[MrDummy]

I have a 2006 325 xi with 49,300 miles on it.

This Monday I will be going to the dealers for my leaky headlight washer fluid issue that seems to be well known here. I am also getting their free loaner car, as I have a list of things I want to get fixed/replaced.
I them noticed when I went through the vehicle more throughly.

HERE IS MY LIST SO FAR:
1. Leaky headlight/washer issue
2. My aluminum shifter is peeling back, aka chipping/flaking bad, they had it taped down so I wouldnt notice.(or someone did?)
3. air circulating vents in the rear seat area are both broken up(fins,sliders)
4. left rocker panel is mis-aligned
5. strange noise behind cluster when the key is pulled out after 5 secs or so?
6. When moving the steering wheel left and right at a parked state with the motor on, it seems like there is play in the wheel or is that normal? Not much play but some..

Is there anything else you vets/bimmer gurus know about that I should ask them to look into? since this will be my LAST visit to the dealers under the original free warranty??

AND I know its been asked a couple times, but is the 2 year Maintanence warranty worth the money? and does it cover all the inspections and such too? Is there a $50 deductible like the CPO warranty has or is it free?

THANKS GUYS, and sorry for the wall of text but I really need some veteran opinions on these issues...

[jopa489]

I'd say numbers 5 and 6 are non-issues. All BMWs have little sounds after the car is shut off. Play in the wheel while it's parked seems normal to me too? As long as it's not loose when driving, I don't think the dealer will do anything about it. The other four items are absolutely worth mentioning and having them fix.

You've only recently purchased the car, right? BMW allows you to purchase the Maintenance Program Upgrade with up to 5 years or 60,000 miles on the car for a small surcharge. You could potentially wait to purchase that to see how the car is over the next few months. Then again, the price isn't getting any cheaper if you do that and you run the risk of not being covered should something go wrong.

The plan is $1,400 for the additional coverage and does NOT have any deductibles (they're not mentioned in the press release for it). That's a good chunk of change, but being able to bring the car back to the dealer regardless of the problem seems worth it. The NA engines are generally very, very reliable when taken care of properly. It's mainly the electronics that have the biggest chance of presenting a problem (not to say they necessarily will, though).

It's a gamble, and there's really no right answer. I wouldn't buy it for the oil changes every 15k miles; you should do them more frequently if you plan on taking care of the car and keeping it for a while anyway. Change it every 6-8k with a good synthetic. You need to estimate if the car will need more than $1400 in repairs over the next two years. It's a close call, but I'm inclined to say that it won't.

Just my thoughts, hope they at least help with your decision.

[Roowah]

Originally Posted by jopa489

You've only recently purchased the car, right? BMW allows you to purchase the Maintenance Program Upgrade with up to 5 years or 60,000 miles on the car for a small surcharge. You could potentially wait to purchase that to see how the car is over the next few months. Then again, the price isn't getting any cheaper if you do that and you run the risk of not being covered should something go wrong.

The plan is $1,400 for the additional coverage and does NOT have any deductibles (they're not mentioned in the press release for it). That's a good chunk of change, but being able to bring the car back to the dealer regardless of the problem seems worth it. The NA engines are generally very, very reliable when taken care of properly. It's mainly the electronics that have the biggest chance of presenting a problem (not to say they necessarily will, though).

It's a gamble, and there's really no right answer. I wouldn't buy it for the oil changes every 15k miles; you should do them more frequently if you plan on taking care of the car and keeping it for a while anyway. Change it every 6-8k with a good synthetic. You need to estimate if the car will need more than $1400 in repairs over the next two years. It's a close call, but I'm inclined to say that it won't.

Just to clarify....there are 2 different service plans. The maintenance warranty covers maintenance issues such as brakes, oil changes, wiper blades, etc. The extended warranty would cover most (but not all) mechanical issues that arise. Both can be purchased individually, although the extended warranty does come included with a CPO vehicle.

According to the BMW website, the maintenance upgrade program is as follows:

This upgrade option, when purchased, extends your standard BMW Maintenance Program period by an additional 2 years/50,000 miles, providing a total maintenance program period of 6 years or 100,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

The extended warranty program does have a deductible. The maintenance warranty does not, and extends to 6 year/100,000 miles, not 5 year/60,000 miles.

[sbux]

ask them to replace brake pads and rotors...complain about squealing noise...

[SpeedBuggy]

I purchased an 06 325i with 50,000 miles on the clock and purchased the maintenance warranty also. I believe it to be a good value considering that their is a scheduled inspection at 60,000 miles which would normally set you back approx. $600.00. Also brakes could set you back approx. $1,100.00 and an oil change approx. $100.00.

With the average miles we drive and the miles on the car, I believe I will recoup my investment with a trip to the dealer for each of the above items being performed on my car before the 2yr./50,000 mile limitations run out on the car.

Hope this helps out.................................

[JayKay335i]

Theyll (attempt to) fix 1. Might fix 2 and 3 out of good will for premature wear but I dont know if they'll call 50k premature. The car makes tons of odd noises. Turn it off and sit there for 10 minutes. Weird shit non stop. Sounds like you need an alignment too, which they wont cover.

[MrDummy]

Thanks a lot for all the tips guys, I would love to have them swap out the brakes b4 warranty runs out, but it had the cpo inspection and the tech stated that the pads had 7mm left in the front 2 and 9mm in the back 2. I think thats a decent amount left, is it?

And I am will put up a fuss if they dont fix the broken vents or shifter knob as that to me is not normal wear and tear. but a defect in the products.

I will ask them about when is the latest I can pick up the maint warranty, I thought the guy who sold me the car said it had to be b4 the 4 year/50,000 mile original one ran out??

I wont mention the steering wheel issue, as I think its normal, and the noises in the car I wont mention either if they are common. I just hope they fix both washer jets for headlights since one is leaking bad the other one isnt far behind and they are OE still.

I dont mind paying the 100-200 bucks for once a year oil change, but if the maint requires the brake fluid changing ever 1 or 2 and other inspections then it might be worth it. I dont drive very far maybe 30 mins total a day and mainly highway, so I dont know if I will need new brakes in 2 years or not? Are they soft pads? I know they put out a ton of dust.

Thanks again everyone for the tips and pointers.

[blue2fire]

Get the extended warranty, you never know what might break. For example, they just had to replace my entire power mirror assembly <--- Something i dont want to see the bill for.

[beef1020]

Originally Posted by jopa489

The NA engines are generally very, very reliable when taken care of properly. It's mainly the electronics that have the biggest chance of presenting a problem (not to say they necessarily will, though).

I just bought a used 06 330i and looked into the extended maintenance and warranty stuff. I did not buy either because the extended warranty does not include electronics, which I figured would be the most likely problem with the car.

[MrDummy]

^^ according to consumers reports electrical IS the worst thing with the 3 series, at least for the 2006/7 model year ones

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by beef1020

I just bought a used 06 330i and looked into the extended maintenance and warranty stuff. I did not buy either because the extended warranty does not include electronics, which I figured would be the most likely problem with the car.

Really?

It was my understanding that only the first owner could get the extended warranty plans if the car wasnt CPO.

[beef1020]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

Really?

It was my understanding that only the first owner could get the extended warranty plans if the car wasnt CPO.

That came out wrong. You may be correct i don't know as I looked into the warranty info before I purchased my car. My choice was CPO vs. private sale, and once I figured out for myself that I did not want the extended warranty then private sale was the way to go. Much cheaper and with the car under warranty and maintenance still I can take car in and have anything fixed.

[MrDummy]

Anyone know if my brakes will last awhile or not? Right now there is 7mm's left in the front 2 pads and 9mm's left in the back 2 pads. According to the CPO inspection. Rotors were in "good" condition..

Is that a lot left on the pads b4 I will need new brakes? Or will I need brakes soon? I dont drive a whole lot of miles either.

I might get maint. warranty and need some advice if its worth it or not for the 2 years?
I got new tires, oil change was just done, brakes might be ok, I dont know??

Thanks

[beef1020]

Originally Posted by MrDummy

Anyone know if my brakes will last awhile or not? Right now there is 7mm's left in the front 2 pads and 9mm's left in the back 2 pads. According to the CPO inspection. Rotors were in "good" condition..

Is that a lot left on the pads b4 I will need new brakes? Or will I need brakes soon? I dont drive a whole lot of miles either.

I might get maint. warranty and need some advice if its worth it or not for the 2 years?
I got new tires, oil change was just done, brakes might be ok, I dont know??

Thanks

I don't know about the brakes but I feel like I read somewhere 5mm, although I just did the brakes on my S70 so that may have been 5mm...

Did you get the tires from the maintenance plan?

[MrDummy]

NO they were put on the car via the cpo inspection, since the leased ones were bald.

[roozie2001]

is it paid off??

[MrDummy]

^^ Nope I wish I got it last week for 21K

[beef1020]

In terms of your brakes there is a service menu you can access through your turn signal stalk, it has the expected miles before break service. I don't know how accurate it is but it may give you an estimate on when they will be needed.

[MrDummy]

thanks I will look for it, I didnt get the manual yet in the mail so I am trying to skim through the pdf version.

[beef1020]

instructions for checking service in the non-I drive PDF start on page 63. I just bought a new used one without the manual and have been reading it too

[MrDummy]

thanks buddy I will check it out right now.

[MrDummy]

WOW this cars computer does it ALL, good stuff..