[T_Bone]

Hey guys, my 2012 335i is telling me that I'm due for a service visit, but I am hesitant to go to the dealership and essentially write them a blank check by asking them to do what whatever they're supposed to do...

My question is this: what is it (if anything) that I *really* need to do? Or in other words, what is it that if I don't do it, I'm putting myself in danger or significantly increasing the risk of a costly repair? The car is running perfectly, I just changed the oil, and the brakes are all fine. The 73K miles are almost all highway miles.

Thanks!

[shivaswrath]

Plugs? Water pump? We have no insight without knowing your prior maintenance history.

[Pauleebe]

Taking it in doesn't mean they're going to run all the repairs and send you a bill. There is probably a minimum required to take it in and at least get it checked out (1 hr of labor is my guess?).

Often ignoring maintenance and repairs only means it's going to cost you more down the line, so I would at least get it checked out.

[T_Bone]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Plugs? Water pump? We have no insight without knowing your prior maintenance history.

Yes, sorry, I should have mentioned that... Taking a look through the dealer service records (while the car was under warranty):

-- The microfilter was replaced at 20K
-- Brake fluid flushed at 20K

I think that's it, aside from oil changes, wipers, recall items, etc.

[Labeef]

Originally Posted by shivaswrath

Plugs? Water pump? We have no insight without knowing your prior maintenance history.

+1.

Also have them check the oil filter housing.

[HighlandPete]

What is showing up as required on the car's vehicle information list (via iDrive)? Should spell out exactly what is being called for. Dealer can also read the key and get the list.

HighlandPete

[T_Bone]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

What is showing up as required on the car's vehicle information list (via iDrive)? Should spell out exactly what is being called for. Dealer can also read the key and get the list.

HighlandPete

I'll double-check later, but I believe it's just saying that it's time for service in general; it's similar to when it says it's time for oil service or brakes or whatever, but it's not pointing out anything specific...

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by T_Bone

I'll double-check later, but I believe it's just saying that it's time for service in general; it's similar to when it says it's time for oil service or brakes or whatever, but it's not pointing out anything specific...

If you run through the list in the vehicle status menu you will have dates and/or mileage for all the key service items.

HighlandPete

[T_Bone]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

If you run through the list in the vehicle status menu you will have dates and/or mileage for all the key service items.

HighlandPete

OK, thanks, I'll do that and report back!

[T_Bone]

OK, so I checked the vehicle status menu and there is no specific item in need of service... Engine oil is "OK", as well as front brake pads, rear brake pads, and brake fluid. "Vehicle check" has a little "warning icon" next to it, and when I select it, it says "Vehicle check overdue! Please make an appointment with your service center."

Thoughts? Thanks again!

[Vegetable]

At what mileage did you have your spark plugs changed?

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by Labeef

+1.

Also have them check the oil filter housing.

Is there a recurring problem with the oil filter housing on the F30s?

[adhrp]

You know that you can always go to a reputable local European indy garage and get it checked there, right? Then you don't have to worry about exorbitant dealer charges.

[F30lolz]

I agree on the few who recommended spark plugs. Water pump/T stat should be looked at IMHO.

[T_Bone]

Thanks for the feedback, guys...

Spark plugs have not been changed; the microfilter is the only "non-fluid" part that's been changed.

Yes, I was thinking I might go to an indy garage; I was just wondering if there were any "must-do" preventative items that you all would recommend... I don't mind doing most stuff myself; I just don't necessarily know what it is that I need to do!

Thanks again!

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by T_Bone

Thanks for the feedback, guys...

Spark plugs have not been changed; the microfilter is the only "non-fluid" part that's been changed.

Yes, I was thinking I might go to an indy garage; I was just wondering if there were any "must-do" preventative items that you all would recommend... I don't mind doing most stuff myself; I just don't necessarily know what it is that I need to do!

Thanks again!

IMHO there's not a ton of "must-do" stuff. I'd flush brake fluid and coolant every couple years. You might want to consider a transmission fluid flush but there's two schools of thought on whether or not to do it (I don't). Plugs, I don't know about the N55 but in my E46 I went 100k and the mechanic said the old plugs still looked in great shape. I think I changed my rear diff fluid around 70-100k as well.

Other than those things, have your indie check all the belts, hoses, and other rubber parts for wear and cracking. Also suspension components and mounts should also be checked.

[T_Bone]

Originally Posted by chiefneil

IMHO there's not a ton of "must-do" stuff. I'd flush brake fluid and coolant every couple years. You might want to consider a transmission fluid flush but there's two schools of thought on whether or not to do it (I don't). Plugs, I don't know about the N55 but in my E46 I went 100k and the mechanic said the old plugs still looked in great shape. I think I changed my rear diff fluid around 70-100k as well.

Other than those things, have your indie check all the belts, hoses, and other rubber parts for wear and cracking. Also suspension components and mounts should also be checked.

Thanks, Chief!! Great info. Yeah, I traded in my E46 at about 125K miles with the original plugs...

Hey, since we're chatting, I'm gonna hijack my own thread with a new question... I've noticed that my fuel efficiency has dropped some over the past year or two... I used to get ~33-34 MPG highway and now I'm down to ~29-30 MPG. Tire pressure is OK. No change in driving conditions. Are there things that would be likely to cause this? Thx!

[Heel328]

Might add fuel filter to the list, assuming there is one. It was cheap and easy to do in my Audi.
Also, guessing a high compression turbo likely needs new spark plugs a bit more often than the ole NA straight 6.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by T_Bone

Thanks, Chief!! Great info. Yeah, I traded in my E46 at about 125K miles with the original plugs...

Hey, since we're chatting, I'm gonna hijack my own thread with a new question... I've noticed that my fuel efficiency has dropped some over the past year or two... I used to get ~33-34 MPG highway and now I'm down to ~29-30 MPG. Tire pressure is OK. No change in driving conditions. Are there things that would be likely to cause this? Thx!

That's a big drop in mileage. I'd expect most things that would cause a drop like that would throw a code, so it's surprising nothing's popped up. There could be a bunch of things, but maybe it's something simple like a dirty filter (either air or fuel). Other stuff really should throw codes, like bad O2 sensor, etc. I'm not much of a gearhead though so hopefully some more knowledgeable people will chime in.

[HighlandPete]

I'm surprised if a 335i doesn't have an air filter element every second oil service, same for plugs. It is listed as such for the 535i (same N55 engine) in the service requirements. My car had plugs and air filter at less than 26k miles, as part of the 4-year service interval, it is part of the condition based service requirement.

It also had the Vehicle Check Service, which is IMO, part of what used to be BMW's 'Inspection II' the "big service", between basic oil services.

HighlandPete

[casualDIYer]

Originally Posted by T_Bone

Thanks, Chief!! Great info. Yeah, I traded in my E46 at about 125K miles with the original plugs...

Hey, since we're chatting, I'm gonna hijack my own thread with a new question... I've noticed that my fuel efficiency has dropped some over the past year or two... I used to get ~33-34 MPG highway and now I'm down to ~29-30 MPG. Tire pressure is OK. No change in driving conditions. Are there things that would be likely to cause this? Thx!

Check wheel bearings and swap the diff oil. BMW says its lifetime oil. It is. By not replacing it you shorten the lifetime of the diff. How clever.

For in-cylinder fuel injectors one might be a bit flaky but they aren't cheap so either wait until you throw a code or get them tested. Coil packs were a frequently replaced item on the 135 so i wonder if they might be an issue here. In the 135 flaky ignition coils resulted in hesitation as the car climbed the gear range. Does the car not accelerate as smoothly as it once did? Coil pack. Plugs? Sure.

As for transmission oil, get as much info as you can. The 'wrong' oil can kill an auto tranny.

Good luck and post back what worked.

[T_Bone]

Thanks again, guys, for the continued comments... I'm thinking that getting things checked out by an indie shop might be the best way to go...

On a side note, the car runs and accelerates smoothly and no codes are being thrown, so I'm thinking my coil packs are OK... I've always assumed that the plugs are OK if the engine is running smoothly, but to be honest, I don't know what a bad plug feels like... (And interestingly, I've had four bimmers--two with over 100K--and have never changed a plug!)