First disappointment with the M3

[x5x3]

so the service light came on the other week, I check in the idrive and it said oil service 1000 miles.

I booked it in and asked for a quote which I was given.

I turn up on the day and it turns out it also needed the microfilter and air filter - and suddenly the price doubles!

Now I do not mind spending the money - I never expected owning an M3 to be cheap, but to have to pay double the quote is not good.

Apparently, these items do not show up on the "playstation" screen and are only visible when they read the key?

I confess to knowing little about this but being in IT it seems very odd that the car knows bits need a service but then does not show this on the screen and just stores it in the key?

Can anyone enlighten me (about the reasons for this - the dealers have already enlightened my wallet )

[NickXX]

I think on the e46, the oil service does not include micro or air filters unless a visual inspection of them suggests that they need changing (I.e. if you've been driving the car in very dusty conditions). So it's not stored on the key, but is down to the judgement of the technician.

[x5x3]

sorry should have said it is an E92!

[kazman]

The idrive bit was a give away mate!

[NBTBRV8]

Strange they don't come up in the iDrive. They do in a 2005 E90 320i.

Buy your parts from bmminiparts.com and get the dealers to fit them, much cheaper.

[NickXX]

x5x3 said:

sorry should have said it is an E92!

Yeah, I guessed with the iDrive, but the e46 schedule might be similar. I think it is basically down to judgement (I.e. if they think they can get away with charging you for one) with the air filters during Oil services.

I have had BMW try to pull off similar tricks in the past (like leaving a 1l bottle of Mobil 1 in the boot and putting it on the invoice without asking), so am very careful to agree on a price and what is done before leaving the car with them.

[Schermerhorn]

How much did you pay for your microfilter?

I sell carbon ones (heavy duty items) online for £25.00 (PP included)

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BMW-3-series-E90-E91-E92-05-...