Service Schedule

[Dan1502]

I'm trying to work out which service is due and what will be done.  I've been in touch with the dealer and they have not been clear.  Before going back to them I would like to be armed with more information.

My car is a 54 E53 3.0d.

It's done just under 30,000 miles.

As far as I can see it had an Inspection 1 at about 10,000 miles in 2009 and another Inspection 1 at about 14,000 miles just before I bought it from a main dealer in 2011.  Brake fluid was changed in 2007, 2009 and 2011.

Last time I looked there were 2 green lights still showing and the brake fluid clock indicator.

I have booked it is as it also has a couple of warranty issues that need sorting but am having to use the collect and deliver service so will not be able to go in and discuss this with them on the day.

So which service should I have?  I have read that there is not inspection 2 for these (though the dealer referred to one and the book has a tick box for one) and that there is just a third oil service when fuel and air filters (and DPF?) are changed.  Could anyone clarify all this for me please so I can have a sensible discussion with the dealer about what needs doing and what I will be charged?

Thanks

[Sanj]

Hi Dan,

All diesels will NOT have an Inspection 2. Dealers are known to get confused by this.

So you should have the alternate pattern of Oil, Insp 1, Oil, Insp 1, etc.

The brake fluid change is usually every 2 years.

If it helps mine is soon due and I've been quoted:

£159 for the Oil Service (and you can't use your own supplied oil)
£139 for the brake fluid change

Intend to get the service done to keep the stamps up to fBMWsh and the fluid change done elsewhere of DIY.

HTHs

[Dan1502]

Thanks, that clarifies the Inspection 2 matter then.

I have been quoted £159 for an oil service and £249 for and inspection 1 which seems to be the going rate for the value service deals available from most dealers.

I've not yet had a quote for the fluids and have also realised the MOT is due so need a quote on that although I'm a bit stuck on that as the passenger door has just stopped opening and as I have a BMW insured warranty (about to expire) it will need doing before the MOT can be passed.  Due to time constraints I will probably have to get the dealer to do the MOT.

What I am not clear about is what is changed and charged extra for or included as there is a foot note to the value service saying filter changes cost extra (seems outrageous to me) so I'm not sure whether air, fuel, dpf etc are due to be changed and if so whether they are included.  First I need to work out which serrvice is due but from what you're saying it would seem like it should be an oil service if and inspection 1 was carried out last time but possibly with additional filter changes (and brake fluid).  I will call them to discuss but further advice would also be appreciated,

[Denis O]

As per Sanj's advice plus extras on every 3rd service. I think that will be fuel and air filter.

Brake fluid every 2 years as per the intermittant clock display on the green light area of the dash and no longer any change of coolant required which used to be every 4 years. That's now sealed for life  ::)

[Dan1502]

Ok, thanks.  As it had an Inspection 1 last time I think it will be an oil service along with filters and brake fluid but I insisted the air filter was changed when I bought it so probably just the fuel filter.

[Sanj]

Opps - quoted Oil as Insp 1 service price. Changed back to what it should be.

You'll be on an Oil Service then (if Insp 1 was the last thing it went in for).

The air filter is a bitch to change dealer so they tend not to touch it. The oil filter I'd get clarification on. Gonna ask for mine to be changed, regardless.

The general guidance on the lights is 3000 miles for each green and the amber - so you should see a good 15000 to 18000 miles between each visit (unless it's local only with lots of stop/starts).

[Dan1502]

Yes, I've booked it in for an oil service, brake fluid change and MOT plus the warranty work as on checking it seems the air filter, fuel filter and oil separator have been done.  I have two lights left but it's been two years since the last service.  I haven't decided whether or not to renew the warranty yet but want to stick to the schedule in case I do.  I'm leaning towards renewing it at the moment as I am recovering from a pretty serious mountain biking accident so will be able to do little to nothing myself for some while and have so long as the current issues are accepted I will probably have broken even this year so if I keep it another year and don't claim once hereafter it will probably still be worth it overall as I'll have had the protection against a major issue.

[Sanj]

Sorry to hear about your accident - hope you're on the mend.

Warranty will be good peace of mind and a selling point in the future. If you can afford it!