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BMW X3

4185 messages,  Last post on Apr 15, 2013 at 1:30 PM

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What is this discussion about? BMW X3, SUV

Messages Page 240 of 419

#2387 of 4185 Re: First scheduled service: what is generally done? [newbmr] by div2

Dec 26, 2005 (2:38 pm)

Replying to: newbmr (Dec 26, 2005 11:58 am)
What happened to your Service and Warranty Information booklet? The copy in my wife's 2004 X3 lists the Oil Service information on page 5:
 
1. Replace oil and filter
2. Reset SI Indicator
3. Replace microfilter
4. Check brake pad lining thickness and replace if needed
5. Check parking brake actuation and adjust if needed
 
As Steve stated, the service is free for four years/50K miles. You DO know that the oil should be changed every 12 months even if the SI indicator hasn't called for one? It's still covered by BMW free maintenance.
And, while you will find differing opinions on the subject, I prefer to change the oil/filter at 7500 mile intervals using a BMW filter and Mobil 1 0W-40 oil. It's a dead simple job, so I perform the changes between the ones called for by the SI indicator.

#2388 of 4185 Re: First scheduled service: what is generally done? [div2] by markcincinnati

Dec 27, 2005 (10:07 am)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 26, 2005 2:38 pm)
Our dealer said "use Castrol, not Mobil1" -- "use Mobil1 only if you can't find Castrol."
 
Why?
 
Dealer said BMW uses Castrol "exclusively" and there is no reason to mix additive packages -- no harm, in a pinch, in doing so though.
 
At 12,000 miles, the X3 3.0 (2005) needed a "pint" literally a pint of oil. Drove all over the place trying to find Castrol, figured I'd "settle" on Mobil1, went into Wal-Mart (yes, Wal-Mart) and they had at least 3 or 4 full syn oils to choose from including Castrol.
 
Coulda saved a lot of running around time going to Auto Parts store "du jour" (most of them only carry Mobil1 and perhaps Quaker or Pennzoil.)

#2389 of 4185 Re: First scheduled service: what is generally done? [markcincinnati] by jb_shin

Dec 27, 2005 (10:48 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Dec 27, 2005 10:07 am)
Apparently, BMW-branded Castrol meets higher standard than the offtheshelf Castrol Syntecs. I read on one of the other forums but forget the exact spec list. Only Castrol 0-30 made in Germany is said to meet the same Long Life requirement that BMW 5-30 does in the US. Mobile 1 5-30 is also said to meet the same standard, but only those made/sold in Europe, and the US version goes up to LL01 vs. LL04 that EU counterpart does. some people also use Mobile 0-40.
 
I personally like to change the oil 5000 to 7500 miles with either BMW or Mobile 1 so the LL/Long Life rating may not do much good for me, but that's just me. Oh, and the fact my M5 engine costs > 25 large makes me a bit conservative.

#2390 of 4185 Re: First scheduled service: what is generally done? [markcincinnati] by div2

Dec 27, 2005 (10:55 am)

Replying to: markcincinnati (Dec 27, 2005 10:07 am)
The only over-the-counter Castrol that I would use is the so-called "German Castrol" 0W-30. It is the only Castrol grade which meets the BMW Longlife 01 specification-just like Mobil 1 0W-40.
With today's lubricants, "mixing additive packages" is almost never a concern-especially when you are making a complete changeover at an oil change. If mixing oil brands actually caused problems, my 130K 528iA would have gone to that great Bimmer Boneyard in the sky long ago-since I ran BMW/Castrol, Mobil 1, and Rotella Synthetic in it at one time or another.
As I said, reasonable minds differ on this subject, but I prefer running Mobil 1 in all my four wheeled vehicles(including my ZTR mower). That said, the Speed Triple still gets Rotella synthetic.

#2391 of 4185 Re: First scheduled service: what is generally done? [jb_shin] by div2

Dec 27, 2005 (10:58 am)

Replying to: jb_shin (Dec 27, 2005 10:48 am)
I see great minds think alike

#2392 of 4185 Re: First scheduled service: what is generally done? [div2] by markcincinnati

Dec 27, 2005 (11:50 am)

Replying to: div2 (Dec 27, 2005 10:55 am)
I heard about the German vs non German Castrol and mentioned it to the service advisor. He said at 12,000 miles and "needing a pint" (the oil light flickered) that "'Merican" 0W-30 Castrol "full synthetic" is the stuff to use (and Mobil1 an "OK" alternative.)
 
I read with such fear and trepidation all the crap about companies NOT honoring the warranty "on a technicality" that I averted my eyes and dutifully hunted for Castrol.
 
Now, we have a short term lease and BMW will pay for one oil and filter change every 15,000 miles (and then they will CPO the car for the next guy.) Yet, this still somewhat defies logic -- but I can see NO justification for paying for extra oil changes if BMW is able to comfortably warrant a 45,000 mile car that has had but three oil and filter changes.
 
Paying for the next owner's peace of mind just doesn't seem, Mr. Spock, "logical."
 
Having said this, were we to buy and hold one of these cars, I would think 10,000 mile oil and filter changes (using the BMW part nos) would be a prudent and sagacious course of action.

#2393 of 4185 Installing Plug-n-Play Portable Sirius Sat Radio? by vsroman

Dec 28, 2005 (8:15 am)

My 04' X3 is "Satellite-Ready" which I think means the Shark Fin on my roof is a Sat Radio antennae. Has anyone installed a portable Sat Radio (like the Sportster) into their X3? If so, did you make use of the Shark Fin on your roof? Where did you find the wire and were you able to plug it into your portable radio?
 
Thanks for any help!

#2394 of 4185 iPods and X3's by jrynn

Dec 30, 2005 (1:15 am)

A nearby dealership says there are two options they can install so that an iPod can be played in an X3.
 
The Auxiliary Input Accessory Kit - $195 (incl. installation)
The iPod Interface Kit - $350 (incl. installation)
 
Q1 - Anyone on these boards have experience with either kit and want to recommend one over the other? (I'm concerned this is something BMW and Apple rushed to market and have not improved. The Walt Mossberg (Wall Street Journal/Personal Tech) review (I think of the iPod Adapter) was not positive, and it seems odd that it's an option that remains IN-compatible with the nav, sat. radio, and premium sound system.)
 
Q2 - Anyone have any other pricing info? Given that the BMWUSA website says that the "Auxiliary Input Adapter Cable" (the only iPod accessory listed) costs just $40, $155 in labor to install seems high.
 
Q3 - Is this something BMW and Apple rushed to market and then haven't improved?Anyone know why the iPod Adapter won't work with the Nav, Satellite Radio, or the Premium sound system?

#2395 of 4185 Re: iPods and X3's [jrynn] by div2

Dec 30, 2005 (8:53 am)

Replying to: jrynn (Dec 30, 2005 1:15 am)
Have you considered an ice>Link Plus? It only costs $200, and it's a fairly easy DIY project: all you have to do is pull the console, plug the ice>Link into the CD changer harness, and decide where to mount the docking cradle. Two hours, tops.

#2396 of 4185 New Member by 05x3

Dec 31, 2005 (10:30 am)

Hello,
I'm new to this fourm. I have a 2005 X3 3.0. Does anyone know if there is a rear bumper protector. I've seen them on the Lexus SUV's. They look like a small brush guard. I live in Chicago and having extra protection from the a**holes who can't paraell park would be priceless. Let me know. Thanks Ryan

Messages Page 240 of 419

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