Inspection II and valve shims

[Anonymous]

I think a lot of the info presented in here relates nicely to the discussion around servicing. There really is no telling what a second hand car has been through, unless every single bit of paper work is present in a folder (valve clearances, health checks, tyre inflator pack etc). I'd say 90% or more of our vehicles have been purchased on (potentially misplaced) trust.

As ever, this is the major benefit of this and other forums.

 

[original guvnor]

Just had mine done at Sytner. Asked for valve clearance report and got it, along with the full health check report. Mine needed one shim (it has done 42k miles). While it was in they noticed a leaking diff seal which the warranty covered, and has recouped most of my premium for the year when you throw in 2 new rear springs as well that were done a few weeks ago. My I2 cost £880 including brake fluid change. Whether I carry on with main dealer and warranty or not is still something I'm pondering, but I can't really fault the experience this time.

 

[mr wilks]

Just had mine done at Sytner. Asked for valve clearance report and got it, along with the full health check report. Mine needed one shim (it has done 42k miles). While it was in they noticed a leaking diff seal which the warranty covered, and has recouped most of my premium for the year when you throw in 2 new rear springs as well that were done a few weeks ago. My I2 cost £880 including brake fluid change. Whether I carry on with main dealer and warranty or not is still something I'm pondering, but I can't really fault the experience this time.

Id say that was a decent deal & even more so RE the 42k miles & added kudos for the service book RE its value going forward
How many miles a year are you doing OG ?

 

[original guvnor]

Just had mine done at Sytner. Asked for valve clearance report and got it, along with the full health check report. Mine needed one shim (it has done 42k miles). While it was in they noticed a leaking diff seal which the warranty covered, and has recouped most of my premium for the year when you throw in 2 new rear springs as well that were done a few weeks ago. My I2 cost £880 including brake fluid change. Whether I carry on with main dealer and warranty or not is still something I'm pondering, but I can't really fault the experience this time.

Id say that was a decent deal & even more so RE the 42k miles & added kudos for the service book RE its value going forward
How many miles a year are you doing OG ?

About 2 to 2.5k Mr W over the last 3 or 4 years.

 

[mr wilks]

Just had mine done at Sytner. Asked for valve clearance report and got it, along with the full health check report. Mine needed one shim (it has done 42k miles). While it was in they noticed a leaking diff seal which the warranty covered, and has recouped most of my premium for the year when you throw in 2 new rear springs as well that were done a few weeks ago. My I2 cost £880 including brake fluid change. Whether I carry on with main dealer and warranty or not is still something I'm pondering, but I can't really fault the experience this time.

Id say that was a decent deal & even more so RE the 42k miles & added kudos for the service book RE its value going forward
How many miles a year are you doing OG ?

About 2 to 2.5k Mr W over the last 3 or 4 years.

Enough to enjoy it but not too many to spoil :wink: I like that

 

[original guvnor]

Id say that was a decent deal & even more so RE the 42k miles & added kudos for the service book RE its value going forward
How many miles a year are you doing OG ?

About 2 to 2.5k Mr W over the last 3 or 4 years.

Enough to enjoy it but not too many to spoil :wink: I like that

About 99% smiles miles too!

 

[docp]

I am getting my inspection 2 done soon. Car is under Bmw warranty and all past services have been at Bmw. This makes me want to take it to a main dealer from a warranty / keeping it wirh a full Bmw history. But I know I'd have much more faith in a decent Indy doing the work.

 

[Viren]

Had my inspection 1 done recently, 4 shims were out of spec, car has 67k miles. Done by a well respected indy wouldnt trust bmw on any car i have, i know a couple of mechanics who work at bmw and porsche and those guys are unfortunately pushed to finish a job asap and they are also pushed to produce p&l.

 

[original guvnor]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

 

[Darren Slone]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

That's great Steve

As you know I'm not in the dealer network but will use this template with our friend SGS when he does my Ins2, in 4K miles or 22yrs away at present annual mileage of 181 :lol:

 

[mmm-five]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

Can't really complain to the dealer as what they've done is technically correct - as any other garage in the BMW delaer network would have done the same (cheaper/quicker to replace the one 'out of spec' than replace the 9 that are on the limit).

BUT, whilst they're technically 'in spec', I'm surprised they didn't take the opportunity of having the cam chest open to bring the tight/loose ones more into the middle of the range - on top of the single 0.356 exhaust shim on #2 that was replaced - as those look like they'll go out of spec very shortly.

i.e.

• both #2 0.23 exhaust
• both #3 0.18 inlet
• #5 0.18 inlet
• #6 0.18 inlet
• #2 0.33 exhaust
• #4 0.33 exhaust
• #5 0.33 exhaust

 

[srhutch]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

That's great Steve

As you know I'm not in the dealer network but will use this template with our friend SGS when he does my Ins2, in 4K miles or 22yrs away at present annual mileage of 181 :lol:

That's shocking Darren

Still it's only a matter of time before the other Zed rots away I guess.

 

[Darren Slone]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

That's great Steve

As you know I'm not in the dealer network but will use this template with our friend SGS when he does my Ins2, in 4K miles or 22yrs away at present annual mileage of 181 :lol:

That's shocking Darren

Still it's only a matter of time before the other Zed rots away I guess.

: :lol: hope not ! :lol: all swapped over now Steve, the ///M is at home and the 240Z in storage

 

[original guvnor]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

Can't really complain to the dealer as what they've done is technically correct - as any other garage in the BMW delaer network would have done the same (cheaper/quicker to replace the one 'out of spec' than replace the 9 that are on the limit).

BUT, whilst they're technically 'in spec', I'm surprised they didn't take the opportunity of having the cam chest open to bring the tight/loose ones more into the middle of the range - on top of the single 0.356 exhaust shim on #2 that was replaced - as those look like they'll go out of spec very shortly.

i.e.

• both #2 0.23 exhaust
• both #3 0.18 inlet
• #5 0.18 inlet
• #6 0.18 inlet
• #2 0.33 exhaust
• #4 0.33 exhaust
• #5 0.33 exhaust

Yes I suppose you're right. But its hard to say how much they've changed over time. This is the first time I've had measurements because mine does very low mileage and so hasn't had an Inspection for a good few years (just regular oil services). I don't think I got anything when it had an Inspection 1 but back then I wasn't as aware of the importance as I am now. So for all I know the measurements could have altered very little over time. I suspect they do move very little otherwise BMW would make it part of their service regime to change anything that was within x% of the upper or lower tolerances. Next time I will have a reference point though. I tend to over service anyway - strictly speaking the car wasn't ready for the I2 - it was still 2,500 miles away according to the service indicator, so I could've just done the oil service again.

 

[original guvnor]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

That's great Steve

As you know I'm not in the dealer network but will use this template with our friend SGS when he does my Ins2, in 4K miles or 22yrs away at present annual mileage of 181 :lol:

We need to fix that Daz! (The 181 miles a year bit)

 

[Darren Slone]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

That's great Steve

As you know I'm not in the dealer network but will use this template with our friend SGS when he does my Ins2, in 4K miles or 22yrs away at present annual mileage of 181 :lol:

We need to fix that Daz! (The 181 miles a year bit)

It's like I've got a new car so the mileage will be up next year Steve

 

[srhutch]

This was what I just got from Sytner Nottingham. If you are determined and make it clear you expect something similar (I showed them a couple of examples) then they should be able to produce it. You'll notice this was a screenshot from the tech's computer so they clearly have the set-up to produce a valve clearances report.

Can't really complain to the dealer as what they've done is technically correct - as any other garage in the BMW delaer network would have done the same (cheaper/quicker to replace the one 'out of spec' than replace the 9 that are on the limit).

BUT, whilst they're technically 'in spec', I'm surprised they didn't take the opportunity of having the cam chest open to bring the tight/loose ones more into the middle of the range - on top of the single 0.356 exhaust shim on #2 that was replaced - as those look like they'll go out of spec very shortly.

i.e.

• both #2 0.23 exhaust
• both #3 0.18 inlet
• #5 0.18 inlet
• #6 0.18 inlet
• #2 0.33 exhaust
• #4 0.33 exhaust
• #5 0.33 exhaust

Yes I suppose you're right. But its hard to say how much they've changed over time. This is the first time I've had measurements because mine does very low mileage and so hasn't had an Inspection for a good few years (just regular oil services). I don't think I got anything when it had an Inspection 1 but back then I wasn't as aware of the importance as I am now. So for all I know the measurements could have altered very little over time. I suspect they do move very little otherwise BMW would make it part of their service regime to change anything that was within x% of the upper or lower tolerances. Next time I will have a reference point though. I tend to over service anyway - strictly speaking the car wasn't ready for the I2 - it was still 2,500 miles away according to the service indicator, so I could've just done the oil service again.

These engines will run fine when out of tolerance slightly. BMW have to draw the line somewhere so the tolerances are set that must be met at the time if service. If they are on limit BMW know they can go out of tolerance and will know how much movement there is likely to be between services.

There will always be exceptions of course, but setting them at mid point (not normally possible) doesn't guarantee they won't be out of tolerance by the next services if something is amiss.

 

[Mangozac]

These engines will run fine when out of tolerance slightly. BMW have to draw the line somewhere so the tolerances are set that must be met at the time if service. If they are on limit BMW know they can go out of tolerance and will know how much movement there is likely to be between services.

There will always be exceptions of course, but setting them at mid point (not normally possible) doesn't guarantee they won't be out of tolerance by the next services if something is amiss.

Agreed. People are getting far more anal about this than they need to be. It's quite interesting once you do a couple of adjustments yourself you get a bit of an understanding of how critical (or uncritical in this case) it actually is.

 

[Angelus666]

Had my Inspection 2 done last week at PMW in Chelmsford. My first experience with them, seem a good bunch and very experienced. They replaced all 6 shims and made the relevant adjustments (apparently they were almost spot on anyway). The bill came to £799 with an air conditioning belt that needed to be replaced. When you look down the list of 'checks' on an Inspection 2 I do tend to think it's a bit of a piss take as more than half the stuff is checked/covered during a £35 MOT....

Although, I've seen BMW have re-corrected their pricing now so an Inspection 2 is now £850, and given you'll get a hire car (maybe even something half decent) I'd probably go there if I was doing this again.

 

[mmm-five]

...and given you'll get a hire car (maybe even something half decent) I'd probably go there if I was doing this again.

Assuming you actually get the promised courtesy car - despite requesting in 4 weeks in advance, and then being asked to £15/day insurance/admin for the 'courtesy' car, then to be told it had a 35 mile a day limit on it. A bit useless when I needed it all week to cover almost 500 miles - and it was a basic Mini One.

It was cheaper to get one from Enterprise at £75.

No point paying for all the extras when you're not actually getting them :thumbsdown: