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2003 BMW 3-Series Service
I recently purchased a 2003 325i BMW. I have a -1250 Inspection light being displayed and a service engine soon light displayed. The car has 28000 miles on it. Do I take it to a local shop or to the dealership this first service time?
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The two messages are not related; the Service Engine Soon light indicates that your car's on-board diagnostics have detected a fault in the emission control system. Any Autozone can read out the fault code for free. The Inspection countdown is for what BMW calls an "Inspection 1", which is nothing more than an oil/filter change combined with a thorough examination of the car. A good independent BMW shop can service your car or you can use the dealer.
03newbie asked if he had to go to the dealer and I explained that it wasn't required. In some cases the nearest dealer may be so far away or so incompetent that the indie shop may be a better choice. If the dealer is located within a reasonable driving and provides quality work then by all means use the dealer, especially if BMWis paying for it. That said,I'd still bring my own Mobil 1 0W-40 and change it every 7500 miles.
son just purchased 1996 bmw 328i this past week from a private party. Car was really cared for, looks great, clean, etc...so we did not choose to get a mechanic to look at it in advance. Now, a week later, the check engine light went on today. I know that when a gas cap is not on tight, that can cause a loss in the vaccuum and result in the light coming on , but I checked the gas cap, and it is on snugly, so does not look like that is the source of the light going on.
I have not had a chance to do much in tracking down a recommended bmw mechanic in my area (thousand oaks) does anyone here have any that they highly recommend, between calabasas and camarillo?
Their web site has resources that will allow you to find a mechanic local to wherever you happen to be.
Best Regards,
Shipo
thanks
Best Regards,
Shipo
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Regards,
OW
I'm new to the site, and finding it very usefull. Has anyone had any bad experiences w/this "stupid" seat belt assist arm? I just bought a 328 / 07 coupe, this just looks like trouble waiting to happen. It kinda reminds me of when Mercedes had put mini wipers on their headlights, back in the early 80's. I find them very unnecessary, but I wasn't going to let that stop me from buying the car. Thanks for any feedback.
-Steven
I know is every ~15K (or whenever oil control comes up).
My car has only about 5K and was purchased in Jan 2007.
Am I eligible for a free oil service once a year regardless of mileage as well?
Best Regards,
Shipo
I have an '07 335 but see these on all BMW's.
Best Regards,
Shipo
Your contribution to this forum is incredible, and I am sure many members are grateful to have someone like you here.
Regarding my question and your answer, I actually called BMW dealer and apparently is still 15K or one year, whichever comes first. They told me to bring car around one year anniversary – “doesn’t even have to be exactly one year”.
Regarding my question and your answer, I actually called BMW dealer and apparently is still 15K or one year, whichever comes first. They told me to bring car around one year anniversary – "doesn't even have to be exactly one year".
Hmmm, interesting. I'm quite sure that some sort of a service bulletin of some sort was issued a year or two back that stated that the one year oil life age requirement had been rescinded. I'll dig around and see what I can find.
Best Regards,
Shipo
I am not sure if I want to challenge my dealer on this one ?
I forgot to mention that I did talk to the salesperson, the one that sold me this car (actually I was sold on it before I came to the dealership -?. The story could be different when I talk to service manager.
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=VB73&mospid=49550&btnr=51_5828&hg=- 51&fg=15
I've been getting similar feedback from service advisors at two different local BMW dealerships. They both will provide oil change services at one-year anniversaries, if the service indicator is not yet down to zero.
However, I think your sales guy is incorrect regarding his "doesn't even have to be exactly one year" advice he gave you. From what I understand, BMW is very strict now regarding these terms. I've been told BMW will provide this complementary service only if the service indicator is all the way down to zero, or if a full 12 months have passed since the previous oil change.
Earlier this year, I wanted to bring in my 2005 325 for its 1-year oil change service. (The indicator still showed about 2000 miles.) I asked if I could bring it in on Feb 10? The service advisor said "no"; I needed to wait until at least Feb 16, because that was the exact date of the previous year's service. So, I ended up bringing it on the 17th, instead.
Thanks
Mike
Maybe this will help.
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44590
Looks very similar to my 330Ci, so probably very similar to your 330i also. There is a textual write-up near the bottom of the page. No torque specs given though. Aren't they in your manual?
Mike
Thank you for your help
Do you mean the Oil Service or Inspection light?
They told me that was normal?? Is that true?
They are either idiots, fools, or liars- or possible even all three.
The following procedure may, repeat may work, but I have not personally used it on an E90 3er:
Step 1
Insert key into slot
Step 2
Press start/stop button without depressing clutch/brake and wait for the service reminder to dissapear.
Step 3
Immediately after service reminder goes out, press and hold the odometer reset. After 3 secs a warning triangle will appear, keep the odo. button pressed and after another 2-3 secs the Oil can will appear. I f you hold it too long (10 secs in total) you will overshoot the runway and some German writing will appear giving the software level/ can bus etc. of the car. Go back to the beginning and start again.
Step 4
You are now in the service menu, use the toggle switch on indicator stalk to scroll up/down through the various service items.
Step 5
When you have the item you want to reset showing, press the BC button on end of indicator stalk. Reset should now appear in the display. Press in and hold the BC button for 2-3 secs and a clock will start whirling around and hey presto, its done
Step 6
You can now either scroll up/down to select another item (as in step 4) or you can press the start/stop button to exit.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport; 2020 C43; 2021 Sahara 4xe 1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica Wife's: 2015 X1 xDrive28i Son's: 2009 328i; 2018 330i xDrive
Best,
Dave