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Maintenance & Repair Maintenance & Repair - Archived Discussions BMW Care & Maintenance 
115 messages, Last post on Jul 18, 2007 at 6:33 AM
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Is a form of insurance. Whether it is "worth it" depends upon what you can afford, your toleration for "risk", and the likelihood of using it. Since the oil service will hit you around 15,000 and 45,000 miles, this alone isn't worth getting it. The Schedule 1 will hit around 30,000 miles and be covered by the original 3yr/36k interval. The Schedule 2 will hit around 60,000 miles, after the extended agreement hits. So what might it logically cover? Besides wiper blades (which you can just ask for before 3/36--which is what I did at about 35,000 miles) and burned out bulbs, brake work is likely the most probable. But whether, what, and when you need brake work depends on a lot of factors. My wife's '00 323iA needed brake work (i.e., the brake service light came on) at about 34,500 miles. So it was covered free under the 3/36. Praying there won't be any more brake work until after 50,000 miles. Unfortunately for me, at 36,050 miles one of her rear brake lights burned out. Won't cost much. If that is all I need, then the extra time and mileage wouldn't be worth it. That kind of money essentially just for the Oil Service isn't a good investment. But it depends. So far, for me, glad we didn't buy the extended agreement. But if the brake work had come after 36,000 miles, then I would've been better off getting it. |
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I am new to this board and in process of purchasing a 2000 5 series and am wondering what is most owners experience with the dealerships after the purchase of thier cars for service ? Also, I am wondering if it is better to get work done by dealer or would you rather go to an indepedant repair shop with factory trained mechanics ? If any of you know of any in Silicon Valley/Bay area with good or bad experieince would be appreciated. I could use any feedback any of you may have. Thanks. |
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xcarnut... If my car is still under warranty, then I'll have the work done by a BMW dealer. That includes time under the original 4/50 warranty (b-to-b) as well as the CPO 6/100 warranty. Realize I'll pay a bit more, but gives me a sense of peace of mind. BMW AG/NA can hardly complain if their own trained personnel have done all the work mandated and I have the records to prove it. Also, I assume they might stay a bit better up on TSBs, recalls, etc. that might pertain to my car. But once car out of warranty, then I wouldn't hesitate to go to a good independent BMW service shop. There is a professional group of them that collectively advertise. I've seen ads for this grouping of them in Roundel magazine. Forget the name of the group. Is supposedly a way to find a good independent shop. Roundel and Bimmer magazines also have a ton of ads from various independent shops. You should see if one is nearby you. Guessin' there are a lot in your area. Also, have you joined BMW CCA? You should. For the magazine. And many shops, BMW dealers and independents, give a BMW CCA discount on parts. |
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I have a 2000 740 and the GPS system is not good. My lease is up and I am thinking of buying a 530 or a 540. The GPS system function is important to me and I wonder if anyone has any comments on the 2002-2003 5 series GPS systems. Also interested in comparing the 530 to the 540. Thanks |
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| The GPS system has received a couple of minor improvements since your model, but not nearly enough, in my opinion. While they're finally DVD-based for 2003, the user interface is still the same (i.e. crappy). I believe the systems also use faster processors now. But, overall, they still lag far behind systems from Acura and Lexus, in my opinion the benchmarks for how these things should work. You should check one out at your dealer and decide for yourself. Same goes for the 530/540. I love my 530i 5-speed sport, for what it's worth. The 540 will get you more power (obviously), the 530 slightly better handling, steering, fuel efficiency, and insurance rates. | |
| Has anyone experienced this problem, if you have gimme a shout. I drive an '01 540i w/steptronic it has about 21K kilometers on it. Been a dream machine so far.My " service engine" light came on about five days ago and remained on till last night when it mysteriously disappeared. Repeated attempts to "come on" again were unsuccessful. I am gad it is off now but perplexed as to why it came on. Now, a visit to the BMW dealership in Mississauga, Ontario ( while the engine light was still on) had them hook it up to their computer and they came back to me saying it was some sort of secondary pump which had failed, further queries revealed it had something to do with helping the car start in the cold. They set up an appointment next week to replace it under warranty. Now that the light has gone out, should I still have them change the part or do you think there is something wrong here, do I believe the engine light or the dealer assessment that hte part needs to be changed. Don't get me wrong I have no problem changing the " secondary pump", but is the pump really still failed, has it recovered on its own ( hence the light going off) or what. Appreciate som advice. | |
| Whenever the service engine lights up, it records the event in the engine computer, which the dealer can read and decipher with their computer. There are many "intermittent" type errors which cause the symbol to light up and then go off later. That's why the event is recorded. I'm sure the dealer read the log correctly, and is performing the appropriate steps. If the light comes on again, perhaps there's something else that's wrong. (BTW, you didn't state which pump was acting up: fuel, water, etc.?) | |
| Thanks for your input, did not realise that data was recorded, makes sense. No idea which pump it was, shoulda asked I realised later. In any case are you saying that the light goes out just so it reduces the " annoyance factor " or does it mean that the problem does not exist anymore. It is a little unnerving. Are you suggesting that I should go ahead and change the specific pump they mentioned, or that they will recheck the engine ( since the light is out now) and then decide what to do. Thanks | |
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