Question about BMW Ultimate Service

wkt20 · #1 12-19-2012, 03:35 AM

Hi,

I am new to this forum. I have just bought a 2009 BMW X5 with 40k miles, so its still under warranty. It's really a great car and I am really a proud BMW owner!

Carfax is clean but only listed last service at 6/10/2010 (over 2 years), However the service status on idrive shows that everything is GREEN. Why didn't the previous owner go to a BMW dealer who would have the records updated to Carfax?

Since I do NOT have the history of the vehicle, is there a way that I can have BMW dealer check for any work that needs to be done on the car under BMW Ultimate Service (will I be charged diagnostic fees?)

Also, can I call BMW up to schedule for a service under BMW Ultimate Service despite the service status showing 'GREEN'?

If anyone can help me as a new BMW owner I would be really grateful.

Thanks a lot!

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JCL · #2 12-19-2012, 03:49 AM

Carfax is in no way a complete record.

Take the car to your dealer. Give the service advisor your key, and they will read it. Ask them for a copy, and if anything is due. Decide from there.

wkt20 · #3 12-19-2012, 03:51 AM

Thanks JCL.

Do they charge for reading the key?

Talonrob · #4 12-19-2012, 10:43 AM

They shouldn't. To them it should be an opportunity to get work and for you it costs nothing.

Rob.

JCL · #5 12-19-2012, 11:50 AM

Just remember that the service advisors who read the key is not technicians, they are service advisors. They book appointments and sell service work. Which is fine, but don't confuse them with technicians.

ard · #6 12-19-2012, 01:19 PM

Also understand that 'reading the key' is just reading the key! Someone could have reset the service minder to sell the car and never actually changed the oil! The key isnt a magic 'truth teller', all it has is history it reads from the car. If the car shows green it will not be different on the key, IMO

It is POSSIBLE the oil was changed and the service reset, but this was not ported to carfax. (And reliance on carfax is insane.)

Without a confirmed service visit since 2010, I'd change the oil.

wkt20 · #7 12-19-2012, 02:32 PM

Thanks for your responses.

Let's assume that there is no confirmed visits for BMW service but since the service minder is GREEN, can I still get BMW to perform a service and cover the cost under BMW Ultimate Service?

ard · #8 12-19-2012, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wkt20

Thanks for your responses.

Let's assume that there is no confirmed visits for BMW service but since the service minder is GREEN, can I still get BMW to perform a service and cover the cost under BMW Ultimate Service?

That is an interesting question....

The text of the legal agreement that defines the 'ultimate service' is that they will only provide service as required by the car's CBS (Condition Based Service) system. Which means that if someone reset it, and never did the service, the car will never 'know'...neither would BMW. Arguably the dealer could say "if it is green, BMWNA wont pay for it".

Now, BMW *will* know if they paid for a prior service (this is maintained by BMWNA in a central file under the VIN). I suppose an SA could cite that 'the car indicated that the service was reset' and 'we have no record of an oil service' and ask BMWNA to pay for the service, arguing the service was not done when indicated.

But all this is speculation- find out what the key read, car and BMW service history system all say. You should be able to drop by and have a conversation with a service advisor about this without an appt. (Just NOT on a Friday, and NOT early AM or late PM!)

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