'running in' service too early??
Discussion
Evolved said:
Given they're all around 13 years old now, I'd give it a miss with that history. They're far to sensitive servicing wise to take the risk.
So would I but it does seem people will pay over the odds on a car that has had its servicing skipped for that amount of mileage. Alot of people I know will only a service a car on mileage and not time.500 miles is probably around right in terms of time for the running in service, especially if it was fired up every other weekend and left to idle.
That said, is a car you plan to drive or a car you plan to collect and invest with? That would make me consider otherwise.
Check the mot history online first of all to give you a indication on how many miles the car has done between MOTS and any failures/advisories.
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
@ 20k I would expect the car to be near if not immaculate including the underside.
As for the services, 4x is fine if the car is rarely used, why would it need anymore??
However to be on the safe side, budget 3k for a large service to include any consumables that might need doing.
Not many CSLs with 20k on the clock, If it checks out and the price is right go for it!
https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history
@ 20k I would expect the car to be near if not immaculate including the underside.
As for the services, 4x is fine if the car is rarely used, why would it need anymore??
However to be on the safe side, budget 3k for a large service to include any consumables that might need doing.
Not many CSLs with 20k on the clock, If it checks out and the price is right go for it!
BMW recommend a service every 12000 miles or 24k, and the service should follow a pattern: Oil Service - Inspection 1 - Oil Service - Inspection 2 (and repeat).
The main thing is that engine oil should be changed every two years as it will degrade with age (and some people would recommend that you change it every year). If the car has had regular oil chnages whilst it was being used then that is good. If it was stored and then had a fresh oil change as soon as it came out of storage that would be good too. You can use the MOT History checker the previous poster provided to correlate mileage/usage/storage periods with oil changes.
The brake fluid should be tested/changed every two years.
Engine air filter - Inspection 1 and Inspection 2
Cabin microfilter (every oil change).
Fuel filter - I think this is every Inspection 2.
Coolant change (lifetime)
Saprk plugs - Inspection 2.
Transmission and diff oil - Inspection 2.
Valve clearances - Inspection 1 and Inspection 2.
Vehicle check - Inspection 1 and Inspection 2.
Mobility cartridge (36m)
Most of the things above are clearly mileage related and will not degrade with age.
Can you post the service history and current mileage - that would help people build up a better picture of the car.
Would also add that yuo need to look at things like a compression test/leak down test, subframe inspection etc. There was this thread on PH recently about E46 Purchase (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=181&t=1634373), which I'm sure you've already seen.
The main thing is that engine oil should be changed every two years as it will degrade with age (and some people would recommend that you change it every year). If the car has had regular oil chnages whilst it was being used then that is good. If it was stored and then had a fresh oil change as soon as it came out of storage that would be good too. You can use the MOT History checker the previous poster provided to correlate mileage/usage/storage periods with oil changes.
The brake fluid should be tested/changed every two years.
Engine air filter - Inspection 1 and Inspection 2
Cabin microfilter (every oil change).
Fuel filter - I think this is every Inspection 2.
Coolant change (lifetime)
Saprk plugs - Inspection 2.
Transmission and diff oil - Inspection 2.
Valve clearances - Inspection 1 and Inspection 2.
Vehicle check - Inspection 1 and Inspection 2.
Mobility cartridge (36m)
Most of the things above are clearly mileage related and will not degrade with age.
Can you post the service history and current mileage - that would help people build up a better picture of the car.
Would also add that yuo need to look at things like a compression test/leak down test, subframe inspection etc. There was this thread on PH recently about E46 Purchase (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=181&t=1634373), which I'm sure you've already seen.
Edited by nw942 on Tuesday 13th December 14:39
S1ufo said:
Hi there, I'm currently looking to buy an M3 (CSL). should i be concerned if it 'running in' service was carried out at circa 500 miles?? the car has only done 20k miles, and has full BMW history (4 stamps).
Any thoughts/guidance welcome.
thank you.
I'd want to know more about the dates and mileages of each of the stamps before jumping to conclusions.Any thoughts/guidance welcome.
thank you.
For example, if the car did 4k miles a year for the first 5 years, serviced on the button, and then has been cocooned for the last 8 years (or whatever), and you're planning on parking it up and storing it away, then the apparent lack of servicing wouldn't unduly concern me.
If it's all of the above, but you're planning to use it, then it's worth factoring in a major service and full inspection to make sure none of the rubber bits have gone hard (oo er) and that it is properly recommissioned.
And if it has been on the road these past few years (which you'll be able to tell by the MOT history) but it hasn't been serviced on schedule, then I'd give it a wide berth or negotiate an appropriate discount.
magnum555 said:
It might have done 20k but its 13 years old. Why do manufacture service intervals state mileage or age for servicing?
But I guess you know more
Your right, I do know more that's why I collect and rebuild cars and you don't But I guess you know more
Do you think if a RS500 popped out of the wood work with 20k on the clock that people would give to hoots if the car had been serviced as per fords schedule??? Err no.
Given the fact a M3 CSL would cost you a minimum of 50k with high miles, what do you think would happen if a 20k example would fetch if put through auction??
There are some clueless people who talk utter crap on here.
Just to throw something else into the mix...do you intend to put a mondial warranty on the car?
A few years ago I bought a 32k miler CSL which I intended to put the warranty on and use as a daily, to that end it was important to me that the service history was bang on (including its oil service every 2 years regardless of mileage). This may or may not be important to you but after many discussions with my local BMW dealer/Mondial it was important to them. This of course means that I have to keep up with oil changes which from an engineering perspective seem a tad pointless but from a warranty perspective vital. As these things seem to be getting more and more ridiculously expensive (the cars I mean) the type of buyer is changing too, a type of buyer who may want things just so, it might be worth considering that if investment is your aim.
If on the other hand you just want one and intend to just drive the doors off it without a care in the world then go for it! I would echo what one poster said though, it would be good to get a better picture of what the car has been doing to allow you to make an informed judgement.
Good luck with whatever you decide, they really are addictive.
A few years ago I bought a 32k miler CSL which I intended to put the warranty on and use as a daily, to that end it was important to me that the service history was bang on (including its oil service every 2 years regardless of mileage). This may or may not be important to you but after many discussions with my local BMW dealer/Mondial it was important to them. This of course means that I have to keep up with oil changes which from an engineering perspective seem a tad pointless but from a warranty perspective vital. As these things seem to be getting more and more ridiculously expensive (the cars I mean) the type of buyer is changing too, a type of buyer who may want things just so, it might be worth considering that if investment is your aim.
If on the other hand you just want one and intend to just drive the doors off it without a care in the world then go for it! I would echo what one poster said though, it would be good to get a better picture of what the car has been doing to allow you to make an informed judgement.
Good luck with whatever you decide, they really are addictive.
Re the servicing pattern i would look closely at the MOT history and how frequently it's been used. I may have been sorn'd for years.
I would personally expect a SORN car to be taken out for MOT and servicing if it's tucked away in storage. It may please the purists but as long as it is recommissioned properly with full fluids service then for me its no bother at all.
If the car has always been in use and just covered little miles each year then yes it would be an issue.
Re the run in - nah 500 miles is enough for it to have bed in.
I would personally expect a SORN car to be taken out for MOT and servicing if it's tucked away in storage. It may please the purists but as long as it is recommissioned properly with full fluids service then for me its no bother at all.
If the car has always been in use and just covered little miles each year then yes it would be an issue.
Re the run in - nah 500 miles is enough for it to have bed in.
Evening,
Thank you all for the replies. To answer a few questions - I'm not buying the car as an investment, I'm buying it because I've always wanted one, that said, it won't do much mileage, as i just don't get the time - i just enjoy buying and owning the cars I've always lusted after, as and when i can afford to do so...
I will certainly check the Mot's to see how the car has been used i.e. if its been stored. From memory i think it did the majority of its mileage in the first 5 years, and has done a few k in the last 7 years (its a late '04 car).
Its a bit of a toss up between this car, or another which has 32k, and has always been serviced by the same dealer (Dick Lovett - 5 stamps). Finding a car which has been serviced every two years is almost impossible, and i'd like to think that as there hasn't been any significant mileage put not the car between any of the services, then there should be no problem - but I'm happy to be corrected on this...
thanks again.
Thank you all for the replies. To answer a few questions - I'm not buying the car as an investment, I'm buying it because I've always wanted one, that said, it won't do much mileage, as i just don't get the time - i just enjoy buying and owning the cars I've always lusted after, as and when i can afford to do so...
I will certainly check the Mot's to see how the car has been used i.e. if its been stored. From memory i think it did the majority of its mileage in the first 5 years, and has done a few k in the last 7 years (its a late '04 car).
Its a bit of a toss up between this car, or another which has 32k, and has always been serviced by the same dealer (Dick Lovett - 5 stamps). Finding a car which has been serviced every two years is almost impossible, and i'd like to think that as there hasn't been any significant mileage put not the car between any of the services, then there should be no problem - but I'm happy to be corrected on this...
thanks again.
FYI.
The intervals for the 32k mile car are:
PDI - 20/06/05
running in - 02/08/05 1,223 miles
oil service - 22/05/06 10k miles
inspection 1 - 08/07 21k miles
oil service - 07/07 29k miles
oil service - 07/13 30k miles
inspection 2 - 07/15 32k miles
brake fluid done in 06, 09 and 13
Would i be correct in thinking this is pretty good history??
The intervals for the 32k mile car are:
PDI - 20/06/05
running in - 02/08/05 1,223 miles
oil service - 22/05/06 10k miles
inspection 1 - 08/07 21k miles
oil service - 07/07 29k miles
oil service - 07/13 30k miles
inspection 2 - 07/15 32k miles
brake fluid done in 06, 09 and 13
Would i be correct in thinking this is pretty good history??
S1ufo said:
FYI.
The intervals for the 32k mile car are:
PDI - 20/06/05
running in - 02/08/05 1,223 miles
oil service - 22/05/06 10k miles
inspection 1 - 08/07 21k miles
oil service - 07/07 29k miles
oil service - 07/13 30k miles
inspection 2 - 07/15 32k miles
brake fluid done in 06, 09 and 13
Would i be correct in thinking this is pretty good history??
Bloody hell - buy it!The intervals for the 32k mile car are:
PDI - 20/06/05
running in - 02/08/05 1,223 miles
oil service - 22/05/06 10k miles
inspection 1 - 08/07 21k miles
oil service - 07/07 29k miles
oil service - 07/13 30k miles
inspection 2 - 07/15 32k miles
brake fluid done in 06, 09 and 13
Would i be correct in thinking this is pretty good history??
S1ufo said:
FYI.
The intervals for the 32k mile car are:
PDI - 20/06/05
running in - 02/08/05 1,223 miles
oil service - 22/05/06 10k miles
inspection 1 - 08/07 21k miles
oil service - 07/07 29k miles
oil service - 07/13 30k miles
inspection 2 - 07/15 32k miles
brake fluid done in 06, 09 and 13
Would i be correct in thinking this is pretty good history??
Not really, no. The intervals for the 32k mile car are:
PDI - 20/06/05
running in - 02/08/05 1,223 miles
oil service - 22/05/06 10k miles
inspection 1 - 08/07 21k miles
oil service - 07/07 29k miles
oil service - 07/13 30k miles
inspection 2 - 07/15 32k miles
brake fluid done in 06, 09 and 13
Would i be correct in thinking this is pretty good history??
6 year gap between '07 and '13 and service in '13 should have been Inspection II not just an oil and brake fluid which is what has been done.
OP my issue with the 20K car you mentioned is you've said it has full BMW service history, and if it's the car I think it is the seller says the same, but this is not the case regardless of where the car has been.
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