How to keep your BMW in tip top shape?

[1lum1nat1]

Hello fellow fanatics.

I've just received my BMW & I'd like to get some info on how to keep her in the best shape. I've got a few specific questions I'd like to ask, but if you've got more info/suggestions please feel free to share.

Firstly, I know this is kind of a noob question, but what petrol should I use? There's only one place in Bloem that pumps 95 & thats Shell & it's a bit out of my way. Do certain brands (like BP/Sasol etc.) make a difference to your consumption?

Car care. I don't want to skimp on paint protection, but I don't have an arm & a leg to spend on these things. What products should I use to wash/polish the car & how often can one polish it? Leather care? & what about the rest of the interior?

How do you clean your engine bay?

Regards, Lance

 

[SirSparky]

dude,what bmw did u get?

 

[freerider]

Hey Lance, I just realized that I didnt reply to your PM :hammerhead: sorry :mmm:

Make that trip out of the way for 95 dude, the higher octane is what your car loves. Its like the difference between feeding your dog bread crumbs or quality food

WRT caring for your cab, do not skimp and scrape when it comes to car care products, get some good stuff, and use it as directed. Try and keep your car clean, its easier to maintain than to do a hell of a cleaning mission everytime

A quality car shampoo should be top of your list with a good wax, NOT a wash 'n wax shampoop thing.

Microfiber microfiber microfiber, I cannot say this enough! throw that leather/pleather chamois away, now! and get yourself some good quality microfiber cloths/towels you will not look back.

 

[1lum1nat1]

dude,what bmw did u get?

I got a 2004 330i A/T with 106k on the clock. I'll put some decent pics up when I get her cleaned thoroughly.

Thanks Freerider, I'll go to Kloppers today & see what I can get regarding car care products.

What should I use for the leather seats/dash? How can I get color back on the back body mouldings?

 

[freerider]

dude,what bmw did u get?

I got a 2004 330i A/T with 106k on the clock. I'll put some decent pics up when I get her cleaned thoroughly.

Thanks Freerider, I'll go to Kloppers today & see what I can get regarding car care products.

What should I use for the leather seats/dash? How can I get color back on the back body mouldings?

From the retail stores you will more than likely be able to get both Megiuars and Sonax products, do not use a cheap trim restorer, as it will more than likely be or contain silicone, which will attract dust like crazy, and eventually make your trim look white and blotchy.

I think meguiars has an aloe leather cleaner and treatment which should be available from retailers, I know game and makro stock them, Midas as well.

 

[Hellas]

Congrats on the new ride Lance! How we get some pics soon!

 

[BimmerMan]

Firstly, I know this is kind of a noob question, but what petrol should I use? There's only one place in Bloem that pumps 95 & thats Shell & it's a bit out of my way. Do certain brands (like BP/Sasol etc.) make a difference to your consumption?

Hi Lance

Congrats on the new car! Hope it gives you many years of trouble free motoring :thumbsup:

To reply to your question, BMW recommends that you use an octane higher than 89 Octane...so the regular 93 octane will work perfectly. I myself use 93 in both my 5 and 7. I use to be religous in using 95, but the difference really is so little that its not worth it (for me anyway). I certainly would not drive out of my way to put 95 in vs 93.

Brands of fuel on the other hand are more important. I would try and stick either with BP or Sasol...maybe Shell at a stretch. Would avoid places like Engen, Excel, Caltex etc...not had good experiences with them!

 

[1lum1nat1]

Thanks guys I think with time I'll get lazy & just use Sasol 93 as it's just around the corner from me.

I saw some people recommend Chemical guys above all else, but I think they might be out of my budget, so I'll see what I can get that won't break the bank.

I see everybody tries to avoid silicon, so I guess thats the primary concern.

Anybody got some tips regarding the engine bay?

 

[Gizmo]

I get more range on 95 than 93. Sasol/BP/Shell are good.

What did you pay for the 330i? Did it still have motorplan? Go to a BMW dealership and request a printout of the service history of your vehicle, you will need the Vin number. Did your car get the crucial 100 000km inspection service? Look in your service book.

 

[Nic_s]

Megiuars FTW!! :thumbsup:

Pics here: http://www.bmwfanatics.co.za/showthread.php?tid=869

 

[andrewbuch]

Get some engine cleaner, my favorite is prepsol as its safe on plastics and mags and everything. First thing in the morning when the engine is cold, parked in shade. Spray engine lceaner all over engine area, use a paintbrush(cover the metal with insulation tape to avoid scratching and cuts) then agitate the really dirty sections. leave for about 10-15minutes and wash off with hose.

 

[1lum1nat1]

I get more range on 95 than 93. Sasol/BP/Shell are good.

What did you pay for the 330i? Did it still have motorplan? Go to a BMW dealership and request a printout of the service history of your vehicle, you will need the Vin number. Did your car get the crucial 100 000km inspection service? Look in your service book.

R140k with 106k on the clock. Got a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty for R4200. I got a printout of all the services & it got the BMW inspection @ 52k & on 92k.

 

[freerider]

What he said... ^^^^^

Just DO NOT use high pressure spray in there.

 

[andrewbuch]

Thats why I said hose it off. I have used high pressure cleaners before but made sure to avoid the electrics(E30 distributer, plugs, fuse box) it all seemed ok.
Did the E36 the other day with the hose and when I was finished I ran the car and it spluttered a bit while I drove around, obviously some water went into somewhere it was not meant to.

 

[SpeedTec]

Hey congrats on the new ride! As far as fuel in concerned i would say Shell or BP 95. I tried almost all of the fuel brands and got the most out of a tank from BP and Shell. As far as car care i would say Meguiars products are the best. I have been using them since i bought the car and i can definitely say the colour has improved.

Meguiars FTW!:thumbsup:

 

[plonkster]

R140k with 106k on the clock. Got a 2 year unlimited mileage warranty for R4200. I got a printout of all the services & it got the BMW inspection @ 52k & on 92k.

Check the paperwork for the warranty carefully. Some of them cover very little. For example, I have on of those McCarthy Luxi things that cover engine breakages up to R10k. Now on a BMW, especially the Diesel, any major breakage is going to be more than 10k. Lose a Turbo and it will cost at least double that. Lose the swirl flaps en jy is regtig in jou moer in.

In addition, you have to either service the car with the agents (costa quanta), or with an RMI approved shop every six months (which is silly since I only do enough mileage for a service every ten months).

Now... don't even get me started on medical aid. At 300% NHRPL you still don't haver enough cover in some cases...

 

[NoFear]

Hey congrats on the new ride! As far as fuel in concerned i would say Shell or BP 95. I tried almost all of the fuel brands and got the most out of a tank from BP and Shell. As far as car care i would say Meguiars products are the best. I have been using them since i bought the car and i can definitely say the colour has improved.

+1

 

[1lum1nat1]

Thanks for the replies guys. Filled her with some 95 from Shell & I got a few products. A Meguiars wash & wax kit, some Holts leather cleaner & a bottle of Shield tyre gloss. I could'nt get alot of Meguiars' products, but got these from Game. I'll go have a look @ builders warehouse, but I'm afraid if they stock Meguiars they will be super expensive.

I tried to clean the exhaust tip with some Silvo, it looks a bit better but still not that new shine you get from a new tip

So some of the direct family members took the car for a drive today & I heard a "beep" noise. It happened twice, but I could'nt identify it. Any idea where to start looking? I'm not sure whether it happens @ a certain speed, but I'll check again tomorrow morning.


Man, it surely is a pleasure sriving this car. I love it to bits & I guess the relationship will grow in leaps in bounds the next few weeks

 

[calypso]

Hour gong?
Megs is not bad, whats more important is procedure and technique. But that will take too long to explain here.
Don can we link to www.waxon.co.za to detailing advice?

 

[plonkster]

So some of the direct family members took the car for a drive today & I heard a "beep" noise. It happened twice, but I could'nt identify it. Any idea where to start looking? I'm not sure whether it happens @ a certain speed, but I'll check again tomorrow morning.

My car beeps if the hand-brake isn't pushed all the way down. Perhaps?