Dealership Oil Service Charge?

Blue · Jul 8, 2004

I have a couple quick questions, I hope you guys can help me out....

I picked up a 2001 CPO 325i back in March 2004. It had about 24,500 miles on it. I just flipped 30,000 miles this morning on the way into the office. The oil service indicator that comes on the dash when you first turn the key now says 5,725 miles. So, when I picked up the car from the dealer in March, the oil service indicator indicated approximately 11,225 miles.

One would assume that I took delivery of a CPO that had fresh oil, filter, microfilter, etc. (I know, assume is a bad word.)

When should I change the oil? After driving this car 5,500 miles, I really feel like I should be changing the oil (on previous cars I always changed between 3,000 & 5,000 miles).

Do I have to take it to the dealer to maintain warranty coverage? I'm still on the new car warranty - CPO warranty will start March 2005. My local dealership is running a special on synthetic oil & filter changes for only $50, so I'll do that now, but in the future I sure don't want to pay $150 or whatever the going rate is.

If I don't have the dealer change my oil, how does the oil service indicator on the dash get reset?

Is there anything special I have to do since I'm at 30,000 miles? Remember, I took delivery of this CPO only 5,500 miles ago, so I don't think I should have to pay $300 for BMW's recommended 30k mile inspection (my car was fully CPO inspected & prepped 5,500 miles ago). I'll have my fluids, brakes, etc. inspected when I get the oil changed. I also perform my own weekly cursory inspections of brake pads, fluids, etc.

Thanks for the input, I appreciate it!

codex57 · Jul 8, 2004

If you're thinking about resetting the oil service light and you're under warranty still, DON'T!!!!!! Why would you do such a thing? When it gets to 100 miles or less, that's a free oil change.

If you're out of warranty, then any place that specializes in BMWs should have the tool to reset it. You can buy the tool yourself too.

Change the oil every 5000-7000 miles or so. 5000 is best. At least change the oil filter at that range.

No, you don't have to take it to the dealer to maintain warranty coverage. If the dealer is gonna pay for it, why wouldn't you take it there for the free ones? If you're doing unscheduled maintenance, then those don't have to be done at the dealer. Just keep the records in case something comes up (buyer wants to know, dealer wants to deny warranty, etc).

If your dealer doesn't do the oil change, an independent BMW garage will have the tool to do it yourself. Or, you can buy it off the net. Look in teh back of Car and Driver or oen of those mags. THere are ads for the oil reset tool.

30,000 miles is supposed to have the Inspection I done. Even if it's CPO, not all dealers do all the inspections they are supposed to. If you're under 30,000, you should still be under the maintenance warranty. So, Inspection I should be free.

Blue · Jul 8, 2004

codex57 said:

If you're thinking about resetting the oil service light and you're under warranty still, DON'T!!!!!! Why would you do such a thing? When it gets to 100 miles or less, that's a free oil change.

If you're out of warranty, then any place that specializes in BMWs should have the tool to reset it. You can buy the tool yourself too.

Change the oil every 5000-7000 miles or so. 5000 is best. At least change the oil filter at that range.

No, you don't have to take it to the dealer to maintain warranty coverage. If the dealer is gonna pay for it, why wouldn't you take it there for the free ones? If you're doing unscheduled maintenance, then those don't have to be done at the dealer. Just keep the records in case something comes up (buyer wants to know, dealer wants to deny warranty, etc).

If your dealer doesn't do the oil change, an independent BMW garage will have the tool to do it yourself. Or, you can buy it off the net. Look in teh back of Car and Driver or oen of those mags. THere are ads for the oil reset tool.

30,000 miles is supposed to have the Inspection I done. Even if it's CPO, not all dealers do all the inspections they are supposed to. If you're under 30,000, you should still be under the maintenance warranty. So, Inspection I should be free.

Hell, I didn't know oil change was included with new car warranty! So maybe I'll change it now for my own peace of mind (5,500 miles driven), and then have the dealership change it for free in another 5,725 miles when the oil service indicator says it's due. Everyone's happy. I'll bet they still try to hit me with a $300 30k mile "Inspection I" though.

Bmw 325i 7803 · Jul 8, 2004

Nde said:

You paid $60 for an 04 to get the oil changed. If this was scheduled maintenance 1yr or 15,000 miles it's supposed to be free. [confused]

Bryan330i · Jul 8, 2004

It may sound like a waste of money but I have always taken my leased cars to the dealership for service and oil changes. And I guess what makes it even worse is I can get the oil changed for free at work because we have a 15,000 square feet equipped shop.

I guess I feel strange about having my own invoices for required service work in the event I have a major problem that requires production of service records. We have some big accounts with national service companies that maintain fleet maintenance records and provide fleet administration for their clients in which we are a third party service provider. As a service provider, I have seen a lot of claim hassles over maintenance records when big repair claims are involved so I am extra careful with maintenance on my leased cars and documenting who does it.

codex57 · Jul 9, 2004

Blue said:

You get free oil changes when the counter runs to 100 miles or less. But you have to be under warranty. If you have an 01, I'm not sure if you're still under warranty cuz I know the maintenance warranty was shorter on older cars. On mine, it matches the 4 yr/50K miles bumper to bumper warranty. I know older cars had a shorter 3yr one, but I dunno when that was. If you're still under warranty, that Inspection I should still be covered cuz the 3yr one was 3yr/36K miles.

Blue · Jul 9, 2004

codex57 said:

You get free oil changes when the counter runs to 100 miles or less. But you have to be under warranty. If you have an 01, I'm not sure if you're still under warranty cuz I know the maintenance warranty was shorter on older cars. On mine, it matches the 4 yr/50K miles bumper to bumper warranty. I know older cars had a shorter 3yr one, but I dunno when that was. If you're still under warranty, that Inspection I should still be covered cuz the 3yr one was 3yr/36K miles.

I'll go have a chat with the service advisor and see what's what.

dm_longhorn · Jul 21, 2004

I'm finally due for one... called and quoted me $90 at BMW North Houston. That doesn't seem too bad... except for the two week waiting list.. Damn! [80?]

mscoins · Jul 22, 2004

FWIW - just had my oil/filter changed (6300 miles - 1 year since delivery) at no cost from the dealer.

Nelson330ci · Jul 22, 2004

Anyone heard anything good or bad about Concord BMW's Rep (east SF bay)??

Also for those that change your own oil..
1. Do you use a torque wrench?
2. How do you get under the car, use jack/jack stands or car ramps?
3. Anything else I should know?

Thanks

aNoodle · Jul 22, 2004

Nelson330ci said:

I don't use a torque wrench. Probably should, but at 115,000 (will be changing it this weekend after my trip to Vegas) I've never over tightened the drain bolt or had any problems.

I have car ramps and have used them. I have also just lifted the passenger front side, becasue the bolt is right there. I always hate getting under the car with a jack, but the nice part of using the jack is that you can lower the car back down and get some extra oil out with it being perfectly level again.

Anything else to know? For the first few times I just used a vice grip on that extra large cap for the filter. I found I was begining to eat away at the plastic, so I bought a huge socket to fit it...I forget the size. The drain bolt is 17mm.

I change my oil every 7,500 (I don't go to the factory and oil manufacture's recommended 15,000) though occasionally I've let it slide if I was on a long road trip without a lot of stop and go driving. I get Mobil 1 in a 5 quart container for just under $20. I buy the filters whereever I can find them stocked at local auto stores (I don't go for any crazy expensive brands).

That's what I do....and the car hasn't blown up.....yet. LOL

Nelson330ci · Jul 23, 2004

What kind of jack to you use and do you use a jack stand for safety or not?
Thanks for you imput aNoodle

aNoodle · Jul 23, 2004

Nelson330ci said:

When I don't drive the front up my ramps, I just use one of those compessed air type shop lifts on the front passenger side. I don't put in jack stands since I only raise that corner about 6 inches. That's enough for me to reach in with a socket extender on my wrench without having to get under the car. The drain bolt on my car is on passenger side equal to the front wheels. I would never get under the car with those cheap jacks bmw has in our trunks. They are real flimsy.

blkonblk330i · Jul 26, 2004

Nelson330ci said:

Forget the jack, just buy an oil extractor - the easiest way to change oil.

Pela oil extractor for $59 :http://www.jerrybleach.com/cgi-bin/...9404+1090639078

or

the Astro Oil Extractor for $54.50: http://www.mytoolstore.com/astro/asthan11.html

they look the same to me. I've had the Pela for 2 yrs now

vato32 · Aug 15, 2004

go to any parts house and get castrol gtx synthetic and a filter and go to any dealer ship shoot i took my to my buddy's honda dealership and they charged me 12 bucks retail to change it and, all dealerships have access to alldata wich provides everything about any vehichle . good luck
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Dealership Oil Service Charge?

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