My last (4th) free oil maintenance will not be covered because it takes a long time to get a service appointment with my dealer and I drive my E39 530i only about 7-8K miles a year. My free oil changes are performed at 12 month intervals and not mileage as per the owner's manual.
I took delivery of my 530i on 12/31/02. I had my first free oil change done on 12/15/03 at 8,052 miles. I tried to get an oil service appointment at the end of December 2004 for my second free oil change, but it took a month to get an appointment so it was performed on 01/12/05 at 15,807 miles. Today I called to schedule the third free oil change for 12/30/05 but I was told that if they changed the oil before 01/12/06 then it would not be covered for free because it would be less than 12 months since the last oil change (only 13 days less). This means that my last and fourth "free" oil change can not be done until after 01/12/07 which is after my 4 year free maintenance program expires!! Therefore, my 4 year free maintenance warranty is really only good for 3 years!!!
I talked with 3 people at the dealer and even called BMWNA but they all refuse to pay for my third oil change if it's done prior to 01/12/06 -- even though it was not my fault that the second oil change was performed late due to the dealer being booked up for so long. I'm only asking for it to be changed 13 days early from 12 months from the last one so I can be sure that the fourth oil change will be covered for free. When I told them that if they don't pay for all four oil changes as promised in the free maintenance program, then this will be my last BMW. They actually laughed and said okay. I can't believe they are willing to lose a customer over this.
Has anyone else had a similar experience?
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| Reply » Here's why my 4 yr full maintenance program is only good for 3 yrs |
wow
is your dealer especially large or busy?
i get my car(s) in the next day from when I call
half the time I don't even bother to make an appt. and just bring it in, and they do the work that same day
I'd be looking for another dealer, if it takes you a month to get a simple oil change & that is pretty sleazy that they won't cover your 4th oil change
I to would be upset. But I guess there isn't much recourse over $80, short of switching dealers.
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| Reply » Here's why my 4 yr full maintenance program is only good for 3 yrs |
I am in a similar situation since I put on very low miles each year. I had the oil changed in June, (I leased the car as a CPO in 8/04) they did it as the once every 12 month change. But they did not reset the oil service light and I am going to make another appointment shortly for another change which I have no reason to doubt they will do since I have the red bar showing. On my 330ci they never gave me grief about oil changes, I think they did not reset the indicator deliberately. Since I need to do the coil recall I expect an oil change on BMW's dime.
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| Reply » Here's why my 4 yr full maintenance program is only good for 3 yrs |
I thought the service was based on the "service engine soon" indicator which counts down mileage.
I have always gotten service if I was within 500 miles of the light counting to zero.
I drive enough so I always use miles before time (1 year) so I am not sure what is going on here.
Also, I have a dealer in SD, (BMW of San Diego) that is owned by United Auto and the dealership is large and a 3-4 week wait for service is typical.
instead I drive a little further to Harloff and get in within a couple days. And if something is broke, I get in right away. Harloff has always treated me well. BMW of San Diego is pretty good, but they are too large.
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| Reply » Here's why my 4 yr full maintenance program is only good for 3 yrs |
Quote: | I thought the service was based on the "service engine soon" indicator which counts down mileage. | it's a whichever is first type of situation
Quote: | I have always gotten service if I was within 500 miles of the light counting to zero. | my dealer is also good in this area
i brought one of the z4's in a week ago for the ignition coil recall and noticed that the car was 1.1k miles from inspection I- asked them to do it..they did it no questions asked that same day- I didn't have an appt either.
very happy with my dealer 
kc5- time to start looking for a new dealer i think...if there is another option
mine is the only bmw dealer within a 2 hour drive
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| Reply » Here's why my 4 yr full maintenance program is only good for 3 yrs |
Quote: | I thought the service was based on the "service engine soon" indicator which counts down mileage. | It is, except for those of us that don't drive the full amount of miles in a year. Here's a question about the 4 yr maintenance program for ED customers: four years from pickup date in Munich, or from re-delivery date? I had my one year oil change done at 10k miles and at the one year anniversy of its pickup in Munich. My second oil change will be in the spring as my car is parked for the winter now.
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Here's why my 4 yr full maintenance program is only good for 3 yrs