E36 1992-1998 318i, 325i, 328i Maintenance
Note about Routine BMW Recommended services
BMW utilizes a system of lights on each car which are designed to tell the car
owner when services are needed. These lights and this service scheme WILL get the car
through the warranty period, but are NOT reliable guides for the long-term health of
the vehicle. The BMW Inspection system is a good system, especially when performed
on a regular schedule. We strongly recommend more frequent oil changes than the
lights will indicate, based on miles driven, and we further recommend Major Services
at 15,000 mile or about one year intervals.
Oil Changes---recommended at 3000-5000 mile intervals
We exclusively use Castrol 20W50 [or Castrol Syntec
5W50 synthetic oil] for
Texas climates, all year long. We always use this opportunity to check over your car so
as to prevent future surprises. We check hoses, belts, fluids, brakes, drivetrain, steering,
etc---all to keep you safe and reliable.
Terry Sayther Automotive HIGHLY recommends using synthetic oil for VANOS engines.
We reserve time every
morning at 8 AM for oil changes WHILE YOU WAIT!
No appointment needed, just come on in.
Inspection I Checklist---recommended at 30,000
mile intervals, alternating with the Insp II each
15,000 miles
This is a glorified oil change, as recommended by BMW. It includes all the Insp
II services itemized below, and an oil change. We separate out the oil change to give our
customers more flexibility.
Inspection II Checklist---recommended at 30,000
mile intervals, alternating with the Insp I each
15,000 miles
The Inspection II
includes checking over the car from one end to the other:
thoroughly checking for items of safety or reliability concern. These include
hoses,
belts, fluids, lights, horn, charging system and battery, etc. We also lubricate
latches
and hinges, check brakes, steering, suspension, driveshaft, wheel bearing play,
and
more---every little detail you would want checked before a trip, before you
gave the car
to your mother or daughter, or simply to maintain your investment in its best
possible,
most reliable, condition.
Major Tune---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
Includes replacement of spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, checking and
replacing any vacuum hoses needed, checking mixture and idle, test driving.
The climate
control system of these cars contains a microfilter designed to
remove contaminants from the air before it enters the passenger compartment.
When
these replaceable filters become quite plugged they reduce the air volume and
hence the
efficiency of the heater and air conditioner. We recommend they be replaced
at each
Inspection or about every year.
Coolant Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals
Brake Fluid Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals
Transmission Fluid Change
Standard transmission: recommended fluid change at 30,000 mile intervals
Automatic transmission: BMW recommends fluid changes at 30,000 mile
intervals OR MORE OFTEN under severe conditions. We consider Texas heat
to be severe conditions and recommend auto trans fluid changes every 15,000
miles.
Differential Fluid change---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
Wheel Alignment---recommended every year
To keep from needlessly wasting tires and maximize your BMW performance,
we recommend alignment every year.