[ricerider187]

Hi there, I just bought a 335i 2007 with 74,000km.

I just found me 7l of 'german castrol' 0w30 oil, put that in the 335i... and let me tell you... THERE IS A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE!! smoother, quieter! it was 2200km over due... so imagine!

The onboard computer also said that.

1 - spark plugs were to be changed? is this necessary?

2 - brake fluid to be changed? is this necessary?

.... lastly, what about the coolant, I hear this needs to be replaced after 100,000 miles??? Is there a machine to just suck out the used coolant, then I pour in new stuff?

Can you guys shed some light??

Thank you!

[N55]

If the car computer says that you need to change the spark plugs and brake fluid needs changed then it really means it. I'm being serious...

[ricerider187]

Originally Posted by N55

If the car computer says that you need to change the spark plugs and brake fluid needs changed then it really means it. I'm being serious...

Yeh it is overdue... I am thinking the owner had the regular service done at 50,000km... then skipped it.. then at 74,000km traded it in so it was overdue.

So I will get on the brake fluid and spark plugs.

how much do the spark plugs cost at the stealership?? paid 20$ for an oil filter today...

... what bout the coolant?

I hear it is good for a while?

[foghat]

Originally Posted by ricerider187

Yeh it is overdue... I am thinking the owner had the regular service done at 50,000km... then skipped it.. then at 74,000km traded it in so it was overdue.

So I will get on the brake fluid and spark plugs.

how much do the spark plugs cost at the stealership?? paid 20$ for an oil filter today...

... what bout the coolant?

I hear it is good for a while?

Pretty sure the dealer here in Calgary quoted my something like $22-25 per plug. Robbery. Ended up getting the bosch oem equivalents on ebay for about 11 each. Plus a couple bucks for shipping.

You will also want to pick up a bmw spark plug socket - makes things much eaier. burger tuning sell them (they also sell plugs but were out of stock when I needed mine).

[ken1137]

Here is a quick reference guide for maintenance...

BMW-E9x-Maint-Grid-335-v1.1b.pdf

[crashoverride]

Is this guy for real.... Oil is oil... Putting new oil in isn't going to suddenly change the car and make it run any smoother.... The old oil has contaminants that if never changed can cause the engine to not cool and lubricate itself properly.


And yea.... The computer says something needs changing it probably does.

The magic sucking machine can be found at the dealership or repair shop.

[N8N]

I would also change the gear oil in the transmission and diff even though BMW says you don't have to. IMHO there is no such thing as a "lifetime" fluid. Your car will thank you down the road.

[omerfar23]

check rockauto.com for parts. very reasonable price though sometimes the shipping is on a high side.

Overall, get the parts ASAP and you car will reward you.

[bob.g]

i typically do stuff long before the cpu tells me to, except for brake fluid, i stretched that out to 3 years the last time. oh and the cabin filter..i had the message reset.

[ricerider187]

thanks everyone!! Nobody said anything bout the coolant??

So i bought the spark plugs....

and am going to do a coolant flush! (which I don't think the car had done yet..

and am also going to do the brake lines..


and for the automatic transmission.... is it just change the ATF??? what about the rear diff?

[sy2767]

Rear diff is easy, trans....not so much and a bit $$$. But compared to replacing either its money well spent i think.

[Meeni]

Do the brake fluid, plugs are cheap, coolant flush is unecessary, but if you want piece of mind, buy a testing strip and test it, change if needed only (you'll change it when the pump fails anyway). ATF fluid is super expensive, and you should change the filter as well, all in all count a good $500 at indep, more at the dealer.

[ken1137]

Originally Posted by ricerider187

thanks everyone!! Nobody said anything bout the coolant??

So i bought the spark plugs....

and am going to do a coolant flush! (which I don't think the car had done yet..

and am also going to do the brake lines..


and for the automatic transmission.... is it just change the ATF??? what about the rear diff?

Did you open the PDF?

[JS-NA.E92]

When the computer in the car tells you a service is due then it is best to change it before it turns red but if you don't have the money you can probably hold out for 1-3 months depending how the car is driven. By the way OP the brake fluid change is more important cuz you don't want your brakes failing on you when driving.

Other than that there is no such thing as lifetime fluid.

[ricerider187]

Originally Posted by ken1137

Did you open the PDF?

Yeh I read this one already...


so it says for the transmission - 60,000 miles? 96,000km

and it says that for the rear diff too -

so I can wait another 20,000km before I do it since I am only at 75,000km?

so right now..

I am going to do the brakes, coolant (unless you think I do not need to), and the spark plugs (the computer said spark plugs + brakes were overdue)

I do not think the coolant has been changed by 1st owner.

I am thinking of just draining and filling in new transmission fluid

[David1]

Do the cooland when your waterpump fails.

[Josh1a1h]

I know you should change the whole tranny cover with the built in filter... But won't changing just the fluid help as well?

[ricerider187]

Originally Posted by David1

Do the cooland when your waterpump fails.

Update:

So I go to my BMW dealership.

they say coolant change every 2 years. (135$). COMPLETED

Brake flush every 2 years (130$, gave me a 30$ discount because I told them how broke I was after purchasing this car). COMPLETED

They said they would install my spark plugs for 180$...... do I really need that special tool if I do it myself? I am thinking of paying a friend of mine (who has worked on cars for years, changes own brakes,) to do it??

IMPORTANT!!!
*******They also said... Auto transmission fluid NOT TO BE CHANGED unless I am doing heavy towing since it is a sealed container... and also rear differential fluid NOT TO BE CHANGED... unless I am towing.

Came from Service Manager of BMW Overseas Motors Windsor - Tom was a really nice guy and the prices I thought were reasonable considering the good work I'd imagine they do there.

Being OCD as I am, I don't understand why you wouldn't change ATF fluid...
I wish ATF fluid and rear diff fluid were cheap and easy to change

cheers all!

[Healey3000]

Originally Posted by ricerider187

thanks everyone!! Nobody said anything bout the coolant??

So i bought the spark plugs....

and am going to do a coolant flush! (which I don't think the car had done yet..

and am also going to do the brake lines..


and for the automatic transmission.... is it just change the ATF??? what about the rear diff?

Hi,

Change your coolant. I know some have said to wait till the waterpump fails but that goes against the concept of preventive maintenance.

The coolant also protects the cylinder head in that it contains corrosion inhibitors. These do degrade over time and temperature. Odds are that the coolant has never been changed on your car because BMW in their infinite wisdom calls it a lifetime fluid. Ask the dealer and they will tell you otherwise (this is one instance where I completely agree with them).

[Meeni]

I have read somewhere that flushing the trans without changing the filter/pan is a bad idea, because the only thing it does is disturb the sludge and recirculate it, whereas doing nothing it would have stayed quiet in the filter. In all cases, it is not urgent work and can wait you have more money available.

You (or your friend if you don't feel it) can do the plugs it is a simple job.

The coolant needs to be flushed when it is diluted. Test strips can be bought anywhere car parts are sold.

[ricerider187]

Originally Posted by Meeni

I have read somewhere that flushing the trans without changing the filter/pan is a bad idea, because the only thing it does is disturb the sludge and recirculate it, whereas doing nothing it would have stayed quiet in the filter. In all cases, it is not urgent work and can wait you have more money available.

You (or your friend if you don't feel it) can do the plugs it is a simple job.

The coolant needs to be flushed when it is diluted. Test strips can be bought anywhere car parts are sold.

Thanks Bro!!

I am going to ask buddy if he will help me with spark plugs... I don't need any special tool right??

So far...

COOLANT done
BRAKE FLUID done
OIL done

next is the spark plugs...


and funny that the service manager says automatic transmission flush is NEVER recommended... and same goes for rear differential, unless under heavy load or towing for some reason.

Thanks guys

[N8N]

yeah... I don't believe that service manager

I'm too lazy right now to check my owner's manual - but first of all, unless you're in an exceptional situation, you qualify for the "severe service" maintenance schedule. I don't care who you are, what you drive, or where you live, I'd bet money you do. Secondly, there's no such thing as a "lifetime" fluid. I'm not telling you anything I don't believe in myself, I've changed all the fluids save for p/s in both my Jeep and the Bimmer - every last one. In my mind when I hear "lifetime" fluid my next thought is "so how long is this 'lifetime' anyway?" I'd hate to find out that it's shorter than the period of time that I plan on keeping the car.

In the guy's defence, he is probably giving you the official BMW recommendations.

If you really do want to keep your car forever I believe there is some BMWCCA guy who's compiled a list of what he considers to be proper maintenance, I've never bothered to look it up, but I bet he and I would find that we have a lot in common at least in this respect.