BMW Maintenance tips from La Jolla Independent

Lucky1 · 05-22-2009, 10:45 PM

Came across an interesting website belonging to what appears to be an independent repair shop in San Diego specializing in BMWs. They have a lot of good maintenance tips and overall it seemed like a good read to me for any BMW owner although the focus tends to be on older BMWs. Thought I'd share it with everyone. I am by no means recommending or trying to plug these guys, just their blog seems okay so I wanted to share.

La Jolla Independent.

http://sandiegobmw.wordpress.com/cat...nd-bmw-advice/

Eazy-e · 05-22-2009, 11:08 PM

That place is next to my house. They have nice classic BMW's. My friends dad used to own a BMW shop at that same location but they took over.

Eazy-e · 05-27-2009, 07:50 PM

There is another good article in there that talks about oil changes. He says following the 15k mile oil change interval is a good way to break you're BMW.

we are supposed to change it every 5k miles ! not 15k cause no one wants this:

http://sandiegobmw.wordpress.com/200...ling-your-bmw/

qcodec · 07-26-2009, 03:19 PM

Is it a joke or serious suggestion?

Engine oil change for every 5000 miles, it reminds me old Porsche 964.

Jeez!

Tom K. · 07-26-2009, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qcodec

Is it a joke or serious suggestion?
Engine oil change for every 5000 miles, it reminds me old Porsche 964.
Jeez!

Exactly. Does anyone have any real world stats (rather than anecdotes) on the number of BMW engine failures using 15k vs. 5k changes - all with the proper synthetic oil? Until then, I'll continue to hedge my bets by having one "interim" change at 7,500 to 9,000 miles in between the scheduled changes. Of course since for me this generally falls in the "change at least once a year" category, I'm still following BMW's recommendation. I've been doing this on 4 different bimmers over 12 years and have never had to add a drop of oil between changes.
Tom

Robert · 07-26-2009, 04:01 PM

I have been DIY oil change ever 5-6k miles with free service falling on the interval.

x97Melbourne · 07-26-2009, 08:17 PM

good web site. i especially like the part about "boy racer" who tried to modify his already fast BMW when he doesn't know how to drive it yet. very funny and very true.

xbook · 07-27-2009, 12:42 PM

Great read, thanks for sharing

tm30 · 08-03-2009, 05:19 PM

What does an early-oil change cost at most BMW service centers? Planning ahead for a change after the 1200-1400 mile break-in...

Tom K. · 08-03-2009, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm30

What does an early-oil change cost at most BMW service centers? Planning ahead for a change after the 1200-1400 mile break-in...

Using BMW 5w/30 synthetic oil & BMW filter, around $100.00.
Tom

jkp1187 · 08-03-2009, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tm30

What does an early-oil change cost at most BMW service centers? Planning ahead for a change after the 1200-1400 mile break-in...

The dealership will nail you on the price. It'll probably be north of $100.00 from what I've heard.

Doing the oil change yourself is really easy, with a set of ramps, a socket wrench, an oil change wrench, and a drain pan that'll hold 7 qts. You can get the oil change kit (including the BMW-spec 5W-30 oil, filter, and washers,) from Dan at United BMW for around $50.00 + shipping.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...catalogid=6218

Here's a couple of DIY threads on changing the oil:

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=210876

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?p=5631474

ryebred · 08-03-2009, 11:12 PM

word of warning for EDers- i did a break-in change at 1200mi in berlin and left the service center $200 liighter

shodanusmc · 08-04-2009, 08:39 AM

Changed out 135 at the 1200 mile Mark. Dealer charged $88.

Tom K. · 08-04-2009, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkp1187

The dealership will nail you on the price. It'll probably be north of $100.00 from what I've heard.

Not necessarily. While my dealer's usual price is around $100, I was only charged $78 for an early change on my 128i. Of course, establishing a long relationship with one dealer may help.
Tom

mleskovar · 08-06-2009, 10:59 PM

Don't guess....get an oil analysis. Best $20 you'll ever spend on maintenance.

jkp1187 · 08-07-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Not necessarily. While my dealer's usual price is around $100, I was only charged $78 for an early change on my 128i. Of course, establishing a long relationship with one dealer may help.
Tom

$78 isn't exactly cheap, either. And if you change it yourself, you'll know that the job was done right.

Dave · 08-07-2009, 07:25 AM

Guys plz stay on track ... This is not an oil change thread.

This is why u guys can't have nice things 8(

play nice

jkp1187 · 08-07-2009, 09:33 AM

^ Sorry - no animosity intended in my posts.... Just stating my opinion, is all!

(I could be wrong, been wrong before....)

05-22-2009, 10:45 PM	#1
Lucky1 Colonel 647 Rep 2,051 Posts Drives: '08 128i Coupe SGM 6MT Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 Porsche 911 Ca ... [0.00] 2008 128i Coupe [0.00] 2006 Z4 M Roadster [0.00]	BMW Maintenance tips from La Jolla Independent Came across an interesting website belonging to what appears to be an independent repair shop in San Diego specializing in BMWs. They have a lot of good maintenance tips and overall it seemed like a good read to me for any BMW owner although the focus tends to be on older BMWs. Thought I'd share it with everyone. I am by no means recommending or trying to plug these guys, just their blog seems okay so I wanted to share. La Jolla Independent. http://sandiegobmw.wordpress.com/cat...nd-bmw-advice/
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05-22-2009, 11:08 PM	#2
Eazy-e Dope-like a pound or a key 10 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 09 e82 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Diego of the San iTrader: (0)	That place is next to my house. They have nice classic BMW's. My friends dad used to own a BMW shop at that same location but they took over.
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05-27-2009, 07:50 PM	#3
Eazy-e Dope-like a pound or a key 10 Rep 238 Posts Drives: 09 e82 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Diego of the San iTrader: (0)	There is another good article in there that talks about oil changes. He says following the 15k mile oil change interval is a good way to break you're BMW. we are supposed to change it every 5k miles ! not 15k cause no one wants this: http://sandiegobmw.wordpress.com/200...ling-your-bmw/
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07-26-2009, 03:19 PM	#4
qcodec A driver 13 Rep 77 Posts Drives: This isn't a 964 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: OK -> CA iTrader: (0)	Is it a joke or serious suggestion? Engine oil change for every 5000 miles, it reminds me old Porsche 964. Jeez!
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07-26-2009, 04:01 PM	#6
Robert Major General 417 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	I have been DIY oil change ever 5-6k miles with free service falling on the interval.
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07-26-2009, 08:17 PM	#7
x97Melbourne Molar World 47 Rep 916 Posts Drives: 2016 435i Coupe Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	good web site. i especially like the part about "boy racer" who tried to modify his already fast BMW when he doesn't know how to drive it yet. very funny and very true. __________________ Current: 2016 435i Coupe Previous: 2014 335i Sedan; 2013 328i Cv, 2011 335i Sedan Gone But Not Forgotten: 2008 135i Convertible (my favorite)
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07-27-2009, 12:42 PM	#8
xbook Lieutenant Colonel 131 Rep 1,540 Posts Drives: '14 EBII M235i & '06 R53 GP Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Northridge, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 MINI Cooper S GP [0.00] 2014 BMW M235i [0.00] 2008 E82 [0.00]	Great read, thanks for sharing __________________
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08-03-2009, 05:19 PM	#9
tm30 Private First Class 8 Rep 166 Posts Drives: 128i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Illinois iTrader: (0)	What does an early-oil change cost at most BMW service centers? Planning ahead for a change after the 1200-1400 mile break-in... __________________ 128i/Jet black/6MT/Sport/Premium/Blk. Boston/Heated/Xenon/Prem. HiFi/iPod
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08-03-2009, 11:12 PM	#12
ryebred Enlisted Member 8 Rep 31 Posts Drives: 135 aw coupe zmp Join Date: May 2009 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	word of warning for EDers- i did a break-in change at 1200mi in berlin and left the service center $200 liighter
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08-04-2009, 08:39 AM	#13
shodanusmc Captain 21 Rep 774 Posts Drives: 09 135 Vert Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chicago burb iTrader: (0)	Changed out 135 at the 1200 mile Mark. Dealer charged $88.
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08-06-2009, 10:59 PM	#15
mleskovar Lieutenant 79 Rep 435 Posts Drives: '18 230i Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Huntington Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Don't guess....get an oil analysis. Best $20 you'll ever spend on maintenance.
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08-07-2009, 07:25 AM	#17
Dave formerly izzo/comeback 287 Rep 3,382 Posts Drives: 2016 RC 350 F Sport Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: NJ iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 135i [6.80]	Guys plz stay on track ... This is not an oil change thread. This is why u guys can't have nice things 8( play nice __________________ BMW CCA # 418268
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08-07-2009, 09:33 AM	#18
jkp1187 Unindicted co-conspirator 66 Rep 1,734 Posts Drives: to work, mostly. Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania / Detroit, Michigan iTrader: (0)	^ Sorry - no animosity intended in my posts.... Just stating my opinion, is all! (I could be wrong, been wrong before....)
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