I had a GREAT experience at the Dealer!!

[Dr. CAL]

I am a new BMW owner and was very excited to find a site with so many knowledgeable people that are willing to help. I recently purchased a 2004 BMW X3 Titanium Silver that has 45k miles. Since the warranty is soon to expire, I took it in for a complete inspection. I took it to one dealer telling them to “Check Everything”. He quickly told me that was not the way things were done. I needed specific complaints. So I kept a close eye out for things and came up with a complete list of things for the dealer to check out. I wrote them a letter stating all the small problems that needed looking at.

BMW-Service

I’ve been paying close attention to small problems and hope they are covered under warranty as to not turn in to big problems later on

Here is a list of some problems that should be looked at:

• Service engine light came on for approx 2 min. then turned off
• Rear brake lights need to be replaced
• Rear driver side reading light is out
• 45,000 mile oil change and safety service need to be done
• While replacing my tires at Goodyear they told me that the rear brakes needed replacing and the front brakes had 5% left. So as to not scratch the disk, the pads need replacing
• When in drive and stopped, car began to shake
• Check suspension (bumpy ride)
• Wipers jumping (not sure if wiper arms or wiper blades)
• Please replace all fluids with Genuine BMW fluids because I’m not sure where service has been done for the vehicle (ie. Brake Fluid flush, power steering, transmission fluid, coolant flush, washer fluid etc.)
• Interior lights dim when lowering windows
• A whistling noise coming from the doors and moon roof (check weather stripping and seals)
• Rattling & whistling sound coming from moon roof
• In the morning belts squeal
• Check air filter and Cabin air filter
• Paint chips on console and center cup holder
• Passenger side air vent/cup holder has paint chip
• Center cubby lid and knob is discolored
• Passenger side weather stripping is torn

Please perform inspection 2 if under warranty

Of all these problems to be looked at please only do what is under warranty and please let me know what is not under warranty so that I can take care of them on my own.

Thank you,
Dr. CAL

It may seem that my car was falling apart but I may have exaggerated some things just to get them to look at it.

All in all, they:

Replaced Brake lights
Replaced Reading lights
Replaced Front & Rear Wipers
Replaced Front Rotors
Replaced Front & Rear Brake Pads
Replaced Front & Rear Brake Sensors
Ran a Diagnostic Test everything Checked out
Installed Updated Tensioner
New Belts
Did a Brake Flush
Replaced Brake Fluid
Replaced Washer Fluid
Replaced Power Steering Fluid
Detailed my X3
Replaced my missing Owners Manual
Replaced the seal for the Moon Roof (to stop whistling)
Gave me BMW License Plate Holders.
Loaned me an 2006 X5

Of all the things listed, only a few were not under warranty at the time

Oil Change was not due (I later asked the dealer where I Purchased it from if they had used BMW certified oil they said yes)
All cosmetic damages were not covered
Air Filter was not covered- (purchased K&N)
Cabin Air Filter was not covered (Purchased Activated Carbon thanks to X3world.com)
Coolant Flush

They said all these were things replaced durring Inspection 2.

Thanks to everyone here, you helped me more than you can Imagine,

E. CAL

P.S. I'm going to be purchasing the Extended Warrantys thanks to the Info given here

Great Dealer in Austin TX
BMW of Austin

[xnsf]

WOW!!! no wonder you had a great experience at the dealership

[statdoc]

Very smart way to handle it. Good job!

[asawadude]

Kudos to your dealer for treating you and your X3 well.

[noncom23]

Loaned me an 2006 X5

Not fair...

[Mikeroo]

Did you buy it from a dealer or a private sale?

Also I did not see anything about the passenger side weatherstripping.. Did they fix that?

[Dr. CAL]

I purchased my x3 through a non BMW dealer. Non CPO. That is why I wanted such a deep inspection of the vehicle.

As far as the weather stripping i may have exajerated about a "torn" weather stripping. They didn't replace it, they said it was normal wear.