Looking for Dual Clutch transmission components outside of New Zealand? If you own a BMW, no doubt you want to make sure that it’s looked after and serviced right.
When it comes to BMWs, especially modern ones, there are a couple of things you should know before taking it somewhere for a service.
In this post we will cover some important aspects of servicing your BMW so you don’t get caught unaware and potentially run into a problem.
Are BMWs Expensive to Service?
A common question that pops up is “are BMWs expensive to service?” The reason this is often asked is because BMWs are seen are upper end luxury or high performance cars, so people assume that they are expensive to service and maintain.
The truth is they they aren’t actually expensive to service, and that the service for a BMW shouldn’t cost you much more than a service would cost for other similar vehicles.
Can You Take Your BMW Anywhere to Get a Service?
Technically, yes. Nothing stops any mechanic from draining the old oil and filling it with new oil. And you certainly don’t have to go to a BMW dealer to get the service done. However, there are some steps that need to be taken to ensure the job is done right, especially on newer BMWs.
One example of this is how most BMWs since 2006 don’t have a dipstick, and instead uses sensors and a display in the instrument panel or iDrive system to give you the oil reading. However, this can take some time to calibrate after an oil change, and if the mechanic doesn’t know this, may end up incorrectly filling the car with either too much or too little oil.
Another thing to be aware of is that many BMW engines require particular oil to be used. If the incorrect oil is used, it can cause catastrophic damage to the motor that’s going to require an expensive rebuild. So you’ll want to be 100% sure the shop carrying out the service knows exactly what oil your particular car requires.
Where ever you decide to take your BMW to get serviced, make sure they know what they are doing, specifically with BMWs!
How to Check Your BMW’s Oil Level If It Has No Dip Stick
If your BMW doesn’t have a dipstick and you want to check the oil level, there are two ways you can do it.
If the car does not have iDrive:
- Start the car and warm up the engine to operating temperature (temperature gauge in the middle)
- Using the control stalk, go through the menu and select “Oil”
- Press the “BC” button
- Now you will see a display showing you how much oil you have
If the car does have iDrive:
- Start the car and warm it up to operating temperature (temperature gauge is in the middle)
- Using the iDrive controls, go to “Info”, then “Service”. On some iDrive versions, you will then need to select “Vehicle Status”
- Choose “Engine Oil Level”. You will see a display showing you how much oil you have
How to Reset the BMW Service Indicator Light?
Usually when a BMW is serviced, the shop carrying out the service should reset the service indicator light for you. However, if for some reason you need to do it yourself, you can follow this procedure to reset it at home without needing any special tools:
- Turn on the car’s accessories on but do not start the engine. If your car has a key, this is usually the second position. If your car has a push button start, some models will need you to push the button once, others may require you to push the button three times. Check the owner’s manual to make sure.
- There is a small button next to the odometer, usually on the bottom left corner of the dash cluster. Press and hold this button until the service message appears.
- Once you get this message, release the button and then press and hold it again until you get a display that says “Reset?”
- Release the button, then press and hold it again. You will get a display that says “Reset in Progress”, keep holding until you see the display say “Reset Successful”.
- Now turn the car off, and turn it back on again and fire up the engine. Make sure that the light has been properly reset.
How Long Does a BMW Service Take?
If you are getting your BMW serviced, no doubt you are eager to get the car back and get driving again. Servicing a BMW doesn’t take any longer than any other car, and at Dodson, BMW services are usually done within around 2 hours. If there’s any reason your service is taking longer than expected, we will notify you.
How Much Does a BMW Service Cost?
We at Dodson offer very competitive prices when it comes to BMW servicing.
Typical engine services which consist of replacing the engine oil & filter, installing a new sealing washer on the sump plug, checking and topping up any other fluids, checking and replacing the air filter if necessary, doing a vehicle safety check and test drive will cost you from $399, depending on the model.
If you need to get your auto or DCT transmission serviced, that typically involves scanning the car for any fault codes, replacing the oil and filter, the sump gasket, taking it for a test drive and doing a clutch and gear calibration if necessary, and that costs from $599 depending on the model.
Get Your BMW Serviced Today
If it’s time to get your BMW serviced, make sure you give us a call 09 441 3635. We specialise in servicing BMWs and will ensure that yours gets serviced to the highest possible standard, using only the best oils and parts.