Maintenance query

[walt525tour]

Maintenance Poll

OK, as a new used high mileage 124,000 mile '95 525ita owner I am curious about how I should maintain my car.
My wife also has a ’99 328ia, which will go out of warranty next year.

How do you all accomplish maintenance??

1 – still under warranty – go to BMW dealer
1a - still under warranty – go to BMW dealer & go ___?__ (elsewhere) for ___?___
2 – no longer under warranty still go to BMW dealer for almost everything
3 – have found a competent german car specialty garage
4 – use a local mechanic
5 – go to a national chain – Sears, Pep Boys, Goodyear, Midas etc.
6 – have a good friend/spouse that you use/abuse for peanuts and cost of parts
7 – do everything yourself

And to follow up >>> how much do you do yourself??

A –Everything and my garage is fully equipped
B - Everything and you beg, borrow or rent needed tools
C - Everything except what can’t be done without expensive electronics and/or tools
D - Replace and repair broken and worn parts and do routine changes
E - Routine fluid and filter changes
F - Just write a check or pull out the plastic

And when you can’t do it yourself where do you go
1 – To the new car lot for a new car
2 – BMW dealer for almost everything
3 – have found a competent german car specialty garage
4 – use a local mechanic
5 – go to a national chain – Sears, Pep Boys, Goodyear, Midas etc.
6 – have a good friend/spouse that you use/abuse for peanuts and cost of parts
7 – crazy and check in with mental health professionals

And also for you do it yourselfers
Where do you get parts? and what do you get from who?

a - BMW
b - local import auto parts supplier
c - local auto parts supplier
d - mail order & internet - where _____?____


Here is a link to my initial posting
http://www.bmw-forums.com/forum/topic18973.html

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[97alpineM3]

Do maintenance.....

I do all of it my self.

How much do I do.....

Anything that doesnt require electronic computer shit.

When I cant do it.....

Ask around, find help, tunners.. last resort... the dealer.

I get most of my parts online...

bimmerparts.com Pelicanpart.com ect.... if they cant get it... a dealership can.

[walt525tour]

Right now my wife just takes her 528ia to the dealer.
We have had the local mechanic do some tire repairs.
She is still covered by extended warranty.
My skills are rusty and her ride is clean and sweet and I sure wouldn't want to do or suggest anything to sour her.

If all goes right with my first oil change on my 525ita, I will do her next oil change.

For me and my new old '95 525ita I will look at doing more myself to save $$.
(I'm not as rich as my wife, her salary is more than double mine)

I have a local mechanic who is a great guy and works on my '96, but I'm not sure how much I trust him with a BMW.

1/2 an hour away is a good german specialty shop, I'll go there for anything serious.

I will replace and repair broken and worn parts and do routine changes.

And my car will be the guinea pig for my wife's. LOL!