Preventative Maintenance

[Pooltee]

Hi all,

Have been out enjoying the z4 today, and really getting to know the car now, and also enjoying the big smiles it puts on my face driving around with the roof down, and experiencing a driving environment that was completely alien to me up until a few weeks ago.

However, whilst on my return trip home, the thought suddenly entered my head about what I should be doing with this machine, besides ping on top of regular servicing. What maintenance should I be carrying out on top of the regular servicing to keep the car in best possible shape. I know that mechanical things can fail at anytime, but is there anything I should be doing to prevent anything bad happening?

The car does not cover many miles, actually since buying the car 2 months ago I have only covered 250 miles.

I look forward to your replies

Paul

 

[Smartbear]

Hi all,

Have been out enjoying the z4 today, and really getting to know the car now, and also enjoying the big smiles it puts on my face driving around with the roof down, and experiencing a driving environment that was completely alien to me up until a few weeks ago.

However, whilst on my return trip home, the thought suddenly entered my head about what I should be doing with this machine, besides ping on top of regular servicing. What maintenance should I be carrying out on top of the regular servicing to keep the car in best possible shape. I know that mechanical things can fail at anytime, but is there anything I should be doing to prevent anything bad happening?

The car does not cover many miles, actually since buying the car 2 months ago I have only covered 250 miles.

I look forward to your replies

Paul

Look up “salmon relays” for a good preventative measure to take, along with interim oil changes and replacing the battery before it’s on its knees
Rob

 

[Pooltee]

Cheers rob.

I have been following your post on the relays and plan to do this soon. Was going to do the oil changes every 3k or 6 months whichever I reach first (months probably). Picked up a set of spark plugs today too as I can not find any documentation to say they have ever been changed.

 

[Zed Baron]

Hi I don't know what model you've got, Ive got a 23i, had mine for nearly 5 years now (touch wood its been extremely reliable, only cost me a set of tyres, rear brake pads and a rear coil spring + oil/brake fluid changes) I keep it in the garage (I guess keeping most of the bad weather off it helps) on a trickle charger. Oil changes and brake fluid changes, air filter and microfilter are easy cheap DIY changes also. After reading about the roof relays might change them now

 

[Anonymous]

I think you have a 20i with the N20 engine, not sure if you’re is an auto?

Other factors are manufacturing date and current mileage and whether you plan to keep it for a long period?

Beyond oil n filter changes circa 5k-7.5k miles there is

Plus 35k miles

auto box oil / filter change
Spark plugs
Coils especially if tweaked
Cam chain upgrade kit / oil drive upgrade kit

Plus 5 years

New brake fluid / new coolant ..bmw says change brake fluid every 2 years..

 

[Smartbear]

I think you have a 20i with the N20 engine, not sure if you’re is an auto?

Other factors are manufacturing date and current mileage and whether you plan to keep it for a long period?

Beyond oil n filter changes circa 5k-7.5k miles there is

Plus 35k miles

auto box oil / filter change
Spark plugs
Coils especially if tweaked
Cam chain upgrade kit / oil drive upgrade kit

Plus 5 years

New brake fluid / new coolant ..bmw says change brake fluid every 2 years..

I think it’s miraculously every 3 years for a brake fluid change when bmw have to do it under the service plan :roll:
Rob

 

[Anonymous]

Rob thnx, seems very strange that BMW are only too happy to f%&*k up your engine and gearbox with infrequent / zero oil change but then ask to change brake fluid every 3 years..weird..

 

[Busterboo]

The best preventative maintenance is not to drive it between services. Well, apart from to and from the garage, of course.

 

[scootr]

The best preventative maintenance is not to drive it between services. Well, apart from to and from the garage, of course.

NOOoooo.... :evil:
You Must DRIVE
To keep it ALIVE

 

[Busterboo]

NOOoooo.... :evil:
You Must DRIVE
To keep it ALIVE

As long as you remember to do an oil change before your journey home. And, yes, that includes when you go to the corner shop for a bottle of milk. (Having first, of course, removed any features from the car that may break down on either journey.)

 

[Anonymous]

NOOoooo.... :evil:
You Must DRIVE
To keep it ALIVE

As long as you remember to do an oil change before your journey home. And, yes, that includes when you go to the corner shop for a bottle of milk. (Having first, of course, removed any features from the car that may break down on either journey.)

What was that other newbie poster complaining about sarcasm on this forum?

 

[john-e89]

NOOoooo.... :evil:
You Must DRIVE
To keep it ALIVE

As long as you remember to do an oil change before your journey home. And, yes, that includes when you go to the corner shop for a bottle of milk. (Having first, of course, removed any features from the car that may break down on either journey.)

What was that other newbie poster complaining about sarcasm on this forum?

Nothing wrong with a bit of sarcasm, it’s just the irony of it coming from ‘Mr over cautious’ himself that’s the giggle.... :lol: :wink: