Quick Preventative Maintenance Question

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by hypnotiqdmg

Hey your radiator exploded in your E36 as well. That was a fun day I don't want to remember.

Yeah I definitely weighed in on all of the aforementioned, I think any M class vehicle is going to come with a hefty repair tag though. I am thankful for the forum as some of those items thanks to the DIY's make it look pretty simple as long as I don't mind getting my hands dirty.

I wanted to ask but figured with a search I could probably find the answer, thank you for saving me time as now I have a hefty list of things to look out for. I suppose CV boots can be added too, it seems every other post on here is about one going out.

ya - but that is a $20 part and an hour or two of labor if you know what you are doing. Not the end of the world. Guessing a 5 year old car with 9K miles is going to be OK for awhile in that dept. First one went out at 70K miles and the second one at 100K on mine.

[c4racer]

Originally Posted by JCL

I would go one step further than AZX54.4. It isn't just that very low mileage vehicles can start to have issues after being parked, it is that being parked in many cases is harder on a vehicle than being used regularly. Things like seat scuffs, brake pads, scratches, etc, will likely be in great shape at that low mileage, but anything that depends on having a seal not leaking or hardened up is a candidate for an early failure. Cars like to be exercised, and a monthly start up in the driveway doesn't qualify.

To the OP, do you have full maintenance records? Do you know if the brake fluid was flushed every 24 months?

My X5 should be happy this year - it is getting a steady diet of daily driving during the week by my wife for carpool duty with our kids. Sat around a lot more last year but still managed to rack up over 10K miles. This year will be 15K+ for sure once ski season ramps up.

[FSETH]

Originally Posted by JCL

Cars like to be exercised, and a monthly start up in the driveway doesn't qualify.

Exactly, and not only engine seals, but how do you know if the A/C was operated when the previous owner was excerising the vehicle? I have always heard is good to operate the A/C to keep the seals and gaskets lubricated. Not sure if that is true, but when buying a four year old used car with 10,000 miles, I would be skepticle of all the issues that will arise early that will not be taken care of in the original 4 year 50,000 mile warranty. In other words, I would feel much better buying a 2009 model with 10,000 miles than a four year old car out of warranty with 10,000 miles. That is just me though.

[hypnotiqdmg]

Originally Posted by chefwong

Bearing it's a '05, is the warranty a bumper to bumper or just major mechanical....
Just curious bearing it's age, is the aftermarket offering a bumper to bumper or strictly major mechanical ...

Chef it is bumper to bumper but not as encompassing as the certified preowned b2b. Reading the fine print it seems pretty good, may just decide to go with another company. Dealership there deals with Compass but it doesn't look like shock absorbers are covered, wonder if they consider the air suspension a part of that. Also doesn't look like "interior items such as buttons, door and window handles" are covered.

[hypnotiqdmg]

Originally Posted by JCL

I would go one step further than AZX54.4. It isn't just that very low mileage vehicles can start to have issues after being parked, it is that being parked in many cases is harder on a vehicle than being used regularly. Things like seat scuffs, brake pads, scratches, etc, will likely be in great shape at that low mileage, but anything that depends on having a seal not leaking or hardened up is a candidate for an early failure. Cars like to be exercised, and a monthly start up in the driveway doesn't qualify.

To the OP, do you have full maintenance records? Do you know if the brake fluid was flushed every 24 months?

JCL thanks for the guidance. I've requested the detailed service records but to answer your question, yes the CarFax showed Brake service and fluid flush in 2007. I've made an appointment with my local dealer for them to run through anything that may need to be done now. The flush being one of them since it doesn't look llike it was done in 2009.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by hypnotiqdmg

JCL thanks for the guidance. I've requested the detailed service records but to answer your question, yes the CarFax showed Brake service and fluid flush in 2007. I've made an appointment with my local dealer for them to run through anything that may need to be done now. The flush being one of them since it doesn't look llike it was done in 2009.

So it went anywhere between 10 and 20 months over the recommended 24 month change interval. There is so much focus on oil change intervals on this board, and whether the manufacturer's recommendations are sufficient, but many owners neglect things like the brake flush where the consequences are seized calipers, and so on. Watch out for the brakes functioning normally, not pulling, ABS functioning properly, and they may be fine. However, this is the type of PM item that causes failures when missed and cars are parked, because the brake fluid doesn't move, the water that naturally collects in the brake fluid all goes to the lowest point, and that corrodes the calipers.

Don't just rely on Carfax, ask your dealer to scan your key and they should be able to show you all the work that was done by any dealer.

[hypnotiqdmg]

Originally Posted by JCL

So it went anywhere between 10 and 20 months over the recommended 24 month change interval. There is so much focus on oil change intervals on this board, and whether the manufacturer's recommendations are sufficient, but many owners neglect things like the brake flush where the consequences are seized calipers, and so on. Watch out for the brakes functioning normally, not pulling, ABS functioning properly, and they may be fine. However, this is the type of PM item that causes failures when missed and cars are parked, because the brake fluid doesn't move, the water that naturally collects in the brake fluid all goes to the lowest point, and that corrodes the calipers.

Don't just rely on Carfax, ask your dealer to scan your key and they should be able to show you all the work that was done by any dealer.

Well good news, just got off of the phone with the dealer and the brake fluid flush was performed Sept. of 09 as well. Dealership says all service records point to a pretty solid vehicle with all of the regularly recommended service fulfilled. I've made an appointment with them for Saturday to look the vehicle over, I should do the oil service and filter changes myself but will take it to them first time around in order to start the maintenance book. Will also get a print out of prior service even though he's already given me the mm/dd/yy breakdown of what's been done.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by hypnotiqdmg

Well good news, just got off of the phone with the dealer and the brake fluid flush was performed Sept. of 09 as well. Dealership says all service records point to a pretty solid vehicle with all of the regularly recommended service fulfilled. I've made an appointment with them for Saturday to look the vehicle over, I should do the oil service and filter changes myself but will take it to them first time around in order to start the maintenance book. Will also get a print out of prior service even though he's already given me the mm/dd/yy breakdown of what's been done.

Good to hear.

[AZX54.4]

Great work!! Sounds like your moving in the right direction!

[admranger]

Remember, most extended warranties, CPO included, require things to fail before replacing. So in order to get belts replaced, they have to break. Suspension bushing usually aren't covered (check).

That being said, my trans was replaced at around 50k-ish miles under CPO and two CV boots were replaced under CPO, so I'm not totally against warranties...

I tend to replace things before they break, based on the information from the group on when they tend to break.

BTW: excellent color choice!