BMW Inspection

[Rooz]

Would someone please state the levels of inspection and what each involves?

[Storamin]

http://www.pelicanparts.com/bmw/tech...check_list.htm

Hope that helps.

[Rooz]

From that link /\

Inspection I

The Inspection I Service is recommended every 20,000 miles. Always remember to change the oil in your car every three months or 3,000 miles along with the filter. This will help keep your engine clean and well lubricated.

Undercarriage

1. Change engine oil and filter oil while engine is at normal operation temperature.

2. Check transmission for leaks.

3. Check rear axle for leaks.

4. Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system.

5. Visually check fuel tank, lines and connections for leaks.

6. Check power steering system for leaks.

7. Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads.

8. Examine brake disc surface

9. Clean brake pad contact points in calipers

10. Grease wheel center hubs.

11. Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage, and joint disc.

12. Check front control arm bushings for wear.

13. Check brake and clutch system connectors and lines for leaks, damage and incorrect positioning.

14. Check for free movement of parking brake cables. Adjust parking brake as necessary.

15. Check all tire pressures including spare tire. Correct if necessary.

16. Check condition of tires, tread wear, and pattern. Replace tires and readjust alignment as needed.

Engine Compartment

1. Read out diagnostic system codes using code reader.

2. Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks.

3. Check coolant level and anti-freeze ratio to water. Add coolant as needed.

4. Check level of brake and clutch fluid in reservoir. Add fluid as needed.

5. Check windshield washer fluid level. Add fluid as needed.

6. Check air conditioning system for operation.

7. Reset service indicator.

Body/Electrical Equipment

1. Check battery electrolyte level and add distilled water if required.

2. Perform battery load test.

3. Check lighting system, i.e. headlights, fog lights, parking, backup, license plate, interior (including map lights), glove box, flashlight, illuminated makeup mirrors, and luggage compartment lights.

4. Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.

5. Check all warning/indicator lights, check control.

6. Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, and the headlight dimmer/flasher switch.

7. Check wiper and washer systems, wiper blades, and washer jet positions.

8. Check condition and function of safety belts.

9. Oil trunk, hood, and door hinges.

10. Grease hood, trunk and door latches and check operation of all latches.

11. Check central locking system.

12. Replace microfilter in HVAC system

13. Check heater/air conditioner blower, rear window defogger

14. Check rear view mirrors

15. Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn covers or damage.

Final Inspection

1. Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, and clutch/manual transmission or automatic transmission.

Inspection II

The Inspection 2 service is more involved than the initial Inspection Service and is generally carried out by your local dealer at around 40,000 miles. This is the list of actions normally performed in this service. Usually this is the point where you would replace items such as spark plugs and filters. Keep in mind that Pelican Parts can supply you with all these replacement parts.

Undercarriage

1. Change engine oil and filter oil while engine is at normal operating temperature.
2. Check transmission for leaks.
3. Check rear axle for leaks.
4. Visually check fuel tank, lines and connections for leaks.
5. Check condition, position, and mounting of exhaust system. Check for leaks.
6. Check power steering system for leaks.
7. Check overall thickness of front and rear disc brake pads.
8. Examine brake disc surfaces.
9. Clean brake pad contact points in calipers.
10. Grease wheel center hubs.
11. Check steering for absence of play, condition of suspension track rods, front axle joints, steering linkage, and joint disc.
12. Check front control arm bushing for wear.
13. Check brake and clutch system connectors and lines for leaks, damage, and incorrect positioning.
14. Check for free movement of the parking brake cables. Adjust parking brake as needed.
15. Check all tire pressures including spare. Correct if needed.
16. Check condition of tires, outer surfaces, tread wear and pattern; In case of uneven tread wear readjust wheel alignment if required.
17. Check thickness of parking brake linings.
18. Check CV boots for tears or damage. Replace if necessary.

Engine Compartment

1. Read out diagnostic system codes using code reader.
2. Check engine cooling system/heater hose connections for leaks.
3. Check coolant level and anti-freeze content level. Add coolant as needed.
4. Check level of brake and clutch fluid in reservoir. Add fluid if needed.
5. Check windshield washer fluid level. Add fluid if needed.
6. Check air conditioner for operation.
7. Reset service indicator
8. Replace spark plugs
9. Replace air filter
Body/Electrical Equipment
1. Check battery electrolyte level and add distilled water if needed.
2. Perform battery load test.
3. Check lighting system, i.e. headlights, fog lights, parking, backup, license plate, interior including map lights, glove box, flashlight, illuminated makeup mirrors, and luggage compartment lights.
4. Check instrument panel and dashboard illumination.
5. Check all warning/indicator lights and check control.
6. Check turn signals, hazard warning flashers, brake lights, horns, and the headlight dimmer/flasher switch.
7. Check wiper and washer system), wiper blades, washer jet positions.
8. Check condition and function of safety belts.
9. Oil hood, trunk/tailgate, and door hinges.
10. Grease hood, trunk/tailgate and door latches. Check operation of all latches.
11. Check central locking/double lock.
12. Replace microfilter.
13. Check heater/air conditioner blower, rear window defogger.
14. Check rear view mirrors
15. Visually examine the SRS airbag units for torn cover, obvious damage or attachment of decals, decorations, or accessories.

Final Inspection

1. Road test with check of brakes, suspension, steering, clutch/manual transmission or automatic transmission.

[Rooz]

So, is that what dealer would do if u ask them for an Inspection I or II ?

Sorry, just never had an owner's manual

[komodo]

It's what they SHOULD do, and it's what you pay for.... however I doubt they actually do all that. For example, I wonder how many dealerships do:

Grease hood, trunk/tailgate and door latches. Check operation of all latches.

on an inspection ii? heh

[Dudesky]

Rooz, you're not seriously thinking of doing it are you? I'm not sure they'd touch your car, having been modified and all. Your best bet is to do it yourself, save the money.

I imagine they have a checklist to fill out when they do the inspections, but they're probably more diligent about it on cars still under warranty or out on a lease

[Rooz]

Originally Posted by Dudesky

Rooz, you're not seriously thinking of doing it are you? I'm not sure they'd touch your car, having been modified and all. Your best bet is to do it yourself, save the money.

I imagine they have a checklist to fill out when they do the inspections, but they're probably more diligent about it on cars still under warranty or out on a lease

Oh no, I was just curious...

[Antiburn]

ACtually I personally do grease hinges and latches, one thing I dont really do is check over the interior options, fan speeds mirror lights ect little things like that. I do make sure all the seat belt latches latch and check all the exterior lights.

But if aony of you take your car in for an inspection your more then likely paying cash, which techs get paid more time for doing then warranty work, so dont be surprized if they call you with a laundry list of things your car needs. Expect suspension, rotate balance, alignment engine belts. There usually the main things we try to sell since they pay pretty good.

[Rooz]

Originally Posted by Antiburn

ACtually I personally do grease hinges and latches, one thing I dont really do is check over the interior options, fan speeds mirror lights ect little things like that. I do make sure all the seat belt latches latch and check all the exterior lights.

But if aony of you take your car in for an inspection your more then likely paying cash, which techs get paid more time for doing then warranty work, so dont be surprized if they call you with a laundry list of things your car needs. Expect suspension, rotate balance, alignment engine belts. There usually the main things we try to sell since they pay pretty good.

So, you'r saying most of the things on that list actually get done when people take there cars to BMW for either Inspection I or II?

[Dudesky]

Originally Posted by Antiburn

But if aony of you take your car in for an inspection your more then likely paying cash, which techs get paid more time for doing then warranty work, so dont be surprized if they call you with a laundry list of things your car needs. Expect suspension, rotate balance, alignment engine belts. There usually the main things we try to sell since they pay pretty good.

Now here's an honest guy!

[Antiburn]

Originally Posted by Rooz

So, you'r saying most of the things on that list actually get done when people take there cars to BMW for either Inspection I or II?

Yea because the more that we find wrong, the more you buy, the more money we make.

[94bmw325i]

honesty for the win! How much would you guys charge to fix an e36 325i, that has an oil leak by the oil pan? An estimate, lets just say that I wanted the oil pan gasket replaced.

[Antiburn]

4-7 hours labor, depending on dealership/service writer. The front sub frame has to be dropped which isnt bad. I know we get about 8 for bearing recalls on E46 M3's which we have to drop the fronttal sub frame and oil pan.

[TJsBimm]

Alignment, dealership did it and still fucked it up, they did it in Nov and then the one wheel on the rear PS ( lowered as well) but they had the toe in way too much and it was hard to keep straight in wind and snow. They said they would check it, never did.....dealerships make you think something is wrong and then half ass fix it! CHA CHING!!!!!!! Haven't gone back, have a real euro specialist fixin my ride now!

[Storamin]

know how i got a good alignment at the dealership? I went back with the guy and told him the specs

[TJsBimm]

Ya all it takes is one dumb ass to say I think i can. It's not that hard to align a car at the cost they charge.

[Antiburn]

When we do alignments they tell us that they want a print out stapled to the repair order showing all the % of adjustments and whats in and whats out.

[Storamin]

The equipment they use (Hunter) did not tell the tech to adjust the rear lower control arm... I literally got under there myself and did it for him because he didn't know how. And this is why I don't normally go to the dealership.

[nightdevils]

antiburn, thanks for being honest, and rooz dude do the inspection yourself. Its easy as hell if you have the bentley manuals, they explain everything. And both of them are doable by enthusiasts... just need a few tools.

PS, I was going to get the dealership do it till I found out they will charge 300 bucks for checking lights, seatbelts, etc, etc.. they also check the under the car which is important (but bentley guides you). so save the money or spend it on mods/parts instead of labor.

[nightdevils]

Oh haha this is an old thread </