Service History AUC

bensz4mc

Member
 Twickenham
Thank to everyone for all your amazing advice in helping me get back in my 3rd Z4M after 6 years without one.

I have just received the service history from the garage and its doesn't look right... massive gap between last service. The car has had 5 owners. Do you think this is an issue?

Running-in-check - 1023 - 4th May 07
Oil service and micro-filter - 21st April 08
Insp 1 and Brake Fluid - 23397 - 3rd March 09
Oil Service - 34852 - 14th Dec 09
Insp 2 and Micro-filter - 46480 - 14th Dec 10
Oil service, Brake Fluid & Micro-filter - 57958 - 24th April 12
Insp 1 & Micro filter - 71130 - 31st July 13
Oil service, Brake Fluid & Microfilter - 82352 - 18th Aug 17
 
Hi, id suggest so, it should have oil and bf every 2 years max, even if laid up and it looks like it's done over 10k miles since its last service 4 yrs ago :cry:
 
I'd not be overly worried, but I'd also check the MOT history to see how many miles it covered in those 'vague' years. If there's no MOT for a specific year, then it might have done 11,000 miles in one year and then been laid up for 3.

You can also check the MOT site for any advisories/fails on those years.

As long as it's been 'recommissioned' properly after its hibernation then it should be fine, but you could ask for an inspection 2 (clearances, gearbox/diff oil change, new spark plugs, etc.).
 
It may well be that the book hasnt been stamped.

I would ask it will be recorded at BMW if it was done there.

Not the end of the world modern oil is much better than it used to be although it should be changed every 2 years.

TBH at the mileage I would have the engine mounts and bolts checked. The mounts are rubber and one of them sits right behind the heat shield and tends to go quicker plus with these cars being 10+ year old they are probably not there best anyway.
 
I wouldn't be happy with that!

The oil has been in it for 4 years and the car has done 11000 miles in that time.

The 2 year service interval from the factory is too long as it is.

I'd walk away personally, its a shame as it looked well cared for until they missed the service!

It will probably need the bottom end bearings done too and that 4 year old oil wont have helped that!
 
Thanks Guys.. Its the Silver Grey Coupe at Synter in Cardiff up for £18k. Seems in really good condition - I have asked them to come back re. changing the Front Disks and Pads and carrying out an Inspection II. I am still uncomfortable about the 4 years without a service but I have the Approve Warranty if something major goes wrong!
 
When I was looking for mine, I found one with a long history gap at Synter Tamworth. When I questioned this, after alot of bollicks from them they offered an extra years AUC warranty. I walked in the end as I found a better car......but it might be worth you trying for an extra years AUC warranty. I would have thought 2 years would be enough for any problems to manifest themselves.
 
If you really want the car, I'd push for the 2 year warranty, also get it in writing that they will honour it because it technically has not been serviced as per schedule so the warranty could be invalid!

I would also get the bearings done just before the warranty expires for piece of mind.
 
bensz4mc said:
Thanks Guys.. Its the Silver Grey Coupe at Synter in Cardiff up for £18k. Seems in really good condition - I have asked them to come back re. changing the Front Disks and Pads and carrying out an Inspection II. I am still uncomfortable about the 4 years without a service but I have the Approve Warranty if something major goes wrong!

The problem is moving it on later down the line and explaining to another potential buyer. From a wear point of view if the bearings have been wearing and they do as they get older its just as important for it to stick to the schedule as if it were new and bedding in. Just increases the risk of bore scoring etc although there is a magnet to collect the small shards of metal that occur during wear some inevitably go back through the engine the longer its left the damage potential is greater.

These engines dont tend to suffer too badly from this issue but the ones that do generally have a neglected service history and really as they get older I would reduce the service interval or have the potential issues replaced for piece of mind.

I wouldnt worry too much like I said I would say its more the book probably hasnt been filled out. All the new cars have electronic servicing so its becoming more and more common that they forget to fill out the book.

I got a 2 year warranty with mine from BMW without too much push, but be wary that the BMW warranty has a milage limit, not sure what it is but I dont think this car is far away.
 
Thank Guys. I have asked for 2 years warranty, written confirmation the warranty wont be affect by the service schedule not being met, the front discs and pads to be replaced and full tank of petrol.

They don't have the plastic key. Anything else you think I should ask for or get them to check?

Rear Brakes are Discs 23.6mm and pads 13mm.
 
hopz121 said:
I wouldn't be happy with that!

The oil has been in it for 4 years and the car has done 11000 miles in that time.

The 2 year service interval from the factory is too long as it is.

I'd walk away personally, its a shame as it looked well cared for until they missed the service!

It will probably need the bottom end bearings done too and that 4 year old oil wont have helped that!

Really???

How do you know the car didn't do 11k in 2 years then sit for 2?? You don't.

Also your statement about the bottom end bearings is ridiculous. Every car is different, some will be fine well over 100k, and some won't. You are in no position to predict what will happen on this or any other car so please don't.

We have enough ridiculous scaremongering on this forum, so please don't be yet another source of it.
 
Changing oil at 2 years is fine if the mileage is low. Oil doesn't degrade like it used to. I also had my 2 year old oil analysed and it was fine last time it was changed.

Re the bearings there is no pattern so a lot will depend how it's been treated/driven and how going forward its going to be treated/driven. The former obviously is unknown.

If you plan on keeping the car for a number of years then the 4 year gap (If that is correct) won't be so much of an issue when you come to sell anyway. As mmm-five said, check the MOT history to give you an idea of the last 4 years, and with 2 years warranty you'll have good piece of mind.
 
VRSteve said:
hopz121 said:
I wouldn't be happy with that!

The oil has been in it for 4 years and the car has done 11000 miles in that time.

The 2 year service interval from the factory is too long as it is.

I'd walk away personally, its a shame as it looked well cared for until they missed the service!

It will probably need the bottom end bearings done too and that 4 year old oil wont have helped that!

Really???

How do you know the car didn't do 11k in 2 years then sit for 2?? You don't.

Also your statement about the bottom end bearings is ridiculous. Every car is different, some will be fine well over 100k, and some won't. You are in no position to predict what will happen on this or any other car so please don't.

We have enough ridiculous scaremongering on this forum, so please don't be yet another source of it.

It hasn't been sat for 2 years, a quick check of the MOT history shows that!

Id also check out MOT history OP as weirdly it failed in 2014 and wasn't passed again until 2015, granted it did 8 miles in that year but weird they didn't get it passed and read legal all the same.

Castrol 10W-60 is known to degrade over a few 1000 miles let alone 11,000 miles in 4 years.

I am not predicting i am advising, if you see my later comment i said i would get the bearings changed just before the warranty expires for piece of mind. If the bottom end bearings let go its not a cheap fix. It should be treated as a serviceable item as you don't know how the previous 5 owners have treated the car!

Take my advice on the chin OP i am a glass half empty kind of guy sometimes and everyone is different.

Good Luck
 
bensz4mc said:
Thank to everyone for all your amazing advice in helping me get back in my 3rd Z4M after 6 years without one.

I have just received the service history from the garage and its doesn't look right... massive gap between last service. The car has had 5 owners. Do you think this is an issue?

Running-in-check - 1023 - 4th May 07
Oil service and micro-filter - 21st April 08
Insp 1 and Brake Fluid - 23397 - 3rd March 09
Oil Service - 34852 - 14th Dec 09
Insp 2 and Micro-filter - 46480 - 14th Dec 10
Oil service, Brake Fluid & Micro-filter - 57958 - 24th April 12
Insp 1 & Micro filter - 71130 - 31st July 13
Oil service, Brake Fluid & Microfilter - 82352 - 18th Aug 17

I think you are over thinking the situation, you will be getting a warranty so just drive it hard at the start of the warranty period, then if anything brakes it's covered.

Think about future sales in the future, in the mean time enjoy the ride :)

[EDIT] After taking delivery, take it to a BMW indi for an inspection/look over so you know if you need to get them to do any warranty work straight away.
 
Latest saga - BMW sytner just called to say they would do the Inspection II and Front Brake but they wont be selling it as an Approved used car as they made a mistake reviewing the service history. Because the gap was 4 years they can only sell it as a Sytner select car with 6 months warranty. They have taken it off the BMW site. I am not best pleased!!!! I have asked them to tell me the differences between the two warranties and go away and find out it they can give me 2 years.
 
I thought this maybe the case,

BMW won't pay them for any warranty work because of the 4 year Gap doesn't meet the service schedule, Walk away or bargain hard! :(
 
The dealer 'could' give you a 1-2 year BMW Insured warranty...but at that mileage you're looking at £2500+ a year for fully comprehensive...and I bet there's plenty they'd argue over due to the mileage.
 
bensz4mc said:
Latest saga - BMW sytner just called to say they would do the Inspection II and Front Brake but they wont be selling it as an Approved used car as they made a mistake reviewing the service history. Because the gap was 4 years they can only sell it as a Sytner select car with 6 months warranty. They have taken it off the BMW site. I am not best pleased!!!! I have asked them to tell me the differences between the two warranties and go away and find out it they can give me 2 years.

Sounds like they have no confidence in the car, walk away.
 
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