E46 Servicing Intervals

[Challo]

Picked up a 2000 E46 323ci convertible a few weeks ago and spent last week cleaning, and de-contaminating the interior.

I have been checking the service history and the previous owner got the car serviced every year by a local garage with an annual mileage of around 5k. It seems only Oil & Inspection I have been done in the last few years, and the car hasn't seen serviced since Oct 2015 less than 6k miles ago. The oil looks clean but not checked sparks, or filters but it runs very smoothly.

Worth just completing a full service myself - Oil/All Filters/Sparks and then perhaps change the coolant as well? I suspect the fuel filter will need doing at some point. Anything else on Inspection II that will need doing?

[Smuler]

Challo said:

Picked up a 2000 E46 323ci convertible a few weeks ago and spent last week cleaning, and de-contaminating the interior.

I have been checking the service history and the previous owner got the car serviced every year by a local garage with an annual mileage of around 5k. It seems only Oil & Inspection I have been done in the last few years, and the car hasn't seen serviced since Oct 2015 less than 6k miles ago. The oil looks clean but not checked sparks, or filters but it runs very smoothly.

Worth just completing a full service myself - Oil/All Filters/Sparks and then perhaps change the coolant as well? I suspect the fuel filter will need doing at some point. Anything else on Inspection II that will need doing?

So the previous owner missed the Inspection II? The service book specifies what's needed so I agree , I'd do it all including oil because maximum time between oil changes was 2 years in any event on the E46.
I'd look a brake fluid too as that I believe that is every 2 years, see what the section in the service book says has been done.
And I agree on coolant as that was 4 years, unless it's clearly been done.

[SebringMan]

If it were me I'd do a full Inspection II, brake fluid and coolant change as well. If you are doing it yourself it will help on the costs.

[Challo]

SebringMan said:

If it were me I'd do a full Inspection II, brake fluid and coolant change as well. If you are doing it yourself it will help on the costs.

Thanks. I just had a look and I cannot see anything additional in the service book for Inspection II vs I.

[bmwmike]

If doing the coolant (I would) I'd put a new pump in while I'm at it.

Nice cars. I am massively thinking of going back to an late E46 from 5 series.

[goldieandblackie]

Also its worth changing the diff oil at the rear and buying new fill and drain plugs.

[helix402]

You can do the diff oil, no need for new plugs, just washers.