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      11-20-2007, 12:53 PM   #1
Brandon26pdx
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Projected maintenence costs for a 1'er?

Some of these threads lately discussing the merits of a new 128/135i vs. buying a pre-owned E46 M3 got me thinking, what will the real-world maintenence costs of owing a 128/135i likely be?

The M3, it doesn't take long to realize, is a pricey car to maintain: $120 oil changes, $1200-1600 service inspections, etc, but then again, it is a semi-exotic car. Are all BMW's expected to be this expensive to maintain, or are these newer breeds of BMW's more along the lines of Japanese vehicles, where 4-digit inspections are basically unhread of?

Does the N52/N54 require any sort of special oil, and can you change it yourself? (or have a non-BMW service center do it?)
I know the N54 doesn't even have a dipstick, but how about the N52?
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      11-20-2007, 12:55 PM   #2
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Isn't 4 year maintenance included with the purchase? Regularly scheduled maintenance costs should be $0 for 4 years.
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      11-20-2007, 12:56 PM   #3
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For the first four years (or 50,00 miles) the answer is $0.
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      11-20-2007, 12:57 PM   #4
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all models of the 1er come with 4 yrs/50k free maint...that includes...wipers...rotors..brake pads....cracked windshield....all fluids and so on

...owning a used m3 would be much more $$ than buying a new 1er for this reason...
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      11-20-2007, 01:04 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by izzodesh View Post
all models of the 1er come with 4 yrs/50k free maint...that includes...wipers...rotors..brake pads....cracked windshield....all fluids and so on

...owning a used m3 would be much more $$ than buying a new 1er for this reason...
A cracked windshield is not covered under warranty. Your insurance might cover it, but then again your insurance covers it, it would be so for both cars.

Also, I am in the middle of my 4yr 50k mile warranty, and have been choosing to change my oil a lot more frequently than every ~15k miles. I think it's just the correct thing to do. Long term effects of using oil for extreme periods of time are not well known enough. I choose to do $30 oil changes every 5k miles (I buy oil by the case).

Still though, an off warranty M3 would be funner, but likely more expensive in the long run.
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      11-20-2007, 01:09 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
A cracked windshield is not covered under warranty. Your insurance might cover it, but then again your insurance covers it, it would be so for both cars.

Also, I am in the middle of my 4yr 50k mile warranty, and have been choosing to change my oil a lot more frequently than every ~15k miles. I think it's just the correct thing to do. Long term effects of using oil for extreme periods of time are not well known enough. I choose to do $30 oil changes every 5k miles (I buy oil by the case).

Still though, an off warranty M3 would be funner, but likely more expensive in the long run.

dammit the stealership lied to me...
i am not surprised... :frown:
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      11-20-2007, 01:14 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
A cracked windshield is not covered under warranty. Your insurance might cover it, but then again your insurance covers it, it would be so for both cars.

Also, I am in the middle of my 4yr 50k mile warranty, and have been choosing to change my oil a lot more frequently than every ~15k miles. I think it's just the correct thing to do. Long term effects of using oil for extreme periods of time are not well known enough. I choose to do $30 oil changes every 5k miles (I buy oil by the case).

Still though, an off warranty M3 would be funner, but likely more expensive in the long run.
Your 330i has the N52 right? What kind of oil does it need? Does that engine have a dipstick? Where do you have it done when it's not done a BMW?
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      11-20-2007, 01:23 PM   #8
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Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx View Post
Your 330i has the N52 right? What kind of oil does it need? Does that engine have a dipstick? Where do you have it done when it's not done a BMW?
I have the N52, which has no dipstick. I change it myself, and get my oil by the case, adn filters from the dealership with my BMW CCA membership card.

I used to use my MityVac to extract the oil from the dipstick tube on my e46's I've had, but I have RhinoRamps and it's easy to change myself. I still use the MityVac on my e36, and the wife's Audi.
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      11-20-2007, 01:50 PM   #9
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In theory the maintenance on the 1 series should be free for the first four years, but I agree with larryn about sticking to BMW's maintenance schedule.

Your oil should be changed more often than 15000 miles, especially after the initial break in. And the idea of "lifetime fill" on the gearbox & diff is just plain foolishness!

My new 135i will get it's oil changed every 5000 miles & have the trans/diff changed with Redline oil every 30000 miles as well.

So to answer your question, the M3 will certainly cost a little more to maintain, but the 1 series will not be entirelly free if you choose to do things the right way.
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      11-20-2007, 02:01 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbent View Post
My new 135i will get it's oil changed every 5000 miles & have the trans/diff changed with Redline oil every 30000 miles as well.
I was not aware of BMW's 15,000 mile oil changes. That's ridiculous. :bs:

I agree with larryn and gbent: stick to a common sense old school maintenance schedule. Oil changes are cheaper than engine rebuilds.
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      11-20-2007, 02:27 PM   #11
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It's actually a "smart system" that computes when your oil should be changed, based on how you haven drive the car since the last oil service. I track and autocross mine, and it has been calculating mine needs to be changed every 17000 miles. I have no idea what algorythm it uses, but it seems pretty flakey, seeing how I use my car.
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      11-20-2007, 03:01 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
I have the N52, which has no dipstick. I change it myself, and get my oil by the case, adn filters from the dealership with my BMW CCA membership card.
So with the N52 you use the drain plug to let the old oil out, then just calculate how much to pour into the topside? (or is there an overflow plug on the side like on a tranny?)

Sorry for the interview. Some people might find this interesting though.
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      11-20-2007, 03:03 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbent View Post
My new 135i will get it's oil changed every 5000 miles & have the trans/diff changed with Redline oil every 30000 miles as well.
Some people recommend changing tranny oil more regularly than that even...like 15000 or annually...
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      11-20-2007, 03:06 PM   #14
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My E46 M3 uses a basic fuel consumption algorithm to determine service intervals. It calls for a oil change service for every 666 gallons of fuel consumed.

I believe my previous E36 had a more complex algorithm that took into account multiple parameters such as # of colds starts, RPM vs. engine temp, etc.

I bet all modern BMWs use the fuel consumption method, but I have no confirmation of that.
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      11-20-2007, 03:33 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx View Post
Some of these threads lately discussing the merits of a new 128/135i vs. buying a pre-owned E46 M3 got me thinking, what will the real-world maintenence costs of owing a 128/135i likely be?

The M3, it doesn't take long to realize, is a pricey car to maintain: $120 oil changes, $1200-1600 service inspections, etc, but then again, it is a semi-exotic car. Are all BMW's expected to be this expensive to maintain, or are these newer breeds of BMW's more along the lines of Japanese vehicles, where 4-digit inspections are basically unhread of?

Does the N52/N54 require any sort of special oil, and can you change it yourself? (or have a non-BMW service center do it?)
I know the N54 doesn't even have a dipstick, but how about the N52?

It cost NOTHING to maintain.... just cost gas for 4 years. How can you NOT know this?

Everything else is moot.. an early Oil Change @ 5500 miles will cost $80 bucks, if your so inclined to get one before the scheduled 15k.
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      11-20-2007, 07:30 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Brandon26pdx View Post
So with the N52 you use the drain plug to let the old oil out, then just calculate how much to pour into the topside? (or is there an overflow plug on the side like on a tranny?)

Sorry for the interview. Some people might find this interesting though.
Np. I'd find it interesting too. I add 5 quarts, then start the car and check on the dashboard what my oil level is. It gives you a graphic representation of the oil dipstick on both the iDrive screen and the Check Control in the gauge cluster. I then add about a quart from there, and call it a day.

By the way, for those of you who would change the oil yourself, the oil filters on late model BMWs are the easiest thing to get to. There's a oil filter housing front and center, when you open the hood. Just take the cover off, and the oil filter fit on the inside of the cover. It's a snap.
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      11-21-2007, 06:20 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larryn View Post
Np. I'd find it interesting too. I add 5 quarts, then start the car and check on the dashboard what my oil level is. It gives you a graphic representation of the oil dipstick on both the iDrive screen and the Check Control in the gauge cluster. I then add about a quart from there, and call it a day.

By the way, for those of you who would change the oil yourself, the oil filters on late model BMWs are the easiest thing to get to. There's a oil filter housing front and center, when you open the hood. Just take the cover off, and the oil filter fit on the inside of the cover. It's a snap.

Why would YOU.... need to do anything? You've just bought a BMW! You don't need to add Oil.. if a light goes off, you take it to the god damn DEALER!

They give you free coffee, deli treats, fruit drinks and nice pastries. If you have to go, they suply you with a loaner thats usually has less miles on it than your car does and your off to enjoy YOUR day... leaving the paid professionals to examine your oils content, drain and purge,, then refill your oil.

All because a light came on! BMW wants to protect their vehichles..even if you don't!






-Garrett
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      11-21-2007, 07:32 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garrett View Post
Why would YOU.... need to do anything? You've just bought a BMW! You don't need to add Oil.. if a light goes off, you take it to the god damn DEALER!

They give you free coffee, deli treats, fruit drinks and nice pastries. If you have to go, they suply you with a loaner thats usually has less miles on it than your car does and your off to enjoy YOUR day... leaving the paid professionals to examine your oils content, drain and purge,, then refill your oil.

All because a light came on! BMW wants to protect their vehichles..even if you don't!
LOL! I know, I know. I (personally) do not believe that 17k mile old oil can effectively protect my engine's internals. When my car reaches above +120k miles on the odometer, I believe it's going to be in better shape than one that had it's oil changed less than one third as frequently.

By the way, no oil light comes on, I'm not low on oil. I'm choosing to do what I feel is proper maintenance. I do autocross and track my car, and I feel that 17k mile intervals between oil changes is wrong.

Also, if you have any BMW Tech's as friends, as I do, they'll tell you that they think the same thing as I do. I think it's just BMW's way of pinching a few pennies. They could care less what happens after 4yrs/50k miles, because you're paying for the maintenance after that. Take care of your things, and they'll take care of you. I have always done my oil changes, and I can do them for <$30 and in <15 minutes. Seems like cheap peace of mind to me.

Garrett, if you were down a qt of oil, you would really drive to the dealer to have them add a quart?
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      11-21-2007, 07:34 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garrett View Post
Why would YOU.... need to do anything? You've just bought a BMW! You don't need to add Oil.. if a light goes off, you take it to the god damn DEALER!

They give you free coffee, deli treats, fruit drinks and nice pastries. If you have to go, they suply you with a loaner thats usually has less miles on it than your car does and your off to enjoy YOUR day... leaving the paid professionals to examine your oils content, drain and purge,, then refill your oil.

All because a light came on! BMW wants to protect their vehichles..even if you don't!





-Garrett

I think we are all talking about the in between interval .. There is no way I'll use the same oil (which the turbos use as well) for 15k miles .. I'll be doing it myself in between ..

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      11-21-2007, 07:36 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garrett View Post
Why would YOU.... need to do anything? You've just bought a BMW! You don't need to add Oil.. if a light goes off, you take it to the god damn DEALER!

They give you free coffee, deli treats, fruit drinks and nice pastries. If you have to go, they suply you with a loaner thats usually has less miles on it than your car does and your off to enjoy YOUR day... leaving the paid professionals to examine your oils content, drain and purge,, then refill your oil.

All because a light came on! BMW wants to protect their vehichles..even if you don't!






-Garrett
Hey thanks for another well reason response Garrett.

It's exactly this kind of slack-jaw attitude that forces auotomakers to cram modern cars with sensors, warning lights & every other manner of useless bullshit, so the numb-skull masses never have to do anything complicated like pick up a tire pressure gauge, or pull out a dipstick!

It might be hard for you to grasp such a concept, but some of us actually like to be involved in the maintenance of our vehicles, and not have to rely on electronics & computers to do it for us.
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      11-21-2007, 08:27 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gbent View Post
Hey thanks for another well reason response Garrett.

It's exactly this kind of slack-jaw attitude that forces auotomakers to cram modern cars with sensors, warning lights & every other manner of useless bullshit, so the numb-skull masses never have to do anything complicated like pick up a tire pressure gauge, or pull out a dipstick!

It might be hard for you to grasp such a concept, but some of us actually like to be involved in the maintenance of our vehicles, and not have to rely on electronics & computers to do it for us.

A little harsh on the response but your point has been made. I just don't think the insults were necessary....:iono:
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      11-21-2007, 11:50 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Garrett View Post
Why would YOU.... need to do anything? You've just bought a BMW! You don't need to add Oil.. if a light goes off, you take it to the god damn DEALER!

They give you free coffee, deli treats, fruit drinks and nice pastries. If you have to go, they suply you with a loaner thats usually has less miles on it than your car does and your off to enjoy YOUR day... leaving the paid professionals to examine your oils content, drain and purge,, then refill your oil.

All because a light came on! BMW wants to protect their vehichles..even if you don't!

If you want to buy a $30k+ vehicle and change the oil every 15k miles, be my guest.






-Garrett
If you want to buy a $30k+ vehicle and change the oil every 15k miles, be my guest.
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