Preventative Maintenance at 100k

Originally Posted by Hawkacutioner

This is a really good post for a new owner of a BMW. I really appreciate the post MRV99 placed. It sums it up nicely. I purchased a used 2008 535i with 56k miles and had experienced, in the past 6 months, a water pump, thermostat, windshield wiper reservoir and mechatronics seal failure. Going into this purchase I knew I was going to buy a 3rd party warranty. I got one for an additional 60k miles on top of what the car already has. I have done very well by having it. I really enjoy this car and am completely hooked. Yes, the incidents are frustrating but I bought a car used and when I purchase any car I get on a proactive maintenance schedule to 'be ahead of the curve.' I'll gladly take my '08 535i sedan over my last 4 Hondas that easily gave me 100k miles on a proactive maintenance schedule. IMO it's the amount of money you have to spend and MRV99 put it in perspective.

I have a 2008 535i with NONE of those problems at 60K. Maybe those problems are why the car was for sale in the first place?

Could be but I am not hindered by it. Parts break, etc. That is why I love to be on a proactive maintenance schedule. Being new to BMW my mindset is not changed. I want to ensure every car I own runs to perfection. While I do not perform the work myself I am willing to pay the money to maintain a vehicle at its optimum, maintain it and keep it for a long time/several years. The car with the least mileage I have ever owned was 144k and it was taken care of very well. I am sure there are others that have double or tripled that mileage! Fact is, you have to maintain any mechanical item. It's a pleasure driving my ride and the shop I go to has loaners so I am taken care of. I did reach out to Mike Miller for his maintenance schedule, which he sent me, and will probably start there!

Just for info, but the manual calls for new spark plugs at 45K miles, so if the prior owner did not do that, they are due for their third set.

Appreciate it. They probably didn't so I will double check on those.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=663871

I'm at 93,000 on my 2008 535i (build date 3/07)

Besides 'old school maint' for the entire ownership, I replaced the OEM battery with a new BMW gel battery about a 9 months ago and I recently changed the water pump and themostat preemptively (There was nothing wrong at the time with either.)

There's no warning when this electric water pump fails. Driving with an inop water pump is very very limited.

I feel like I have a very good SA at BMW of Fairfax. She tells me that they have not had to change fuel filters on these cars yet..... For me, next is either a new fuel filter ...or a F10.

The only thing 'not right' on my car is a leaking windshield fluid reservoir...just a little bit above the low level warning.

Cheers.

Neubs