S54 1250 mile service
S54 1250 mile service
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evenflow

Original Poster:

8,847 posts

306 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
I'm looking at an S54 engined car at the moment that, according to the service book, hasn't had the 1250 service.

Is there anyway to check using the numberplate? I'm hoping that it has had it but just didn't get the book stamped.

If not, what's the potential issues that this can cause?

LC23

1,310 posts

249 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
General consensus is that it can damage the engine longer term as they use a different oil when running the engine in. No 1,250 mile service done on time - walk away.

Great Pretender

26,140 posts

238 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Indeed, don't touch a car that hasn't had the service (but I assume you know that anyway).

Phone BMW Customer Services with the reg number and they'll be able to help you.

evenflow

Original Poster:

8,847 posts

306 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Thanks both. This car hasn't had the running in service according to BMW UK. They stated that this would (should) significantly reduce the value of the car and they almost certainly wouldn't buy it back from me if I was to ever want to part-ex it with them.

He's also asking top money for it, so time to move on I feel.

frown

Great Pretender

26,140 posts

238 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Don't even consider it. You'll never get a warranty on it and you'll never sell it again.

There are plenty cars out there so don't be taken in by a desireable spec or close location.

Mark355

92 posts

258 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Was the car red by any chance?

mat205125

17,790 posts

237 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
I can understand the concensus above regarding the position with regards to potential px value into a main dealer, or warranty concerns, however I'd be interested to know whether peoples opinions remain as fixated if the car is older / higher mileage.

If the car is an early car which may be well past 100k miles by now, and is exibiting no signs of accelerated wear, yet misses the stamp / BMW UK record, is it really that much of an issue? - Or, is the concensus that no car would ever make it to this age without a rebuild or without the bottom end falling out if the 1250 miles service was missed??

Great Pretender

26,140 posts

238 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
mat205125 said:
I can understand the concensus above regarding the position with regards to potential px value into a main dealer, or warranty concerns, however I'd be interested to know whether peoples opinions remain as fixated if the car is older / higher mileage.

If the car is an early car which may be well past 100k miles by now, and is exibiting no signs of accelerated wear, yet misses the stamp / BMW UK record, is it really that much of an issue? - Or, is the concensus that no car would ever make it to this age without a rebuild or without the bottom end falling out if the 1250 miles service was missed??
I'm not sure the cars are old enough yet to make an accurate assessment. However, when you consider that the 'running in' oil used is designed simply to allow the mechanicals to bed in and in no way to provide suitable lubrication under hard or sustained use, one must conclude that the engine and drivetrain would be put under excessive stress where this essential service has been missed.

I wouldn't want that on my conscience with a car out of warranty...

Mark355

92 posts

258 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Great Pretender said:
I'm not sure the cars are old enough yet to make an accurate assessment. However, when you consider that the 'running in' oil used is designed simply to allow the mechanicals to bed in and in no way to provide suitable lubrication under hard or sustained use, one must conclude that the engine and drivetrain would be put under excessive stress where this essential service has been missed.

I wouldn't want that on my conscience with a car out of warranty...
That's the most succinct explanation I've read to date on why this really could be an issue.

I've seen an S54 engined car I'm interested in and whilst the 1200 mile service was undertaken, it was undertaken 7000 (that's not a typo) miles after it should have been. BMW UK explained that if an issue was potentially attributable to the service being undertaken late, then a warranty claim would be unsuccessful.

Disappointingly, I think that counts me out...

evenflow

Original Poster:

8,847 posts

306 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Mark355 said:
Was the car red by any chance?
Nope.

KENZ

1,229 posts

217 months

Wednesday 24th March 2010
quotequote all
Just add my tuppence worth. When my car approached it 1200 mile service the last 100+ miles of it, the engine sounded like a bag of nails. I remember when driving it to the dealers and wondering if something more serious was wrong. Got it back after the engine/diff oil change and you would not believe the difference. Like another car..

So walk away if it's never had it.. I think BMW allow upto 1900 miles before it affects your warrenty..God knows how anyone could miss it, there's stickers everywhere telling you when to service.

Just had my 1st service. i.e oil change carried out as the 2 years is up and tbh the engine sounded fine before and after. So the car must use a thinner oil during the running in process.

Edited by KENZ on Wednesday 24th March 23:00