Question about free maintenance

[vasillalov]

Ok Folks,

I *think* I am pretty much aware how the free maintenance deal works but I have a question and I figure I'd ask here before I show up at my local dealership.

So I recently bought a 2008 335i. At the time of purchase, the car had only 3500 miles on the clock and no service records. My assumption is that there was no service performed at all.

The car now has just under 5000 miles and I want to change the oil since I presume it is the oil that was put in from the factory.

The car was sold as a 2008 model when it was new in Oct of 2008. We are getting close to the one year mark. According to my understanding, we get one free oil change every 12K miles or once per year which ever comes first.

Should I even try to schedule an appointment for oil change on the yearly basis or just change it myself?

[Kredithai]

No, just let them do it.

[mryakan]

Please read our FAQ.You will only get free oil when car says so or if a year passes. Unless you plan on driving 10000 miles between now and Oct, I also say just wait.

[vasillalov]

Well, I just talked to my dealer. They ran the vin and requested that the car be serviced. Free services + a taxi cab ride to work and back when they are done.

I think I am going to like my local dealer after all

[boppdawg]

ita actually every 15,000 miles or once a year

[mryakan]

ita actually every 15,000 miles or once a year
:nono NO NO NO. There is no set mileage anymore. It is Condition Based, so either when the car tells you or at the annual anniversary. The dealer will refuse to do it otherwise unless you pay.

[telestroker]

How about brakes?

I bought mine at 44K miles, and have another 5K left before the free maintenance period is over. The paperwork indicated that the pads were good for another 7-9K miles. Is it possible to have them replaced even though they have some life left, but will need to be replaced soon after the free maintenance period?

[Beer Goggles]

They didn't change mine on my year mark...I had to come back 2 months later when the car asked for a change. Call the dealer and ask.

[mryakan]

They didn't change mine on my year mark...I had to come back 2 months later when the car asked for a change. Call the dealer and ask.
I believe they won't do the annual oil change unless you ask for it.

[mryakan]

How about brakes?

I bought mine at 44K miles, and have another 5K left before the free maintenance period is over. The paperwork indicated that the pads were good for another 7-9K miles. Is it possible to have them replaced even though they have some life left, but will need to be replaced soon after the free maintenance period?
They will not replace them for free unless CBS says they need changing (or they are below minimum spec which is practically the same thing unless you have a faulty sensor), and it has to be within the free maintenance period. Brake harder ;).

[ceb]

...according to the system, my next oil change (new car, 500 miles) is on August 15 2011 or at 16k miles. My front brake pads are due in 26k miles and my rear pads at 31k miles.

If that is correct, then I should be glad that I bought the extended service as there will be one brake change during the 4/50 and two in the second 50 k miles. The two brake services will pay for the extended service contract by themselves...

[vasillalov]

So I got my car back from the dealer today. Free oil change, free vehicle check, free brake fluid flush. Not bad at all.

Unfortunately, they did not reset the CBS for the oil. It still says oil change in November of 2009 or @ 12,000 miles.

I am guessing this is a good thing because in another 5-6K miles I will get another oil change free.

Comments?

[mryakan]

So I got my car back from the dealer today. Free oil change, free vehicle check, free brake fluid flush. Not bad at all.

Unfortunately, they did not reset the CBS for the oil. It still says oil change in November of 2009 or @ 12,000 miles.

I am guessing this is a good thing because in another 5-6K miles I will get another oil change free.

Comments?
Yes that is what they are supposed to do when they do an oil change that the car didn't ask for. And yes you will get another free one once it says it needs it.

[vasillalov]

^^^
Sweet! Thanks for the input. :)

[Critter7r]

...according to the system, my next oil change (new car, 500 miles) is on August 15 2011 or after I've driven another 16k miles. My front brake pads are due after I've driven another 26k miles and my rear pads after I've driven another 31k miles.

If that is correct, then I should be glad that I bought the extended service as there will be one brake change during the 4/50 and two in the second 50 k miles. The two brake services will pay for the extended service contract by themselves...

(bold items above were added by me)

Not to confuse everyone more, but there are 2 kinds of oil service, a regular oil service (where the OBC gets reset) and and "annual" oil service (where the OBC does not get reset). Your car is due for a regular oil service every TWO years or when the mileage indicator indicates, and the OBC will be reset after 2 years, whether or not you hit the mileage mark. (That's why your OBC reads 8/15/2011, and not 2010). Then you can have an "annual" oil service done at the 12 month mark, if you don't hit the mileage count and the OBC doesn't get reset.

[brunp]

Regardless of what is free and what is not free. The conditions of Ottawa recommend to go no more than 12,000km before exchanging the oil. Those will not be paid unless it falls on the annual anniversary or when the computer tells you. When I was at the dealer, they reset the oil km countdown to 30,000km, which is an insane period of time.

So, as a result of this...I will have my guys at Autovation do my interim oil changes since it is cheaper than the $130+ charge that is done at the dealer.

nuf said...

Paul

[mryakan]

Regardless of what is free and what is not free. The conditions of Ottawa recommend to go no more than 12,000km before exchanging the oil.
Who the heck recommended that :confused. That is every 7500 miles :eek:, not really necessary with the synthetic kind. I drove my e36 in Ottawa for 9 years and the oil was changed regularly around 9K miles and it was ok all the time, no engine issues. Engines have improved too in the last dozen years.

[brunp]

Who the heck recommended that :confused. That is every 7500 miles :eek:, not really necessary with the synthetic kind. I drove my e36 in Ottawa for 9 years and the oil was changed regularly around 9K miles and it was ok all the time, no engine issues. Engines have improved too in the last dozen years.

one of the BMW service coordinators @ Otto's. I realize that the engines have improved, but almost every mechanic that I speak too agree's that you can increase the service intervals with the improved engines, but that intervals set forth by the manufacturer these days are too long, even with synthetics...

Paul

[Joeb427]

one of the BMW service coordinators @ Otto's. I realize that the engines have improved, but almost every mechanic that I speak too agree's that you can increase the service intervals with the improved engines, but that intervals set forth by the manufacturer these days are too long, even with synthetics...

Paul

True.It comes down to if you lease go the 15K.If you don't go 7500.

[mryakan]

one of the BMW service coordinators @ Otto's. I realize that the engines have improved, but almost every mechanic that I speak too agree's that you can increase the service intervals with the improved engines, but that intervals set forth by the manufacturer these days are too long, even with synthetics...

Paul
I bet he was hoping to make more money off of you. I did notice they always left a sticker on my windshield everytime I went in for an oil change and it indicated a much shorter interval. It is funny because it contradicts with BMW recommendations. As I said, for the past 12 years I have stuck by BMW recommendations and have had no issues. But if it makes you feel better to change it more often, go ahead, it doesn't hurt, just a waste of some money. But as I always say, sometimes peace of mind is worth throwing money at. Either pay for oil or for the OCD medication, right? ;):D

[mryakan]

True.It comes down to if you lease go the 15K.If you don't go 7500.
and what does leasing have to do with it?:confused

[brunp]

True.It comes down to if you lease go the 15K.If you don't go 7500.

I do a lot of city driving with the e90 and when Autovation did the change, they had mentioned the oil was quite bad, so it was good timing to go in and
have it changed. I also got them to do a rear-diff fluid swap since I have no record of it every being done. Driving away with the car was like night/day.

They also looked into tranny fluid, but said, it supposedly is a life-time fluid, but lifetime=120,000km, so I have a ways to go before that happens.

When talking with him casually, he try's to point out that every manufacturer will want to put you in a new car every 4 years, hence the increased intervals on a free-maintenance program.

If you want to keep the car for a long time, you may have to pay out of pocket on oil changes a little more frequently, but far cheaper than having to get a whole new car in 5 years. :-)

Paul

[Joeb427]

I do a lot of city driving with the e90 and when Autovation did the change, they had mentioned the oil was quite bad, so it was good timing to go in and
have it changed. I also got them to do a rear-diff fluid swap since I have no record of it every being done. Driving away with the car was like night/day.

They also looked into tranny fluid, but said, it supposedly is a life-time fluid, but lifetime=120,000km, so I have a ways to go before that happens.

When talking with him casually, he try's to point out that every manufacturer will want to put you in a new car every 4 years, hence the increased intervals on a free-maintenance program.

If you want to keep the car for a long time, you may have to pay out of pocket on oil changes a little more frequently, but far cheaper than having to get a whole new car in 5 years. :-)

Paul


I like cutting the recommended maintenance number in half.
I believe BMW also recommended brake fluid changes yearly.Now with the free maintenance it's every two years because it's on their dime.
I'll still do every two years on brake fluid.Always have.:)
I'd be afraid buying a used BMW.Most are leases and loaners,cars that were possibly abused and had those 15K oil changes.

[brunp]

I like cutting the recommended maintenance number in half.
I believe BMW also recommended brake fluid changes yearly.Now with the free maintenance it's every two years because it's on their dime.
I'll still do evbery two years on brake fluid.Always have.:)

you mean, "every year" :-)

[Joeb427]

you mean, "every year" :-)


Every two years.:)

[mryakan]

I do a lot of city driving with the e90 and when Autovation did the change, they had mentioned the oil was quite bad, so it was good timing to go in and
have it changed. I also got them to do a rear-diff fluid swap since I have no record of it every being done. Driving away with the car was like night/day.

They also looked into tranny fluid, but said, it supposedly is a life-time fluid, but lifetime=120,000km, so I have a ways to go before that happens.

When talking with him casually, he try's to point out that every manufacturer will want to put you in a new car every 4 years, hence the increased intervals on a free-maintenance program.

If you want to keep the car for a long time, you may have to pay out of pocket on oil changes a little more frequently, but far cheaper than having to get a whole new car in 5 years. :-)

Paul
To be honest, no one can tell if synthetic oil is bad or not by just looking at it. It needs to be tested. But hey, I do not expect them to tell you otherwise, it is good business for them.
This topic has been beaten to death over and over and there are those who believe the conspiracy theories and it works to the advantage of the mechanics and oil change shops. So in the end, do what makes you sleep at night.

[robmpulse]

Ok Folks,

I *think* I am pretty much aware how the free maintenance deal works but I have a question and I figure I'd ask here before I show up at my local dealership.

So I recently bought a 2008 335i. At the time of purchase, the car had only 3500 miles on the clock and no service records. My assumption is that there was no service performed at all.

The car now has just under 5000 miles and I want to change the oil since I presume it is the oil that was put in from the factory.

The car was sold as a 2008 model when it was new in Oct of 2008. We are getting close to the one year mark. According to my understanding, we get one free oil change every 12K miles or once per year which ever comes first.

Should I even try to schedule an appointment for oil change on the yearly basis or just change it myself?

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1295337

LOL