BMW service

[nhastings]

I just took my 335 in because I had a service prompt from the car that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. Took it in to the North Scottsdale dealer and they said there is no way the car should already need new plugs (car has 45,000 miles). Dealer preformed scope and didn't replace plugs under warranty. Seemed kinda weird to me that the car said to replace plugs and dealer blew it off and said they were fine. I'm wondering if the first time I take the car in out of warranty if they will tell me I need plugs????
-Just me or seem kinda fishy?
Also, my service advisor told me that I needed a few "routine maintenance" items done: 4 wheel alignment ($196), engine decarbonation ($145), injector clean out ($145). Seems like if the car needs all this stuff done that it should be included in the warranty, considering its "routine maintenance"
-Anyone have any tips on these services? should I have them done at BMW or at another shop?

[TeaRoy]

Routine maintenance is covered til you're at 50k miles - let 'em do it on BMW's dime. I know the alignment may not be covered, but seems like the others should be.

[mryakan]

alignment is not included in the free maintenance and should be done if you don't want your tires to be chewed up, but I am not sure about the other items. It is odd that spark plugs need to be replaced at 45k, usually they last at least twice as long. Maybe it is a software glitch!
P.S. Do you have iDrive?

[TeaRoy]

Fancy new logo next to you name mryakan - i like

[mryakan]

Fancy new logo next to you name mryakan - i like
Thanks, it was time to freshen things up ;).

[nhastings]

Routine maintenance is covered til you're at 50k miles - let 'em do it on BMW's dime. I know the alignment may not be covered, but seems like the others should be.

No, they are telling me that I have to pay for the decarb, injector clean out and the alignment! They are saying that those services are not included in free maintenance!


alignment is not included in the free maintenance and should be done if you don't want your tires to be chewed up, but I am not sure about the other items. It is odd that spark plugs need to be replaced at 45k, usually they last at least twice as long. Maybe it is a software glitch!
P.S. Do you have iDrive?

I agree that the alignment should be done, I just put new tires on and they are not cheap. Should I take it to the dealer to do the alignment or can another shop handle it, because I know it can be done for a lot less than the $196 that BMW wants? As far as the software glitch, that is what the dealer was saying it was too. they said that the plugs were fine, I just didn't know how long they should last. and yes I do have iDrive

[mryakan]

I agree that the alignment should be done, I just put new tires on and they are not cheap. Should I take it to the dealer to do the alignment or can another shop handle it, because I know it can be done for a lot less than the $196 that BMW wants? As far as the software glitch, that is what the dealer was saying it was too. they said that the plugs were fine, I just didn't know how long they should last. and yes I do have iDrive
I just did mine last week at the dealer, but it is a cheaper here (125 CAN + tax), so I never thought of taking it elsewhere. I am not sure whether to recommend taking elsewhere or not, but I will mention that my brother was working at a non BMW shop and doing alignment on e46s, he just didn't have the right tools sometimes and was not quite familiar with the bimmer so it took him more time, but other than 1 exception I recall him mentioning, he was able to do perfect alignment on all others. I cannot comment if it is the same for the e90 or if the cost difference is worth it in your case.

[gary88]

The first time I took my 335i to the dealer to have my lumbar support fixed they performed an induction/injector clean out for free. Anything tire-related you'll have to pay for though.

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/6240/img5568dzo.jpg

[Beer Goggles]

All service is cover and warranty stuff like that.

Also I had a plug code that the dealer said wasn't valid...so this is why I hate electronic "idiot" lights like that because....who is the idiot?

[My335i]

If you check your service manual you will see that they recommend a 335i get serviced every 45,000 miles and a 328 gets serviced every 100,000 miles for spark plug replacement. So I would think that you may want to insist on a free 45,000 mile replacement since the manufacturer recommends it.

[E92matt]

I just went to the dealership yesterday, i dont know about your dealership but mine " United BMW of Gwinnett is pretty good, i hav 43000 miles my service light came on and i took it in, they re-programed my car did the scope check and changed my plugs. It seems like your dealership is trying to take you for a ride my friend. Oh and it was all covered under waranty as your should be also.

[TeaRoy]

Yea. They're trying to rob you. I was in for a winter/summer wheel swap and the guys changed the brake fluid for me - said it was time - I said ok - no charge to me.

[ceb]

If you check your service manual you will see that they recommend a 335i get serviced every 45,000 miles and a 328 gets serviced every 100,000 miles for spark plug replacement. So I would think that you may want to insist on a free 45,000 mile replacement since the manufacturer recommends it.


...I guess the two of us are the only ones that read the manual.

The decarbonization and the injector cleaners are just junk services that dealers add on to make money and both are generally worthless. IIRC, the manual advises againsts additives and cleaners.

If it were required then it would be covered...