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Servicing costs and self servicing

Specific discussion about the E89 2009 Z4 (sDrive35is, sDrive35i, sDrive30i, sDrive23i)
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Cavey1638
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Cavey1638 » Fri Mar 17, 2023 8:52 pm

I have read this with interest. The comment about mechanics is a common argument I have with my best mate. I am an engineer whilst he is a mechanic. I bow to his skill in diagnosing a problem and practical workarounds. Would I have him do my head gasket? No chance. I sold my old Z4 and the buyer could tell it had been looked after. Drains cleaned, roof maintained, correct viscosity / type of oil. Loads of pics which gave provenance.
On an older car FBMWSH does not really mean much as I think of my mate and the antics they get up to on customers cars.

Someone with skill and passion as mentioned earlier in this thread is what I would want.

That’s why I would not make money in a garage which gives changing spark plugs a .3 (time allowance) including finding the car in the car park!

I am too fussy.., must be the engineer in me?

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Owdgit
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Owdgit » Fri Mar 17, 2023 9:10 pm

Nah, it's not too fussy.
I too work in engineering (gas oil and nuclear) and it does make you want to do things correctly and to the best of your abilities.
If a jobs worth doing......
I like to think I'm an optimist.

2010 Grey Z4 E89 N52 3.0 with stuff
2018 VW Arteon 2.0tsi daily workhorse
2020 KTM 1290 Superduke GT

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MikeyH
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by MikeyH » Sat Mar 18, 2023 12:03 am

Don’t forget all those glass tumblers we got for ‘free’ with petrol :rofl: :thumbsup: happy days :thumbsup:
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.

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Cavey1638
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Cavey1638 » Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:08 am

And soup bowls…. When petrol stations were closed on a Sunday
:rofl:

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MikeyH
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by MikeyH » Sat Mar 18, 2023 10:36 am

And petrol pump attendants :rofl:
Now, Sterling grey Z4 2.2 with cup holders, stubby aerial and sport seats. Roadsters ‘cause they’re great with the roof down.
Ford Anglia, Red Sprite, a few MG midgets, MGB Roadster and yellow Ford Capri, all gone many years now.

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lewis1962
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by lewis1962 » Sat Mar 18, 2023 1:40 pm

My local BMW dealer "price matches" and I've never needed to go to an independent on price.
I've dome some things myself, like brakes.
Some of the independent BMW specialists can be expensive when I've checked.

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Owdgit
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Owdgit » Wed Mar 22, 2023 7:59 pm

So, I've got my service kit.
Checking the BMW handbooks I can't find any reference to capacities!
Is there a Haynes type service manual anyone would recommend?
It's the N52 3.0 2010 automatic model I have.
Ta
I like to think I'm an optimist.

2010 Grey Z4 E89 N52 3.0 with stuff
2018 VW Arteon 2.0tsi daily workhorse
2020 KTM 1290 Superduke GT

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Chippie
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Chippie » Wed Mar 22, 2023 9:45 pm

Owdgit wrote: Wed Mar 22, 2023 7:59 pm It's the N52 3.0 2010 automatic model I have.
I’m pretty sure it’s 6.5 litres.
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather

Kevin
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Kevin » Wed Mar 22, 2023 10:20 pm

Mine is a manual N52 3.0 that I've just acquired, so I'd be interested in what you find and what others recommend!

Haynes seem to do "Autofix" (electronic) manuals with service information for E89s, but not for the N52 3.0! It might have been too short lived
as a model (just 2009-2011)? The N52 2.5 (N52B25) is presumably closer than the N54, including the auto-box

https://haynes.com/en-gb/bmw/z4/2009-20 ... rol-339061

This

https://oil-change.info/bmw-z4-engine-oil-capacity/

shows all three engines with the same oil capacity: 6.5l as @Chippie says

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Owdgit
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Owdgit » Thu Mar 23, 2023 12:36 pm

Thanks, I thought it was 6.5l
Shame there's no workshop manual available
I like to think I'm an optimist.

2010 Grey Z4 E89 N52 3.0 with stuff
2018 VW Arteon 2.0tsi daily workhorse
2020 KTM 1290 Superduke GT

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Rockhopper
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Rockhopper » Thu Mar 23, 2023 12:58 pm

If you are going to trade it in then all the dealer is interested in is stamps in the book. If you hand over a file of receipts etc to prove you have done it yourself than that'll go straight in the bin. Last car i traded in i gave him my home service file along with a unstamped book and he just looked in the book and said "hmm, not much history with it.."

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Zed Baron
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Zed Baron » Thu Mar 23, 2023 1:24 pm

Mine will be 14 years old this year, my local dealer (and the cars supplying dealer) is only 5 minutes down the road. So, its had regular oil / brake fluid changes and scopes there and its built up a nice collection of services packs and stamps in the book. Yes it may cost a little more to do there but the nearest independent specialist is miles away and a lot less hassle for me and I always ask for a discount (as an old car salesman once told me, you don't ask you don't get). A couple of times they have flagged up things like rear brake pads and a broken spring, thats when I got my other mechanic to fix them (at a fraction of what BMW wanted and I know he's an excellent mechanic).
Image

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Owdgit
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Owdgit » Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:45 pm

I'll definitely be doing it myself as I find it satisfying and enjoy knowing that it has been done properly.
Last time it was dealer serviced I happened to see in the workshop and it was a spotty yoof working on it, no doubt his work would be supervised and checked?
I know everyone has to learn but I'd rather it wasn't on my car.
Just read a report at work of a dealer servicing a van, after driving away and parking on a slope the serviced handbrake failed after the driver got out, the van rolled down the hill crashing into a parked car. The handbrake was working fine beforehand.
I will be making notes in the service book myself, have all the receipts and even take photos of the work.
It's a 13 year old toy and part of the enjoyment is fettling with it.
If I get a lesser price when I eventually sell it I don't think it will be much less.
I like to think I'm an optimist.

2010 Grey Z4 E89 N52 3.0 with stuff
2018 VW Arteon 2.0tsi daily workhorse
2020 KTM 1290 Superduke GT

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Chippie
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Chippie » Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:28 pm

Owdgit wrote: Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:45 pm It's a 13 year old toy and part of the enjoyment is fettling with it.
That’s my kind of attitude :thumbsup:
E89 35is space grey Kansas coral red leather

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Owdgit
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Servicing costs and self servicing

Post by Owdgit » Thu Mar 23, 2023 7:56 pm

20221002_121447.jpg
20221002_121447.jpg (188.88 KiB) Viewed 224 times
It also helps now I've bought a ramp :D
I like to think I'm an optimist.

2010 Grey Z4 E89 N52 3.0 with stuff
2018 VW Arteon 2.0tsi daily workhorse
2020 KTM 1290 Superduke GT

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