Maintenance records question

[[MDS]]

Hi guys, i am new to the forum and and i have recently bought an X (03 3.0i) after selling my Lexus GS (very reliable and nice car, but became dated and i wanted a change). So, far i really love the car and enjoy driving it, its my first Bimmer, but already i can say that i won't be my last (not going back to japanese anytime soon). I love the fit and finish of the X way more than lexus (owned 2 gs's and an RX) and thats an area that i always thought lexus was superior to bimmers, now i know that i was completely wrong in that department and just wish that i had discovered that much earlier. also, love the way it drives, way better than anything i've driven before... anyways, i live in moscow, russia now, and the car i got is from the states, i imported it myself (i lived in the us for 5 years and have many friends there who are used car dealers, so i get my cars at Manheim auctions and then they send it over), so the truck has 36.850 miles and is still under warranty, but only back in the states and not Russia. Even though this car came with the free maintenance for 4 years when it was sold new, I am unable to take advantage of this plan back here, since the car was not sold thru an official russian dealer, and its not like they have this kind of ownership benefits here at all.
So, my question is,
I have recieved all the books with it, but unfortunately there are no service stamps of anykind in the maintenance booklet. When i turn the car on, the service display still shows 2 green lights out of five, so i guess it is not really due to be serviced yet (but i don't think i can fully trust this thing, since i have no idea of the previous owner's driving habbits and such) also, 3 days ago my "check brake linings" light came on, so i guess its time for that anyway... I was wondering, if there was a way to obtain some sort of service records from the dealer for this car, so that way i would know what is due to be changed and what is not. The car is in perfect condition mechanically and does not show any abnormalities (knock on wood) at all (except for the pads being due), and considering the free maintenance plan it has, i assume the previous owner would have used it since it was free. But to be on a safe side i'd still check if possible, so can someone tell me what do i have to do to get the records pulled from the database (if possible)?

also, considering my current mileage and the service display readings, what should i replace regardless in order not to be taking chances later... I mean do i need to change oil anyway (i always did this with my lexi, and other cars right after purchasing them, but they did not have anykind of display like the bimmer), also what about other preventative measures at this kind of mileage?

Thank you all for creating such a wonderful resource and community, you can see that its populated by good people right from the start, and its very informative indeed.

[motordavid]

Welcome, MDS...
go to local Stlr, have them "run" your key.
It should show all BMW dlr work, if that
system works in Russia...

As for "stamps", I have one in multi visits
to Stlr, during 5+ years and 56K miles, so
don't sweat the lack of official stamps.

Brake jobs: Stlr equals big dough, or
search for a BMW specialized independent.
GL,mD

[[MDS]]

thanks a lot for a quick response, i will call the dealer and ask them, but say this system does not work over here, is there anyway to call the us dealer (i have the business card of the dealer where the car was purchased in the books) and ask them to pull it out and email to me?

also, is it true that when you go to the dealer for a brake job, they replace the rotors regardless ot the condition? if, so should i replace them also, or just the pads after checking the rotor condition anyway?

i will not go to the dealer for service anyhow, its too much money, i've got a bmw independent shop here, it's owned by my friends, so i am all set there at least...

[motordavid]

Stlrs in US of A, generally replace rotors, especially
the front rotors.

Very seldom will anyone "cut" the rotors here...
thus, new pads with orig rotors tend to wear
more quickly and/or unevenly.

Give your US dlr contact a call or email; worth a
shot.

Go see your Indie friend for work, imo.
GL,mD

[[MDS]]

thanx again.
i was not thinking of turning them or cutting, i actually asking if the pads are due does it automatically mean that the rotors need to be replaced too, or is there a chance of them being ok, and suitable for another set of pads?

[Eurosport]

rotors only need to be changed if they are either warped or too thin from use, other than that, change of pads is enough
and of course if you'll work on breaks check when the last break fluid change was (change it at least every 2 years) and you're set

[Boston X5 4.4]

Your local dealership should also be able to run your VIN # and give you a list of all of the work that has been performed on the car, including service etc.. The work performed will be coded but all the codes are available online or your local dealership can de-code for you.

[noncom23]

:xoutpost:

[[MDS]]

guys, thank you all for the replies. very helpful, will call the dealer.... so, now for my second question, what should i be changing out in a car at this point with my mileage 37k? i know the brakes and brake fluid is a must since i got the light on, but for other preventative maintenance? oil? belts? other fluids?

(also with oil, as i said earlier i have always changed my oil right away after purchasing a used vehicle, but now seeing how the bimmer has the service display and it shows that its not due yet, should i wait till the light comes on, or should i not trust that display thing, since i know nothing about the previous owner...)

thanks in advance...

[Eurosport]

just to be sure, I would change oil and filter yourself now, and reset the service indicator, look on front page of x5world, has info how to reset light

also try to change your oil a lot more often than 15k (bmw is dumb on that)