(Z4MC) Inspection I & II

Just had I-1 done today at 24.5k miles. When I informed the SA that my brake fluid was also due to be replaced (actually 7 months past by now, car was built 11/06), he countered that I was actually 2 months away from being due.. because he was going by the date the car was sold, not the manufacture date, as is proper. They did it anyway though they seemed baffled at this bit of info.

I'm realizing now that I-2 is going to be past 50k miles, and as such not a freebie. Wonderful. My local stealership charges $759.95 for an I-1 on a Z4M, and a whopping $1449.95 for I-2.. which is absolutely outrageous considering that the latter only adds tranny and diff fluid replacements, an air filter, and spark plugs. Are they on crack??? I'll find a good indy shop by the time I-2 rolls around.

You can always consider buying the extended warranty/maintenance. Should run you a few Benjamins on top of the Inp.II.

Hmm ... I thought I-1 was free? Why did your dealer charge you ...

Originally Posted by KevinC

Just had I-1 done today at 24.5k miles. When I informed the SA that my brake fluid was also due to be replaced (actually 7 months past by now, car was built 11/06), he countered that I was actually 2 months away from being due.. because he was going by the date the car was sold, not the manufacture date, as is proper. They did it anyway though they seemed baffled at this bit of info.

I'm realizing now that I-2 is going to be past 50k miles, and as such not a freebie. Wonderful. My local stealership charges $759.95 for an I-1 on a Z4M, and a whopping $1449.95 for I-2.. which is absolutely outrageous considering that the latter only adds tranny and diff fluid replacements, an air filter, and spark plugs. Are they on crack??? I'll find a good indy shop by the time I-2 rolls around.

Only tranny diff and plugs and air filter? You left out engine oil, cabin filter, wiper blades, and a valve shimming (which needs shims tools gaskets, extra time). Inspection 2 is $600 in parts alone.

If you find an indy shop doing it for less then a grand they are probably not doing what they are supposed to be. Also if they do not tell you to leave your car overnight and pick it up the next day LATE in the day they are not doing it right. To properly shim the valves it's best to leave the car overnight ready to pull the cover off and check/shim clearances then.

Originally Posted by blau335

Only tranny diff and plugs and air filter? You left out engine oil, cabin filter, wiper blades, and a valve shimming (which needs shims tools gaskets, extra time). Inspection 2 is $600 in parts alone.

I didn't leave them out.. that huge price delta between I & II is only for the mentioned additional items. Oil, cabin filter, valve adjustment, etc., is part of the I price. No way that adding the few additional items should almost DOUBLE the price of I.

Originally Posted by blau335

Also if they do not tell you to leave your car overnight and pick it up the next day LATE in the day they are not doing it right. To properly shim the valves it's best to leave the car overnight ready to pull the cover off and check/shim clearances then.

Now that's interesting. My car was in at 7am and done by 1pm.

Any comments from BMW techs on whether their shop keeps cars overnight when doing a valve adjustment? Your comment makes perfect sense, I'm curious if dealership shops are actually adhering to this advice or not. Mine obviously didn't.

Does anyone possibly have an internal document instructing a cooldown period before valve adjustment? If one exists, I want to bring it to the service manager's attention.

Originally Posted by KevinC

Now that's interesting. My car was in at 7am and done by 1pm.

Any comments from BMW techs on whether their shop keeps cars overnight when doing a valve adjustment? Your comment makes perfect sense, I'm curious if dealership shops are actually adhering to this advice or not. Mine obviously didn't.

Does anyone possibly have an internal document instructing a cooldown period before valve adjustment? If one exists, I want to bring it to the service manager's attention.

One does exist, it's not overnight it specifies a maximum coolant temperature to check the valves at. It's possible they racked it at 7am changed all the fluids and got the valve cover ready then did it. A few hours should be enough, but that would involve tying that bay up for that time, which most places wont do. Instead they opt for you to bring it in the day before and leave it there so it's ready (and definately cooled down by) the morning for work to be started right away.

Originally Posted by blau335

One does exist, it's not overnight it specifies a maximum coolant temperature to check the valves at. It's possible they racked it at 7am changed all the fluids and got the valve cover ready then did it. A few hours should be enough, but that would involve tying that bay up for that time, which most places wont do.

That makes me feel better. I suspect this is what they did.. the shop is MASSIVE (something like 70 service bays) and business is slow right now (evidenced by the huge lineup of available loaner cars - in the past, sometimes I wouldn't get one). I know they were already at work by 10am as I got a call suggesting I shell out for a new set of rear tires.

Originally Posted by blau335

One does exist, it's not overnight it specifies a maximum coolant temperature to check the valves at. SNIP.

Per TIS Tech Data 11 34 the max coolant temp for S54 valve clearance check is 35 degrees C (95 degrees F). A couple of hours cool down ought to do the trick.
I prefer to do valve check/adjust when engine is over-night cold.

Dammit, I was just reading through the TIS to double check the clearance values and figured I'd post the coolant temp, but you beat me.

I wish I had a .28 feeler, but bmw doesn't even sell feelers even close to the min and max of the clearances, it's got to be a PITA. Inlet min is .18-.23, bmw techs are sold .15 .20 and .25 What if the valve is at .16 or .17? the .20 and .25 wont fit, but the .15 will, the tech would have to assume it's in spec, even though it would be tight. BMW does some dumb stuff sometimes.

Originally Posted by blau335

Dammit, I was just reading through the TIS to double check the clearance values and figured I'd post the coolant temp, but you beat me.

I wish I had a .28 feeler, but bmw doesn't even sell feelers even close to the min and max of the clearances, it's got to be a PITA. Inlet min is .18-.23, bmw techs are sold .15 .20 and .25 What if the valve is at .16 or .17? the .20 and .25 wont fit, but the .15 will, the tech would have to assume it's in spec, even though it would be tight. BMW does some dumb stuff sometimes.

.007 and .009

Originally Posted by blau335

Dammit, I was just reading through the TIS to double check the clearance values and figured I'd post the coolant temp, but you beat me.
I wish I had a .28 feeler, but bmw doesn't even sell feelers even close to the min and max of the clearances, it's got to be a PITA. Inlet min is .18-.23, bmw techs are sold .15 .20 and .25 What if the valve is at .16 or .17? the .20 and .25 wont fit, but the .15 will, the tech would have to assume it's in spec, even though it would be tight. BMW does some dumb stuff sometimes.

I use the Craftsman off-set leaf gauge, SKU 40802, price $9.99, that has blades ranging from .005" (.127mm) to .030" (.762mm). As pointed out by Ron the .007" (.178mm) and the .009" (.229mm) work for the intake valve clearance check and the .011" (.279mm) and .013" (.330mm) for the exhaust valves.

Originally Posted by jmillet

I use the Craftsman off-set leaf gauge, SKU 40802, price $9.99, that has blades ranging from .005" (.127mm) to .030" (.762mm). As pointed out by Ron the .007" (.178mm) and the .009" (.229mm) work for the intake valve clearance check and the .011" (.279mm) and .013" (.330mm) for the exhaust valves.

$15.84 total delivered tax and shipping.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...?keyword=40802

I think you guys missed the point, BMW only sells their techs feelers in .05mm increments I have feeler gauges that are appropriate (I have the same set as you actually), I'm talking about the monkies at the dealer. If they just used bmw tools customers would be boned.