F30 335d - prospective purchase but what does this service ind mean?

Hey guys - first post and all that, hi

I've my eye on a 2014 335d, but the service history in the idrive has a few amber OK's, which although done a little late, have been done so not too concerned.

One of them however has an amber '!', and when you click into it, it has two items:

1. OK - Brake Fluid - Carried out late: 12 months
2. ! - Vehicle inspection - Service overdue: 3 months

What should I make of this? Is number 2 referring to an MOT, or a bigger inspection that's not been completed?

Cheers guys and sorry if this is obvious - I have researched before asking here ;)

 

Vehicle inspection is the MOT. You can increment the date for the next MOT via the i-Drive which will clear the message.

There is also a Vehicle Check, similar to an MOT... just a means by which they use to cream off a bit more of your hard earned. Think it's scheduled for every 4 years

 

As Adie says, it’s the MOT. Has been known for the dealers to get the date of these wrong, so when the car is actually tested it t looks wrong on the system.
Have you checked the MOT history?

https://www.gov.uk/check-mot-history

 

Having owned 3 of these I would be doing a more comprehensive check using a decent OBD fault code reader & look at DPF ash loading, glow plugs etc as they hide a great deal of issues and are not a cheap car to repair. All the idrive stuff is basic, be-aware that they can all suffer from idrive failure (no signal issue) which is a £2K repair without a bmw warranty. The fix that bmw producued doesn't always work so a complete new unit and coding is required (I have had 2 cars with this issue). I would suggest googling it

 

Hi , mine defaults to EcoPro, but that is thanks to bimmercode, iirc comfort is the defaut, along with start-stop 'on', unless you bimmercode it to remember the last state on turning off.

 

Yes indeed mine is the same

 

If that's all that's noted they don't seem like much to bother about subject to the above advice from others and a good service history. Th F1x 5's are the only cars I've had where the brake fluid reservoir is not readillly accessible, and where the service schedule/stealers insist on bi-yearly changes, although not an bad practice.
My first BM a 520d did (90K+ miles in my ownership) and the only issue was a slightly worn lower front arm ball joint which was replaced under warranty at about 25k. Rear pads at ~35K, and full set of disks and pads at ~80K.Other than that general tlc, keeping the undersides clean and cared for.

Current x35d has done ~40K, and touching wood zero problems other than a split oil filter housing split ring, and the egr changed as part of the recall.
However, I replace the oil at half the BMW service requirements so either ~9K or 1 year whichever is the earliest with Castrol edge or Mobil 1 with a dose of molyslip and diff oil @ ~35-45K.
I keep meaning to do the trans oil, now have all the materials, just need the impetus and some dry weather...

 

I hope you have the correct process for doing the trans oil? It is not simple up on ramps + genuine ZF parts & fluid are a must have! The genuine kit is over £400.00 without labour and a warm fluid flush which is also part of the process, hence the reason mine goes to a gearbox specialist who uses genuine ZF parts.

Total cost £360.00 inc vat this includes a hot fluid flush after draining a complete new pan & gasket, 7ltrs of the correct fluid, correct filling procedure at temp & disposal of the old oil. He even show's me a sample of the oil fluid and the magnets after draining.

Worth every penny!

 

No where near me to do it, even contemplated a 'holiday' over to ZF in Germany... Yep, have all genuine ZF parts and lifegaurd 8, odbc trans temp reader, and the ZP process guide for filling, watching the temps and running through gears etc. and will be making sure I can undo the fill/level plug before proceeding.
Wasn't that long ago I've done a CVT which was also a sump off for full drain and filter, which had a fair amount of 'gear' cycling and temp monitoring etc. which was well worth doing for the resulting smoothnes

 

Where abouts are you ?

 

Sunny (!) Ulverston.

 

About 5 hr / 286 miles from my indy....not worth a day out then?

 

Hmm lets say 5 -6, then a couple of hours to do the work, maybe quite a bit longer as I'd get there 'hot' given all the temps requirements, then 5-6hrs back...
Or have i missed the overnight, lunch and dinner invitations? ;-p

I might as well continue on to Germany for their service... https://forum.bmw5.co.uk/topic/132157-trip-to-zf-dortmund/ which looks really good?
S

 

My old 15 reg 535d went through two EGR coolers in 30k miles, they were replaced under warranty. Maybe check it’s been done before purchase.