Quote:
Originally Posted by FunfDreisig
I don't know. BUT...
IMHO this is NOT where I would try to save a little cash. I bought my oil, filter etc. from my BMW dealer. If there is ever any question about whether I used the right oil, filter, etc. I can show them the invoice.
FWIW I am very conscious of anything that could possibly give a dealer or BMW an excuse not to honor the warranty. On our old E53 I installed a 3rd party battery. But I ended up having to replace it with a BMW battery a year later. Not because it was defective, but because the dealer would not even attempt to repair an electrical issue under warranty, unless the battery was a BMW approved part. 
Funf Dreisig |
If the battery was the same specs. as the BMW battery that behavior is illegal in all 50-states. A simple filing in small claims court would have won you damages. It's extraordinarily difficult to void a warranty in this country. I've written about this many times (search my threads).
You can do whatever you want to your car, within reason, without fear of voiding the warranty. Don't let some BMW tech with a junior college degree (if that) tell you what you can and can't do with your vehicle. You can put any brand of oil in the car, any brand of filter, etc. As long as it meets factory specs or exceeds factor specs., you're WELL within your rights.
In court, these cases are notoriously losing propositions for dealers and factories and they'll back down 99.9% of the time with a stern letter, within an amazingly quick time. They know, and are well aware, of what they can and what they cant, get away with. That doesn't mean they don't try to get away with pushing people around like this all day long. It makes them money, lots of money, which is why when these types of cases end up in front of a judge there are often large punitive damages awarded.
Don't let your dealer push you around like that. You're entitled to buy a battery of your choice, and if it exceeds factory specs so much the better.
If my dealer pulled that with me, I'd file a claim against them the next day in small-claims and refuse to settle, just to piss them off.
That's B.S. and the laws on this matter are as clear and in plain language as can be, for a reason.
I'm sure lots of lawyers lurk these boards and will be happy to add more.
Use whatever oil you want as long as it meets or exceeds factory recommended specs your fine. You need not use the same brand or a genuine BMW filter. That's ludicrous!