First car, BMW 3 Series and service center recommendations

[kishg]

Hi all,

I recently purchased my first car which is a 2011 320D efficient dynamics with 91K miles. I have been driving rental cars for several years but never owned one so never had to care about maintenance.

I would like to have my car checked for peace of mind and I know for a fact that engine oil is due for a change as it was last changed roughly around 15k miles ago. From what I have come across so far in this forum, there are independent garages that do the same job as BMW for a reasonable price and I don't want to spend much as well if independent garages can do the same job cheaper. I also need to change the rear tires which I may have it done by Costco as they are cheapest I have come across so far. Goodyear 205/55 R16 W (91) EFFICIENTGRIP Run-flat (RF) * BMW, I am getting this for £ 80/tyre including fitting. Are they any other alternative that you would suggest?

I live in Wembley and looks like there are plenty of garages around but I have no idea how to choose one and what to ask for if I want them to quote me without being tricked in as I am afraid that it would be obvious for them to figure out that I know nothing about what's under the hood.

The car was serviced every year by the previous owner for essential checks and changed oil every 15k miles.

Any advice and help would be much appreciated. I don't mind doing DIY for things that are safe to do. I also bought an OBD 2 scanner as I was trying to learn more. Many thanks

[Jaybmw]

Do the oil service yourself. Run flats are ste so go onto openio and buy some decent tyres, have your local tyre place put them on jobs a goodun

[kishg]

Thanks, I'll try myself. Any recommendations for Jack? Are you suggesting to buy non -RF tyers?

[thatdude]

For doing the oil change, you can buy the parts you need from euro car parts. Dont skimp on a cheap filter though, get something good. Buy a jack and axle stands from machine mart - always always support the car on axle stands at the jacking points after jacking up using the central jacking point on the underside of the car sort of under the engine area. You will need a big socket (32 mm?) to undo the oil filter housing, and you will want a new sump bolt gasket. If you are like me, you'll use a torque wrench to tighten up the sump bolt - it's 25 Nm torque. Make sure to use a 5w30 oil specific to BMW's (LL04 specification). Ideally, you'll want to change the oil much sooner than 15,000 mile intervals (my wife has a 120D and we go for 6000-7000 mile intervals, cheap way to protect the engine)

Else, since you like in wembly, you're not that far from Brunswick Garage in the Arnos Gove area. They have well trained technicians who will sort your car out nicely for you. Look them up, give them a call.

[Craikeybaby]

If you want an easy life I would just stick with runflats. I've had tyres from Costco and they are fine.

I also wouldn't bother doing an oil change myself, even though I have done in the past. I would recommend taking it to a specialist, there's a list at the top of the forum, and say you think it needs an oil change and ask them to check the car over.

[Vee]

Unless you have time to be changing oil then going to dispose of it, I would simply get it done at a local independent.
Nothing too complicated involved so most garages can do it.
At 91k miles I wouldn’t worry too much about the BMW history either.
I’m local to you. Harrow Service Centre are good. Also for oil changes I’ve used National near Wembley stadium. The online deal is very good value.
For tyres I’d say get runflats for peace of mind.
Otherwise you need a solution in case you get a flat . . . many potholes as Brent repair them cheaply or not at all.