Service interval question

[Drakey1980]

Looking at purchasing a paticular 325 sport with 10,000 on the clock it is a 2003 (face lift) and has not yet had its first service, does this sound right? or should it have a service every year irrespective of mileage?

Thanks
Steve

[Vee]

I think I'm right in saying the oil services are mileage based, roughly 15k on an E46.
Also that a 2003 car should have had a coolant change and brake fluid change after 2 years, unlikley if it hasn't been back to a dealer although a warning light should have come on in the dash - a clock symbol.

Personally I'd buy and get it serviced immediately.

[jay123]

sevices are service indicator (15k) or 2yrs apart

Coolant 4 yrs and brake fluid every 2yrs

[Mustard]

jay123 said:

sevices are service indicator (15k) or 2yrs apart

Coolant 4 yrs and brake fluid every 2yrs

What he said.... the oil should be changed at 2yrs regardless of the service indicator

Our E39 is an 02 52 done 30k and has just had its 2nd oil service due to 2yrs passing since the last insp I, it still had one green light remaining

The car in question should have had an oil service & Brake fluid on its 2nd birthday and is now due an inspection 1 and coolant and Brake fluid

Edited by Mustard on Friday 6th July 18:50

[Drakey1980]

Thanks guys,
Should I be worried then that it is almost 4 years old and not had any form of service? The car itself is absolutely immaculate...
Steve

[Mustard]

It would bother me.... lets face it an oil serice at two years old is only 150 quid or so (Main Dealer) so has any money been spent on the car?

Four years+ on the origial oil and brake fluid is a bit concerning

[Drakey1980]

thats what I was thinking, it hasn't had any service/ fluid change in its life. when i checked the oil it still looked clean and brand new. the owner has had the car declared sorn for the last 9 months so apart from a weekly engine start and run it hasnt left the garage... what is your opinion on this. as i said before the car is in showroom condition with just under 10,000 miles and drives fine, I've seen at least a dozen cars before this one and I really cant fault it apart from the service history. is this gonna be a big red mark on the service history when i come to sell it? i plan on taking it straight to a dealer if i buy it and have done whatever they recommend...
Thanks again

[dave_s13]

Drakey1980 said:

thats what I was thinking, it hasn't had any service/ fluid change in its life. when i checked the oil it still looked clean and brand new. the owner has had the car declared sorn for the last 9 months so apart from a weekly engine start and run it hasnt left the garage... what is your opinion on this. as i said before the car is in showroom condition with just under 10,000 miles and drives fine, I've seen at least a dozen cars before this one and I really cant fault it apart from the service history. is this gonna be a big red mark on the service history when i come to sell it? i plan on taking it straight to a dealer if i buy it and have done whatever they recommend...
Thanks again

2 Things you can do.

Risk it and just by it but try and use the lack of service to get a good wedge off the asking price, at least to cover what you'll be spending to get it sorted.

Pay for BMW to inspect if for you, I assume they would do this? A specialist would anyway. Might cost a couple of hundred quid though.

I'd probably just buy it.

[Drakey1980]

UPDATE.
I bit the bullet and purchased the car mentioned earlier for a good discount. The car itself is immaculate and drives fine.
I have spoken to a number of BMW service departments and have been advised on a range of different service options.
I have narrowed it down to this;

Inspection 1 - which includes oil
Coolant replacement
Brake fluid replacement

A couple of dealers have advised an Inspection 2 but this seems a bit excessive to me for a car that has only covered 9200 miles.
I have also been advised to just get an oil service and a routine maintanence inspection instead....
What are your thoughts
Any advice would be geatly appreciated.

Thanks
Steve