Toying with the idea to self service
- Thread starter brad.210
- Start date
YouTube has a few vids... of varying quality and competence...
TIS is what you really want - the workshop manual. My cable from BM Cables came with it. Get a decent jack, some stands and/or ramps and some tools. Filter removal cup is needed for the oil filter. Invest in a good torque wrench.
TIS is what you really want - the workshop manual. My cable from BM Cables came with it. Get a decent jack, some stands and/or ramps and some tools. Filter removal cup is needed for the oil filter. Invest in a good torque wrench.
Usa
beginning to think i should have gone to the stealer with my 12yr old E85 jimbo, the palaver i'm going through atm! :roll:jimbo1958 said:
Nah, you should always try servicing yourself, but bank on getting stuck unexpectedly. such as having to free up stripped bolts etc. grrr & lol
Although I've done most jobs from servicing to engine re-builds I've stuck with BMW for servicing on my Z4. It still only has 46k miles and full dealer SH so for the sake of a few quid seems a shame to spoil a good history. If your car does low mileage it's unlikely to need servicing more than every two years, with a friendly BMW 'old timer' discount (car not driver) it actually works out cheaper to maintain than the annual service regime on my daughter's Hyundai.
Anyway, that's how I present my man maths during the periodic expenditure inquisition/comparison from Mrs Ewazix
Anyway, that's how I present my man maths during the periodic expenditure inquisition/comparison from Mrs Ewazix
Faith in dealer service history is misplaced in my experience. The wife bought a 2007 X3 a couple of years ago. Nice ///M Sport model with full dealer history. I always change fluids and filters as soon as I buy a car so I got the parts and cracked on. When I took the air filter and cabin filters out to renew them they were filthy and bore the car's original manufactured year markings. Now granted the car only had 30k miles on the clock but ffs! These filters had clearly never been changed in 7 years! Also replaced the plugs and brake fluid after realising BMW are so lazy and dishonest. So if they offer to reduce service labour charges by 20% because your car is over 10 years old it's probably because they are only going to do 50% of the work anyway.Ewazix said:Although I've done most jobs from servicing to engine re-builds I've stuck with BMW for servicing on my Z4. It still only has 46k miles and full dealer SH so for the sake of a few quid seems a shame to spoil a good history. If your car does low mileage it's unlikely to need servicing more than every two years, with a friendly BMW 'old timer' discount (car not driver) it actually works out cheaper to maintain than the annual service regime on my daughter's Hyundai.
Anyway, that's how I present my man maths during the periodic expenditure inquisition/comparison from Mrs Ewazix
Do it yourself and at least you know it's actually done.
It's a fair point in some cases but a generalisation. I've dealt with my local BMW/Mini dealers for the last 30 years in their various incarnations and marques and have always been happy and assured they've done the work as I do discuss with the tech' and check. I'm quite crafty as well and have marked various parts with tippex in the past which I'm sure they notice (I caught a Toyota dealership out with this BIG TIME a while ago but that's another story).
So yes dealers can be rogues and take short cuts, just like any mechanic even the much loved 'indie's' that we all rave about, as always it's a case of buyer beware. Personally the labour cost on a bi-annual service to maintain the credibility of a cars history Vs a DIY history is worth it.
So yes dealers can be rogues and take short cuts, just like any mechanic even the much loved 'indie's' that we all rave about, as always it's a case of buyer beware. Personally the labour cost on a bi-annual service to maintain the credibility of a cars history Vs a DIY history is worth it.
I'd much rather see extensive diy history with receipts for actual parts from a genuine enthusiast over a few logo stamps in a book claiming FBMWSH.Ewazix said:
My Zed gets annual oil changes even though mileage would take it out to 2 years. Air and cabin filters every year. Brake fluid changed every other year. Plus I have done Disa upgrade, all 4 discs and pads, changed expansion tank and thermostat as a precaution, flushed and renewed coolant. Replaced spark plugs, aux belts,. Renewed all coil packs, 2 new rear springs. There will be more this is just off the top of my head but much of this would not have been done under standard dealer inspection regime.
Now planning transmission fluid change and replacement of some brake pipes that have surface rust.
Many years ago I knew a guy who was a mechanic at a main Ford dealership - in order to maximise his bonus by beating his target time, he admitted to a select group of his pals that one trick often used was to use an oil can around the diff filler plug then wipe clean! 30 secs of effort v 15minutes on the work sheet!
You have to be able to trust your garage - I'm sure a lot of Ford Cortina drivers did all those years ago !
You have to be able to trust your garage - I'm sure a lot of Ford Cortina drivers did all those years ago !
GreyZed said:I'd much rather see extensive diy history with receipts for actual parts from a genuine enthusiast over a few logo stamps in a book claiming FBMWSH.Ewazix said:
My Zed gets annual oil changes even though mileage would take it out to 2 years. Air and cabin filters every year. Brake fluid changed every other year. Plus I have done Disa upgrade, all 4 discs and pads, changed expansion tank and thermostat as a precaution, flushed and renewed coolant. Replaced spark plugs, aux belts,. Renewed all coil packs, 2 new rear springs. There will be more this is just off the top of my head but much of this would not have been done under standard dealer inspection regime.
Now planning transmission fluid change and replacement of some brake pipes that have surface rust.
Keep us posted re your brakepipe change.
This was an advisory on last MOT before i bought the car. (surface corrosion)
Plan to do it myself too if possible.
Is abrasive cleaning and lithium greasing an option/easy fix?