2003 330 Cic
- Thread starter MyHarley
- Start date
![[B)]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_blackeye.gif "Black Eye [B)]"){kind=icon}
My car is back....................new wheels and tires............and shiny..........
Only two more problems, but they have to order parts...........new front passenger seat due to some faulty pivot rail type thing........and some mechanism assembly for the passenger head rest........![[?|]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_banghead.gif "Bang Head [?|]")
I went straight to my tire guy fron the dealership to have the balance checked.......
Tire guy said...........we had to let out air in all four tires and balance one of the tires and add weights to two tires (had already fallen out).
He said the dealership had 42 in back and 40 in front...........the tire guy changed the air to 36 in back and 32 in front..........isnt this a big difference from 42 and 40????
Does everybody do things differently?? Who do you listen to?? Certainly not the little voices in my head.....................![[hihi]](/images/smilies/icon_smile_hihi.gif "Hi Hi [hihi]")
Only two more problems, but they have to order parts...........new front passenger seat due to some faulty pivot rail type thing........and some mechanism assembly for the passenger head rest........
I went straight to my tire guy fron the dealership to have the balance checked.......
Tire guy said...........we had to let out air in all four tires and balance one of the tires and add weights to two tires (had already fallen out).
He said the dealership had 42 in back and 40 in front...........the tire guy changed the air to 36 in back and 32 in front..........isnt this a big difference from 42 and 40????
Does everybody do things differently?? Who do you listen to?? Certainly not the little voices in my head.....................
When it comes to wheels and dealers do not assume that the dealer will give you the best service, quality and price. Not all dealers do their own mounting and balancing. Many contract it out to local tire shops.
Also, you have to wonder about a manufacturer that would have recommended 15k intervals between oil changes. I have not talked to anyone that agrees with that. In fact I pay to have my 03 / 330cic oil and filter changed every 5k miles with synthetic oil. As a BMW mechanic said to me, "If you lease and don't plan on keeping the car stick with the 15k miles" otherwise your crazy.
My experience has been to find a good, honest shop that just does BMW and stick with them. They are not under the pressure to find problems and sell additional services that the BMW dealers are.
Also, you have to wonder about a manufacturer that would have recommended 15k intervals between oil changes. I have not talked to anyone that agrees with that. In fact I pay to have my 03 / 330cic oil and filter changed every 5k miles with synthetic oil. As a BMW mechanic said to me, "If you lease and don't plan on keeping the car stick with the 15k miles" otherwise your crazy.
My experience has been to find a good, honest shop that just does BMW and stick with them. They are not under the pressure to find problems and sell additional services that the BMW dealers are.
Well... BMW wouldn't put that unless it knows what it is talking about. Why would such a ?reputative? company play russian rullete with their engine's reputation and car's durability. It just doesn't make sense. People who buy 35K+ are able to afford an oil change every 3K miles and if they saying 15K they must have their reasons.... nonetheless I have an oil change appointment (and they give me a free loaner) on Friday with my 7K miles since prev. oil change.
I guess the obvious question is, if you really believe BMW why are you changing at 7k miles instead of the recommended 15k.
If you ask any mechanic what is the most important key to a cars long life, they will tell you changing your oil. And they don't recommend 7500 miles for conventional and 15k for synthetic. More like 3000 and 7000.
Also remember the filter still has to be changed. Have you seen a filter after 15k miles verses 3k. You will know what I am talking about. As we all know the longer a filter is used the less effective it becomes in filtering contaminants.
If you ask any mechanic what is the most important key to a cars long life, they will tell you changing your oil. And they don't recommend 7500 miles for conventional and 15k for synthetic. More like 3000 and 7000.
Also remember the filter still has to be changed. Have you seen a filter after 15k miles verses 3k. You will know what I am talking about. As we all know the longer a filter is used the less effective it becomes in filtering contaminants.
Change your oil every three thousand miles if you believe Jiffy Lube and want to contriubute to their bottom line (or whoever changes your oil). You have to believe BMW engineers know what they're talking about. It's not in their best interest to have their engines failing before they should.
I have a lot of respect for automotive technicians, but correlating engine wear to number of miles between oil changes isn't easy. It's more of a statistical thing. Synthetic oil takes much longer to break down than conventional oil, and a good filter will keep contaminants out for the most part. They can continue to function with quite a bit of contaminant build-up. If BMW says their engines will perform reliably with 15K miles between oil services, then you know it's based on research that proves it out.
I have changed my oil on my E36 only when the dash indicator says I need to (and always use synthetic), which is usually over 10K miles (it is different than the 15K mileage countdown counter the newer models have). I have over 110K miles without a problem. Engine runs great. I will do the same with my E46.
I have a lot of respect for automotive technicians, but correlating engine wear to number of miles between oil changes isn't easy. It's more of a statistical thing. Synthetic oil takes much longer to break down than conventional oil, and a good filter will keep contaminants out for the most part. They can continue to function with quite a bit of contaminant build-up. If BMW says their engines will perform reliably with 15K miles between oil services, then you know it's based on research that proves it out.
I have changed my oil on my E36 only when the dash indicator says I need to (and always use synthetic), which is usually over 10K miles (it is different than the 15K mileage countdown counter the newer models have). I have over 110K miles without a problem. Engine runs great. I will do the same with my E46.
Yeah, I can't imagine BMW giving the wrong oil change advice. Personally, I would just follow the scheduled maintenance and I feel that is the best way to take care of your car. Synthetic oil lasts for up to 20,000 miles and companies that use synthetic oil in their cars, use a much better (and more expensive) oil filter that will last longer.
As for maximum engine life, another recommendation (aside from maintaining your oil) is warming up your car properly. I feel that is also really important when it comes to your engine lasting for a very long time.
As for maximum engine life, another recommendation (aside from maintaining your oil) is warming up your car properly. I feel that is also really important when it comes to your engine lasting for a very long time.
A couple of points.
First, I don't know any real BMW enthusiast that uses Jiffy Lube or the dealer. You use the dealer for warranty work and the free service. You find the best BMW mechanic you can and if you have to drive 30 miles to get to him that's what you do.
Second, there is nothing statistical about oil change and engine wear. Yes there may be variations due to driving style, climate and miles driven, but common sense tells you that the more frequently you change the oil and filter the cleaner the more efficient they will be in protecting the engine.
Third, having followed this message board for a long time I would bet the majority of the true believers do not use the dealer for service. They have their own mechanics and they would never wait 10k or 15k for an oil and filter change.
Finally, BMW is in business to make money, and there is nothing wrong with that. They make a great product that provides a lot of satisfaction to their customers. I own two and really enjoy both of them. But the fact remains that it is not in their interest to keep 200,000 mile cars on the road. If you goal is to buy a new car every two or three years then stick with the manufacturers recommendations. You are their perfect customer.
89 325 CIC
03 330 CIC
First, I don't know any real BMW enthusiast that uses Jiffy Lube or the dealer. You use the dealer for warranty work and the free service. You find the best BMW mechanic you can and if you have to drive 30 miles to get to him that's what you do.
Second, there is nothing statistical about oil change and engine wear. Yes there may be variations due to driving style, climate and miles driven, but common sense tells you that the more frequently you change the oil and filter the cleaner the more efficient they will be in protecting the engine.
Third, having followed this message board for a long time I would bet the majority of the true believers do not use the dealer for service. They have their own mechanics and they would never wait 10k or 15k for an oil and filter change.
Finally, BMW is in business to make money, and there is nothing wrong with that. They make a great product that provides a lot of satisfaction to their customers. I own two and really enjoy both of them. But the fact remains that it is not in their interest to keep 200,000 mile cars on the road. If you goal is to buy a new car every two or three years then stick with the manufacturers recommendations. You are their perfect customer.
89 325 CIC
03 330 CIC
I don't agree with that, I don't think BMW thinks, "Oh we don't expect our car to last 200,000 miles". That just seems ridiculous. Nowadays, engines are just designed to run, and run, and run. All you have to do is change the oil and some other minor parts every once in a while and they will just keep on running.
My parents' Mercedes use synthetic oil and their scheduled maintenance is every 8,000 - 12,000 miles (the car lets you know when to change your oil based on your driving style). They have just been following that and both of their cars have around 44,000 miles now and they are still running as smooth as the day they got them.
My parents' Mercedes use synthetic oil and their scheduled maintenance is every 8,000 - 12,000 miles (the car lets you know when to change your oil based on your driving style). They have just been following that and both of their cars have around 44,000 miles now and they are still running as smooth as the day they got them.
I am not sure you understand my point. 44k mile and 110k mile are not a good gauge of engine life. In 1987 I purchased a Mercury Sable for business. This car had every option available and I knew that after its normal three year life I would be getting a new one. The car would have about 75k by then. But my plan was to give the car to my wife when I got an new one. I used Mobil One and a new filter every 5k miles. When I finally sold the car in 1995 the car had 187,000 miles on it and ran as smooth as the day I got it. I would have kept it if I had room for it.
You will never know the value of frequent oil changes till you get above 150k miles.
My mechanic which is certified BMW has a customer with 470k mile on a 320I. The interior looks like hell but it runs fantastic.
You will never know the value of frequent oil changes till you get above 150k miles.
My mechanic which is certified BMW has a customer with 470k mile on a 320I. The interior looks like hell but it runs fantastic.
MyHarley, you asked about the decrease in tire pressure and I don't think you got an answer...
I'd run the tires at recommended maximum pressure at the top end when your hauling a bunch of friends, 2 or more and back off that pressure by up to about 15% for your daily drive, alone or with someone else to lunch or dinner. Thus if your tires are like mine and 44 psi cold maximum then run them from 44 down to 37psi, whatever feels good for how you drive. Others, may say less but I'd rather not screw with a chance of overheating.
You could see what the sticker inside the door says but the sticker doesn't know which tires BMW put on your car or you put on your car when you bought new ones.
My $.02 on oil change, 3-4000 for the turbos and 5000-6000 for the normally aspirated engines. I haven't had anything with a supercharger but it would get the same schedule as the turbos. I put synthetic in the BMW and the rest get dinosaur.
I'd run the tires at recommended maximum pressure at the top end when your hauling a bunch of friends, 2 or more and back off that pressure by up to about 15% for your daily drive, alone or with someone else to lunch or dinner. Thus if your tires are like mine and 44 psi cold maximum then run them from 44 down to 37psi, whatever feels good for how you drive. Others, may say less but I'd rather not screw with a chance of overheating.
You could see what the sticker inside the door says but the sticker doesn't know which tires BMW put on your car or you put on your car when you bought new ones.
My $.02 on oil change, 3-4000 for the turbos and 5000-6000 for the normally aspirated engines. I haven't had anything with a supercharger but it would get the same schedule as the turbos. I put synthetic in the BMW and the rest get dinosaur.
If I'm their perfect customer that's fine with me. They are the perfect manufacturer for me. Sounds like a good relationship. I haven't been screwed by following their recommendations. In fact, I love it. Time/convenience are important to me. If you feel like you are getting better value than me and that makes you feel like you are a better BMW enthusiast than me, that's fine with me.
My point about Jiffy Lube is not that BMW owners use them, but that their marketing is affecting everyone's opinions about how often to change their oil. Twenty years ago, everyone always said 5000 miles between changes. Jiffy Lube changed that to 3000. Now with synthetic oils, you can go significantly longer than 5000. Has engine technology gotten worse so that 3000 miles is now necessary? I don't think so. I've had 3 cars that I've put between 110K and 175K miles each on, and haven't had one engine problem yet, so I'll take my chances.
Real BMW enthusiasts come in all varieties. You don't have to be the kind that drives it forever and takes it to some out of the way shop. Some like the combination of driving fun and luxury they offer and trade them in after a few years. Just because they last a long time doesn't mean you have to own them that long.
BTW, I have my own mechanic who is great with BMWs that I used after the warranty expired. When I get my new car, it will be back to the dealer until the warranty expires.
My point about Jiffy Lube is not that BMW owners use them, but that their marketing is affecting everyone's opinions about how often to change their oil. Twenty years ago, everyone always said 5000 miles between changes. Jiffy Lube changed that to 3000. Now with synthetic oils, you can go significantly longer than 5000. Has engine technology gotten worse so that 3000 miles is now necessary? I don't think so. I've had 3 cars that I've put between 110K and 175K miles each on, and haven't had one engine problem yet, so I'll take my chances.
Real BMW enthusiasts come in all varieties. You don't have to be the kind that drives it forever and takes it to some out of the way shop. Some like the combination of driving fun and luxury they offer and trade them in after a few years. Just because they last a long time doesn't mean you have to own them that long.
BTW, I have my own mechanic who is great with BMWs that I used after the warranty expired. When I get my new car, it will be back to the dealer until the warranty expires.
MrE...two out of three ain't bad. Best handling is not necessarily at max psi. I'd start there and drop a pound until I found a ride I'd like and taking the chop out of the road is part of handling here in freeze/thaw land.
MyHarley, buy a pressure gage and check your pressure every couple of weeks. It's likely you won't be able to see a ten pound drop in pressure of your tires so a gage or someone with a gage is the only way to make sure your getting the most from your rubber.
If any of you own a 2002/2003 M3 please change the synthetic oil every 5000-6000 miles since I may be the owner after you and I'd appreciate that level of care as a matter of course.
MyHarley, buy a pressure gage and check your pressure every couple of weeks. It's likely you won't be able to see a ten pound drop in pressure of your tires so a gage or someone with a gage is the only way to make sure your getting the most from your rubber.
If any of you own a 2002/2003 M3 please change the synthetic oil every 5000-6000 miles since I may be the owner after you and I'd appreciate that level of care as a matter of course.