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      04-26-2013, 12:32 PM   #1
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Warranty still honored if you do your own oil changes/repairs?

If something happened, like your engine blew up, and they found out you did your own oil change, could they say it's your fault?

If you bought an oil filter from them, would that be enough evidence that you did your own oil change?
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      04-26-2013, 12:36 PM   #2
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They can not deny warranty work unless there is a direct correlation and causation from the work you performed and the resulting damage.
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      04-26-2013, 12:58 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
If something happened, like your engine blew up, and they found out you did your own oil change, could they say it's your fault?

If you bought an oil filter from them, would that be enough evidence that you did your own oil change?
You have free maintenance and warranty coverage for repairs for 4 years and 50K miles - I'm curious why you would be doing your own oil changes and repair work (distance from dealer?). What sort of repairs would you be doing? The oil change interval is 15K miles, but I have one done at the dealership or a BMW-recognized Indy Shop at my own expense at 7.5K, as 15K is just too long.

The only way doing your own oil change would cause a problem is if you didn't use the correct oil or filter element or failed to secure the drain plug or filter housing. That'd be the same for any car. I've never heard of a BMW engine "blowing up" (whatever that implies) unless it was being severely abused - they investigate thoroughly, and look for root cause of the failure.

If you need to go to somewhere other than a dealer for an oil change, just make sure you get a receipt and keep it in your owner's manual as proof.
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      04-26-2013, 01:09 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
You have free maintenance and warranty coverage for repairs for 4 years and 50K miles - I'm curious why you would be doing your own oil changes and repair work (distance from dealer?). What sort of repairs would you be doing? The oil change interval is 15K miles, but I have one done at the dealership or a BMW-recognized Indy Shop at my own expense at 7.5K, as 15K is just too long.

The only way doing your own oil change would cause a problem is if you didn't use the correct oil or filter element or failed to secure the drain plug or filter housing. That'd be the same for any car. I've never heard of a BMW engine "blowing up" (whatever that implies) unless it was being severely abused - they investigate thoroughly, and look for root cause of the failure.

If you need to go to somewhere other than a dealer for an oil change, just make sure you get a receipt and keep it in your owner's manual as proof.
The dealer wants to charge $150 for an oil change if it's between intervals. Indy shops want $90-120. You can do it yourself for less than half.

Blowing up was obviously a hyperbole, but if you lose oil due to a drain plug not being tightened properly then it could seize.

Last edited by bcl0328; 04-26-2013 at 01:50 PM..
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      04-26-2013, 02:21 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
The dealer wants to charge $150 for an oil change if it's between intervals. Indy shops want $90-120. You can do it yourself for less than half.

Blowing up was obviously a hyperbole, but if you lose oil due to a drain plug not being tightened properly then it could seize.
Of course - that's what I was referring to. Of course, dealers have been known to forget stuff like that, too. My dealer charges $89 for between-interval changes, but where do you buy the BMW-approved oil and filter for less than half? Obviously there's some labor involved, but usually it's only .5 hours or less, or they flat-rate it. Might be cheap insurance on a $50K+ car?
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      04-26-2013, 02:26 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
Of course - that's what I was referring to. Of course, dealers have been known to forget stuff like that, too. My dealer charges $89 for between-interval changes, but where do you buy the BMW-approved oil and filter for less than half? Obviously there's some labor involved, but usually it's only .5 hours or less, or they flat-rate it. Might be cheap insurance on a $50K+ car?
You can buy the filter from the dealer for $13 and some Mobil 1 that is LL01 approved, like 0w-40 or 5w-40 for $6 a quart at Walmart.
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      04-26-2013, 02:44 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
Of course - that's what I was referring to. Of course, dealers have been known to forget stuff like that, too. My dealer charges $89 for between-interval changes, but where do you buy the BMW-approved oil and filter for less than half? Obviously there's some labor involved, but usually it's only .5 hours or less, or they flat-rate it. Might be cheap insurance on a $50K+ car?
$89! that's good for a BMW Dealer! Most are $150. I would just get it done there. I would definitely say it's cheap insurance. When all is said and done, If you're only saving a few bucks, it's not worth the hassle - nor the potential risk of messin' something by accident (IMHO).
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      04-26-2013, 03:04 PM   #8
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Changed my oil w/ Mobil 1 and BMW filter for $40.. And had fun doing it
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      04-26-2013, 03:04 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bananachipz View Post
$89! that's good for a BMW Dealer! Most are $150. I would just get it done there. I would definitely say it's cheap insurance. When all is said and done, If you're only saving a few bucks, it's not worth the hassle - nor the potential risk of messin' something by accident (IMHO).
Well it depends on your confort level with such things. I can see the OP's point and I would probably consider a DIY oil change as well due to high cost of BMW dealer. Having a 50k car doesn't mean we like to be taken for rides.
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      04-26-2013, 03:20 PM   #10
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http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=803106
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      04-26-2013, 03:53 PM   #11
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i get oil changes at my dealer for $60...the local market has driven down prices, so they're always offering coupons.
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      04-26-2013, 04:16 PM   #12
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All that aside...documenting in-between oil changes is not a bad idea, no matter how you do them. Also - if you don't put a lot of mileage on your car per year like me, the computer will recommend an annual change. I won't come close to 15K miles between now and next March, although I'll probably hit 7.5K about then, so I'm hoping to get my 1st oil service as part of maintenance.
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      04-26-2013, 04:18 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
You can buy the filter from the dealer for $13 and some Mobil 1 that is LL01 approved, like 0w-40 or 5w-40 for $6 a quart at Walmart.
Omigosh - how can you even use the word "Walmart" when talking about your BMW?
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      04-26-2013, 04:57 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
Omigosh - how can you even use the word "Walmart" when talking about your BMW?
They are the cheapest. You can go anywhere that sells oil really.
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      04-26-2013, 04:59 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mikew2069 View Post
Changed my oil w/ Mobil 1 and BMW filter for $40.. And had fun doing it
Yea it looks pretty easy to do. I found a few pictures online. Do you know the torque specs for anything? I think the drain plug is 5 ft-lb, what about the oil filter bolt?
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      04-26-2013, 07:20 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
They are the cheapest. You can go anywhere that sells oil really.
True enough, but I was just thinking of all those "Wal-Mart Customers" picture collections I've seen. Makes you want to park across the street and walk.
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      04-26-2013, 08:04 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roundel335 View Post
True enough, but I was just thinking of all those "Wal-Mart Customers" picture collections I've seen. Makes you want to park across the street and walk.
I'm going to park right in front!
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      04-26-2013, 09:56 PM   #18
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Refer to Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A federal statute that all auto manufacturers must live by.

Basically, BMW has the burden to prove that the 3rd party work was faulty.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuso...s_Warranty_Act
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      04-27-2013, 01:22 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by claykin View Post
Refer to Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. A federal statute that all auto manufacturers must live by.

Basically, BMW has the burden to prove that the 3rd party work was faulty.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuso...s_Warranty_Act
Well, technically no, the Mag-Moss would not protect you specifically with BMW because BMW offers the required maintenance for free.

Mag-Moss sought to eliminate "tie-in" sales to maintain warranty.
That means that a manufacturer can not deny warranty coverage if you did the maintenance work yourself or had an independent shop do it, as long as the parts used met the manufacturers specs, and the customer can show receipts for the parts used.

For example, the manufacture can't force or make a customer buy a specific brand oil in order to maintain warranty.
That also goes for the work involved.
Thus, a customer can change their own oil as long as they use oil filters and oil that meets the manufacturer specs, and as long as they can show that the maintenance was preformed warranty can not be denied.

But, there is an exception in the law.
The manufacturer CAN require specific brand oil and filters IF the manufacturer provides the parts and labor free of charge.
BMW does provide and perform all the required maintenance free of additional charge.
This means that BMW could deny a warranty claim if the customer doesn't use BMW specific oil and filters, not just parts that meet manufacturer specs.

Of course, it is not likely that BMW would do that to a customer, but according to the law, BMW would be within the law if they denied warranty to a customer who used non BMW specific oil and filters.

It's an odd quirk, but it's in there.
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      04-27-2013, 08:24 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM90 View Post
Well, technically no, the Mag-Moss would not protect you specifically with BMW because BMW offers the required maintenance for free.

Mag-Moss sought to eliminate "tie-in" sales to maintain warranty.
That means that a manufacturer can not deny warranty coverage if you did the maintenance work yourself or had an independent shop do it, as long as the parts used met the manufacturers specs, and the customer can show receipts for the parts used.

For example, the manufacture can't force or make a customer buy a specific brand oil in order to maintain warranty.
That also goes for the work involved.
Thus, a customer can change their own oil as long as they use oil filters and oil that meets the manufacturer specs, and as long as they can show that the maintenance was preformed warranty can not be denied.

But, there is an exception in the law.
The manufacturer CAN require specific brand oil and filters IF the manufacturer provides the parts and labor free of charge.
BMW does provide and perform all the required maintenance free of additional charge.
This means that BMW could deny a warranty claim if the customer doesn't use BMW specific oil and filters, not just parts that meet manufacturer specs.

Of course, it is not likely that BMW would do that to a customer, but according to the law, BMW would be within the law if they denied warranty to a customer who used non BMW specific oil and filters.

It's an odd quirk, but it's in there.
OP said he was planning on using OEM filter, which I'd always recommend. As far as oil is concerned, BMW gives spec for oil in owners manual as as long as your oil meets that spec, you're fine.

Regarding the Act, I'm not sure of this provision you refer to, but what was the intent of Congress? Intent goes a long way. One can argue that BMW does not provide maintenance "free". The cost is built into the MSRP of the vehicle.
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      04-27-2013, 11:36 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
Yea it looks pretty easy to do. I found a few pictures online. Do you know the torque specs for anything? I think the drain plug is 5 ft-lb, what about the oil filter bolt?
Easiest oil change I've ever done. I did the drain plug by feel. Just always want to make sure not to over do it. With the new crush washer, you just give it a firm tug and it will seal fine... the oil filter cap has a mark on it so you just make sure to line it back up.

And I also keep and file my oil and filter receipts just in case.
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      04-27-2013, 02:05 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM90 View Post
Well, technically no, the Mag-Moss would not protect you specifically with BMW because BMW offers the required maintenance for free.

Mag-Moss sought to eliminate "tie-in" sales to maintain warranty.
That means that a manufacturer can not deny warranty coverage if you did the maintenance work yourself or had an independent shop do it, as long as the parts used met the manufacturers specs, and the customer can show receipts for the parts used.

For example, the manufacture can't force or make a customer buy a specific brand oil in order to maintain warranty.
That also goes for the work involved.
Thus, a customer can change their own oil as long as they use oil filters and oil that meets the manufacturer specs, and as long as they can show that the maintenance was preformed warranty can not be denied.

But, there is an exception in the law.
The manufacturer CAN require specific brand oil and filters IF the manufacturer provides the parts and labor free of charge.
BMW does provide and perform all the required maintenance free of additional charge.
This means that BMW could deny a warranty claim if the customer doesn't use BMW specific oil and filters, not just parts that meet manufacturer specs.

Of course, it is not likely that BMW would do that to a customer, but according to the law, BMW would be within the law if they denied warranty to a customer who used non BMW specific oil and filters.

It's an odd quirk, but it's in there.
In short, if you used a BMW filter and oil then they can't do shit about it?
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