that failure was a leaking valve guide/seal that was an issue the day I bought the car... and fixed before it had 4K miles on it.
 
All I can say is...."It works for me!".

#5028 of 5349 Re: BMW - Normal to burn oil [busiris] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Mar 06, 2011 (8:59 pm)

Replying to: busiris (Mar 06, 2011 4:08 pm)
Of course, all BMW is really interested in (as is every manufacturer) is getting the car through warranty, and most oil-related failures don't happen within the first 50K miles...

 
I read that sentiment a lot... but, BMW re-markets a lot of their leased vehicles as CPO.. and guarantees that drivetrain for 6yrs/100K. If they really believed that, they would be shooting themselves in the foot..

#5029 of 5349 Re: BMW - Normal to burn oil [kyfdx] by busiris

Mar 07, 2011 (2:18 pm)

Replying to: kyfdx@Edmunds (Mar 06, 2011 8:59 pm)
I read that sentiment a lot... but, BMW re-markets a lot of their leased vehicles as CPO.. and guarantees that drivetrain for 6yrs/100K. If they really believed that, they would be shooting themselves in the foot..
 
Not really, IMO.
 
Many cars are purchased, not leased. Many of those without any extended warranty. And, there isn't a 100% failure rate between 50-100K miles, but I highly suspect the failure rate is higher than that between 0-50K miles..
 
Its a numbers game. I have discussed the newer extended oil changes with several folks within BMW's dealer network (parts men as well as techs) and every single one has told me that they "feel" the incidents of engine failure have increased as the oil change interval has increased.
 
I know, I know...its only subjective....
 
Still, there is a break even point where the costs of oil changes every 7.5K to BMW (under the 4 year "full-service-no costs warranty) exceed the relative costs of engine repair on the engines that DO fail.
 
But, to be fair, I do think the BMW engineers feel the "extended range" synthetic oils being used are better than previous oils, so in the end, I think its a combination of both. BMW is often so secretive about some things that its really hard to get to the real facts of why and how decisions are made...
 
As I said earlier, beliefs on oil change frequency are all across the board, and the only sure way to know how often YOU need to change your oil is to have an oil analysis run by a competent lab.
 
In the end, I simply change mine every 5-7.5 K miles. Its not terribly expensive, and I see it as cheap insurance. I purchase all of my cars, so I feel its worth it. If I leased, I would simply follow the BMW suggested intervals, for the obvious reasons.
 
I guess I would make a poor gambler.

#5030 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [phil2400] by mailbox20

Mar 12, 2011 (10:41 am)

Replying to: phil2400 (Oct 17, 2010 5:24 am)
Did you ever figure out what was wrong. I have the same issue. Battery, starter, alternator all good. Replaced the ignition switch, tumbler, and code reader ( that black plastic ring on the tumbler assembly) and still no luck. All lights and everytything works when the key is on but no juice to the starter. I don't know where to go from here. I need some help to do this myself as I do not live anywhere near a BMW shop.

#5031 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [phil2400] by gbrostek

Mar 12, 2011 (11:14 am)

Replying to: phil2400 (Oct 17, 2010 5:24 am)
I had same problem. It is either a bad key ($250) or the ignition assy (over $1000). Try getting a new key or do what I did. I totalled the bmw in an accident and got an acura. Good luck

#5032 of 5349 Re: Is it the EWS? [mailbox20] by larry175

Mar 12, 2011 (2:02 pm)

Replying to: mailbox20 (Mar 12, 2011 10:41 am)
i STAND ON THE BREAK PEDAL AND IT STARTS RIGHT UP.

#5033 of 5349 330i vs 328i by mdiawbmw

Mar 13, 2011 (7:41 pm)

Hello,
  
    I am new to this forum and new to BMW cars. I am planning on buying a certified used BMW car. A friend of mind who owns a 330i told me that the 330i is better than the 328i in terms of engine.
Based on your experience, what are the main differences between these two cars? I don't intend to spend a lot of money and would be using the car mainly for work. I live in Springfield Virginia and work in D.C.
 
Thanks in advance for your kind guidance.
Mo.

#5034 of 5349 Re: 330i vs 328i [mdiawbmw] by kyfdx@Edmunds HOST

Mar 13, 2011 (8:09 pm)

Replying to: mdiawbmw (Mar 13, 2011 7:41 pm)
Well.. the last year for the 330 was 2006... So, you can't likely find a certified one...
 
So.... you don't really have a choice... Starting in 2007, they are all either 328i or 335i (turbo)...
 
You might take that into account, the next time this friend tries to give you advice...

#5035 of 5349 330 by larry175

Mar 14, 2011 (3:15 am)

I had a 2006 330ix and now am driving a 09335ix. The motors are both the same 6 cylinders but the bore and stroke are different. In my opinion the 2006 330 is best. Sounds better and runs better also. I gave my 06 to my son in law when i bought the 09 in October of 08 and he hasn't had any trouble with the car even thought he thinks he is a Lemans driver.

#5036 of 5349 Re: 2008 335xi Twin Turbo [rhmass] by robbierob1

Mar 14, 2011 (7:15 am)

Replying to: rhmass (Feb 05, 2011 8:00 pm)
im buying a 2008 335xi today it has 43,000 miles am i making a huge mistake somebody help me out

Messages Page 504 of 536

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