Do I have to go to dealers for service?

[m3lkr]

I don't like dealers, as I have NEVER had a good experience. I have a lift and do all of my own work. Whatever I cannot do, I take to my trusted shop, which is not a dealer. I don't care that it's free work provided by the BMW dealer.

So my question is, if I do my own work on a new M3, will it void warranty? Of course, I will get the "reset tool" and document all of my work.

The dealer will only see the car for warranty repairs, if it's more than $1000 for me to do myself.

[umwolverine]

I would think you could change the oil yourself without sacrificing the warranty status, but why even chance it. IT'S FREE!! Plus, you will not run into future issues. I know people like doing things themselves, but in this case I think you should proceed with the dealer. "It's better to be safe than sorry".

[montreal red]

think you can do stuff like oil changes yourself without voiding your warranty. i know people who go for the standard "free" oil changes but also change their own oil between the free changes... there are lots of things you can do yourself... i rotate my tires myself, change my wipers, did an oil change after the first 1000km myself and change my own oil filter... that's as far as i go but it doesnt seem to be a problem... i still follow the maintenance program from my dealership, it just means i change my oil/air filter and rotate my tires more often.

[m3lkr]

Can someone post the maintenence program? I drive 20,000 miles per year and don't have time to live at the dealer.

Ps. I could not care less that it's free. As I said in my original post, it's not a cost issue.

[RandyB]

The fewer trips to the dealer, the better. IMO. Yes you can do your own fluid changes.

[KonigsTiger]

Yea, dealers really suck IMO. What is it they do in the 1,200 mile service? Just change the oil and check the car?

[RandyB]

While changing my own fluids in my garage, I will never get a call from the dealer telling me that the parts truck backed into the side of my once perfect M3, and thus won't have to listen to them explain how they intend to 'make it right'.

Paying for your own fluids all of a sudden seems like a bargain.

[GT3 Tim]

You are NOT required to go to the dealer, or any shop, for regular maint. To keep your warranty intact, you simply must follow the maint, schedule. If it is an oil change every 5K (for example), all you need to do is keep your receipts for your oil and filter and keep a LOG of when you did, the date, and mileage. That's it.

If there is something you cannot do, eg: change a muffler chain (or whatever), then you have to have somebody do it for you (a shop, etc.). Again, keep all records and a log of what was done and when.

I have done this will all of my cars and NEVER had an issue with it, even once when a repair fell under an aftermarket extended warranty company. As long as you have a log and receipts, you are good. There is NO requirement that work must be done at a shop/dealer if you can competently do it. If it is something beyond your expertise (some complicated procedure), then obviously, you need a pro to do it. eg: If it is time for a valve adjustment, for example, and you are not a "mechanic", and you do it, then there is a valve train failure, etc, they will challenge you on that...that you fu$ked it up.

However, it is hard for them to make such an argument on an oil change!! lol.

So, if you can easily/resonably do the required maint. item, do it. If not, have a pro do it.

[GregW / Oregon]

Originally Posted by BMW-M-Mexico

Yea, dealers really suck IMO. What is it they do in the 1,200 mile service? Just change the oil and check the car?

Well, I wouldn't generalize that much. My dealer has an excellent service department. The downsides, other than the labor and expense yourself, include:

1) If a warranty issue occurs, which is likely in 4 years, you will be on the defensive to prove what you have done. You will also not have developed a relationship with a dealer where they know you and want to take care of you.
2) You will not get SW updates or be aware of some TSBs that may affect your vehicle unless you take it in.
3) I doubt the scanner you can get will be as informative as the dealer's.

A risky proposition, IMO. Yes, I do my own in-between oil changes (which will be harder now, as no dipstick hole to enable use of my MityVac.

[KonigsTiger]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

Well, I wouldn't generalize that much. My dealer has an excellent service department. The downsides, other than the labor and expense yourself, include:

1) If a warranty issue occurs, which is likely in 4 years, you will be on the defensive to prove what you have done. You will also not have developed a relationship with a dealer where they know you and want to take care of you.
2) You will not get SW updates or be aware of some TSBs that may affect your vehicle unless you take it in.
3) I doubt the scanner you can get will be as informative as the dealer's.

A risky proposition, IMO. Yes, I do my own in-between oil changes (which will be harder now, as no dipstick hole to enable use of my MityVac.

Thanks for all this info!! I agree!

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by GregW / Oregon

A risky proposition, IMO. Yes, I do my own in-between oil changes (which will be harder now, as no dipstick hole to enable use of my MityVac.

Lol! I'll be missing my dipstick hole come oil change time.

I'm spoiled on the E46.

[Davinhci]

I wish I could do my own work on my car, but since I don't i have to take it to the "others".

[m3lkr]

If I can't do my own work without causing stress or problems with the dealer and BMW, no point in buying the car, there are plenty of other options, or I'll just keep my Vette, I can work on it without threats of warranty issues.