Dealership not following service manual

[fleainat]

I took my M3 into Beverly Hills BMW for service, specifically the spark plugs which are due at 37,000 miles, and the dealership has refused.

I showed the service advisors the page of the M3 maintenance guide which states "Spark Plug Service (not shown in CBS): Replace at 37,000 miles."

However, the dealership refuses to follow the maintenance schedule and says that the spark plugs do not need changing.

I called BMW NA, and they said that they stand by their dealers and that service is only performed based on fault codes.

I am concerned, because I want to keep this car for a long time and I don't want to have engine failure due to lack of maintenance.

So, is the service guide virtually pointless? Is there any other recourse?

[Flying Ace]

try another dealer. This has always been tricky with servicing. Some dealership give you the service based on what is read on your key fob. The data accesses the service database that is updated frequently.

the service booklet you have could be outdated, and that's what it also says in my 2008 MY booklet. For example, I heard recently the brake fluid service has been bumped to 3-years in their system.

that said, in 2011, I got my spark plugs changed at 24k miles under the free maintenance plan. I would just try another dealership.

This type of stuff is so inconsistent, in the same month at the same dealership, my car and another guy's car which had the same mileage got offered different services for the spark plug change.

[Candide13]

That's tricky I guess. Yes, try another dealer, I just had a positive service experience at Bob Smith BMW in Calabasas. Their online reputation is certainly a lot better than Beverly Hills BMW, though mine was just routine service.

[italyix]

My dealer replaced my plugs twice in the maintenance program, without me asking for it. Go to another dealership for sure.

[m3ray]

I have faced that before. Go to another dealer for sure, and make sure to give the dealer who said no a poor review if you get the survey for them.

Apparently they want you to misfire before they change your spark plugs..idiots.

[jphughan]

Hmm, my dealer said the key fob data showed spark plugs were due when I had it in around 26K miles. I even mentioned that the booklet says 37K, but he said the computer says to do it, so they wanted to. I was surprised but definitely didn't complain. However, my dealer is BMW of Austin, which consistently gets great reviews, and my SA is also amazing.

That said, I believe your SA is right that BMW dealers can only provide free service as specified by the CBS or key fob data. Have you had the car since it was new? If not, maybe the previous owner got spark plugs changed before you got the car and therefore you're not due for a while longer? The dealer should be able to pull up your car's service records to see if it's ever been done before.

[BPMSport]

OP, send me your VIN and I'll check and see what it's due for, or if it's already been done. I know an advisor there too. I'll do the best I can to help. They should absolutely be replaced at 37k or before. In my case it was done at 29k.

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by Mike Benvo

OP, send me your VIN and I'll check and see what it's due for, or if it's already been done. I know an advisor there too. I'll do the best I can to help. They should absolutely be replaced at 37k or before. In my case it was done at 29k.

That's why this forum rules...

[Dbcgolf1]

Hey Guys,

I have 28,xxx miles on my 2011 M3. Will be bringing the car for maintenance in the next 2 weeks. What will be the "recommended" items I should be looking for. I know the oil and brake fluid are due and the front brakes have another 9000 miles.

Thanks in advance.
Dave

[kerrit]

unplug a coil to throw a misfire code, and then plug it back in, maybe they'll replace the spark plugs then

[alam24]

Originally Posted by kerrit

unplug a coil to throw a misfire code, and then plug it back in, maybe they'll replace the spark plugs then

This