[SHEEDI]

Hello
So I went to Dealer for regular Service/maintenance and my SA recommend few things. Before I explain what my SA advised, here are details about my car.

CPO 2009 335i Sedan
BMW maintenance program= Yes, 2 years
Current Mileage: 25,000
Car purchase date: November 2012, mileage that time were 20,000
so this morning the following things were performed for free because I have maintenance program purchased.

1. Oil/Filter changed.
2. Wiper blades replaced.
3. Spark Plugs replaced.
4. Air Filter, Cabin Filter, AC & Heating filters were replaced.
5. Brake Fluid Flushed
6. Performed inspections and found all ok

My SA advised me following things because of the Care age and some are due annual.

1. WHEEL ALIGNMENT " I don't feel that my car need alignment"
2. FUEL INJECTION SERVICE " I don't feel any misfire or anything like that"
3. COOLANT FLUID FLUSH
4. POWER STEERING FLUID FLUSH " steering feels ok to me"

My question to you guys is that should I get all above services done? and how often do you get these services done?
are they annually done or depend on mileage of car?
how do I know what service is due when?

Your precious inputs will be very helpful..

Thanks

[ssmith96]

In new york I could believe the need for an alignment, I don't think the injection service is needed yet especially if youre not modded or dont have too many mods. The power steering fluid you can check for yourself, just pull a little out. BMW OEM should like green, if its very brown you might want to consider DIY as you can just suck it out, put new in, repeat about 5 times and its done or drain it normally. As for coolant no advice

[fazman]

Go to firestone and get a lifetime wheel alignment agreement with them for about $200 (you can try Sears or other retailers as well). I think they can do everything with the adjustments except the front camber because of the locking pins. I get my wheel alignment done every few months or if my wife hits a pothole (stupid NJ roads).

Just make sure you bring the car to the alignment shop with a full tank of gas, because that's weight in the trunk to help with alignment dial in (Technically you are suppose to put 150 lbs sand bags in each of the front seats (300 lbs total) and 150 lbs of sand bags in the middle of the rear seats AND 42 lbs in the trunk + a full tank of gas. that will give you the correct load to do the alignment... but I half ass it and just bring a full tank of gas and never had any issue.

[fazman]

Coolant flush will happen once your water pump dies at about the 60k-80k mile mark (It's lifetime fill fluid - meaning life of the part).

For fuel/injector treatment... Just buy the $5-$10 bottle of your favorite fuel treatment from any autoparts store and toss in the snake oil just before you pump a full tank of gas (to help it mix up). I'm partial to my Seafoam(TM) snake oil for fuel treatment. I do it every 10k miles (one 16oz bottle w/full tank of gas).

I agree with the power steering fluid flush DIY with a turkey baster and an empty plastic bottle to siphon it into. Just make sure you get the correct Pentosin CHF 11s replacement fluid for ~$20 at your local NAPA Autoparts

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by fazman

Coolant flush will happen once your water pump dies at about the 60k-80k mile mark (It's lifetime fill fluid - meaning life of the part).

For fuel/injector treatment... Just buy the $5-$10 bottle of your favorite fuel treatment from any autoparts store and toss in the snake oil just before you pump a full tank of gas (to help it mix up). I'm partial to my Seafoam(TM) snake oil for fuel treatment. I do it every 10k miles (one 16oz bottle w/full tank of gas).

Thanks for input........
so you saying don't touch coolant till 60k - 80k mark?
and fuel/injector treatment goes in fuel tank or mix with oil?

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by ssmith96

In new york I could believe the need for an alignment, I don't think the injection service is needed yet especially if youre not modded or dont have too many mods. The power steering fluid you can check for yourself, just pull a little out. BMW OEM should like green, if its very brown you might want to consider DIY as you can just suck it out, put new in, repeat about 5 times and its done or drain it normally. As for coolant no advice

hey Smith, my car is stock, so you saying don't bother even using fuel treatments?

[ssmith96]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

hey Smith, my car is stock, so you saying don't bother even using fuel treatments?

Funny you say that! I completely forgot to say, instead of the injection cleaning I would just run "Jectron" through your tank when it is at 1/2 or 1/4 full, but since the injection is different on a 335? correct? some people say it doesn't do as much. I can tell you for my 328 jectron has worked wonders however.

[PichaDis11]

CBS goes by date and mileage. Whichever comes first.. Alignment your probably wont feel when driving but your tires can tell that. When out of alignment tires normally wear mostly on the insides. You can check those yourself. I read where it is recommended to an alignment once a year or so.
Coolant fluid flush you probably won't need as yet. Were you having signs of over heat why the SA recommended this? I ask because even BMW themselves state that their coolant is "lifetime coolant"

[kevinbahnz]

the car is only at 25k miles. I vote No on #'s 2-4. Maybe on #1.

[fazman]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

Thanks for input........
so you saying don't touch coolant till 60k - 80k mark?
and fuel/injector treatment goes in fuel tank or mix with oil?

Sorry Sheedi, I meant it as a form of humor "Snake Oil":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snake_oil

But for fuel system treatment, you would need to grab your favorite treatment product from your local autoparts store for about ~$5-$10 range and dump it into the fuel tank when you are about to pump a full tank of fresh gas. I probably shouldn't have responded with so much joking/humor because I think I confused you and you took my joke literally.

But honestly at 25k miles you REALLY do not need to do anything other than the standard oil changes (your probably going based on time rather then mileage). I would recommend doing the oil+filter change at a maximum interval of "1 year OR a maximum of 7500 miles" (which ever comes first from the previous oil change).

Wheel alignment is one of those things where if you can "feel" it... its reallllly bad. But it may still be mis-aligned and you would never know until you have poor tire wear permanently impacting your tires and then its too late as well. Always make sure to have your tire pressure checked at least once a season (like once every 3 or 4 months) OR when the temperature changes (like it swing from 60*F average temp to like 90*F ave temps up or downward direction). Reason is every month your tires lose about 1 psi of air because rubber is porous. Also as the temperature outside changes by 10*F (up or down) you will either gain or lose 1 psi for each 10*F. So a 30 PSI tire @ 90*F on a spring day can quickly drop to a low tire warning of 27 PSI @ 60*F on the same day with no other influence other then the outside temperature changed. Maybe this was all too much info???

[fazman]

How far are you from Edison NJ? If you are willing to trek out to me, I can give you a full run down in person on what to do and what not to do + How to DIY on the car.

I've done a lot of the mods myself and I've started a small group of local 335's owners who like to work on their own cars by helping each other. I'm no mechanic and I don't charge any money... it's just friends helping friends (My day job is with computers, cars are a hobby). I've learned a lot about these cars from reading and testing on my own car, so you can benefit from my lessons learned.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by PichaDis11

CBS goes by date and mileage. Whichever comes first.. Alignment your probably wont feel when driving but your tires can tell that. When out of alignment tires normally wear mostly on the insides. You can check those yourself. I read where it is recommended to an alignment once a year or so.
Coolant fluid flush you probably won't need as yet. Were you having signs of over heat why the SA recommended this? I ask because even BMW themselves state that their coolant is "lifetime coolant"

SA said that those recommendations are due to the age of the car and my car has only 25k and its 2009

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by fazman

How far are you from Edison NJ? If you are willing to trek out to me, I can give you a full run down in person on what to do and what not to do + How to DIY on the car.

I've done a lot of the mods myself and I've started a small group of local 335's owners who like to work on their own cars by helping each other. I'm no mechanic and I don't charge any money... it's just friends helping friends (My day job is with computers, cars are a hobby). I've learned a lot about these cars from reading and testing on my own car, so you can benefit from my lessons learned.

Thanks for offer.......lol. by the way im computer engineer "system admin" by profession and cars are my hobby too
im an hour from Edison, I have friends there and visit them once in a while. would you help me replacing stock angel eyes bulbs to white?

[DrewG13]

Beware of dealerships. Their job is to make as much money off you as possible. For alignment, check your tires to see if you have any unusual wear. If you don't then take your time to find an independent shop and have your alignment checked. Can't really say if you need it or not. As for the other items, just check your coolant, and steering fluid or have it checked by a shop. Most likely they should be fine. In no way do they really need to be replaced unless you have other problems in your car that are affecting them.

Quick story about dealerships. When I took my car in for the battery recall my dealer did an inspection of my car and all look good. They found a nail in one of my front tires. My tires are fairly new only about 6k miles on them. Dealer tried to sell me two new front tires and do an alignment. Quote was $800. The nail didn't seem to cause an air leak or at least it was very minimal. I was able to drive the car and tire sensors didn't even go on. I took it to my tire guy. He patched it for me for $25 and sent me on my way.

[SHEEDI]

Originally Posted by DrewG13

Beware of dealerships. Their job is to make as much money off you as possible. For alignment, check your tires to see if you have any unusual wear. If you don't then take your time to find an independent shop and have your alignment checked. Can't really say if you need it or not. As for the other items, just check your coolant, and steering fluid or have it checked by a shop. Most likely they should be fine. In no way do they really need to be replaced unless you have other problems in your car that are affecting them.

Quick story about dealerships. When I took my car in for the battery recall my dealer did an inspection of my car and all look good. They found a nail in one of my front tires. My tires are fairly new only about 6k miles on them. Dealer tried to sell me two new front tires and do an alignment. Quote was $800. The nail didn't seem to cause an air leak or at least it was very minimal. I was able to drive the car and tire sensors didn't even go on. I took it to my tire guy. He patched it for me for $25 and sent me on my way.

+1. I had a nail also in rear tire and got it fixed for $25

[kevinbahnz]

didnt know the car was is 4 years old. might want to do some of those things then.

[fun2drive]

All the recommended services are a waste of money. It is miles not time that counts. I agree that if your tires are wearing funny you need alignment but BMWs run neg camber so some inside wear is normal. All the rest when you have sufficient miles on the car.
When in doubt ask the SA where in your manual it says to do these things.

[Prissy]

I don't think Firestone offers "lifetime" alignment for new yorkers. Please correct me if wrong.

[tony20009]

You really just bought a CPO car from a BMW dealer and and SA at that dealership thinks those things are needed? Had I done that, I'd be having a conversation with the general manager at that BMW store.

That said, if the SA thinks they need to be done and it's not going to cost you to have them done, then let them do the maintenance.

[Chriztofor]

Originally Posted by SHEEDI

Hello
So I went to Dealer for regular Service/maintenance and my SA recommend few things. Before I explain what my SA advised, here are details about my car.

CPO 2009 335i Sedan
BMW maintenance program= Yes, 2 years
Current Mileage: 25,000
Car purchase date: November 2012, mileage that time were 20,000
so this morning the following things were performed for free because I have maintenance program purchased.

1. Oil/Filter changed.
2. Wiper blades replaced.
3. Spark Plugs replaced.
4. Air Filter, Cabin Filter, AC & Heating filters were replaced.
5. Brake Fluid Flushed
6. Performed inspections and found all ok

My SA advised me following things because of the Care age and some are due annual.

1. WHEEL ALIGNMENT " I don't feel that my car need alignment"
2. FUEL INJECTION SERVICE " I don't feel any misfire or anything like that"
3. COOLANT FLUID FLUSH
4. POWER STEERING FLUID FLUSH " steering feels ok to me"

My question to you guys is that should I get all above services done? and how often do you get these services done?
are they annually done or depend on mileage of car?
how do I know what service is due when?

Your precious inputs will be very helpful..

Thanks

Shouldn't the wheel alignment, fuel injection service, coolant flush, and power steering flush be a part of the maintenance program that you just bought? If that is not maintenance then what are they calling it? If they won't do that maintenance then ask for a refund. Keep in mind they brought it up, not you.

[Squark]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Shouldn't the wheel alignment, fuel injection service, coolant flush, and power steering flush be a part of the maintenance program that you just bought? If that is not maintenance then what are they calling it? If they won't do that maintenance then ask for a refund. Keep in mind they brought it up, not you.

The maintenance plan only covers certain items. It's mainly what the computer tells you is due, plus wiper blades, belts, and air filters.

http://www.bmwusa.com/mpdisclaimer

[SHEEDI]

Here are details about BMW the Maintenance Program

The BMW Maintenance Program has two categories:

•Standard Maintenance, as described below, is available on new BMW vehicles for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.

•The Upgraded Maintenance1 option extends the Standard Maintenance period, when purchased, by an additional 2 years/50,000 miles to 6 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, whichever comes first.


The factory-recommended maintenance service items listed below are covered when required at specified service intervals, on eligible BMW vehicles during the applicable BMW Maintenance Program period2:

Engine oil change and filter replacement
Vehicle inspections or check (per the applicable service maintenance checklist)
Cabin dust microfilters - fresh air and recirculating3
Air filter replacement
Brake pads (front/rear)
Brake discs (front/rear - only in conjunction with a covered brake pad replacement)
Brake fluid replacement
Engine drive belts
Windshield wiper inserts (front and rear3)
Manual transmission clutch disc3
Manual transmission oil3 (only in conjunction with an applicable engine oil and filter replacement)
Spark plugs4
Oxygen sensors4
Fuel filter3 (diesel engines only)
Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)3 - refill both tanks (only in conjunction with an eligible engine oil and filter replacement)
Running-in check at 1,200 miles3 (BMW M vehicles only, excluding the 1 Series M Coupe, X5 M and X6 M)
Reset the maintenance system

A factory-recommended maintenance service item interval is determined either by the model-specific BMW Maintenance System (Service Interval Display or Condition Based Service), and/or upon examination and assessment for wear and tear5 of covered components during a vehicle inspection.

BMW Maintenance Program Exclusions and Limitations

•Repairs covered by the New Vehicle Limited Warranty, BMW Certified Pre-Owned Program, Original Owner Protection Program, or a BMW Extended Service Contract
•Damage due to poor fuel quality, abuse, misuse, neglect, alteration, fire, accident, and flood/water damage
•Damage due to improper or lack of maintenance/repairs or negligence
•The vehicle is deemed a total loss or used in competitive events
•Maintenance performed outside or beyond the scope of the recommended maintenance interval
•Covered maintenance services performed by other than an authorized BMW center in the United States and Puerto Rico
•Covered maintenance services performed outside the United States and Puerto Rico