Need advise on fuel filter/system service

[06redtaco]

I am a newbie here.

My wife drives a 2009 X5 3.0i and has 26,000 miles on it. The other day, the dealer sent my wife an email recommending a fuel filter/system service and wheel alignment service on her vehicle. My wife called them and they said this is not covered under the BMW maintenance. I drove it yesterday for around 15 miles and I did not experience any problem as far as drivability is concerned. I would like to ask for your opinion if we should have it done. Thank you.

[JCL]

The fuel filter requirement is being oversold in my opinion. I would do it at 100,000, or whenever I had a specific problem with a plugged filter caused by using poor quality fuel.

Wheel alignment is not dependent on mileage. One way to check is to have your tires inspected to see if they are wearing evenly. If they are, there is no requirement to have an alignment. If you have uneven tire wear, an alignment can help.

Sounds like your dealer is having a slow week.

[ard]

So are you beginning to appreciate the scam of "dealer Service"?

Skip it all

[AzNMpower32]

Originally Posted by JCL

The fuel filter requirement is being oversold in my opinion. I would do it at 100,000, or whenever I had a specific problem with a plugged filter caused by using poor quality fuel.

Wheel alignment is not dependent on mileage. One way to check is to have your tires inspected to see if they are wearing evenly. If they are, there is no requirement to have an alignment. If you have uneven tire wear, an alignment can help.

Sounds like your dealer is having a slow week.

+1. The fuel filter is supposed to be "life time" (like everything else ) but 100k miles or filter failure would be a reason to replace it, not at 26k.

Alignment will depend on where you drive and whether you've hit potholes or kerbs. Unless there's some serious pulling or uneven tire wear, you've okay. It's not a regular maintenance item.

[06redtaco]

Thank you all for your replies. That was my impression, too, and you just supported it. The tires looks good and car does not pull to the right or left when driven.

[Boston X5 4.4]

+1 on the stealer trying to drum up some business


I always get the trade in email..."We have a high demand and don't have sufficient inventory of your year X5"......

[ard]

I'll add that Service Advisers, like child rapists and muggers, will profile and groom their victims: they will pitch this stuff to people that don't seem to know much about cars, women (some men) and those that demonstrate a lack of interest and engagement in "whats that gonna cost?" and "why are you doing that?"

When they find an owner that will, for example, fall for the above- or buy tires at the dealership- they have a real 'find'. They'll suck up to this kind of customer.

[diesaroo]

Originally Posted by 06redtaco

I am a newbie here.

My wife drives a 2009 X5 3.0i and has 26,000 miles on it. The other day, the dealer sent my wife an email recommending a fuel filter/system service and wheel alignment service on her vehicle. My wife called them and they said this is not covered under the BMW maintenance. I drove it yesterday for around 15 miles and I did not experience any problem as far as drivability is concerned. I would like to ask for your opinion if we should have it done. Thank you.

Uneven wear is a dead giveaway but it can be hard to tell to the untrained eye. If you're concerned that the dealer will want to perform the alignment without checking it first, any number of tire shops should be able to put it up on the rack and give you a computerized alignment printout as to what your values are now vs. what they should be for free.

Fuel filter is a tough one, some car companies recommend a 30k mile replacement schedule, others higher (60k). I'm not sure that you would get any warning before the filter would completely clog up to change it. This would leave you stranded, but since you are under warranty, BMW Assist would get you to the nearest dealer to change it. Depending on the quality of your fuel you may need it sooner than most or not at all.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ard

I'll add that Service Advisers, like child rapists and muggers, will profile and groom their victims: they will pitch this stuff to people that don't seem to know much about cars, women (some men) and those that demonstrate a lack of interest and engagement in "whats that gonna cost?" and "why are you doing that?"

When they find an owner that will, for example, fall for the above- or buy tires at the dealership- they have a real 'find'. They'll suck up to this kind of customer.

While I recognize the use of hyperbole, the lumping of service advisors in with child rapists and muggers (is that regular muggers or child muggers?) in that they groom their victims just seems to reach a little far.

I had a great service experience recently at my dealer. Two scheduled services on two vehicles, and a return visit to fix an intermittent electrical problem that they couldn't fix in the express lane time slot. It was an electrical fault wasn't covered by the vehicle warranty (it was the trailer module wiring harness). It was covered by parts warranty. However, I installed it, not the dealer, so the extensive diagnostic time was not covered. Service advisor called after a day and a half to tell me the sad story, and propose a resolution. They were in it for some $$. The part was covered. The diagnostic time wasn't. But he had already been to the service manager, discussed an approach, and proposed to me that they would pick it up based on my value to them as a customer. No charge at all. They just wanted me to know what the story was. Not like a child rapist at all. And whether or not he 'profiled' me to see if I was an informed consumer, I am a consumer who purchased (winter) tires and OE wheels from the dealer based on their competitive price. I think they are interested in ensuring they have satisfied customers, and acted accordingly.

[diesaroo]

Originally Posted by ard

I'll add that Service Advisers, like child rapists and muggers, will profile and groom their victims: they will pitch this stuff to people that don't seem to know much about cars, women (some men) and those that demonstrate a lack of interest and engagement in "whats that gonna cost?" and "why are you doing that?"

When they find an owner that will, for example, fall for the above- or buy tires at the dealership- they have a real 'find'. They'll suck up to this kind of customer.

All this talk reminds me of one of my favorite movies: "Blazing Saddles"

I think Hedley Lamarr has a few more descriptors that you may have missed in this line:

Hedley Lamarr: I want rustlers, cut throats, murderers, bounty hunters, desperados, mugs, pugs, thugs, nitwits, halfwits, dimwits, vipers, snipers, con men, Indian agents, Mexican bandits, muggers, buggerers, bushwhackers, hornswogglers, horse thieves, bull dykes, train robbers, bank robbers, a$$-kickers, sh!t-kickers, and Methodists!

FWIW, I liken the dealers to a pitbull. As long as they're fed pretty well ($$) and stroked (on the survey) they will be a gentle and loyal friend. If you ever get between them and their food they might try and maul you...