Coupe not serviced - big problems ahead?

[the gill]

Hi all - need your advice.

Thought I'd found a Coupe reg Oct 07. First and only service 3 years later at 29K miles (Oct 10). So it has missed at least one service. Car supposedly drives fine and was an AUC car when sold to current owner in 2008 (he thought incorrectly that the supplying dealer had serviced the car when sold to him).
My first thought is walk away. Is there evidence of the 3.0si engine throwing it's toys out the pram with poor early servicing? I'd probably say the car is worth £1K less with the lack of history - what do you think?
Cheers

[ZED_NOT_ZEE]

as long as an oil change was done I wouldn't worry too much about it.

The first 'service' is an 'inspection'. If that inspection wasn't done and there were problems they would've made become evident long before that second service took place.

To be honest I do look it kinda favorably from the perspective that the car didn't need a servicing because of a failure in its first 3 years. Could be a sign that it isn't a lemon which had to be repeatedly taken back to have issues fixed soon after delivery.

[the gill]

The only oil change was at 29K when the car was 3 years old (it has only done a few 1000 miles since).

[Ewazix]

Only proviso would be if the 29k miles had been a lot of short town journeys, If it runs and drives well and was checked/serviced (and presumably MOT'd) last October I would beat the seller up on the price and grab a bargain, as ZED' says nothing was needed under warrantee

[Bradders75]

It's not necessarily going to mean mechanical problems are ahead but it shows a slightly careless owner in my opinion. I can't believe anyone would buy a high value car and 'assume' anything about the service history - looking through the service book would be one of the first things I'd do. Does the asking price reflect the lack of FSH? It should do as you'll no doubt be beaten down on the same issue when you come to sell.

[Taz]

the service issue as just confused me, my car is 2 years old and as yet it still says i do not need a service for another 9000 miles, but then i am told it should be service in 2 years, so why does the car say another 9000 miles???????????

[ZED_NOT_ZEE]

the service issue as just confused me, my car is 2 years old and as yet it still says i do not need a service for another 9000 miles, but then i am told it should be service in 2 years, so why does the car say another 9000 miles???????????

the car will notify you when it needs an inspection or oil service based on your driving habits and the types of stresses the car has been under. (i.e. cold starts for example.)

rule of thumb amongst owners is to do an oil change at the 'half way mark' between BMW recommended oil changes.

who told you the car needs servicing in 2 years?

Also to the OP - I have a tough time believing that the car was driven for 29,000miles and the car didn't at least ask for more oil. Should ask the owner what oil he's been using to top it off, or where he took it to be topped off.

[the gill]

Price is negotiable based on what I've found out - for me it knocks £1K off the car. I'm mainly concerned about bore wear in the engine which may not rear its ugly head until later. Interested in what you all think though. Wondered if there had been many engine failures on the 3.0si?

[Taz]

only problem i am aware of is the N52 noisy engine issue, these 3.0ltr engines will go for miles

[mmm-five]

who told you the car needs servicing in 2 years?

The BMW Maintenance System includes the Engine Oil Service and Inspections I and II. Determining the maintenance intervals based on the actual loads on the vehicle covers every kind of operating situation. Minimal use drivers, who drive fewer than about 6,200 miles/10,000 km per year, should nevertheless have the oil changed at least every 2 years since engine oil deteriorates over time, regardless of use.

[the gill]

Also to the OP - I have a tough time believing that the car was driven for 29,000miles and the car didn't at least ask for more oil. Should ask the owner what oil he's been using to top it off, or where he took it to be topped off.

Good point - I'll certainly ask that thanks.

[the gill]

The 2 year interval is stated in the owners manual - Pg96.
http://www.bmwsections.com/_files/zs/20 ... adster.zip

My current car is oil change every 6000 miles.

[alansabout]

I would not be happy with lack of service, you will not be able to get warranty on it and it will have an impact when you come to sell

[Z4coupebeaver]

I doubt the car will throw a spanner in the next few thousand miles and synthetic oils do a good job of protecting an engine but a lot of crap builds up in 29K miles.

In 27K miles, my car has had 3 oil changes - so now on its 4th lot of oil!!!

Its a personal choice but for me - I'd walk away.

On a similar note, my neighbour bought his car thinking it had a service (not a Zed but some Merc 4x4), it didn't and the engine did go bang as a result of an oil issue. He was lucky as the dealer fudged the paperwork to get him a new engine but you may not be so lucky.

[Taz]

who told you the car needs servicing in 2 years?

The BMW Maintenance System includes the Engine Oil Service and Inspections I and II. Determining the maintenance intervals based on the actual loads on the vehicle covers every kind of operating situation. Minimal use drivers, who drive fewer than about 6,200 miles/10,000 km per year, should nevertheless have the oil changed at least every 2 years since engine oil deteriorates over time, regardless of use.

so why does the service light not come on when the car is 2 years old