BMW 320D service

strandsman

are bmw's expensive to service, can a non dealer garage service them, i'm thinking of buying a Diesel 2008 bmw but am not sure about the servicing costs etc, any info aprreciated

Shane732

Shameless plug - Sure you wouldn't like to buy my 07 petrol? Would be a much better buy.

No, I've found my BMW very cheap to service, and that's keeping it with a main dealer. Servicing costs certainly shouldn't put you off buying a 320. As you may be aware BMW servicing is slightly different to most other cars out there. Within reason the car tells you when it needs a service and what needs to be done. I've found that this has kept the cost down.

The only problem is that you might be in twice within three months if there's a smallish gap between what needs to be done.

I think I've only spent €200 or so on mine in servicing over the last 12 - 18 months, being an oil service and air filter. Both were done with a main dealer.

I've got 8,000 miles until I need new pads so that'll be a slightly more expensive but I still don't expect it to be that expensive.

Shane732

Shane732 wrote: »

As you may be aware BMW servicing is slightly different to most other cars out there. Within reason the car tells you when it needs a service and what needs to be done. I've found that this has kept the cost down.

The only problem is that you might be in twice within three months if there's a smallish gap between what needs to be done. .

Time being money and all I really can't understand why BMW implemented that looney service thing, for most folk getting the car serviced is a pain in the arse they want to suffer as seldomly as possible.

Shane732

RoverJames wrote: »

Time being money and all I really can't understand why BMW implemented that looney service thing, for most folk getting the car serviced is a pain in the arse they want to suffer as seldomly as possible.

Doesn't really bother me that much. With most dealers you can drop it in whatever time you like - Frank Keane actually offer a 24hr drop off service (I think). They'll give you a loaner car or drop you into town and pick you back up.

It does keep the servicing cost down. It's not like going in for a 6 monthly service etc...

Shane732

Shane732 wrote: »

It does keep the servicing cost down. It's not like going in for a 6 monthly service etc...

How is the servicing costs kept down compared to traditional servicing methods?

Gumbo

OP. the E90 had CBS (Condition Based Servicing).
So the car keeps track of how its driven and the length of time between services amd it works out what needs doing and when it needs doing.

for instance, my GF's E90, which she has since dec 2009 has only requested an oil service in the time she has owned it.

the micro filters are ok for 70,000km.
the air filter is chaned at every second oil change IIRC.
the oil service includes oil and oil filter.
Breather filter (although the problems from the E46 were fixed before the E90) is still recommended by BMW to be changed at every 3rd Oil Change.

my E90 is an 07 with just over 46k km on it and it recenty got the following from an indy :

Oil change (Castrol LL04 spec)
oil filter
airfilter
for 120e with the receipts and manual stamped.

Shane732

RoverJames wrote: »

How is the servicing costs kept down compared to traditional servicing methods?

Well I bought my E90 in May 2009 (a 2007 car) and to date have only got the oil changed and air filter replaced. That's the guts of two years and only spent roughly €200 on it.

I do roughly 12,000 - 15,000 miles a year in it.

It's due new pads in about 8,000 miles.

Not bad going.

On the other hand the Jag in the family was bought new in 2009 (July 09, I think) and is just after having it's second service. First service was about €400 and second service was about €600 - both routine services.

If you compare and contrast you'll get the answer to your question.

Shane732

Shane732 wrote: »

If you compare and contrast you'll get the answer to your question.

Emmmm, not really

All that shows is that since May 09 your car has had one oil change and an air filter. Also since May09 it's done 20 to 30K miles. The fact the Jag has gotten a grand thrown at it in routine services (without you detailing what it actually got or the miles it has covered) in the same period doesn't really explain at all how the BMW system keeps the cost down compared to other makes.

Loads of manufacturers are now encouraging 20 to 30K mile oil change intervals so that's nothing unusual.

So perhaps if you compare and contrast the info you have posted about your own car and then the info you posted about the Jag in the family you could understand how that from your posts I am none the wiser as to how the BMW system keeps costs down

And potentially having to bring the car in for two routine service items within 3 months of each other is nothing short of retarded.

Nissan doctor

Shane732 wrote: »

Well I bought my E90 in May 2009 (a 2007 car) and to date have only got the oil changed and air filter replaced. That's the guts of two years and only spent roughly €200 on it.

I do roughly 12,000 - 15,000 miles a year in it.

It's due new pads in about 8,000 miles.

Not bad going.

On the other hand the Jag in the family was bought new in 2009 (July 09, I think) and is just after having it's second service. First service was about €400 and second service was about €600 - both routine services.

If you compare and contrast you'll get the answer to your question.

The biggest problem with the CBS on BMW's is that if they are not programed/reset properly, the display will not give the correct distance/time to the next service. And believe me that's not to say that BMW are the only ones that can do it. I serviced quite a few BMW's that were last serviced in a BMW garage and the CBS parameters were all set arse ways.

Wheelnut

The CBS system on BMWs can only cut costs by stretching the interval between services as much as possible. Typically the system will allow more than 20,000 miles or two years between oil changes. In my view this is too much and I prefer to change the oil at 10,000 miles.

This cost saving will appear to work for the first few years of a car's life, but there will be a price to be paid later.

BTW: if you are changing the oil yourself make sure you get a C3 type oil, (ACEA C3) because that's what satisfies the BMW LL-04 specification. It would also be wise not to assume your garage is using the correct oil because many of them are incompetant or cut corners. Check it yourself.

nogoodnamesleft

I know BMW are doing deals on servicing their range of vehicles but what about non regular service items?

For example a mate of mine has an 2004 (318) E46 crankshaft sensor went on it. Part was 50quid from BMW.....labour to get it fitted was 400euro at the dealer.

dharn

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

I know BMW are doing deals on servicing their range of vehicles but what about non regular service items?

For example a mate of mine has an 2004 (318) E46 crankshaft sensor went on it. Part was 50quid from BMW.....labour to get it fitted was 400euro at the dealer.

thats my experience also, bmw routine parts are not too bad labour charges are horrendous but they say they have a prescribed time allowance for each task but if you have an unusual problem or one hard to solve bmw dealers would rob you

Gumbo

RoverJames wrote: »

And potentially having to bring the car in for two routine service items within 3 months of each other is nothing short of retarded.

that should never happen at all.
the E60 in my family was due its first Oil Service last month and when we brought it in the service guy that swiped the key said "your due a brake fluid change soon and the micro filter in a few months", sure we'll do them all today. car has the 5 year service plan so it didnt cost any extra.

strandsman

what about resetting the sercive intervals if i change the oil,filters etc myself or by my local garage?

kceire

kceire wrote: »

that should never happen at all.
the E60 in my family was due its first Oil Service last month and when we brought it in the service guy that swiped the key said "your due a brake fluid change soon and the micro filter in a few months", sure we'll do them all today. car has the 5 year service plan so it didnt cost any extra.

Makes sense
Would be sheer lunacy for them not to be vigilant to stuff needing doing soon.

DublinDilbert

nogoodnamesleft wrote: »

I know BMW are doing deals on servicing their range of vehicles but what about non regular service items?

For example a mate of mine has an 2004 (318) E46 crankshaft sensor went on it. Part was 50quid from BMW.....labour to get it fitted was 400euro at the dealer.

+1

I've found BMW parts are cheaper than most other brands in Ireland, as BMW do unified pricing on parts across all countries. If you look up a part on real oem and convert the dollar price you get a good estimate of what the euro price will be.

I remember seeing the price difference between the same volvo part bought in Ireland compared to one bought on the continent, there was a 2.5 times difference.

Gumbo

strandsman wrote: »

what about resetting the sercive intervals if i change the oil,filters etc myself or by my local garage?

no problem there, keep the receipt for the parts, fill in the service book yourself and put the receipts in the car wallet.

if an indy does itm get them to fill in and stamp the service book, keep the invoice in the wallet.

then theres a hidden menu in the E90 OBC that you can reset each individual service item

strandsman

hi folks
thanks for your replies, but one thing i forgot about is the bmw are rear wheel drive and i live on hilly ground so in icy conditions i'll be in trouble, so am thinkin the beemer is a non runner, I have to be practicle about things too!!!! so could somone give advice on a 2008 passat 2.0 Diesel or Avensis? am thinking good comfort i.e leather seats etc, turbo or non turbo, i've heard not great things about the VW so does that mean Toyota are the best built car??and am thinking about importing from UK to get higher spec. any help would be appreciated

strandsman

hi folk
does anyone know if the VW passat CR engine is troublesome?? Read some posts to say they are but would like any further updates particularly on the 2008 model, am i right in sayin the 1.9 has the old spec engine?

PaulKK

strandsman wrote: »

hi folks
thanks for your replies, but one thing i forgot about is the bmw are rear wheel drive and i live on hilly ground so in icy conditions i'll be in trouble, so am thinkin the beemer is a non runner, I have to be practicle about things too!!!! so could somone give advice on a 2008 passat 2.0 Diesel or Avensis? am thinkin

Are you really going to let 2 weeks of bad weather a year dictate what car you buy?


I drove my 320d on a 26 mile each way commute through the bad weather on back roads this winter and there was no major problem. Many on here will also agree that it is no major hassle, just show a little more caution in the bad conditions.

You will thank yourself for having RWD for the other 50 weeks of the year

Wheelnut

strandsman wrote: »

am i right in sayin the 1.9 has the old spec engine?

Most 4 cylinder VW diesel engines were 1.9 litre up until about two years ago. The difference came in the state of tune, i.e: whether they were turbo charged or not and the type of turbo. The newer engines in this segment are now 1.6 litre.

If you're thinking of the PD type engine you should be aware that it requires a special oil and you need to be sure it was used in previous services.

In general, this model fell a bit short of VW standards and is consequently a bit cheaper on the s/h market. Have a look at http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/volkswagen/passat-2005/?