SERVICE BOOK - Should my 15-plate have one?

[sonnenschein3000]

I have a 2nd hand F10 5-series registered in May 2015, and the service history appears on the iDrive.

However, it doesn't have a physical service book. Is it supposed to have one? Or have BMW followed e.g. Mercedes and gone to a fully digital service record?

[LocoBlade]

I suspect it won't have one, BMW certainly ditched the paper copy at some point in the past few years as they're iDrive only now.

[Mr Whippy]

Yeah my 335d doesn't have one.

It's a good idea but then how does anyone do DIY entries to iDrive?

Also much harder for a buyer to check, having to get in a car.
No doubt traders and sellers will waste paper writing it all down.

You're still reliant on decent records and paper invoices so it's not exactly saving the planet.
AND they give you a paper manual, and all the paper trying to sell you GAP and tyre protection, and contracts.

Now I think about it, it's just more smug bks from a deteriorating brand imo.

[RichardJS]

That's right. When I got my new F30 I asked where it was as I thought it was missing - and was told that they're not used anymore.

[LocoBlade]

Yeh a silly idea, it's possible to wipe / re-write it as well apparently!
http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&am...

[Mr Whippy]

LocoBlade said:

Yeh a silly idea, it's possible to wipe / re-write it as well apparently!
http://www.babybmw.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=74&am...

So it's basically useless.

And you're back to having to spend potentially a full day on the phone to check things with garages etc.

At least if paper was overwritten you could see it.

[sonnenschein3000]

Oh gosh, it looks like I'm going to have to keep a folder of receipts then! Luckily the previous owner left the receipt of the first service in the glove compartment

[LocoBlade]

If starting from scratch with a new car you may be able to buy a new service book from an older car model and ask for that to be stamped as well, I might give that a try with mine when it's due it's first service

[Mr Whippy]

Good idea, I might do that too.

Also a folder for invoices is sensible. My wife is very good with that.

I just have an array of shuffled piles spanning almost a decade haha

[cuprabob]

Personally I think invoices that show exactly what work was done and what parts were fitted during the service are better than a stamped service book. I've lost count the number of times the "tech" has ticked the wrong box or not filled it in correctly.

[Driving Miss Daisy]

Recently bought a 2015 F10 myself and it doesn't have a paper service book either. All in the iDrive and no receipts. Previous owner was Alphabet leasing and all the history is there to see.

I was now wondering about main dealer service or Indy:


https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...


Can the Indy's enter the data on the electronic service logs?

[Aletank]

If you have a service plan, do you get some sort of invoice/details of the work that has been done from BMW ?

[Mallycop]

I have just bought a 2017 BMW Grand Coupe from a BMW dealer, I have warranties, service history, full MOT, but no documents it's all online, and being a pensioner I'm not up to speed with Computers and downloading everything. I have Insurance for wheel repair, lifetime shine, when they gave the car a valet before delivery they removed the handbook and forgot to put it back, I'm now waiting to receive it by post!! I have to try and find information on how to operate the car online, and this is progress I wish for the days when you received a thick wallet with the information you wanted on how to operate a car.

[mmm-five]

Mallycop said:

I have just bought a 2017 BMW Grand Coupe from a BMW dealer, I have warranties, service history, full MOT, but no documents it's all online, and being a pensioner I'm not up to speed with Computers and downloading everything. I have Insurance for wheel repair, lifetime shine, when they gave the car a valet before delivery they removed the handbook and forgot to put it back, I'm now waiting to receive it by post!! I have to try and find information on how to operate the car online, and this is progress I wish for the days when you received a thick wallet with the information you wanted on how to operate a car.

If you have a smartphone you can download the BMW Driver's Guide app (and myDrive if you've bought/got any of the connected services) which will let you put your VIN in to deliver some services and guides on how to do common items - a digital owner's manual if you will.

If you're not comfortable with that, then you're going to hate using the sat-nav, car play / android auto, digital radio, etc.