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      04-21-2021, 10:56 PM   #1
mastapro
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first bmw ever.. how do u guys handle maintenance?

I got a 2017 440i last month and it's been amazing. We've all heard the stories about maintenance on BMWs... how do you guys usually handle it? Mine only had 17k miles so it's still relatively new. My plan is to take it in to a BMW dealership every year to get an oil change, tire rotation, and "routine checkup". I only drive ~4k miles a year so it's not much. Am I missing anything else major?
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      04-22-2021, 12:24 AM   #2
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These cars are mostly easy to work on with regards to brakes, oil changes, spark plugs, etc.
google some kies motorsports youtube videos.
once you're out of free stuff, do it yourself to save money.
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      04-22-2021, 12:24 AM   #3
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Someone has some type of maintenance document, there's also a thread documenting everything you should handle and the intervals that follow.

If possible, learning maintenance or using a good indy will save you tons of $$$
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      04-22-2021, 01:18 AM   #4
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Congratulations and welcome! 440i is a gem.

If the brake fluid hadn't been changed in 2 years, it's time to change it.

Does your car have staggered tires?
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      04-22-2021, 02:36 AM   #5
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While its under warranty, best to go back to SC to perform the usual maintenance (it's free anyways). Once out of warranty though (or for wear and tear items), good to look out for good independent mechanics or DIY.
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      04-22-2021, 06:24 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mastapro View Post
I got a 2017 440i last month and it's been amazing. We've all heard the stories about maintenance on BMWs... how do you guys usually handle it? Mine only had 17k miles so it's still relatively new. My plan is to take it in to a BMW dealership every year to get an oil change, tire rotation, and "routine checkup". I only drive ~4k miles a year so it's not much. Am I missing anything else major?
Congratulations! Beautiful car! Great choice! These engines like to have their oil changed more often, say 3K-5k miles. Unless your car is under a maintenance plan there is no reason to go back to a dealer unless it's for warranty repair. Find a good local BMW specialist mechanic who will take good care of your car over time and not rip you off. I found mine on the BimmerShops website. Enjoy it!
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      04-22-2021, 08:04 AM   #7
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Congrats! Lots of us 'new' 2017 owners here, fresh off a lease. As others have said, there is no better maintenance than doing it yourself. And, IMO, there is no better way to bond with your car than knowing exactly what's been done to it and knowing it was done right.

For intervals, brand preference, and how-tos on maintenance, there are varying opinions. Poke around here a bit and you'll come across lots of good collective knowledge.

Welcome aboard!
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      04-22-2021, 09:39 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mastapro View Post
I got a 2017 440i last month and it's been amazing. We've all heard the stories about maintenance on BMWs... how do you guys usually handle it? Mine only had 17k miles so it's still relatively new. My plan is to take it in to a BMW dealership every year to get an oil change, tire rotation, and "routine checkup". I only drive ~4k miles a year so it's not much. Am I missing anything else major?
There's no reason to take it to the dealer if you can find a trusted independent mechanic...although an indy won't give you a loaner....
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      04-22-2021, 09:40 AM   #9
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Originally Posted by captainfast View Post
While its under warranty, best to go back to SC to perform the usual maintenance (it's free anyways). Once out of warranty though (or for wear and tear items), good to look out for good independent mechanics or DIY.
Not free for a 2nd owner.
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      04-22-2021, 12:06 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cfm56d7b View Post
Congratulations and welcome! 440i is a gem.

If the brake fluid hadn't been changed in 2 years, it's time to change it.

Does your car have staggered tires?

No staggered tires over here. Just running the default 18" for now. I'll def look into changing the brake fluid along with my next oil change
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      04-22-2021, 12:07 PM   #11
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Thanks to everyone for suggesting an Indy shop... I actually have one nearby that I used for the pre-purchase inspection so I'll go to them for oil changes and such. I actually cannot do maintenance on my own car because I live in an apartment complex so no garage to work with... I'll just take the hit on the extra cost
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      04-22-2021, 01:00 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mastapro View Post
I got a 2017 440i last month and it's been amazing. We've all heard the stories about maintenance on BMWs... how do you guys usually handle it? Mine only had 17k miles so it's still relatively new. My plan is to take it in to a BMW dealership every year to get an oil change, tire rotation, and "routine checkup". I only drive ~4k miles a year so it's not much. Am I missing anything else major?
Conscientiously and regularly. Don't fall behind and don't scrimp. It's kept multiple BMWs of mine going for 150k+ miles.
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      04-22-2021, 02:42 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by Psi5 View Post
Conscientiously and regularly. Don't fall behind and don't scrimp. It's kept multiple BMWs of mine going for 150k+ miles.
Is bringing it to an Indy shop and saying "just do the scheduled maintenance" good enough? I'm not a car expert haha so that was my plan
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      04-22-2021, 10:49 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by tex2670 View Post
Not free for a 2nd owner.
That's interesting. I'm bought a pre-owned (2 years old) from BMW and I am entitled to the free maintenance and service for the remainder 3 years.
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      04-23-2021, 08:06 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by mastapro View Post
Is bringing it to an Indy shop and saying "just do the scheduled maintenance" good enough? I'm not a car expert haha so that was my plan
Not really. BMW has changed recs so things like transmission, cutch, and diff fluid are "lifetime." That is, leave it there until whenever the transmission dies. I replaced the trans and diff fluid after break in and then every 50k miles. Stuff like that. There are several "old school" maintenance schedules floating around. Basically, over-maintain it relative to what BMW recommends.
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      04-23-2021, 08:52 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Psi5 View Post
Not really. BMW has changed recs so things like transmission, cutch, and diff fluid are "lifetime." That is, leave it there until whenever the transmission dies. I replaced the trans and diff fluid after break in and then every 50k miles. Stuff like that. There are several "old school" maintenance schedules floating around. Basically, over-maintain it relative to what BMW recommends.
Gotcha! Thanks
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      04-23-2021, 10:12 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tex2670 View Post
Not free for a 2nd owner.
Does that depend on the car?
I’m the second owner on my ‘18 F33 430ix and nothing was free.
I’m also the second owner on my ‘19 F39 X2 M35i and just took it in two weeks ago for an oil change and the BMW dealership (where I didn’t buy it from) changed the oil and filters for free. I was there two months ago for a recall and they told me the oil change was free but not due till closer to May.

Both were non CPO. The F33 was bought at a Lincoln dealership and the F39 at an Alfa dealership.
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      04-24-2021, 11:30 AM   #18
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Originally Posted by chowser51 View Post
Does that depend on the car?
I’m the second owner on my ‘18 F33 430ix and nothing was free.
I’m also the second owner on my ‘19 F39 X2 M35i and just took it in two weeks ago for an oil change and the BMW dealership (where I didn’t buy it from) changed the oil and filters for free. I was there two months ago for a recall and they told me the oil change was free but not due till closer to May.

Both were non CPO. The F33 was bought at a Lincoln dealership and the F39 at an Alfa dealership.
That's not supposed to be the case.

I have a CPO I bought in '15. At the time, CPOs included the remainder of the maintenance, but not private party sales. Then the year after I bought my car, BMW changed the policy that it didn't apply to CPOs anymore, and they shortened the period to 3/36 and removed brakes and wipers from the program. I guess they just aren't diligent about it.

https://www.bmwusa.com/explore/bmw-v...onditions.html

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NON-TRANSFERABILITY
These maintenance programs are available to the exclusive benefit of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a new vehicle, sales demonstrator vehicle, Aftersales Mobility Program vehicle, or BMW Group company vehicle from an authorized BMW center in the United States (including Puerto Rico). Coverage is not transferable to subsequent purchasers, owners, or lessees. The sole exception to the non-transferability of coverage is that household transfers—transfers within the United States (including Puerto Rico) to members of the household of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a BMW vehicle from an authorized BMW center—will not terminate coverage.
Household transfers are limited solely to transfers to a current or former spouse or spousal equivalent, child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or grandchild from the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a vehicle. In the event of a household transfer, purchasers, owners, or lessees of a BMW vehicle should promptly advise their authorized BMW center to document and confirm the household transfer for purposes of coverage. The payoff of a loan on a vehicle by the initial purchaser and the purchase of a leased vehicle by the initial lessee are not considered transfers for purposes of coverage.
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      04-24-2021, 02:57 PM   #19
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That's what I thought but when they said no charge, I wasn't complaining. I'm pretty much set up to work on my own BMWs so it's not going to be a factor anymore. I'm waiting for my boss to free up some time so we can get the X2 up on his lift. He just wants to look at it.
but if he's offering free lift use, then I'm in. He's had my other bmws on the lift just to let me do oil changes so he can see different cars.
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