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Tips for Getting Your BMW Serviced

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.

We Now Do Pre-Purchase Car Inspections

In order to further help owners of performance and supercars, or in this case, soon-to-be-owners, we are now offering per-purchase inspections specifically catered to performance, exotic and supercars.

From our workshop in Wairau, Auckland, we are able to offer thorough inspections to help you make a good purchase decision, no matter whether you are looking at a modified JDM, a classic Euro or a near new supercar.

As experts in building and servicing performance and supercars, we are able to offer a thorough pre-purchase inspection service that will help you see the true condition of the vehicle you intend to purchase.

We known the ins and outs of these cars and exactly what to look for and how to test them to make sure there are no hidden problems or potential issues that could arise in the near future and potentially cost you tens of thousands of dollars.

We go over the car in detail, checking all corners to ensure that you know exactly what you are buying.

What’s Included In Our Pre-Purchase Car Inspection

Engine Check
We scan the ECU for error codes (unless it’s a classic without an ECU) and go over the engine physically in detail to look for oil leaks and any other potential issues. We also look at the service history to ensure it has been looked after in the past.
Drivetrain & Mechanical Check
We inspect the drivetrain and transmission to make sure everything is in good running order. This includes running diagnostic scans on DCT type transmissions such as DSGs and PDKs to ensure there are no fault codes.
Suspension & Underbody Check
We go over the entire underbody and suspension in detail, looking for rust, corrosion, worn bushings and ball joints and anything else we can find.
Exterior Check
The exterior of the vehicle is inspected for any signs of body work and paint repair, if it has ever been in an accident, and if there is any rust or other damage to be aware of. We also carefully inspect the paintwork to make sure that it is as advertised and has been taken care of, and if there are any protective coatings.
Interior Check
We inspect the entire interior to ensure everything is in order including the entire cabin area, under dash and in the boot or luggage area.
Test Drive
Finally, we take the car out for a quality road test to ensure that it drives like it should and that there are no other issues to be aware of. Once we have completed the test drive and all other steps, we will write out the final report.

If you are looking to purchase a performance or supercar, getting it inspected is well worth your time and money, and could save you years of headache down the road, and potentially tens of thousands of dollars.

Get in contact with us today to arrange your pre-purchase inspection and we’ll let you know what the true condition of the car is!

Get Your 6 Speed DSG Serviced For $399 At Dodson!

Is it time to get your DSG serviced? If so, we at Dodson are currently offering servicing for 6 Speed DSG Transmissions for only $399!

We at Dodson are transmission specialists and are here to ensure that your DSG remains in optimal condition, performing as it should and being able to take whatever you throw at it.

While DSGs are excellent transmissions, they need to be taken care of and serviced correctly in order to perform at their peak and be reliable.

Our service is made to ensure that your DSG transmission is serviced to the highest of standards, using only the best quality oils and parts.

What’s Included In The 6 Speed DSG Transmission Service

Every DSG service we perform includes:

Scanning the car for any fault codes to ensure all sensors and pressures are correct
Draining the old transmission fluid and removing the filter
Replacing the filter and cleaning all components
Filling the transmission with new transmission fluid
Quality test drive to ensure everything is operating as it should
Optional clutch/gear calibration & adaption drive if the car requires it

Along with this, we are also equipped with ODIS, VAS and VCDS service tools, so we can diagnose and repair any problem that may arise with your DSG transmission.

This services including Volkswagen, Audi, Seat and Skoda vehicles which have the 6 speed DSG transmission.

Book your service in now by calling us on 09 441 3635 or emailing service@dodsonmotorsport.com.

A Couple of Audis Being Serviced At Dodson

We at Dodson specialise in servicing Audis and this month we’ve had a few interesting ones through our door. Most notable was this red S3, a white RS7 and a black S6 with a 5.2 litre V10 under the hood:

If you are looking to get your Audi serviced, we at Dodson are here to help. We offer comprehensive servicing options for Audis including engine, DSG transmission and Haldex servicing.

Audi Engine Service

Our Audi Engine Service option will ensure that your Audi is maintained beyond manufacturer’s specifications to ensure long life and optimal performance from your motor. We only use top quality oil and components from the best brands to ensure everything is done right, will last the test of time and will perform at it’s absolute best.

Whether it’s just a street car or you use the car form performance driving and track days, our service will ensure that everything is in good shape and ready to go, and that the car is prepared for what you have to throw at it.

Audi DSG Transmission Service

DSG transmissions need to be taken care of and properly serviced to ensure long life and optimal operating performance. As such, we offer DSG Transmission Servicing options that are done to the highest of standards, to not only ensure that your transmission has the best oils and parts, but that it is also operating correctly and that there are no other issues. With every DSG service we can the car for fault codes to make sure all sensors and pressures are correct, and we can perform a clutch and gear calibration and adaptation drive if needed. When your DSG leaves our shop, you know that it will be in 100% working order.

Audi Haldex Service

If your Audi’s Haldex also needs a service, we are able to perform that too. Just like with the engine and DSG transmission services, our Audi Haldex service uses only the best oils and components, and is done to a very high standard. We are also able to perform an optional pump and filter clean if required.

Get Your Audi Serviced Today!

To get your Audi serviced in Auckland by Dodson, ring us on 09 441 3635 or email service@dodsonmotorsport.com and we will get your Audi sorted!

June’s Been Busy… Here’s What’s Been Happening At Dodson

Nissan Silvia S14 Rocket Bunny Boss Widebody

June has been a busy month at Dodson, we’ve had a lot of interesting cars come through the shop for servicing as well as other jobs. Everything from Racecars to tuned road cars and supercars. Here’s a few we found particularly interesting:

First we had a BMW e92 M3 racecar in for a new clutch and billet sump:

Then we had a Skoda Octavia VRS in for some maintenance items:

After that a Volkswagen Golf GTI came in for a full brake upgrade before going on the track:

We also had the Nissan Silvia S14 with a Rocket Bunny Boss Widebody Kit come in for some performance upgrades:

Last but certainly not least we had a Porsche Panamera and an Alfa Romeo Giulia in for servicing:

If you need to get your car serviced, be sure to ring us on 09 441 3635 or email service@dodsonmotorsport.com.

Nissan Skyline GTR R34 Rebuild by Dodson

A ‘99 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR came to us at Dodson with a damaged motor due to some unknown previous debris that was left inside.

We set about rebuilding the motor which included replacing the pistons with new CP forged oversized units, all new ARP bolts and studs and ACL bearings through out. We fitted a Tomei MLS head gasket and oil restrictor, and an N1 Nissan oil pump. The cylinder head was given an OEM refresh. We also had the turbos rebuilt with new upgraded steel wheels.

Here is the engine complete and back in the car:

Then we put the car on the dyno:

It made 320whp on the factory boost controller. Not a bad result at all.

Mclaren 720s With NOVITEC Kit Serviced At Dodson

We recently serviced a special Mclaren 720s at Dodson Motorsport. The car came in for new front brake pads and a post track checkover.

What’s special about this car is it has a full NOVITEC kit with full carbon bonnet. NOVITEC offers these special kits for the 720s along with suspension, wheel, power and exhaust upgrades.

It certainly looks stunning especially in white, which contrasts beautifully with the carbon fibre.

If you need your supercar serviced, be sure to contact us today by calling 09 441 3635.

2700HP “King Kong” Nissan GTR

Recently, ST Hitech’s 2700HP King Kong Nissan GTR was back at Dodson Motorsport.

We originally built this car, and it includes our entire catalogue in the gearbox, along with many of our custom-made parts.

It has a complete carbon fibre body, with a hand-build 4130 chromoly tube chassis, weighing 500kg less than factory.

The front suspension geometry is the same as factory, but the rear has Ohlins TTX twin-tube dampers mounted horizontally to custom bell cranks. These Ohlins dampers are the same ones that come in the Nismo GT3 R35, however the spring rates in King Kong are much lower to achieve the squat needed for grip in drag racing.

For drag racing purposes, it has a lightweight brake kit with solid rotors and five-stud hubs, which get replaced for big brakes and centrelock hubs when it’s doing circuit racing.

The drag spec wheels it runs are Belak beadlocks with titanium hardware – 17×10 on the front and 15×10 on the rear.

Under the bonnet, the parts include a Diamond pistons, a billet crankshaft, billet alloy rods, CNC ported heads with custom cams with a duration higher than 300 degrees, and a custom billet 3.8L block, designed by us at Dodson and milled from a solid block of billet alloy. It also runs an enormous Precision turbo.

The engine block doesn’t actually have any water galleries. Instead, the engine is cooled by an electric water pump which sends water only to the heads and cools them through a small radiator which is under the side of the bumper. Most of the cooling comes from the methanol passing through the custom-made billet fuel rails with 1700cc and 5750cc injectors mounted in the custom billet and carbon fibre inlet manifold.

It certainly is a beast, and we are happy to see it back in our shop and still going strong.

We Service Nissan Skylines in Auckland

Dodson Motorsport has long been associated with Nissan Skylines and GTRs in New Zealand (and worldwide). We have an extensive history building performance Nissans which have set numerous records around the world. So naturally, we are able to service your Nissan Skyline right here in Auckland.

Whether you have an R32

R33

Or R34

We offer complete servicing options for both engine and transmission. We have been working on these cars for a long time so are able to make truly expert recommendations as to which is the best oil to go for depending on what you intend to use the car for, and any other things that we might recommend which will help to increase performance and durability.

After years of working on these cars, we took what we learnt and now use the best oils we have found which perform better and offer better protection in New Zealand conditions, especially for cars which are used for racing or performance driving.

If your Nissan Skyline is due for a service speak to us today by calling 09 441 3635 or emailing service@dodsonmotorsport.com and we will make sure it’s done better than anyone else.

Also, if you are looking to improve the performance of your Nissan Skyline, we are also able to help you there, by both making recommendations and supplying the parts. Give us a call to discuss that today!

We Offer Skoda DSG Oil Changes in Auckland

Do you have a Skoda with a DSG transmission and you need to get it serviced? We at Dodson Motorsport offer DSG servicing for all Skoda models.

DSG transmissions are very complex and their life expectancy depends on how they were serviced. Regular service intervals for DSGs are crucial to keep them in optimal condition.

How often you need to do this depends on the car and how it’s driven. A car that is driven in a more spirited manner or raced will need to have it serviced more often than one that is just being driven on the road.

The recommended service interval for most DSG equipped cars that are being driven normally is 60,000 kms or 6 years. If you drive your car hard, you’ll want to service it more often.

When we service your DSG transmission, we provide a complete service that ensures your transmission is operating as it should, and with the new oil is like new.

What this means is that before doing the fluid change we will scan the car for any fault codes to ensure the DSG is working properly and that all sensors and pressures are correct.

Once we make sure that everything is all right we will drain the old fluid and remove the old filter. Then we fill it with our specially mixed DMS high performance transmission fluid which has been specifically designed for DSG gearboxes and clean all components before putting it back together. Finally we install the new filter and a new drain plug gasket.

Once that is done, we will take the car for a test drive to ensure everything is operating correctly, that the gears are shifting smooth and that there are no other issues and will make any necessary adjustments. We can also perform an optional clutch and gear change calibration and adaption drive to solve any shifting problems.

To book your Skoda in for a DSG service give us a call on 09 441 3635 or email us on service@dodsonmotorsport.com.