What's the "Visual Inspection"?

[Superdaws]

Look like your resetting the wrong thing? Vehicle inspections shows green, its the Vehicle check that needs to be reset.

[Kiwi Peter]

Hi All
Please, Please do service at least your engine every 5000km and use the best syn oil you can find. Forget what BMW says it is a joke 15000km is way way to long for a turbo engine. If you could see what i see every day due to factory serviceing you would freek out. Your engine is a gem it is worth looking after. You may think that if it fails BMW will fix it like new again I HAVE WARRANTY, well sorry they will fixer up as cheaply as they can, just like Mr Toyota or any other car maker. Be warned
Peter @ Advan

[BimmerE82]

This is like a good movie....can't wait to see how it ends.

[Harlequin]

Originally Posted by skycat

Hi All
Please, Please do service at least your engine every 5000km and use the best syn oil you can find. Forget what BMW says it is a joke 15000km is way way to long for a turbo engine. If you could see what i see every day due to factory serviceing you would freek out. Your engine is a gem it is worth looking after. You may think that if it fails BMW will fix it like new again I HAVE WARRANTY, well sorry they will fixer up as cheaply as they can, just like Mr Toyota or any other car maker. Be warned
Peter @ Advan

I'm not against frequent and regular servicing and I agree with what you've said.

My problem is with BMW charging me just to look at the car. They're not gonna change any fluids or anything.

Every other car I've owned this service was at 1000kms and was FREE!

They are effectively saying "We wanna look over the car to make sure it was built properly. Oh, and you have to pay for us to make sure we didn't screw anything up."

It's a joke.

[Kiwi Peter]

yep i know what your saying, welcome to the land of BMW 'bring money with you' but dont be put off just go with the flow, BUT make sure that any and every fault with the car is put rite be a pain in there arse.
Peter @ Advan

[mcmn]

I think mine is due a visual inspection (overdue by 1 month). I guess I'll start playing the game with these asshats. Anyone find a dealership who isnt going to mess me around if the car has modifications? In NSW? PM Me.

Re Oil Change, is this something people do themselves? Is there a DIY on it?

Paul

[ItsHectic]

You cant just take it to a BMW mechanic for this cant you? Doesnt have to be a dealership does it?

[Kiwi Peter]

Hi there
You can take your car to any non BMW work shop for service. BUT they MUST use OEM parts and be a licenced work shop and yes they can fill out your service book. BMW must still stand by any warranty issues for the term of the warranty. This is Australian law. But you should still take it to BMW for the first two or three services. but so many BMW cars are on a lease plan so serviceing may be free. But do they do a good job ? what do you think.
At Advan we do all new car euro and Jap serviceing and mods. But sorry we do not have a cappuccino machine, just instant coffee or a tea bag and we do not wash cars. We just work on them
If i can help just give me a ring.
regards Peter @ Advan
02-96483366

[Jeef Beef]

Originally Posted by JustMe

You cant just take it to a BMW mechanic for this cant you? Doesnt have to be a dealership does it?

Yes you certainly can. As long as they are certified BMW cannot force you to go back to them for servicing.

It's only when guys like us have free service plans we keep running back to the dealer.

[Harlequin]

Sent this to my dealer this morning:

[Name Redacted]

I think I’ve discussed some of this with you already but a quick recap:

My car recently started popping up a warning when I start the engine saying “Service Overdue”. This surprised me as I’ve only had it just on 6 months.

I did some checking with both BMW and the knowledgeable people on the BMW forums…

Turns out that the car becomes due for its “Visual Inspection” service at 15,000kms OR 12 months from the build date. Now although I’ve only done 6000kms it was apparently built in August last year so according to BMW it’s 12 months old…

So far I’m on board and understand…

Spoke to the Service Department and they’ve advised me that this “service” will cost around $200… and that nothing is actually done – it’s just a visual check of the car. This is where I start to have problems with the process…

From my perspective this is BMW saying “We want to take a look at the car and make sure that we didn’t screw anything up when we built it. Oh, and you have to pay us to do that.”

In my past experience this type of service on other cars I’ve bought is performed at 1,000kms – 2,000kms and is Complimentary.

Also, and I’m not allocating blame here, but I specifically remember discussing the servicing schedule with you prior to purchasing and you told me the first service was at 15,000kms. I asked if there was a time limit and you said not.

Many of the other members on the forums have stated that this service was free for them – although none of them have bought from your dealership.

I understand that this is no-one’s fault per se, and that it’s mostly just a series of misunderstandings/miscommunications but I have to say that I’m not thrilled with the fact that I bought a $100,000 car and now I need to pay to ensure that it was built properly and keep my warranty…

Hoping you can help…

Waiting for a response...

[Hawkeye 135i]

^^ Well said - hope they comp it!

[///M-pressed]

My diesel doesn't want me to change the oil until 25,000kms!

[AussieAlf]

Originally Posted by Attuale

My diesel doesn't want me to change the oil until 25,000kms!

Mine wanted to wait until 30,000, but I slapped it into line with a couple of O&F changes in between.

[dh58]

Friend of mine just got quoted more than $300 for the visual inspection...............

[x5mad]

Strange, have had my car almost 3 years and done 50k but no vehicle inspection.

Just the regular servicing. Had the 50k one done recently and was pleasantly surprised that it was only just over $300

[x5mad]

Originally Posted by x5mad

Strange, have had my car almost 3 years and done 50k but no vehicle inspection.

Just the regular servicing. Had the 50k one done recently and was pleasantly surprised that it was only just over $300

Sorry I meant visual inspection

[dh58]

Originally Posted by x5mad

Sorry I meant visual inspection

I'm confused because you said it was the visual inspection??

[x5mad]

Sorry, to clarify

Vehicle inspection - service usually done at 50k

Vehicle check - visual inspection, the look only no service

Unless I've confused myself and got it wrong way around. But you know what I mean

[dh58]

Originally Posted by x5mad

Sorry, to clarify

Vehicle inspection - service usually done at 50k

Vehicle check - visual inspection, the look only no service

Unless I've confused myself and got it wrong way around. But you know what I mean

OHH... LOL, I understand now.. thanks!