Service costs

[Waldek]

Good day all

I just want to know...

I shall either be buying a e36 316i or a e36 323i.

The question is:

Services. How much will I have to fork out for...

1. Inspection service

and


2. Oil service

or did it change a little since the e30 (box shape?)

 

[yush1]

Agents or on your own?

 

[Waldek]

Agents or on your own?

Its an old car, so prferably not at the BMW agents, but at an accredited RMI motor mechanic.

 

[VinceM]

Quite a few variables to consider.

Some of us with older vehicles out of motorplan prefer to purchase OEM parts and take it to a specialist or DIY.

OEM parts are reasonably priced but not cheap.
Major Service
Full service
1. Spark plugs
2. Filters (micro, air, oil)
3. Oil
R3500 with negotiations of a discount, you can get away with R3150

Minor service
1. Oil from BMW, 7 1l bottles R700 (rounded), from Midas or so R600 (5l + 1l)
2. Oil and air Filters approx R600
R1300

I sometimes take advantage of oil service specials (and get my service book stamped whilst I'm at it. Last one I paid R950 :smilebounce:


labour: going rate is between R400 to R550 per hour.

If you prefer taking to a "rmi" workshop, I found Bosch to be reasonable

 

[Waldek]

Quite a few variables to consider.

Some of us with older vehicles out of motorplan prefer to purchase OEM parts and take it to a specialist or DIY.

OEM parts are reasonably priced but not cheap.
Major Service
Full service
1. Spark plugs
2. Filters (micro, air, oil)
3. Oil
R3500 with negotiations of a discount, you can get away with R3150

Minor service
1. Oil from BMW, 7 1l bottles R700 (rounded), from Midas or so R600 (5l + 1l)
2. Oil and air Filters approx R600
R1300

I sometimes take advantage of oil service specials (and get my service book stamped whilst I'm at it. Last one I paid R950 :smilebounce:


labour: going rate is between R400 to R550 per hour.

If you prefer taking to a "rmi" workshop, I found Bosch to be reasonable

Thanx ever so much

It is the e36 models.

316i and/or 323i

 

[VinceM]

316i is a four cylinder engine
323i is a six cylinder

Thus the number of spark plugs required reduces
As well as the size of the oil capacity.

316i will be much cheaper. For an older BMW , I would recommend a 6 cylinder.

 

[Waldek]

316i is a four cylinder engine
323i is a six cylinder

Thus the number of spark plugs required reduces
As well as the size of the oil capacity.

316i will be much cheaper. For an older BMW , I would recommend a 6 cylinder.

Thank you so much. I am prone to a 6 cylinder

 

[yush1]

I suggest Goldwagen for parts.

 

[msm]

On a 20 year old E36, a better idea would be to go see a decent reputable BMW specialist/mechanic and get an idea of annual running costs based on cars that they are working on - of similar age. If you can, take the car you're interested in purchasing to them for a complete check. It might cost you a few hundred rands to do so, but save you lots in the long run.

The inspection/oil service means little once a car typically goes beyond 10-15 years.

A car with a pedantic previous owner who did a fair bit of preventative maintenance would be cheap as chips to run. On the other hand, a neglected car would cost you R20k-R30k in a few months to just keep on the road.

 

[444YYY]

I second MSM.

On an E36, the decider is not the service costs between the 316i vs 323i, it is the CONDIITION of the actual vehicle.

One may need about R20k to fix, as an new AC system costs about R10k, and chances are most E36’s AC system’s are not blowing cold at this point in time.

If it’s an Auto, factor in a rebuild of the gearbox. This is if you plan to keep the car long term...

Other than that, the 323i might consume more fuel, and the 2 extra spark plugs may make the service factionally pricier, this is not the decider. Condition and amount of work to be done on the car is your decider!