First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question (page 1)| Forums BMWauto.net

First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question

As an ex-semi-skilled mechanic who likes to do all the work on his car, I have questions about BMW and how they react to doing your own maintenance during the warranty period.

My silver M Coupe could be here as soon as Tuesday and I'd like to know can I start planning on doing my own scheduled maintenance or does BMW demand it all be done by them in order to have a valid warranty?

In addition is there any built-in scheduled maintenance that comes with my purchase?

Honestly, I did no homework on this car besides what I did on the original M Roadster/Coupe years ago. Whan I saw the new bodied coupe online I ordered it the next day.

This is not to save cash. The fact is I trust no mechanic be it Ford or Ferrari, so I'm not going to start trusting a BMW mechanic unless I'm forced to.

Thanks for any advice or input from anyone who like to do all maintenance themselves.

Reply » First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question

Quote:

Yes - doing your own work within the warranty period is not recommended. In the U.S. you have full maintenance for 50,000 miles and all scheduled maintenance.

1,200 Miles - M Break-in service
15,000 Mile intervals BMW Oil sevice

BMW NA provides limited warranties for any new U.S.-specification vehicles distributed by BMW NA or sold through the BMW NA European Delivery program against defects in materials or workmanship to the first retail purchaser and each subsequent purchaser.

The warranty period is for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first, and begins on the date of first retail sale, or the date the vehicle is placed in service as a demonstrator or company vehicle, whichever is earlier.

Maintenance is one of many hidden costs to consider when you’re looking at a car’s sticker price. For most cars, that is. The BMW Maintenance Program is one of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class. Not that service is needed often, only every 15,000 miles or so, but when it does, just about anything your BMW might need replaced or serviced—brake pads, wiper blade inserts, oil change, checkup—is fully covered for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.*

The BMW Maintenance Program covers all factory-recommended maintenance and items that need replacement due to normal wear and tear. Your maintenance costs:
Scheduled Inspections: $0
Brake Pads: $0
Brake Rotors: $0
Engine Belts: $0
Oil Changes: $0
Wiper Blade Inserts: $0
Inspections: $0
Fluid Services: $0

*The BMW Maintenance Program covers all factory-recommended maintenance on all model year 2004 vehicles and newer vehicles, as determined by the Service Level Indicator, for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Exclusions from coverage: gasoline, gasoline additives, windshield washer additives, tires, wheels, wheel alignment, tire balancing and rotation. All work must be performed by an authorized BMW center. See the Service and Warranty Information booklet for more details and exclusions.

Reply » First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question

Thats total BS.

BMW only does enough maintenance to keep your car running till the free maintence is up. Change your oil at least every 5000 miles on synthetic, change your filter, change your air filter, change your diff fluid, change your lifetime tranny fluid, and make sure your brake fluid is fresh. I had to fight to get them to do any of that stuff. They wont do it unless you make them. And they will let you blow up your engine at 51,000 miles and laugh when you have to buy a new one. So I would say, let them do it when the lights say so, and do it yourself a couple times in between.

Any fluid that claims to be "lifetime" is total BS. They are just being cheap. I can picture a converstation between the bean counters and the attorneys when they decided to call it lifetime. "How little maintence can we do and still have the cars run for 55k miles?"

Reply » First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question

Thanks Caddyshk and Mpire.

I wasn't expecting any free maintenance so what BMW performs is a bonus. I'm just glad they aren't forcing me to pay $300 to scan the computer or some other silly charge like that. I think I will do additional maintenance like you said, Mpire. In particular doubling up on the oil changes and replacing brake fluid every two years.

And close to the subject...did I read correctly that this engine requires 10W-60 oil? I never knew that grade even existed.

Thanks for your help,

Matt

Reply » First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question

Quote:

Thanks Caddyshk and Mpire.

And close to the subject...did I read correctly that this engine requires 10W-60 oil? I never knew that grade even existed.

Thanks for your help,

Matt

You'll really know about the oil when you see the price.

Reply » First time BMW owner(M Coupe)/have warranty question

Quote:

Agreed - I do mid interval changes on everything - Oil @ 7,500 miles or 6 months - Brake Fluid before track sessions - Diff, tranny ~ 2 years...

Db

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