Servicing on low mileage cars (3.0Si)

D

duckson

Active member
 Preston
Hi all,

Waiting to look at (its in "prep") a BMW AUC 3.0Si Coupe thats Nov 2007 and only done 15k miles but its only had the 1 service towards the end of 2010 rather than (i believe) every 2 years (so 2009 and 2011).

Now i've now doubt the car hasnt suffered due to this and the mileage would likely of been under what the car was reporting that it needed to go in for a service but does this put people off?

It doesnt overly bother me personally as BMW are happy to sell it as an AUC car so it must be fine by them but i'm thinking about resale in future...opinions please?!
 
I was under the impression a BMW warranty was void if the car in question wasn't serviced at least every 2 years? I would be careful if they are charging a crazy premium for it, I know a few people got caught out with M cars and the 1,200 mile running in service - BMW sold a fair few AUC CSLs on that hadn't had the 1,200 mile service done, people convinced themselves if BMW sold it then it must be ok and come resale they got kicked in the knackers trying to shift them. I never really bought the whole running in service thing myself, but a lot of people do.

I would also ask what the 'prep' entailed, i know they're not obliged to tell you, but it'd be nice to think that the condition it went into them was pretty much commensurate with the mileage, as no doubt that'll be the headline aspect when they price it...
 
By "prep" they mean the general multi point checks and wash/wax plus i think they are doing a service (dont know what as yet) and changing the brake fluid.

I seem to recall the "M" running in service (which doesnt apply to the 3.0Si i presume) was needed at such low mileage/time frame due to the mineral oil they were using from new to bed the engine in? (correct me if i'm wrong).
 
duckson said:
By "prep" they mean the general multi point checks and wash/wax plus i think they are doing a service (dont know what as yet) and changing the brake fluid.
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Yep, i'd just be checking that it's a genuine minter if it were me buying.

duckson said:
I seem to recall the "M" running in service (which doesnt apply to the 3.0Si i presume) was needed at such low mileage/time frame due to the mineral oil they were using from new to bed the engine in? (correct me if i'm wrong).
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And the diff oil. My point was that I wouldn't allow them to leg you over as they did with the 1,200 mile running in service on some of the M's. Any non M engine doesn't require it as far as I know.
 
duckson said:
It doesnt overly bother me personally as BMW are happy to sell it as an AUC car so it must be fine by them but i'm thinking about resale in future...opinions please?!
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I'm speaking from personal experience here, AUC means nothing, it's down to dealer discretion.

My first ///M I rejected on day two of ownership after finding out the dealer had been remiss in advising the service history was not 100%. The car had been 2 years and 8 months between servicing although from a mileage point of view all was correct.

The dealer stated "We took a view that it would be OK so sold it as an AUC car"

If you phone BMW warranty with any engine issues and they find the service history is not as it should be your claim will be void. It was on this basis that I rejected the car as the dealer could not argue.
 
srhutch said:
I'm speaking from personal experience here, AUC means nothing, it's down to dealer discretion.

My first ///M I rejected on day two of ownership after finding out the dealer had been remiss in advising the service history was not 100%. The car had been 2 years and 8 months between servicing although from a mileage point of view all was correct.

The dealer stated "We took a view that it would be OK so sold it as an AUC car"

If you phone BMW warranty with any engine issues and they find the service history is not as it should be your claim will be void. It was on this basis that I rejected the car as the dealer could not argue.
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Yep, sort of what i was trying to say... :)
 
Yea i'm coming to the conclusion that i'm going to avoid this one, if i'm not 100% happy then best to leave it. I'm sure the engine would be just fine but its the resale aspect putting me off.
Real pity as its my local dealer and the price/age/mileage/spec are fine for what i was looking for.
 
Just phoned my local BMW garage as mine has 3500miles showing to the next service, but it is 1 year and 11 months down the line since the last service was done.
The service advisor said it was only required based on the service interval indicator and the time is no longer an issue. I pointed out that it says in the service book to do it no longer than 2 years at the most,if mileage covered doesn't warrant it (and read out the extract) . I also said it is specified in the BMW warranty that service intervals must be strictly adhered to, I had a right battle to get a quote for an oil service/ brakefluid change out of her
Be aware, that is how a warranty is voided
 
My Zed does low miles and I nearly got caught out taking the service indicator as just that, an indication of when it needed servicing :?
I simply can't understand why the BMW indicator doesn't flag services due on the basis of time, as well as EXACTLY which service/inspection is required including brakes. If dealers can't get it straight what chance the rest of us?
 
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