Newbie doing a service

M

Mike6

Senior member
I have always had a deep mistrust of garages and servicing. Having owned my 2.5 2005 plate Z4 for 3 weeks I decided to do a service on the car as the oil looked a bit worn. Bear in mind that according to the service records (all dealer stamps are in book) this was not due for many thousands of miles and car has only covered 55000 miles in 10 years.
Removed air filter and I have to say I havent seen a dirtier one in a long time. It should by time be roughly on its 3rd filter but the one I took out was stamped 20 October 2004 which suggests it has never been changed. I accept dealer could have had a lot of old stock but condition alone would indicate it was well past its best. Spark plugs looked original but were probably just in date although I would never wait that long before renewing them. Oil was very dark and with the filter needed changing.
I also purchased a cabin filter but for the life of me couldn't find how to get access unless the whole plastic panel in the bulkhead has to come out - anyone shed any light on how to do this please????
I should probably have also replaced the petrol filter unless these are in the tank and sealed for life??
But, where on earth is the powered steering filler cap???
Moral - never trust service records and dealer servicing
 
Good lad, I too distrust garages and do as much DIY as I can. I currently aim for oil and filter changes every 5-7.5k or annually if I start doing less miles. I can imagine the air filter never having been changed - frauds!
Cabin filter is a bit fiddly with the flap and push pin, wonder if that's been done!
I believe the fuel filter is integrated to the tank... probably shouldn't be an issue over here as our fuel quality is quite good - or so I've been told!
 
Thanks 'andysat'. Glad I didnt start ripping bulkhead apart.
But where is the power steering filler
 
Well you learn something every day. It seems the Z4 has electric assisted steering so no fluid and no topping up.
 
I found the exact same issue today (05/09/15) with my 2007 3.0si Coupe. Service stamps from main dealer up to 56k, car now on 65K, but the filter was dated 2006! and full of dirt. For such a cheap component these should be changed at every service to keep a decent airflow into the engine. Home service from now on for me.......forget the dealer stamps I intend to keep my big ass coupe for many many years! :driving: :)
 
Once my missus had her cooper s serviced on close to 50k and it was much more expensive than normal (We had since new.) So I rung the dealer who said it was a major service. I asked what that meant and in a nutshell it had new spark plugs and air filter. I was amazed according to the schedule they had never been changed before!
 
Dealers in the main are rip off merchants. It took me all of 5 minutes to change the air filter at a cost of around £12. Why hadnt it been changed previously by a well known BMW garage - because they could get away with it and which customer checks whether everything has been done properly?. As I said earlier I have nothing but contempt for main dealers when it comes to servicing.
 
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