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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB Question about using alt. maintenance shops

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      03-21-2020, 02:04 PM   #1
BelugaaF22
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Question about using alt. maintenance shops

Hi,
My F22 currently still has the maintenance plan active. However, the dealer wont change my fluids (MT Fluid) before the stated interval on the computer. Could I take it to an indy shop and have them change my fluids at a shorter interval and not mess up the factory intervals in the computer?

For example, I dont want an indy shop to change my fluids and then the computer ends up thinking my next scheduled maintenance with BMW is at 20,000 miles or something bizarre. Thanks in advance.
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      03-21-2020, 04:29 PM   #2
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My dealer changed my manual trans and rear diff before any manufacturer recommended interval.

Don’t see why an indy shop would mess up your iDrive / computer interval.

R u planning on using a BMW specific or specialist shop ?
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      03-21-2020, 09:27 PM   #3
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They won't do it as part of the maintenance schedule (free). I'm certain if you direct them to change it and you'll pay, they'll do it. There is and should be no issue with shorter maintenance intervals on fluid changes and they cannot proclaim any warranty issues either.

That said... It's not so hard to do, if you just want to drain fluid. A pan drop is something else and more work. Depends on your experience and skills if you'd want to DIY. But otherwise, make sure you find a shop that is knowledgeable on BMW/European cars. No hacks!
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      03-23-2020, 10:49 AM   #4
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Thanks both for your replies. Yeah, I plan to take it to a BMW specialist in my area. only reason I anticipate them changing up the iDrive system is because when I had a mini cooper, I did something similar and the onboard computer started to say my next maintenance was at some bizarre miles.
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      03-24-2020, 04:17 PM   #5
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Try....

...www.bimrs.org. Keep the receipts including the receipt for the fluid.
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      03-25-2020, 06:28 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cooolone2 View Post
They won't do it as part of the maintenance schedule (free). I'm certain if you direct them to change it and you'll pay, they'll do it. There is and should be no issue with shorter maintenance intervals on fluid changes and they cannot proclaim any warranty issues either.

That said... It's not so hard to do, if you just want to drain fluid. A pan drop is something else and more work. Depends on your experience and skills if you'd want to DIY. But otherwise, make sure you find a shop that is knowledgeable on BMW/European cars. No hacks!
During warranty period I'd go to the dealer and pay their rate. You're going to save what a few bucks compared to a indie? Not worth it for the possible brain damage on the back end. Pay extra for single throat to choke under warranty has always been my move.
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      03-28-2020, 07:05 AM   #7
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I got my local indie to do an oil, oil filter and pollen filter change in-between the dealer's scheduled services. I specified they had to use certified BMW oil. And I actually had to tell them not to do the service reset on the computer, saving them the usual effort. So nothing shows up on the car's computer and the service record with the dealer is unaltered. It all worked out fine. The dealer simply wouldn't do the work - I get the impression this was BMW Corporate policy, with dealers being scrutinised/penalised if thy failed to Toe the Line on the longer service intervals.

Once I'm out of the service package and warranty, I'll have to decide whether to keep using the dealer for the scheduled services or not. Actually, the difference in cost isn't that great. Owners from London drive the 60 miles to here on the South Coast to get their cars serviced at my dealer's, because the rates here are so much cheaper then the capital, and spend a nice day by the seaside on the money they save. Demand is so high, they've even introduced overnight services - drop the car off after work and pick it up the next morning. PLus a '£80 per panel' dent removal service for all those car park dents you accumulate over time. Talking to the dealer, the big thing is this gets people into the showroom, and wandering 'round the cars on display while they're waiting.
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Last edited by msej449; 03-28-2020 at 07:24 AM..
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      03-28-2020, 11:13 AM   #8
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oh yeah that does seem nice! but yeah in my situation my Indy shop charges at least 50 percent less for the service compared to dealer prices. that's a good idea though, to not tell them to reset the clocks. thanks!
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      03-29-2020, 11:42 AM   #9
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Try www.bimrs.org for a reputable indie shop that specializes in bimmers.

I'm retired navy so I use the (currently closed) auto hobby shop at JBMHH. I do my own maintenance (oil changes, brake work, audio upgrades, etc.) there. I buy high quality motor oil that has the American Petroleum Institute (API) designation of "SN." "S" stands for "spark" (gas engines), and the "N" means the oil is designed for cars with a turbo. I use LiquiMoly. I was getting ready to change the 6MT fluid with the dealer stuff but the covid19 virus shut everything down.

PS: oil for diesel engines carry the API designation "C" for compression.
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      03-29-2020, 12:01 PM   #10
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thanks! I just had it flushed and changed with liquimoly at one of the shops I follow.
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      03-31-2020, 02:24 PM   #11
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I got my dealership to do an extra oil/filter change after break-in without much prodding (but I did pay, not part of free maintenance program); don't think they reset the computer. This would have been spring of 2016 on a '16 model. I do recall a bit of mindless corporate babbling about how it was a total waste of money and the computer sensor was all you need to go by, but they didn't refuse.
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      04-18-2020, 10:08 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maynard View Post
I got my dealership to do an extra oil/filter change after break-in without much prodding (but I did pay, not part of free maintenance program); don't think they reset the computer. This would have been spring of 2016 on a '16 model. I do recall a bit of mindless corporate babbling about how it was a total waste of money and the computer sensor was all you need to go by, but they didn't refuse.
I had my dealer do it when mine was in for one of the "free" engine oil changes. I gave the SA a list of all the earlier-than-scheduled fluid changes I wanted her to make sure got done. She's a former ice-racer from Alaska, so I got no static whatsoever. Big win! lol

As I was checking out, she said when the SM reviewed the order the two of them had a little back-and-forth before he got the message. He thought that I thought they would do it all for "free" and was ready to reduce the order to just the engine oil change.

I like the dealership staff, but the only other car person I've met there is gone. I'm hoping this one sticks, because she's fun, and she gets it. I'll still use my independent except when I'm in for "free" service or actually need the dealership to do the work.
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