Servicing

DaveZ4richardson

DaveZ4richardson

Member
 Carlisle
I am about to start buying service parts for my 2003 3.0i starting with the usual parts, plugs, filters and lubricants. Whats the best spark plugs to purchase, some feedback would be appreciated, car has just hit 60k miles. I am looking at either NGK or BOSCH, am a complete novice at mechanics so looking for guidance as to what I need. It had an inspection 2 in March 2017 when I purchased the car, I am heading to France for 2 weeks in June next year covering approximately 1500 miles. :driving:
 
Inspection 2 would have changed the plugs. So shouldn’t be any need to change again so soon.
 
Can't go wrong with either NKG or Bosch, any fully synthetic oil will do the job - Millers is a popular choice on the forum. As said above, your inspection 2 earlier in the year should have set you up nicely for now - an oil change in next March though (I'd recommend every 12 months or 10k miles)
 
Have a google for lifetime bmw maintenance schedule, lots of good guidance for intervals there. You shouldn't need to do the plugs if you had a proper insp 2. Unless you've done 7/8k since then I wouldn't bother with an oil change either. I don't run anything over 10k but aim for 7.5 or 1 year whichever comes first.
I exclusively use MANN for filters (one of the OEMs for BMW) and Petronas for engine oil.
Your box probably won't have been done so that may be worth doing before winter, defo before your trip. I tend to inspect air filter and only change when it looks grubby, every 18 months or so. Cabin filter is usually annually along with an air con cleaning bomb.
If you really want to get into DIY servicing, get a socket set (Halfords are not bad for their sets) and a decent jack and axle stands. Ramps are worth considering or a portable lift if you have the space and cash.
Plugs and filters are worth keeping in stock as you can get them cheap when carparts4less have a sale on.
 
If it had an Inspection 2 last March then it should be fine until March '18. Then I would change/fit new everything in readiness for your trip i.e engine oil, coolant, brake fluid, gearbox and differential oil, plugs, filters etc. I use Mann filters, Castrol Edge oil and Bosch plugs. Also Castrol Syntrans and Syntrax in the gearbox and diff.
Definitely D.I.Y.....you'll save yourself a fortune plus you know exactly what works been done etc.
Coincidentally I've just seen a Bowker BMW advertising hoarding offering oil services at £99 ! No thanks....I can do it for at least half that ! :thumbsup:
 
Thanks for all that information chaps, its much appreciated, going to start buying the bits I need now in readiness to service in March/April 18. :thumbsup:
 
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