[34dean]

I am bringing in my 2015 335i xdrive for its last service before my 50,000 warranty ends. I would like to get the most out of it. What should I tell them to check and try and get replaced?

Thank you!

[F30lolz]

Gaskets, CP, suspension components, any leaks, etc...

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by 34dean

I am bringing in my 2015 335i xdrive for its last service before my 50,000 warranty ends. I would like to get the most out of it. What should I tell them to check and try and get replaced?

Thank you!

Brake Pads, rotors, wiper blades, key fob batteries for both remotes, and cabin and intake air filters. Also brake fluid, replace spark plugs, new 12v battery.

[PKR]

Simply put, they don’t want to take the time to look.
I took mine to a trustworthy independent shop first. They found the battery was low ... despite the dealer having serviced the car just a few weeks earlier. I took the car back to the dealer, told ‘em that I’d seen a battery alert ... they replaced the battery under warranty.

[Wolfus Aurelius]

Originally Posted by PKR

Simply put, they don’t want to take the time to look.
I took mine to a trustworthy independent shop first. They found the battery was low ... despite the dealer having serviced the car just a few weeks earlier. I took the car back to the dealer, told ‘em that I’d seen a battery alert ... they replaced the battery under warranty.

This is probably the way to go. I'm the third owner of my car: no "free" maintenance. So what I'd need the dealer to check on/repair would be things that are about to go bad.

With that in mind, what should a shop look for on a 2015 328i with 28,500 miles on it?

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by PKR

Simply put, they don't want to take the time to look.
I took mine to a trustworthy independent shop first. They found the battery was low ... despite the dealer having serviced the car just a few weeks earlier. I took the car back to the dealer, told 'em that I'd seen a battery alert ... they replaced the battery under warranty.

A few weeks is enough time for it to go from marginal to worse.

[PKR]

A good shop will know what to look for.
In my case it’s a 2014 F31 with just 15k so it was obvious the car had been sitting.

[bimmer456]

Originally Posted by PKR

A good shop will know what to look for.
In my case it's a 2014 F31 with just 15k so it was obvious the car had been sitting.

The dealer told me if the battery goes bad due to being insufficiently charged because it was sitting they won't cover it as they expect you to use a battery maintainer so make sure to tell them that if they try to deny coverage.

[PKR]

In my case the dealer said nothing like that. They simply replaced the battery. No questions.

[upsidedownfunnel]

You might have a good dealership where they will catch everything wrong with your car and fix it for you under warranty. But you probably have a dealer that will only find stuff wrong with your car after you warranty is up since the profit on that work is higher.

It might make sense to take your car to a 3rd party independent mechanic and let them know what you're there for. Basically do the equivalent of a pre-purchase inspection on a used car. I've personally never done that, so I can't guarantee that will work out.

Something you should definitely have checked is the transfer case. That's a common issue in xDrive cars and pretty expensive to fix after warranty is up. Also just check for any leaks at all. Especially around the engine, the oil filter housing, oil pan, transmission, transfer case, and the differential. Those are all things you'll want to do under warranty and things that the dealership can't deny need work.

[Zanity]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

Gaskets, CP, suspension components, any leaks, etc...

You know they're going to say everything is fine without looking right ?

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Zanity

You know they're going to say everything is fine without looking right ?

You personally know the dealer, SA and techs? Not every dealership is shady.

However, as mentioned by other members, the OP can take the car to a indy for added peace of mind and they can tell him if there are any discrepancies present.

[MmmmmM2]

Originally Posted by Zanity

You know they're going to say everything is fine without looking right ?

I actually worry about that for ANY BMW service at dealers. You just don't know exactly what they are doing...Which is sometimes nada.

[Mr Podman]

Have them look under the car where the transmission output shaft mates with the transfer case input.

My 2015 F32 x-drive had a leak there that I wished I would have checked for on my last warrantee visit.


podman

[Zanity]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

You personally know the dealer, SA and techs?

I don't but I do have common sense, and I do have experience in dealing with 3 different BMW dealers locally where I am to come up with that conclusion.

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Zanity

I don't but I do have common sense, and I do have experience in dealing with 3 different BMW dealers locally where I am.

If your experiences are below satisfactory, then that’s unfortunate. I deal with three service advisors from three different dealers and they have been great (so far). Soon I plan on buying a 2nd year of CPO as mine will expire 07/31/20, thus giving me coverage until end of July 2021. I drive a ton, so the CPO/unlimited mileage makes sense for me.

However, I do have two local Indy shops that are top notch in my area and it helps that both are under 10 miles from my house:

Active Autowerkes & Miami Performance Inc (MPI)

If the OP takes his car to his local dealer and they claim to find nothing, yet he goes directly to an Indy and they find stuff, then that just adds fuel to the fire that all dealers are this way. From my experiences, I have been fortunate.

[AlpineX]

I recently had a tech recommend new tires, but no mention of the seeping diff that you could see in the service video.
Last year I had another that recommended an idler bolt (had already been changed) but no mention of an obvious seeping turbo oil feed line.

Definitely pay knowledgeable Indy shop to perform a semi-invasive inspection. Removing covers etc.

[YodaMan79]

I can't emphasize any gasket enough. I had to have 3 of them done right before my CPO was up. I had an incompetent dealer not catch 4 major things that were easy to catch. I took to an independent, documented everything for a small fee. I then went to a different dealer and had close to $7,000 of retail repairs covered.

[Mr Podman]

Originally Posted by F30lolz

If your experiences are below satisfactory, then that’s unfortunate. I deal with three service advisors from three different dealers and they have been great (so far).

Give it time, the events where you will be underwhelmed are still ahead of you.



Indy shops aren't a panacea either.


podman

[F30lolz]

Originally Posted by Mr Podman

Give it time, the events where you will be underwhelmed are still ahead of you.



Indy shops aren't a panacea either.


podman

I’ve learned the hard way with BMW Hudson Valley in the mid 90’s. Been there my friend.