BMW Maintenance & Auto Repair in Lexington, KY
BMW Maintenance Tips
Preventive Maintenance
Your BMW has a precise, factory-recommended Preventative Maintenance Schedule. Depending on your BMW model, expect to perform the following inspections & services every 5,000 miles:- Brake fluid
- Brake system
- Check coolant
- Engine inspection
- Engine oil – fill or replace
- Replace cabin air filter
- Tire rotation, if necessary
- Wiper blades & fluid
Routine Maintenance
Consult your owner’s manual for a detailed outline of maintenance service intervals for your year and model BMW. Here is a general list of what you can expect, but the timing may differ based on your driving style, weather, and the road conditions where you live.- Every year or 10,000 miles: replace engine oil, oil filter, and engine coolant
- Every 2 years or 20,000 miles: inspect & replace fuel filters
- Every 3 years or 30,000 miles:
- Replace brake fluid (first time, then every 60,000 miles thereafter)
- Replace transmission fluid on manual-transmission BMWs
- Every 6 years or 60,000 miles:
- Replace engine air filter & spark plugs
- Inspect and replace brake pads & brake rotors, if necessary
- Replace transmission fluid on automatic-transmission BMWs
- Every 9 years or 90,000 miles: replace timing belts & hoses
BMW Auto Repair: Common Issues
The reliability rating of BMWs ranges from ‘the best car ever’ to ’a pile of junk.’ Frequently, it comes down to the luck-of-the-draw. You may own a BMW with over 100,000 miles on it and have experienced no issues or costs outside of regular maintenance. On the other hand, maybe your BMW has had one problem after another, with no end in sight. I think this holds true for all cars available on the market, not just BMWs. So if you currently own, or plan on buying a BMW, be prepared to deal with the following common BMW auto repairs.Faulty Cooling System
There are a lot of parts in your BMW cooling system, and not all of them will fail at the same time. These components are responsible for cooling the engine compartment and providing defrost, heat, and cold air inside the car. Due to the higher-than-average engine temperatures of a BMW (especially on turbo models), the cooling system commonly fails between 80,000 and 120,000 miles. However, failures at 30,000 miles are not unheard of. Regular maintenance is vital to avoid unexpected issues with the cooling system, which may cause your BMW to overheat and shut down. Typical BMW cooling system repairs may include replacing any of the following parts:- Water Pump & Thermostat
- Cooling Fans
- Belts & Hoses
- Radiator
- HVAC Blower Motor
- AC Compressor
Oil Leaks
You are most likely familiar with oil spots on your garage floor or driveway if you own a BMW. Rubber gaskets become brittle over time, and leaks develop. Driving in stop-and-go traffic or in climates with extreme temperatures can accelerate the process. Replacing worn gaskets can be labor-intensive (thus, costly) because of the limited space in the engine compartment. However, leaving leaks to go unattended too long can damage other components down the road. Common areas responsible for oil leaks include:- Oil Filter Housing (and Gasket)
- Oil Pan (and Gasket)
- Valve Cover (and Gasket)
Electrical System
Many BMW owners experience an issue or two (or more) with their vehicle’s electrical system. Sometimes, it is a simple repair, and other times it may not be an actual problem but a ‘glitch in the matrix.’ Tracking down electrical issues can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Approach these issues with patience. Be prepared for a few diagnostic service trips to correctly identify & rectify the problem. Here are a few electrical issues common in many BMW models:- Power Door Lock Actuators
- Power Window Regulators
- Tire Pressure Monitor System
- Dash Warning Light glitches