BMW Maintenance

[Jesset100]

I'm looking at a 2004 BMW 325i with 87,000 miles that I might buy from a privite seller. The car was in a rear end accident and the rear bumper is new with no tub/frame damage.
The tires need to be replaced as well as the 90,000 mile service. What is the cost of the service and what does the service include?
I went to Kelly blue book and put this car as fair and KBB said it's worth $12,320. Tires ($320)& service($?) will be taken out of the price of the car thats why I need to know how much the service is.
Thanks

[Rick Lee]

I have a big problem with some of BMW's factory maint. schedule. So even if the car was kept to it, the 90k miles service could be expensive. BMW says the tranny and diff. fluids are "lifetime". Yeah, right. They should say "lifetime of the warranty". Once it's out of warranty, it's not their problem anymore. And how are you getting four new tires put on there for $80 a pop? Mine are *****ty Contisports and even they're around $200 each. Check out bimmerfest and see what you're looking at. I got mine with 47k miles on her two yrs. ago and the CPO warranty runs out in August. As soon as I got it, I went through oil, filter and brake fluid changes. The ATF fluid change is a big point of contention, as BMW says you can only use exactly what they use and it's around $17 a litre. Also, since they say it's lifetime, if you change it, you could void the warranty.

[Rot 911]

What Rick said about the tires. BMW will charge you around $400-$600 for the inspection II service, which is basically just changing some fluids and giving your car a once over. This link is to a pdf that shows the entire Inspection I and Inspection II. The 90K mile inspection is an Inspection I (I think).

http://members.roadfly.org/kmurph/Service_Checklist_2004_US.pdf-link.pdf

[RANDY P]

Inspection II is typically over $1200 around here. You are paying a lot of money hourly to check the condition of your exhaust system, headlights and taillamps, tire pressure and for rust - the hard stuff is simply plugs, air and cabin filters - that's it.

Do the plugs yourself (supposed to be 100K item but many do it at 70K) , perhaps to the VC gasket, cabin filters, fuel filter, air filter - which you can do easily with just a pair of drive up ramps. Get the radiator and brake lines flushed, and get ready for 02 sensors at 100K.

whatever you do, stay away from the dealer. Even go to an indy shop and have them do it piece by piece if you aren't willing to DIY.

[Jesset100]

Am I wrong on the tire size? I picked the first tire that came up.


Thanks guys, from what you guys are telling me the car should sell for around $10,800 or even less with better tires. I don't think the seller will go for this but I'll ask.

[Rot 911]

My 2002 325i has 225's, but it has the Sport Package with 17" wheels. I do believe the 16" wheels take 205's. So yes you are correct in the size.

[Rot 911]

Another question, automatic or manual? The automatics have a questionable reliability history with many of them having problems at the 100K mark, probably due to BMW claiming the tranny fluid is a "life time" never needs to be changed fluid.

[RANDY P]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

I have a big problem with some of BMW's factory maint. schedule. So even if the car was kept to it, the 90k miles service could be expensive. BMW says the tranny and diff. fluids are "lifetime". Yeah, right. They should say "lifetime of the warranty". Once it's out of warranty, it's not their problem anymore. And how are you getting four new tires put on there for $80 a pop? Mine are *****ty Contisports and even they're around $200 each. Check out bimmerfest and see what you're looking at. I got mine with 47k miles on her two yrs. ago and the CPO warranty runs out in August. As soon as I got it, I went through oil, filter and brake fluid changes. The ATF fluid change is a big point of contention, as BMW says you can only use exactly what they use and it's around $17 a litre. Also, since they say it's lifetime, if you change it, you could void the warranty.

Oh yeah, the tranny fluid - BMW updated changing it to every 100K - I did mine at 70K. Be aware the fluid is much expensive and you won't get all the old stuff out - the torque converter will have a lot of old crap in it.

Change the fluid, but it will cost you.


EDIT - don't look for a dipstick, there isn't one. Kind of a PITA. Also, open up the oil filler cap and see if there is lots of sludge - if the PO just did the 15K oil change interval then there is more than a good chace you have oil sludge contamination - take a flashlight and have a look in the Valve Cover. If you see mud, walk away from the car.

rjp

[Tim Hancock]

I have a manual transmission in my E36 325i, but I have 285,000 miles on mine and use it as a daily driver. I bought it with about 140,000 miles. It still has the original clutch. I change the oil (non synthetic Castrol) every 10,000 miles or so The damn thing just runs/drives great and it has not seen a BMW or independant mechanic since I have owned it.

I guess the point is that the BMW in-line six engines are well built and will last a long time with minimal maintenance. IMO, like a Honda Accord, at 87,000 miles your BMW engine is just getting broke in.

[Jesset100]

It's a automatic. I'm looking for a car to replace my 96 Toyota Corolla so it's going to be a daily driver that I'll put lots of highway miles on. The Corolla is at 370,9XX. I need dependability and low maintenance cost like your BMW 325i Tim.
Anyway, when I talked to the seller I just did a walk around and nothing else. Funny, I didn't even know he wanted to sell the thing, I was just checking out a nice BMW.
I'll look at the car better Monday and look in the filler cap, belts, hoses, etc...
Thanks for all the input guys, this car has to last like my Corolla did.

[Tim Hancock]

Originally Posted by Jesset100

It's a automatic. I'm looking for a car to replace my 96 Toyota Corolla so it's going to be a daily driver that I'll put lots of highway miles on. The Corolla is at 370,9XX. I need dependability and low maintenance cost like your BMW 325i Tim.
Anyway, when I talked to the seller I just did a walk around and nothing else. Funny, I didn't even know he wanted to sell the thing, I was just checking out a nice BMW.
I'll look at the car better Monday and look in the filler cap, belts, hoses, etc...
Thanks for all the input guys, this car has to last like my Corolla did.

I can't say whether it will be as good as your Corolla, but a guy at work also has an E36 325i that he uses as a daily driver and his has abot 180k on it with no major issues. Randy above, made mention of the auto transmissions and I have no experience with them, but I would not expect an auto to neccesarily be quite as bullet proof as my manual. It would probably be wise of you to do some research into the auto transmissions.

[JeremyD]

DIY friendly and well built.

[KNS]

I've got an '04 325i and it's been perfect (46,000 mi). I do all the maintenance myself, keep 'em away from the dealer.

[Carrman]

I just did a Major Service (Service II) on my old school 5 speed manual 535i this afternoon.

Plugs, valve adjust, air filter, fuel filter, coolant flush, oil and oil filter, distributor cap and rotor.

175K miles, and she still runs great! I've had it for 15 years, and it's never seen a shop for repair or service, I've done it all. The older ones are super easy and fun to work on.