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Thread: Advice on maintenance of my 2006 e46 convertable

  1. #1
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    Advice on maintenance of my 2006 e46 convertable

    I bought my car last summer- It now has 57000 miles. I have it serviced by a local mechanic who has a really nice shop focusing mainly on older BMW's. I have come to really trust him.

    At 60,000 the manufacturer specs calls for a comprehensive maintenance update- including spark plugs- flushes- etc. I'm sure most of you know about what is included.

    So very soon ill be at that 60,000 mark. I will do what should be done but what strikes me is the car is running perfectly. The engine seems great everything works well.

    A few months ago I asked my mechanic to check the car out before i took a long trip- He said it was in great shape- fixed a few small things-

    Should i just leave it up to him what should be done- Or be more proactive and tell him to do all the things in the 60,000 checklist?

    Thanks in advance for your suggestions-Rick

  2. #2
    MauiM3Mania's Avatar
    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
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    Hi Rick.... I don't think it would be wise to skip an Inspection. Things go bad on older cars more often than newer cars.

    Is the cooling system original? Thats would be one of systems I'd worry about... and I do, I'm at 65k on my 04 and feel it all needs to be replaced soon.
    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
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  3. #3
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    Thanks much- I'm not sure if the cooling system is original. But i think my mechanic mentioned something about it. Im going to tell him to do the full 60,000 update. Thx for your advice-Rick

  4. #4
    dworthy's Avatar
    dworthy is offline Wagon meister :) BMW Tech Expert
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    +1

    Just because the car is running fine, doesn't always mean you should skip services. I have done more than is needed, and would stick with the schedule prescribed by BMW to keep the car running in tip-top shape. I am about to hit the 100k mark, but I have already done the second Inspection II for the first was done at 51k miles.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
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    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
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    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
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  5. #5
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    Thanks much.... one more question- It will hit 60,000 right around when I put it in storage for the winter- do you think it makes sense to do the maintenance before I put it away or in the spring when i take it out?

    - - - Updated - - -

    Thanks much.... one more question- It will hit 60,000 right around when I put it in storage for the winter- do you think it makes sense to do the maintenance before I put it away or in the spring when i take it out?

  6. #6
    dworthy's Avatar
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    I always do all the maintenance before storage, as a matter of fact it will be the day I put the car in storage.

    This is pretty much what I do for storage:

    1) Wash and wax the car. Make sure you really clean out the wheel wells, especially around the fender areas.
    2) Clean inside out with a vacuum, then place a drymax bag inside.
    3) Open the all the windows just a little to relieve the pressure off the seals.
    4) Swap out the tires for an old set I have in the garage. If you don't have an extra set, use Flat Stoppers.
    This gives me a chance to really clean the insides of the wheels, and to use rim wax to ensure they stay cleaning the next summer.
    5) Do any maintenance that is needed.
    Normally it is just an oil change, but this last winter I had to do an Inspection II and replaced all the fluids plus oxygen sensors. Those oxygen sensors are in a really bad place and hard to get to.
    6) Put fuel stabilizer in the gas tank, and let the car run for a couple of minutes, also make sure the tank is full.
    7) Remove the battery, and put it in the basement.
    Just as an FYI, my battery is 10 years old and still holds a charge at 12.4V's.
    8) Cover the car to keep the dust off.

    I have been doing this for the past 7 years I have owned the car here in Germany, when I was in Georgia, there was no need to store the car as they don't use salt on the roads anyway.
    Darin
    Current:
    16 220i Active Tourer Platinsilver MET (C08)/Dakota Black (PDSW), P7ACA, P7LDA, P7LHA, P9BDA, 6sp Manual - Wife's new toy!
    05 325it Electric Red(438)/Gray(N6TT) ZCW, ZSP 5sp Manual Back set cover, trunk mat, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield, and mud flaps! Mr. Wagon My new Winter car.
    05 M3 Imolarot II(405)/Gray(N5TT) ZCW, ZPP 6sp Manual C.F. Lip, CSL diffuser, SSK, Euro Infra-Rot front windshield and a trunk liner! Mr. Go_Fast Stored for the Winter
    Past:
    95 318is Montreal Blue Met (297)/Beige(K1SN) RIP, killed by an Idiot.
    84 M535i gray market Burgandy Rot Met/Black Leather Lowered by Intrax on bilies, poly everywhere, B&B cat back system, K&N, and a hitch! Da Beast - Still running w/400k+!
    91 316i euro Tizianrot/Gray cloth - E-36 w/M-40 RIP, but great on gas! Best was 38 MPG
    82 528i euro Saphire Blue Met/Blue Leather RIP
    79 525 euro Green/Green RIP
    79 318 Silver/Black - The first one that got it all started
    M-Flight Member

  7. #7
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    Thank you very helpful- Take care Rick

  8. #8
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    My son and I purchased a 2002 M3 with 156000 on it this last spring. We have been through the car top to bottom and performed a ton of maintenance items. Take care of them early, as if they go too long, the risks are not worth it. If you are able to do some of the work yourself, it is not that bad, do it. Keeps the costs down and you will really learn the car. Spark plugs, about an hour to complete and once you do it once, you will know how for ever. Just some words of encouragement.

  9. #9
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    04M3 TiAg 69k slick-top 3 pedal
    99M3 Cosmos 61k S50B32 euro 6Spd

    88M3 AW 43k miles Project FS


    WTB: 3.5" Eurosport/Conforti CAI

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