[986s]

Hi folks,

I recently purchased a 2007 335i from a main BMW dealer. It had been serviced at 13,000 miles and I bought it with 17,200 miles on it. When I bought the car I checked that it had been serviced and was happy thinking that I had a while to go yet for servicing but I have the car a week and Ive noticed the service indicator is saying its due at 18,000 miles!

Im a little worried that the car may have been abused at the dealers for such a short interval between servicing and should the dealer not have had it serviced before I purchased as a service is due in about 800 miles?

The reason I ask is that Ive came from a Porsche Boxster S and Porsche dealers make a point of servicing any second hand car if its due it within 2,000 miles before they will sell it on.


Any help is much appreciated.

[booforty]

Definitely must raise this with the dealer. I would certainly demand a free service in your situation...

If you have i-drive check what the service is for as it may just be a particular part rather than a full service?

[986s]

Dont have i-drive Im afraid. Is there any other way of finding out? I think the service was done in Jan of this year so that would make it 6 months since its last one. I know the dealer has put up approx 3,000 miles on it (im sure they were enthusiastic miles too) but the car looks and drives great, so 5,000 miles between services seems a little odd.

Thanks again

[booforty]

Does seem odd. I did 23k in my E90 and it only required two services. The service intervals are determined by mileage too and not age so I doubt its a full service...

Whenever I phoned my dealer they could "dial in" to my car an identify what it needed. Amazing I know and not sure if this is because I had i-drive in my E90...

Phone your dealer and tell them if they know why the service message is displayed.

[DaveC]

On a non i-drive car pop the keyfob in and use the indicator stalk, the little up down pusher on the stalk should let you select the service information then press the end button on the stalk for detailed information.

[mjh93sa]

I think I saw somewhere that the service intervals are actually determined by fuel consumption. They set baseline mileage and fuel consumption. If you achieve the set average consumption the distance to service comes down at the same rate as your mileage goes up, better or worse and the figure is skewed accordingly. Then there there is also a weighting for those who thrash the car before it's warmed up to multiply the fuel consumption and so bring the service forwards.

Sorry for being so doubting, but are you confusing the 18000 miles until the next service with the figure at which it is due?

[kend]

The figure given on start up is the miles to next service, so it sounds as if you have 18K to go until next service.

[booforty]

Yeah, that makes sense

The service message with mileage displayed is the mileage until the next service...

[986s]

I think you are right folks, it is probably 18,000 miles to next service or the end of this year, which ever comes first.

Definately a newbie first question from me im afraid.

Thanks for the replies though.

BTW enjoying the car very much it has exceeded my expections in many ways whereas the Boxster S left me diassapointed in many ways!

[booforty]

When I bought my E90 brand new my dealer told me that service intervals are only based on mileage and not time. So you only get the car serviced after another 18,000 miles and not at the end of the year if you haven't reached the mileage

[pinman]

When I pick up my 330i 06 plate in Jan. I asked the stealer when the next
service was due? he started the car an it said 8000 miles AND I noticed
that below the 8000 it said 02/2008. I then said to him `8000 miles then'
to which he said `YES'..

And you guesed it, 2 weeks later up pops the service indicator, so the
wife rings up and he says `nothing to do with me, speak to serivce'. She did
and as they are 60 miles away the Service Manager told her to go to our
local dealer and get them to call him and he would pay for it.

It cost them a OIL SERVICE/ BREAK FLUID SERVICE/MICRO-FILTER SERVICE
and a loan car for a day including petrol.

Surely it would have been cheeper if they had done it while they had the
car there.

Gazza

[SoYank]

On my E90 (2006) with iDrive the service reminder is shown in miles to go. There is also a timer for elements as well. In my manual, under CBS Condition Based Service, it reads, "Sensors and special algorithms take the different driving conditions of your BMW into account. Condition Based Service uses this to determine the current and future service requirements. By letting you define a service and maintenance regimen that reflects your own individual requirements, the system builds the basis for trouble-free driving.

"On the Control Display, you can have the remaining times or distances for selected maintenance tasks and any legally prescribed dates displayed:

• Engine Oil
• Brakes: separately for front and rear
• Microfilter/activated-charcoal filter
• Brake Fluid
• Spark Plugs
• Vehicle Check
• Legally mandated inspections (MOT for example) depending upon local regulations." Italics mine.

For the OP, assuming the service you're referring to is the oil, the 18000 miles will count down as you drive, usually in increments of 1000. When you reach 18000 on the odometer, check the display again and it will probably be at 17000 unless you drive like granny which may mean it has jumped to 20000 before servicing. Other elements will have different periods. For example, I had my oil serviced in December last year at the same time as my microfilter and brake fluid change. The oil change was based on mileage and the filter and brake fluid was based on time.

[SoYank]

Originally Posted by booforty

When I bought my E90 brand new my dealer told me that service intervals are only based on mileage and not time. So you only get the car serviced after another 18,000 miles and not at the end of the year if you haven't reached the mileage

Peaches and Nectarines, Paul. You have an M3. We lowly peasants have to do with lesser vehicles.

My service requirements state distances AND the date of the next scheduled service; read it straight from the book in front of me. At present I have just under 17K miles on the odometer. The CBS is stating 17000 to next service. But if I don't drive 17000 miles in the next two years it's going to ask for a service anyway whether I can afford the £1000 for seven quarts of oil or not. BTW, I'm being facetious about that £1000 -- but only partially.

[tmarshall57]

Originally Posted by 986s

I think you are right folks, it is probably 18,000 miles to next service or the end of this year, which ever comes first.

I would suggest oil service is due in 18000 miles - not at the end of the year. BMW promote condition based servicing not time based servicing - except for some items like brake fluid.