[m328XI]

My fiance just picked up a 2011 328X with 29K miles, one year left on factory warranty and maint then 2 years more on the CPO warranty.

The car is in very nice shape. Space Grey with Black leather , Premium, fold down rear seats, Dakota leather, heated steering wheel.

We paid $23,388 from a BMW dealer, 0 % for 60 months and they make the first payment which is about $475 as they let us finance 100%.

At the CPO inspection they did the front brakes ( including rotors) as I guess it sat too long and they also replaced the 2 rear tires due to sidewall issues and performed an alignment.

The windshield washer fluid leaked they day after we got it, a pretty big puddle in the garage. I guess it was something with the headlamp washers and I was told they don't run every time you wash the windows so that may explain why the CPO check missed it. It was fixed under warranty.

I have a few maintenance related questions but want to make sure this is the spot to post them.

I tried searching for answers but can't really seem to find cut and dry answers to what see like basic questions.

Thanks

[MORTON]

You can post up here man what's up? Nice ride btw

[m328XI]

Just wondering how a few things work with the maintenance.

When we brought it in for the washer fluid issue they showed an oil change wasn't done for over a year , I'm pretty sure the oil would have been checked at the CPO but since it was free I had them do it.

The dealers says I can get another oil change in August for free but I thought it was only once a year. Is this correct ?

I have this long checklist of the car inspection from the oil change but I see no mention of an air filter check or even a box to check off which I found odd.

I also don't see a specific item saying the air filter was ever done since new on the maintenance history list. I have read they change the air filter at 30K but that seems very long, is this correct ?

The brake fluid and cabin air filter were done last year but on the maintenance history some reports just say general maintenance performed ( or something to that effect) but don't list what was actually done.

At what point should we change the coolant and transfer case fluids ? Tranny Fluid ?

She drives about 5k per year so the car will hit 100K in 14 years , I doubt we keep it past 10 years so I don't want to spend $$ on unnecessary maintenance as the car will be driven very gently.

Anything else I am missing ?

For those who may not be aware Discount Tire will sell a non pro rated 100% replacement cost warranty on tires they don't sell. We are bringing it over Friday to have the tires inspected and if they pass the warranty is about $35 a tire..........not bad for a lifetime warranty on run flat tires that cost $250 each installed, maybe more.

Thanks

[MORTON]

I'll address as much as I can here as we have plans tonight but for starters if the dealer shows no oil change in over a year it is likely the previous owner got it done at an Indy shop or did it themselves.. That's usually the case.

[MORTON]

It depends on how often you dive the car and even if it's not driven much the months factor you should use when getting it done. For most cars its 3k or 3 months but with ours its 15k by the manual but the safe bet is every 7-8k

[upstatedoc]

328i X-Drive

[eforty6_m3]

Here is all you need...from the master of BMW himself, Mike Miller:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...7&d=1322676627

That should get you the PDF version of his Lifetime Maintenance Schedule, aka, the gospel.

[m328XI]

Originally Posted by MORTON

I'll address as much as I can here as we have plans tonight but for starters if the dealer shows no oil change in over a year it is likely the previous owner got it done at an Indy shop or did it themselves.. That's usually the case.

Thanks for answering and it's no hurry.

Wouldn't it be odd that the owner who had free maintenance would pay for an oil change outside a BMW dealer and that BMW wouldn't make sure it was within time limits for an oil change during the CPO process which seems to be very indepth. ?

Now we did get this car cheaper ( compared to other 328X's we saw with less options, more miles and less time on the factory warranty) because we were told it was on the lot the longest so maybe the oil change wasn't due when they did the CPO inspection.

My understanding was that the free maintenance includes one oil change er 12 months so I was surprised when the service adviser said we could get another free oil change in August

[MORTON]

Coolant is a "lifetime" fill however it is recommended every 3 years or 30k. Bmw used to recommend getting the flush every two years but since 2004 it's "lifetime" but the safe bet is every 3yrs in your case since it's not going to be on the road a lot.

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by m328XI

Thanks for answering and it's no hurry.

Wouldn't it be odd that the owner who had free maintenance would pay for an oil change outside a BMW dealer and that BMW wouldn't make sure it was within time limits for an oil change during the CPO process which seems to be very indepth. ?

Now we did get this car cheaper ( compared to other 328X's we saw with less options, more miles and less time on the factory warranty) because we were told it was on the lot the longest so maybe the oil change wasn't due when they did the CPO inspection.

My understanding was that the free maintenance includes one oil change er 12 months so I was surprised when the service adviser said we could get another free oil change in August

There could be several reasons why they chose to go elsewhere or maybe they were out of town at the time the indicator showed it being due.. Who knows.. If they will give you another free one take it. It's not going to hurt at all.

[MORTON]

Originally Posted by onebamf335i

Here is all you need...from the master of BMW himself, Mike Miller:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...7&d=1322676627

That should get you the PDF version of his Lifetime Maintenance Schedule, aka, the gospel.

Good info thanks for the link man

[MORTON]

If it's still under warranty I'd drive the crap out of it that year in hopes all the problems (if any) would show up during that time. I also suggest you find a good Indy for after your warranty expires for maintenance up keep unless you plan on extending the warranty of course

[m328XI]

Originally Posted by onebamf335i

Here is all you need...from the master of BMW himself, Mike Miller:

https://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/at...7&d=1322676627

That should get you the PDF version of his Lifetime Maintenance Schedule, aka, the gospel.

Thanks, I saw that, seems like overkill for a car that will get 5k gentle miles per year.

I was looking for some opinions as to what some who drive the car like we do are doing as far as maintenance.

I was figuring ( saying it's a relatively trouble free car in 3 years as the CPO expires) of doing the coolant and transfer case fluid.

Am I right that the AWD has 2 separate fluids that need to be changed for the AWD ?

Thanks

[m328XI]

Originally Posted by MORTON

If it's still under warranty I'd drive the crap out of it that year in hopes all the problems (if any) would show up during that time. I also suggest you find a good Indy for after your warranty expires for maintenance up keep unless you plan on extending the warranty of course

Factory warranty and whatever maint BMW deems it needs until November 2015 then CPO until November 2017.

Maintenance is so much different on BMW, I just traded my 2003 Infiniti G35 with 160 miles in for a Q50.

It had the original Plugs, wires, , brake fluid, tranny fluid, etc and ran like a champ..........oil and filter every 4k, air filter once every 2 years. I flushed the coolant once at 60K and did the belts.

Speaking of air filters are the air filters in the 328's really lasting 30k miles without crazy dirt ? That seems like a lot of time and miles for an air filter.

Thanks

[eforty6_m3]

Originally Posted by MORTON

Good info thanks for the link man

No sweat!!

[eforty6_m3]

Originally Posted by m328XI

Thanks, I saw that, seems like overkill for a car that will get 5k gentle miles per year.

I was looking for some opinions as to what some who drive the car like we do are doing as far as maintenance.

I was figuring ( saying it's a relatively trouble free car in 3 years as the CPO expires) of doing the coolant and transfer case fluid.

Am I right that the AWD has 2 separate fluids that need to be changed for the AWD ?

Thanks

Fair enough!

[07chupacabra]

When did they start this lifetime bs? And how long has oil been 15k OCI?

[cotmfk]

Congrats on the car and welcome! Looks like you are going to do your best to treat it right. Enjoy it!