BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing

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Sat 11 Sep 2010 09:40
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - Woody37

I bought this car new in March 2007 and the service interval was 20,000 miles or two years. Two faultless years followed, then a service, a year later new rear brake pads and an MOT.

I then got a dashboard !! Sign saying service required at 36K. I took it in and it needed an oil change and fluids check. Fine. The bill? £357!

Next up, according to the all-telling key fob, is a brake fluid change after another 1,600 miles. Can't you do it now? Not due yet. Next will be front brakes in March, apparently.

I phoned the dealer and complained subsequently and it seems BMW have moved to this "as and when" servicing basis - clearly a cynical ploy to keep people's wallets coming back.

If you ignore the dashboard warnings it is (a) very annoying and (b) When the turbo inevitably fails BMW won't contribute.

Is it time to get shot or are other/all manufacturers moving to the same con based system?

Thoughts and advice welcomed.

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Sat 11 Sep 2010 17:40
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - Dutchie

I suppose it's a bit like going to the dentist ,i used to go every six months now a checkup is required once a year.I still go every six months the prices have gone up well above inflation.And the dentist mercedes is parked outside.Everybody is out to make money the way of the world.:)

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Sat 11 Sep 2010 19:32
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - daveyjp

Manufacturers are moving this way.

All my Audis since 2002 have had it, as does my current X type, but they only show when a service is due. Brake fluid changes etc are advised in the handbook.

To save money find an independent (or a friend who works in the dealership!).

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Sat 11 Sep 2010 20:51
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - gordonbennet

Servicing seems to have remarkably spa*** so far, must have saved a fair amount on engine oil alone.

Whether that has any bearing (ho ho) on the numerous turbo failures reported for these is a matter of opinion.

EDIT, for goodness sake, the word i used was s p a r s e

Edited by gordonbennet on 11/09/2010 at 20:52

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Sat 11 Sep 2010 20:57
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - Woody37

If I go the Independent Garage route, perhaps a BMW specialist, can they deal with this infernal reminder system on the dashboard and keyring?

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Sun 27 Mar 2011 19:21
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - slippy118

Same question. Can the independents deal with the reminder system on the instrument display and remote control?

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Sun 27 Mar 2011 20:07
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - Andy P

Resetting the service indicator is fairly easy - go on YouTube and you'll find several videos.

As for servicing, my 335d is up to 43k and so far I've not had one that cost that much (yet). Not even needed new brake pads (although the rears are at 85% worn, so that'll happen sooner rather than later).

Edited by Andy P on 27/03/2011 at 20:08

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Tue 29 Mar 2011 12:29
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - rayleck

Had my petrol tourer in last week for oil change service,brake fluid change and micro filter change.Car was ready 1hour 20 minutes after dropping it off, all for £295-00.

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Sat 2 Apr 2011 00:40
BMW 320D SE - BMW As & When Servicing - TTToommy

I also have the 2.0 diesel with a service roughly every 2 years, I just took the car in after 12 months and told them to change the oil and filter and not reset anything.

If my proper service is a couple of thousand miles late (or appears to be late on the dashboard) I won't worry and my turbo should last and when I get to a high mileage I won't suffer a higher oil consumption (touch wood)

(I'll keep the invoices in the wallet of proof of overservicing)

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