getting reimbursed...("as the ignition coils turn")

Greetings and Happy Holidays, fellow Bimmerphiles!

And now, time for another episode in the continuing saga of one Karl Bimmer, a 2003 325i - "As The Ignition Coils Turn"

April 2005: All six coils were replaced, due to a failure of one coil, per a BMW Service Bulletin. I whip out the faithful Discover Card, and cough up about $400.00.

December 2005: I receive a letter in the mail, saying that there is a recall campaign on ignition coils, and that BMW would replace them free of charge. I call BMWNA, who told me to have Karl Bimmer inspected at an official BMW dealer; if the coils in the car were according to spec, I could be reimbursed

So, I wend my way to Crevier, and am told that yes, Taylor Independent BMW Service did replace the Bremi coils with the updated Bosch coils and that I would be getting a check in the mail

However, I was a bit dismayed by the next words I heard; the inspection tech had the following recommendations:

Coolant Flush
Brake Fluid Flush (this was done in August 2004, courtesy of The HACK, Raffi, et al)
Steering Fluid Flush
Rear Brakes at 3%
Rear Tires on tread marks (I think this is what she said)

Now, I'm not doubting that Karl may need the above, but I am a bit suspicious that there could be some revenue recovery going on here

So...I'm going to take Crevier's recommendations to Taylor, who have proven themselves again and again, and if they concur, then I'll have Taylor do the work

At this point in time, Karl Bimmer has 90,658 miles, 145,052 kilometers, Herr Moderator . I've had the car three years (well, it is the "Ultimate Driving Machine!"

Reply » getting reimbursed...("as the ignition coils turn")

Well, coolant flush is every 4 years now, so it isn't really due.

Brake flush IS every 2 years, but you can get help and do that yourself (along with the coolant flush).

Never heard of a power steering fluid flush recommendation, but that is VERY easy to DIY. Open resevoir, suck out old fluid, put in new.

Rear brakes are easy to check.

Rear tires are very easy to check. Just look for bands across the tread called wear bars. Or take a penny, put in the tread with Lincoln's head closest to the tread. If you can see the top of his head, the tires are gone.

Reply » getting reimbursed...("as the ignition coils turn")

If you can wait until late January, you may be eligible for a free coolant, brake, and PS fluid flush.

You just may need to drive across L.A. to where-ever the next TechSession may be held AND provide your own fluids. BMW Coolant (one jug), 2 gallon bottles of distilled water, 2 liters of brake fluid, and 1 liter of Dexron III power steering fluid/ATF.

While you are at it, you should also change out your fuel filter, transmission fluid, and diff fluid if you have not done so. Transmission fluid: Either Redline or Royal Purple MTL, diff fluid is 75w-90 if I'm not mistaken.

But feel free to have an indy work on it if the car can't (and probably shouldn't) wait for all the maintenance stuff.

Reply » getting reimbursed...("as the ignition coils turn")

I am liking the BMW LTF2 fluid for the tranny, especially on later model cars.

Nie thing about a tech session is one jug can do 3 cars, and at $120 per jug, that is a GOOD thing.

Only thing I can see not waiting on is the brakes and possibly the tires. But tires you will probably want to order through Tire Rack anyway or a local tire store, NOT the dealer.

Everything else listed is no problem waiting a month or two or even a year.

Reply » getting reimbursed...("as the ignition coils turn")

Quote:

I am liking the BMW LTF2 fluid for the tranny, especially on later model cars.

Nie thing about a tech session is one jug can do 3 cars, and at $120 per jug, that is a GOOD thing.

No, just to be clear, one jug will do 2 E46 M3s and 1 regular E46, or 4 regular E46es.

The M3 uses way more fluid than normal cars.

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