[SharpPointyStick]

The dealer is suggesting that I get the following done;

Power Steering Flush - $117CDN
Fuel Injection Cleaning - $189CDN

Apparently the above is recommended yearly by BMW. What are your opinions on the above? I am still under warranty (until May 2010), but the above is not covered under the free maintenance. Also have certified used warranty for until 2012.

The Service Rep couldnt give me a lot of information on the the Fuel Injection Cleaning, but from I did figure out it is basically running the the car on a cleaner only, I assume by bypassing the gas line to the engine.

[742]

Ask the Service rep to show these recommendations in writing.

The first is BS. For the second, just visit your local auto parts store and pickup some Techron.

[F32Fleet]

Power steering fluid change might be a good idea.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by SharpPointyStick

The dealer is suggesting that I get the following done;

Power Steering Flush - $117CDN
Fuel Injection Cleaning - $189CDN

Apparently the above is recommended yearly by BMW. What are your opinions on the above? I am still under warranty (until May 2010), but the above is not covered under the free maintenance. Also have certified used warranty for until 2012.

The Service Rep couldnt give me a lot of information on the the Fuel Injection Cleaning, but from I did figure out it is basically running the the car on a cleaner only, I assume by bypassing the gas line to the engine.

The Fuel Injection Cleaning is a dealer recommended service only. Since BMW state that they are not responsible for bad quality gasoline here in North America, they don't officially support periodic injector cleaning. (in other words, if the gasoline quality actually met the Fatherland's specs, there would be no need for cleaning.)

My dealer recommended 60K miles on the power steering fluid flush. But I haven't been able to find anything published by BMW on intervals. I did my own at 100K miles.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Bcube

The Fuel Injection Cleaning is a dealer recommended service only. Since BMW state that they are not responsible for bad quality gasoline here in North America, they don't officially support periodic injector cleaning. (in other words, if the gasoline quality actually met the Fatherland's specs, there would be no need for cleaning.)

My dealer recommended 60K miles on the power steering fluid flush. But I haven't been able to find anything published by BMW on intervals. I did my own at 100K miles.

IIRC Mike Miller likes 30k miles.

[hubble bubble]

Use good gas and you won't need to clean the fuel injectors. Shell, PetroCan and Sunoco are the only 3 in Canada that meet the "top tier" gasoline standard that BMW, Honda and others recommend.
http://www.toptiergas.com/retailers.html

My car likes Shell V-Power. I know of people who have knocking issues running 93 and 95 octane gas, but I know of no one with problems who use Shell & PC 91 Octane.

[Ryan323i]

Hmmm, here in Ohio Shell V-Power is 93 octane.

[rambalu80]

Originally Posted by SharpPointyStick

The dealer is suggesting that I get the following done;

Power Steering Flush - $117CDN
Fuel Injection Cleaning - $189CDN

Apparently the above is recommended yearly by BMW. What are your opinions on the above? I am still under warranty (until May 2010), but the above is not covered under the free maintenance. Also have certified used warranty for until 2012.

The Service Rep couldnt give me a lot of information on the the Fuel Injection Cleaning, but from I did figure out it is basically running the the car on a cleaner only, I assume by bypassing the gas line to the engine.

If either of the two services you've listed are truly recommended by BMW, then why aren't they part of the free maintenance program?

[GMWNashville]

neither are suggested by BMW in writing-its just purely preventative. its not too hard to understand that clean fluid is better than old fluid-regardless of what its installed in. the EFI service that is sold by the dealers is not the same as the pour in the tank garbage. it usually entails disabling your fuel pump and blocking off the fuel line and running the engine solely on the fuel injection cleaner thus removing carbon from not only your injectors but also the combustion chamber-is it needed? no...is it suggested? yes-ive personally done not only BMW's own efi service but an aftermarket supplied one which also ran the engine solely on it and both improved the running of the cars i used it in.

[SharpPointyStick]

I was thinking the P/S fluid change would be a good idea...cheaper then having to replace anything in the future due to dirty fluid.

Guess I will also bite the bullet on the injection cleaning...since I bought this used in June, not sure what gas or maintenance or care the previous owner did.

Thanks for all the advise.

[SharpPointyStick]

I went ahead with the fuel injection cleaning, and interestingly my L/100Km has dropped.

Was about 11.2L/100Km, then installed a AFE Drop-in Filter and went to 11.3L/100Km. After the fuel injection cleaning changed from 11.3L/100Km to 11.0L/100Km. Dont think I have changed my driving style.