Servicing costs and self servicing

[Rockhopper]

If you are going to trade it in then all the dealer is interested in is stamps in the book. If you hand over a file of receipts etc to prove you have done it yourself than that'll go straight in the bin. Last car i traded in i gave him my home service file along with a unstamped book and he just looked in the book and said "hmm, not much history with it.."

 

[Zed Baron]

Mine will be 14 years old this year, my local dealer (and the cars supplying dealer) is only 5 minutes down the road. So, its had regular oil / brake fluid changes and scopes there and its built up a nice collection of services packs and stamps in the book. Yes it may cost a little more to do there but the nearest independent specialist is miles away and a lot less hassle for me and I always ask for a discount (as an old car salesman once told me, you don't ask you don't get). A couple of times they have flagged up things like rear brake pads and a broken spring, thats when I got my other mechanic to fix them (at a fraction of what BMW wanted and I know he's an excellent mechanic).

 

[Owdgit]

I'll definitely be doing it myself as I find it satisfying and enjoy knowing that it has been done properly.
Last time it was dealer serviced I happened to see in the workshop and it was a spotty yoof working on it, no doubt his work would be supervised and checked?
I know everyone has to learn but I'd rather it wasn't on my car.
Just read a report at work of a dealer servicing a van, after driving away and parking on a slope the serviced handbrake failed after the driver got out, the van rolled down the hill crashing into a parked car. The handbrake was working fine beforehand.
I will be making notes in the service book myself, have all the receipts and even take photos of the work.
It's a 13 year old toy and part of the enjoyment is fettling with it.
If I get a lesser price when I eventually sell it I don't think it will be much less.

 

[Chippie]

It's a 13 year old toy and part of the enjoyment is fettling with it.

That’s my kind of attitude

 

[Owdgit]

It also helps now I've bought a ramp

 

[Bob123]

If you buy genuine BMW parts, keep the receipts, write up exactly what you did, and download a BMW Service list of what to do, then I see no problem especially if you change the oil on a more regular basis than is advised. When I do my own servicing as well as the oil change and filters, I take off all four wheels and measure brake pad and disc thickness, check all the suspension for wear, grease all the hinges, treat the roof rubbers, and then write it all up in great detail.

That sounds very thorough. I've had a search for BMW Service list but I couldn't find what I was looking for. Would you happen to have a URL that I could use? Thanks.

 

[raymond.harper]

If you buy genuine BMW parts, keep the receipts, write up exactly what you did, and download a BMW Service list of what to do, then I see no problem especially if you change the oil on a more regular basis than is advised. When I do my own servicing as well as the oil change and filters, I take off all four wheels and measure brake pad and disc thickness, check all the suspension for wear, grease all the hinges, treat the roof rubbers, and then write it all up in great detail.

That sounds very thorough. I've had a search for BMW Service list but I couldn't find what I was looking for. Would you happen to have a URL that I could use? Thanks.

https://www.bimmerfest.com/threads/z4-e46-service-maintenance-checklist-2006.171200/

 

[Bob123]

[ref]raymond.harper[/ref], brilliant! Many thanks.

 

[Bob123]

[ref]raymond.harper[/ref], just been reading through and noticed that the replacement interval for the spark plugs on the 3.0i E85 appears to be 100,000 miles. That seems like a long time. Maybe the coloured asterisks meanings would provide more info?

 

[smorris_12]

I've just done mine at 99,000 and they were stamped BMW so I presume original. From the condition you'd have never guessed the mileage.

 

[Bob123]

I've just done mine at 99,000 and they were stamped BMW so I presume original. From the condition you'd have never guessed the mileage.

That's impressive

 

[raymond.harper]

I've just done mine at 99,000 and they were stamped BMW so I presume original. From the condition you'd have never guessed the mileage.

That's impressive

The ones in our Honda Jazz are original and have done 100000 miles

 

[Bob123]

I've just done mine at 99,000 and they were stamped BMW so I presume original. From the condition you'd have never guessed the mileage.

That's impressive

The ones in our Honda Jazz are original and have done 100000 miles

Wow, amazing how long they last for now.

 

[Owdgit]

Service completed, photos taken of parts before fitting, in progress etc. and I had the audacity to fill the service book out myself!!! :evil:
Glad I did it myself, it was easy enough and satisfying, Google was a great help in resetting the service indicators.
While replacing the brake fluid I noticed one of the front callipers was missing the retaining/anti rattle spring.
Not sure how this could have 'fallen off' as they are a tight fit.
Not apportioning any blame as I can't see it being missed off or overlooked but the last service had been completed by a dealer.
Oh yeah, the oil sump drain plug cover is missing too, anyone got one spare?
The pollen filter had enough vegetation to fill a garden
Always seems to drive better after a service and clean.