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Q. How much does Inspection II cost and what does it include?
A. Anywhere from $300 to $800 depending on the dealer and what they actually do. Your local dealer should have a list of every procedure performed and it is up to you to verify whether it abides by BMW's recommended procedures outlined in your owners manual. An online list of those procedures can also be found at BimmerZone at http://www.bimmerzone.com/inspection.htm.
Q. How much oil does the space between the dipstick high and low marks represent?
A. 1.06 quarts
Q. What was the factory fill motor oil?
A. The factory fill was either BMW Mineral Based Oil (15W-40) (most M3s) or BMW Longlife Synthetic Oil (5W-40) (some 1999 M3s).
Q. What motor oil type and viscosity is recommended?
A. BMW released a service interval bulletin (SIB #110400) to modify recommended oil for the 'M' series engines. Also note that the synthetic oil listed below is manufactured by Castrol and is likely a custom blend exclusively for BMW. Mobil 1 and Valvoline synthetic oils are also approved by BMW. The recommended oils have been changed to:
BMW High Performance Mineral Based Oil (SAE 15W-40)
P/N 07.51.0.017.868
BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil (SAE 5W-30)
P/N 07.51.0.017.866
According to BMW, for reliable engine performance in all temperature ranges mineral based engine oil viscosity must be matched to the temperature range at which the vehicle will be operated. Check the temperature viscosity chart in the Owners Manual or Operating Fluids Manual for further information.
Q. How do I change the engine oil?
A. BMW's use of a filter canister allows for a simpler oil change without the mess. A detailed explanation of a standard DIY M3 oil change can be found at http://www.bmw-m.net/TechProc/oilchange.htm or at http://www.dol.net/~stimpee/e36_ofc1.htm.
Q. How do I change the manual transmission and differential fluids?
A. Changing the transmission and differential fluids is rather straightforward and detailed information can be found at Ron Stygar’s web page for manual transmission fluid at http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_change_manual_transmission_fluid.html and differential fluid changing at http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/drivetrain/e36_final_drive_fluid_change.html.
Q. What fluid is recommended for manual transmissions?
A. There is little wrong with BMW's recent use of lifetime factory fill transmission oil (BMW MTF LT-1). However, some M3 transmissions may exhibit notchiness and minor grinding when engaging gears especially in colder weather. A simple yet effective solution is to change your existing fluid to Redline D4 ATF Lubricant.
Q. How can I reset my service interval lights?
A. A special reset tool is needed, however rather than buying one, instructions on how to make your own are available at Ron Stygar's web page at http://www.unofficialbmw.com/e36/electrical/e36_reset_service_lights.html.
Q. What is bad about using a car wash (automatic and touchless)?
A. Automatic car washes should be avoided for a couple of reasons: the M3's DME is particularly susceptible to flooding (there have been numerous problems with this) and the more obvious is potential damage to the vehicle's finish. The large rotary brushes and sponge-like devices may look clean, but after washing countless other vehicles, dirt, sand, and chemicals are trapped and ready to be redeposited on your finish. Your vehicle's finish will suffer micro scratching and any useful layer of wax will most likely be removed. Another problem is the water filtration system used by car washes. Most of the water is recycled to keep operational costs down and the process retains dirt and chemicals in the closed loop system. This is the primary reason why touchless car washes, while somewhat better that the automatic washes, should be avoided as well.
Q. What are the proper methods of: vehicle detailing, repairing paint chips, etc.?
A. While I could spend a significant amount of time discussing this topic, Car Care Specialties Online has compiled an excellent selection of articles on the topic at http://www.carcareonline.com/howto.aspx.
Q. How do I clean and protect my leather seats?
A. Most leather products available leave a wet look and make the leather extremely slippery. A quality leather treatment is somewhat difficult to find, but Lexol and Leatherique are two companies offering cleaners and conditioners created to properly detail leather, leaving it soft, supple, and not slippery.
Q. What can I do to clean my side moldings?
A. Because the black plastic moldings have a rough texture, removing wax build up can become very frustrating. Outlined below are several effective procedures, but before you attempt any of them, I recommend masking off the areas above and below the trim or remove it entirely so you don't damage your paint.
Q. Where can I purchase original BMW parts at the best prices?
A. For savings close to 40% off retail prices and BMW CCA member discounts, visit the following dealers: