New owner needs maint. info
 

Had a 3 series years ago...only vehicle I ever loved. Bought a 2004 X3 with 27500 miles and need to know what things I need to check first. Did not come with a maint record or owners manual. Really love this vehicle and know how important scheduled care is for these babies. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Go to the X5 World home page and look up the maintenance schedules. The vehicle would typically be due for Inspection I, at 30,000 miles. You can decide whether you want to do it at the dealer or not, but at the very least it gives you a checklist of what to look over. I would start with changing oil and filter, and checking all levels.

Welcome to X5 World and X3 World!

Hit the BMW dlr and have them "run the key"; that will show what has
been performed at a BMW dlr, service-wise. As JCL said, lots of info on
this site. Welcome to the Board.
GL,mD

Thanks for your help...this is a wonderful helpful site.

Thank you for your help...great info and people on this site.

Do most owners have a preference for synthetic or regualar oil? I have never used a synthetic but if that is what is recomended that's the way I will go.

I would bet that everyone here with an X, and other cars/m'cycles,
uses synthetic oil. Many use a syn in power steering, transmission,
transfer case, etc. For engine oil, see litany of threads on opins
and "favorites" if you are bored, but any quality brand synthetic, imo.

And, BMW rec'ds it...you need to cop a manual; surprised you did not
get one when you bought the car.
GL,mD

You must use a full synthetic oil. There are endless debates about which one; I use the BMW oil, which is Castrol 5W-30, either from the dealer or an autoparts store.

There is an owner's manual for your vehicle posted on the home page of X3world.com, that would be a good place to start.