Maintaining a BMW by myself
I just bought a very well maintained 2015 228i. I was thinking of doing some maintenance myself. Anybody has any lessons learned? Is there a way of updating the computer state so that the car is aware the maintenance has been made? Any way to update the Carfax record? I’m just looking for a few pointers from people that already went this route. BTW, my motivation is the pleasure of understanding the car and to be independent of mechanics for most tasks. Of course I’m willing to pay if the task requires special equipment.
You can get a Carly OBD reader for BMW from Amazon (~80$) and Carly app from App store (~65$). The app allows you to check for Maintenance status, check engine lights, reset service flags and so on. You can also program some features as well.
For the carfax. You can update the maintenance through their app or online (I’ve only done the app). You’ll have the ability to add DIY stuff, shops report to it as well. It’s how I keep track of all my maintenance
Thanks, this is useful!
Youtube
Yeah. OP, YouTube is your best friend or your best friend. I’ve learned diy stuff from either YouTube or my friend showing me. German cars can be a bit complicated depending on the job (i have a VW) but there are many videos online. You shouldn’t have much trouble. It’ll take some time and patience
Toyota Super is better
Bimmerforums.com should be tons of info and support out there to get you going on your own. Ive done everything from an oil change to a clutch job on my Audi through the years with info from forums
Thank you!
I have a 2015 228i too. To update the iDrive maintenance there is a hidden reset menu using the dash button. There are YouTube tutorials to get to that menu. For advance things get an obdii to Ethernet reader and an old windows 7 or earlier laptop and get yourself a copy of ISTA from bmw forums. That’s the same software dealers use to manage their cars and flash firmware upgrades and shit. Not sure about car fax. Just keep a log yourself and give it to the next owner when you sell.
Thanks, that’s useful. Regarding carfax, one of the replies above has some info.
How much did you pay and how many miles on it?
In my '98 318ti the only way to interface with the computer was to use an OBD-II reader. Not sure if the new models are any different.....
Also should specify that I was never able to permanently clear any lights the comp threw.
Thanks.