Last free maintanence-Tips on what I can get BMW to do?

[Flycaster]

On Thursday I bring in my 2005 Z4 for its last scheduled (and free) maintanence service. Car is in great shape and only has 15K miles. Of course, I would like to have as much free work done as possible (aside from the oil change) and would appreciate suggestions on the kinds of things I should ask to be done, including tips on getting things done that BMW may balk about. Thanks.

[chickdr]

If they haven't already done it, ask for a coolant and brake fluid change(these should be done every 2-3 yrs) also possibly a diff fluid change(if your is a manual) or auto trans fluid change. Get wiper blades too. make sure they check the brakes as well. Maybe you will get lucky and need a new set.

[Flycaster]

Yeah, I'll have them check the brakes and pads. Had brake fluild flushed at 2yrs, but the coolant may need replacement. Wipers, every time.

[CalRick]

The brake flush is an every 2 year event, so you should be able to get that again now. Is this service just an annual oil change, or is it the scheduled "oil service" indicated on your car's service computer? If it's an official oil service, then the cabin air filter will be changed, but if it's simply an oil change, it will not - maybe you can talk them into changing it anyway since you will probably not be very far away from the official oil service time.

The coolant is like the trans and diff oils - lifetime fill to BMW, so you are unlikely to get those included for free, though they should probably be done at this point. If BMW doesn't want to do them, consider going to an independent BMW shop to have those done - it will cost on the order of 2/3 what the dealer will charge.

[3002 tii]

just curious, when can u get brake pad/rotor replaced? every xx,xxx miles or x years?

[CalRick]

Originally Posted by Dubbedown

just curious, when can u get brake pad/rotor replaced? every xx,xxx miles or x years?

As far as I can tell, whenever the sensors trip, or when inspection deems it necessary. I had the rears replaced when the sensor tripped, but they only replaced the pads since the rotors still were still servicable. At the same time they replaced the front pads and rotors since their road test revealed a fair amount of judder (I could have told them that, too!) even though material thicknesses were OK.

[3002 tii]

Originally Posted by CalRick

As far as I can tell, whenever the sensors trip, or when inspection deems it necessary. I had the rears replaced when the sensor tripped, but they only replaced the pads since the rotors still were still servicable. At the same time they replaced the front pads and rotors since their road test revealed a fair amount of judder (I could have told them that, too!) even though material thicknesses were OK.

interesting, and do you recall at which mileage those sensors came on? i dunno if its just a difference in brake feel but when i got a 328 and 335 as a loaner, i was shocked at how the brakes stopped on a dime. it was much more responsive and the slightest nudge equated into stopping power whereas in my z, its a more gradual effect.

[Flycaster]

Originally Posted by CalRick

The brake flush is an every 2 year event, so you should be able to get that again now. Is this service just an annual oil change, or is it the scheduled "oil service" indicated on your car's service computer? If it's an official oil service, then the cabin air filter will be changed, but if it's simply an oil change, it will not - maybe you can talk them into changing it anyway since you will probably not be very far away from the official oil service time.

The coolant is like the trans and diff oils - lifetime fill to BMW, so you are unlikely to get those included for free, though they should probably be done at this point. If BMW doesn't want to do them, consider going to an independent BMW shop to have those done - it will cost on the order of 2/3 what the dealer will charge.

This is not the every 15K mile service. I only put on about 4K a year, and have thus had the car free maintanence done annually (this will be my fourth and last one). However, I will ask for a change in the cabin filter...seems like it should be changed at least once within 4 years, eh?

[CalRick]

Originally Posted by Flycaster

This is not the every 15K mile service. I only put on about 4K a year, and have thus had the car free maintanence done annually (this will be my fourth and last one). However, I will ask for a change in the cabin filter...seems like it should be changed at least once within 4 years, eh?

It's sure worth asking for! How much further do you have to go before the official oil service is called for? Mine came at around 17.5k. The CAF, brake flush and anything questionable on the warranty front are about the only things to do at this point.

[Flycaster]

Here's what I got:
oil/filter change, wiper blades, brake flush, topped off liquids. As they couldn't duplicate my claimed brake squeal, no rotor or pads check performed. No change in antifreeze as this is a "lifetime" thing.

[Codeman]

Originally Posted by Flycaster

Here's what I got:
oil/filter change, wiper blades, brake flush, topped off liquids. As they couldn't duplicate my claimed brake squeal, no rotor or pads check performed. No change in antifreeze as this is a "lifetime" thing.

Who the heck told you antifreeze was a lifetime fluid? They need to be fired!

The cooling system should be flushed every so often. Also if you know anything about the older BMWs, their cooling systems were almost 'wear items'. Seems like you needed to replace them when you replaced the rotors LOL.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Codeman

Who the heck told you antifreeze was a lifetime fluid? They need to be fired!

The cooling system should be flushed every so often. Also if you know anything about the older BMWs, their cooling systems were almost 'wear items'. Seems like you needed to replace them when you replaced the rotors LOL.

Per BMW the coolant is now "lifetime"(which means about 50k miles from what I understand about the current quality- or lack thereof- in BMW cooling systems).

[Flycaster]

Here are the cost quotes (BTW the policy is transferable to an new owner):

100K/72mo....$2001 + 7% tax
85K/60mo......$1800 "
75K/72mo......$1730 "

Hell, as I drive 4-5K/year, the last one looks like a no-brainer to me. Whaddya think?

[jonanator]

Sorry, to bump an old thread but... My warranty expires in a year, December 2010.

So for this coming year, I want to get everything possible done under warranty.

How do I go about this? Do I just make an appointment and ask them to do the fluid flushes, etc., under warranty? I guess my question is, how does BMW determine if my car needs these maintenance issues addressed? Is it on a mileage basis, like how they determine if I need an oil change? or is it different for brake fluid flushes, etc.?

Also, my brakes have started to squeal a bit, so I guess I can get them to look at the brakes.

[CalRick]

Originally Posted by jonanator

Sorry, to bump an old thread but... My warranty expires in a year, December 2010.

So for this coming year, I want to get everything possible done under warranty.

How do I go about this? Do I just make an appointment and ask them to do the fluid flushes, etc., under warranty? I guess my question is, how does BMW determine if my car needs these maintenance issues addressed? Is it on a mileage basis, like how they determine if I need an oil change? or is it different for brake fluid flushes, etc.?

Also, my brakes have started to squeal a bit, so I guess I can get them to look at the brakes.

Generally the maintenance is done according to the service indicator on the car - the number that shows up in the odometer when you first start the car, and the service indicated (oil service, inspection, etc.) A low mileage oil change can be done on an annual basis if the car hasn't reached its next service within a year of its last service. Brake fluid flushes are done every two years irrespective mileage. Brakes generally are serviced when the service indicator shows on the dash, indicating pad wear, though I have seen them change pads/rotors based upon performance - they changed out the front pads/rotors due to judder when they were changing the rear pads due to wear, so it's worth expressing your concerns with them.

Those are the typical maintenance issues. As to any other possible warranty issues such as items that are worn, it's always worth asking about - some people have gotten worn interior parts replaced on warranty even though they weren't broken.

[Codeman]

Is there anyway to get the top replaced under warranty? Other than the obvious 'it leaks'.

Maybe because it's discolored or whatever?