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I agree, but in this case I wasn't blaming rhmass; after all, he actually requested that the ATF be changed.
Beats me why one would spend so much on an item, yet refuse to learn anything about that same item's functioning, until it's forced upon them.
I sympathize; I'm not too inclined to respond to a question if the answer can easily be found in that mysterious little book in the glove box.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
In the manual, 2002BMWxiT, it does say no need for transmission oil replacement. However a few years ago the service manager of the dealership said to me that BMW has changed their stance on this and would have the transmission oil changed every 100,000 miles. My car has 63,000, so theoretically has not reached to that level. As a CCA member for over 10 years and an avid reader of the Techtalk column by Mike Miller, I have followed what he always recommends. He does recommend to have transmission oil replaced at 50-60,000 interval. However dealers I know appear to be reluctant to do this particular service. May be they are concerned that the customer might blame them, had any issue develope upon oil replacement. This is so true as even Mike said it was somewhat an unknown outcome. Of all the BMWs we have owned (6), other than the 86 325E in which transmission oil was replaced, none of our other ones had transmission fluid replaced before we replaced the car without issue. One did have transmission failure, after we drove through a heavily flooded area at 78,000 miles. Hard to say if it was due to water got in or it was due to the lack of transmission oil replacement. What I am trying to say is that this matter is, I believe, an individual decision and he will then shoulder the consequences.
You have been a very good resource for many with questions and I recalled you actually had answered one of mine previously. However, I have noticed some posters have the tendency to kind put down those with questions. I recalled once I asked the question concerning the inside tracks of my tires wearing a bit more than the outside, while there seemed be no alignment issue as the car tracked straight. One poster answered me saying that I should just run the car backward for a few thousand miles to even out the wear. Not only this was not helpful, but the sarcasm also was very unfriendly. You do occasionally sense this kind of attitude and generally they tend to be new BMW owners/leasers.
daylite savings time back to normal and I still do it every year. I did read up on the oil viscosity and the damn run flats. I had to read it for the Blue tooth.I screwed that up somehow.I'm a visual learner and when I buy my cars it seems the salesman doesn't spend enough time explaining all the dodads and I end up bringinging the car in for service thinking they know best.I put Mobile 1 in it and it's suppose to last a year.However, I change it every 6 months.I know people that never change their ATF. I figure you spend 50 k for a car the service mgr should know whats best,as all the records are on a computer electronically filed,same as your medical records these days.
Also, I'd never keep a BMW over 50k because of repairs that might incurr. However that's just me.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
I always tell people that a used BMW out of warranty is going to cost you about $150/month to keep healthy, presuming of course a) you average that out over a long period of time and b) there is no catastrophic failure.
These days, as you know, an engine failure (rather unlikely on a BMW) would total most used Bimmers valued under $10K.
And let's face it- a lot of dealers actually encourage the "you'll need to take out a second mortgage to maintain a BMW out of warranty" foolishness, as it provides the dealer with a steady stream of rubes who want to flip their car at the 50,000 mile mark...
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
That way, when your engine blows up, you get to say WHUPPIE!
$100 a month may be optimistic, but I hope you make it.
Of course, saying that is average, means quite a few people will have higher costs...
When I bought mine, I decided it was worth it.... to actually enjoy what I drive..
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Replaced spark plugs and coils at 100k.
I have some kind of issue with the TPMS in my 2003 330XI where I can not successfully reset the yellow light. When re setting, normally, the light should turn red and then disappear. In my case, it stays yellow and then disappears for maybe 5-10 minutes and then comes back again and stays on. I went to independent BMW specialist who replaced the main unit and then checked everything else and could not find the problem why it would not reset. he says every component works correctly but the light is still on.
It is very annoying to have it on all the time and I would love to fix it.
Anyone who has experienced it or knows something about it - please HELP!!!! I really appreciate your attention.
BTW... I am in North NJ and if you know of a shop that can help - please let me know.
Thank you in advance!
Beemers are BMW motorcycles.
As for your tire pressure issue, your car detects a tire with low air pressure by monitoring the ABS sensors; if one tire begins to turn at a much slower rate the system activates the low tire pressure light. It sounds like your BMW "expert" simply threw parts at the problem. Do you have one tire with considerably more -or less- miles on it than the other tires? That could very well be the cause of the problem.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
http://www.bimmershops.com/new-jersey/city-auto-center
I kind of know that he threw the parts at it and my problem is still not fixed.
-Thanks Peter
http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/techarticles/101-Projects-75-Conv-Rear-Window/10- 1-Projects-75-Conv-Rear-Window.htm
-Thanks Peter
we have a 2006 325i 4 dr,sedan. we bought it used. we rarely open/close the rear passenger window. Suddenly 2 weeks ago, we opened it and when we tried (elect.) closed it, the window would not rise/close. We took it to be repaired and was told it is a "pulley problem". after shelling out almost $300.00 ( parts & labor). It goes up,but it does not completely flush/seal. Is this a sign of electrical problems in the future?
I also want to know about my automatic car opener, it unlocks the doors, but when I click to lock the car, it does not. I have to pull out the key to do it manually. Does this indicate I need a battery for my automatic car keys?
Thank you for any advice you can give us. This is our first BMW and with all the cost and maintance, it may be our last, UGH!
Thank you in advnce for any help.
SBG
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s5GHRZaLFA
http://www.7machine.com/bmw/54468.html
Or you might need a new door actuator.
I've got a 2006 325i and have found that bummer dealerships don't pay their technicians enough to attract good ones. If you live near Roseville, CA, stay far away from Roseville BMW. They break more than they fix. Good luck, hope you have better luck with yours, than I've had with mine. Doubt the lock problem is a low battery issue, if it were you should have other problems with the key. Abummer dealership oughta be able to tell you what the problem is, but I would look for an independent shop that specializes in bmw, mercedes, audi....
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Get it from your dealer or from an autoparts store. It's about $15 @ BMW.
FINAL PROCEDURE FOR RELEASING THE VEHICLE TO THE CUSTOMER
Advise the customer that it is necessary to add one bottle of BMW Group Fuel System Cleaner Plus PN
82 14 0 413 341 with either TOP TIER Detergent Gasoline or Premium Fuel, with a minimum octane
rating of AKI 91, the next time that the vehicle is refueled.
For optimum cleaning, advise the customer to add one bottle every 3,000 miles when refueling. Refer to SI B13 05 06 BMW Fuel System Cleaner Plus
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-2021 Sahara 4xe-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
TY Puffin
TY Puffin
Sure, I'd drive a MINI in the snow with snow tires---the problem would be more about ground clearance, but I'd expect it would be pretty good in the snow. Driving in snow is 50% driver ability anyway.
For a BMW I'd recommend snow tires on all four wheels, and dedicated snows at that.
I've just seen a message referencing an Atlanta shop where the quote seemed to be $945. Compared to that, it seems that my "trusted" dealer is trying to screw me over.
The finance weasel also wanted to charge me $4,290 for the mechanical warranty extension for the same extended period.
What do you think of the offer, and what is a reasonable amount to pay, assuming any amount is worth it?
We have about 18 months until the car is paid off, so we will be keeping it for another 2-3 years, at least.
Thanks for your input.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
'11 GMC Sierra 1500; '08 Charger R/T Daytona; '67 Coronet R/T; '13 Fiat 500c; '20 S90 T6; '22 MB Sprinter 2500 4x4 diesel; '97 Suzuki R Wagon; '96 Opel Astra; '08 Maser QP; '11 Mini Cooper S
First, there are some legitimate differences in cost between independent mechanic and a dealer shop (costs related to staff, shop, franchise). More importantly, in free market society anybody can charge whatever they want for a product or service and it doesn't mean they are screwing people over. They simply have too high prices - and market will take care of that by having fewer people using the service. Just because Wiliams-Sonoma charges more for cookware that appears to be the same than Bed Bath and Beyond, doesn't mean W-S is evil. It's OK to have too high prices (from ethical point of view anyway - it may be a stupid business decision, but being stupid is not criminal, yet) as long as you say what they are before entering agreement. It's a business decision to charge X amount, somebody else makes a business decision to charge Y and then you make business decision to use or not to use those services.
My definition of "screwing somebody over" is delivering less than promised, by using subpar parts or subpar labor (or not performing promised work), selling unnecessary service under "you have to do it or else...", or bait and switch tactics. Just simply saying "my work is worth a lot" is not screwing people over.
On maintenance or warranty service agreement. Only you can make determination how much it is worth. I find extended warranties not worth their prices, but it's my personal opinion based on observation of several years me buying those warranties and using them. Service contracts (maintenance) are all over the place - from highly overpriced to worth every penny. It is really about what they cover, what the price is and where you are planning to service your car (reference price). Seems like you don't think very highly of your dealer - why then would you subject yourself to more contact? Go your way and take your money to an independent garage. But again - no reason to call people weasels and be angry.
2018 430i Gran Coupe