Evidence of Running-In Service

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YorkshireJohn

Member
I'm going to look at a Z4M coupe tomorrow. The bloke selling it reckons it has a full service history. I've rung BMW customer services who told me it's only had 1 visit to a BMW dealer - for an inspection 1.

Does this mean it didn't have the running-in service?

Also, it's gone more than 2 years without any service or oil change. Is that too long?

Part of my reason for querying this is that I want to take out a Mondial warranty and they require that the services be carried out according to the BMW schedule.

Any thought would be much appreciated.
 
If it's. BMW approved used car it will get a warranty ok.

Oops just notice the comment re buying, so I would ask Mondial and call in and have a chat with the the dealer who serviced it.
 
You need to see the log book. Can the guy send you some photos of the pages ?
 
Thanks for the quick replies!

I phoned the one BMW main dealer who had serviced it - they did an Inspection 1 and brake fluid change.

I'll ask to see the service book when I view the car, but (being paranoid here) I know how easy it is to fake a dealer's stamp - which is why I wanted to get BMW's confirmation of the service record from their database.

I'll see what the bloke has to show me when I look at the car....
 
ronk said:
If it's. BMW approved used car it will get a warranty ok.
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This is not true. I rejected my first ///M after two days as the BMW main dealer had lied about the servicing and when I phoned Monidal they confirmed they might not honour the warranty. The dealer offered to put in wiritng they would back the warranty themselves and buy the car back if I ever sold it.

I doubt there would have been a problem, but the service was 8 months late and it was a risk I was not prepared to take.

AUC = Always Use Caution
 
YorkshireJohn said:
Thanks for the quick replies!

I phoned the one BMW main dealer who had serviced it - they did an Inspection 1 and brake fluid change.

I'll ask to see the service book when I view the car, but (being paranoid here) I know how easy it is to fake a dealer's stamp - which is why I wanted to get BMW's confirmation of the service record from their database.

I'll see what the bloke has to show me when I look at the car....
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You need to phone the premium rate BMW line to get more details on the service visits. The dealer you spoke to may only have access to their own history.
 
srhutch said:
You need to phone the premium rate BMW line to get more details on the service visits. The dealer you spoke to may only have access to their own history.
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Sorry, I haven't explained clearly: I rang the premium rate line. They told me that the car had only had one dealer visit and gave me the name of the dealer. I then rang that dealer and they told me that all they had done was an inspection 1 and a brake fluid change.

I guess I'll just have to see what the service book says and if there's a running-in service stamp in the book I'll ring the dealer who stamped it to check. Maybe the service didn't make it on to BMW's central system?

But, as people are suggesting, I'm quite prepared to walk away if it doesn't all seem watertight.
 
YorkshireJohn said:
srhutch said:
You need to phone the premium rate BMW line to get more details on the service visits. The dealer you spoke to may only have access to their own history.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I haven't explained clearly: I rang the premium rate line. They told me that the car had only had one dealer visit and gave me the name of the dealer. I then rang that dealer and they told me that all they had done was an inspection 1 and a brake fluid change.

I guess I'll just have to see what the service book says and if there's a running-in service stamp in the book I'll ring the dealer who stamped it to check. Maybe the service didn't make it on to BMW's central system?

But, as people are suggesting, I'm quite prepared to walk away if it doesn't all seem watertight.
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Running in service at the time was free, so there is no reason why anybody would miss it. Saying that I walked away from a lovely Ruby Black MR because the running in service hadn't been done until 2.5k (from memory) :headbang:
 
Surely BMW would have a record of the dealer that sold the car originally, so you could call them directly ? I'd have thought they would do the running in service.
 
Bing said:
Surely BMW would have a record of the dealer that sold the car originally, so you could call them directly ? I'd have thought they would do the running in service.
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I'm guessing if it's only had one BMW service it could easily have missed the running in one.
 
ronk said:
Isn't it all on the key?
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On E89 perhaps, on these, no, pretty sure not.

If it hasn't had a running in service (very important where they swap out the thinner grade oil which does the first 1000miles) which it sounds like it hasn't, then I would absolutely walk away.
 
ronk said:
Isn't it all on the key?
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Don't think so, especially if only one key has been used. It stores the latest mileage. If the car has an Intravee you can see what services it's had to a dregree.

service.jpg
 
I only ask as I seem to remember the dealer shoving my E85 key in a gizmo?
Would that just show basic info ?
 
ronk said:
I only ask as I seem to remember the dealer shoving my E85 key in a gizmo?
Would that just show basic info ?
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They do that when you take in for service etc, but I'm sure they only get the latest mileage off of it. Think the newer cars/keys might hold a bit more regarding CBS.
 
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