First service: 15k miles or 1 year ?

[vern]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

I think there was a notice sent to dealers awhile back

Oil changes/service are to be done at 1 year OR when the maintenace minder says <500 miles. Now that you have passed one year, get the oil change done. Our first dealer oil change on the X3 was done at 1 year with only 13k miles on the odo. And for you X5 people talkin about green bars.......there are none on the 3-series and the X3 for that matter. It's just a simple "xxxxx miles till Oil Service/Inspection".

I'm glad you explained it, I was just about to. Just maybe some of these guys don't have dealers as good as ours and don't honor the one year and only do it at the 15,000 mile service.
cheers
vern

[silversurferX3]

Originally Posted by AzNMpower32

I think there was a notice sent to dealers awhile back

Oil changes/service are to be done at 1 year OR when the maintenace minder says <500 miles. Now that you have passed one year, get the oil change done. Our first dealer oil change on the X3 was done at 1 year with only 13k miles on the odo. And for you X5 people talkin about green bars.......there are none on the 3-series and the X3 for that matter. It's just a simple "xxxxx miles till Oil Service/Inspection".

this is correct i own an X3 theres no indicator bars..Just tells u the mileage left for service right after u turn on the car. Im due for my second service in 1420 miles..im at 39,025 miles. Im thinking of doing the extended warranty, i wonder how much that will cost

[Quicksilver]

Along the same lines my 2005 maintaince book says an oil change should occur once a year. Me? Its every 7500 miles like clockwork but the bars are not re-set by the independent guy. The first Oil change was done on the one-year mark. There were still 2 bars left and they said they wouldn't do it but I opened the maintaince book and pointed out the one-year paragraph. Discussion over. Got the appointment and the service.

[818Guy]

Thanks everyone. I guess I should contact the dealer nearest to me and ask.

[AzNMpower32]

While on the topic of maintenace, ASK for a brake fluid change. Dealers tend to be hesistant to do this for free. However, when I pointed out the paragraph in the handy-dandy maintanence supplement book, they rescheduled my X3 in the following week and had the car detailed for free for the trouble of bringing it back.

Remember, brake fluid is to be replaced every 2 years from date of production. I got mine done for free, and it improved brake pedal feel a lot.

[X3IHB]

I was told it had alot to do with how you drive it. I drive it hard. I live in Fla. in the flat lands. If you live in an elevated area you are pushing it even harder. My SA said they look at the computer and see how you drive. I have had 3 oil changes in 34000 miles on my 04. All covered by warranty. I guess it depends on your relationship with the dealer.

[818Guy]

Originally Posted by X3IHB

I guess it depends on your relationship with the dealer.

For me in my limited experience, I "only" drive an X3. That's the reception I get when I'm at BMW dealerships in the Los Angeles area. IMO that's not a great attitude to have for future BMW purchases by me. Oh well...

Still gotta find the time to stop by and talk with the service department (and switch back to the factory intake).


.

[Antus]

it seems strange to me that BMW is offering the free maintainance for years and they still don't have a standard proceduare on this.

in my opinion, they should do the one year or 15K miles and reset the light. some poeple said dealer didn't reset the light for one year service and went back 7 month later for microfilter change. it is a bit strange. BMW should just do everything at one year mark.

Does the new free maintainance cover the Inspection II? since the inspectionII is right on the mark with 4 year/50K maintainance.

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by Antus

Does the new free maintainance cover the Inspection II? since the inspectionII is right on the mark with 4 year/50K maintainance.

No it does not cover Inspection II. If you think about it, there's no way you can get it done if you follow the rules. If you do an oil change religiously on the first day after each year, your 4th service will be just over 4 years from in-service date. If you do it every 15k miles religiously, then you will hit Inspection II at 60k miles.

You'll need to buy the extended maintanence plan to cover Inspection II and the oil service after that. You should also buy the extended warranty.

[Antus]

ya, i know in normal case, Inspection II will be out of the 4 year/50K. but in extreme case, there is a chance.

if someone drive very aggressively, the light might be up at 12K miles, instead of 15K miles. and usually dealer can do a service when it has less than 500 miles to service. If the person keep doing it for 4 years, it is possible that Inspection II is within 4year/50K mark.

in another sinario, if someone drive very little, says 5K miles the first year. then he will get first oil change at one year/5k miles. then he drive a lot the second year, says 15K miles. then he will get Inspection I at 2year/20K mark. if that's the case, it is also possible that he will reach inspection II before 4 year/50K miles.

If BMW doesn't reset the light for annual oil change.. then for someone drive very little, (says 4K miles a year) then his inspection 1 will not due until almost 4 years after purchased. that doesn't make sense. (this case is not uncommon when someone has 3 cars)

i don't know if BMW reset the light for low milage car at one year service. if they do, then if someone drive very little. then the 4th oil service (which is inspection II) will be just before the 4 year/50K mark.

in addition, BMW suggest change break fruid every 2 years from production. if that's the case, the first break fruid change will be less than 2 year mark. If that's the case, the second break fruid change will be just within the 4 year mark. Will BMW do the second break fruid change for free?

As for coolen, BMW suggests to frush every 4 year from production. which is again just within the 4 year mark.

I think BMW should develop a standard procedure on the free maintainance program. clearly indicate what is included and what's not. My dealer was pretty generous about the free maintainance things. However, if there is a standard guideline, it will be easilier to follow in my opinion.