Merv the Derv

My car has only covered 29,000 miles since 29/03/05. I have had the first service done as indicated by Idrive but since then the only 2 items requiring any attention are the brake fluid and microfilter. I haven't had them changed yet as I was going to wait until the car needed a main service and also my dealer seems to think I have all the time in the world to keep taking the car to them!!! . The only reason I believe the idrive states they need changing is down to the age of the car not because they really need doing! The brakes are as sharp as when I first got the car. Don't know about the microfilter but all seems ok with it. My question is at what mileage did any of you have this type of work carried out?

Thanks

Merv

info@trinityautosport

my microfilters were changed at about 24k miles.

pennetta

In the US its free, so we bring it in. You get free car wash and new windshield wipers too.

AlwynMike

Merv,

The brake fluid is changed purely on an elapsed time basis - as a general rule, ordinary brake fluid deteriorates at the same rate whether you use the car or not - the exception being if you are racing down Alpine roads regularly, which would see the brakes (and the fluid) getting to very high temperatures indeed. In the damp summer we've just had, your brake fluid will have absorbed more moisture, and whilst your brakes may seem OK under normal circumstances, if the moisture content is very high, if you then come to use your brakes heavily, then that moisture can turn from water to steam, which will mean that you suddenly have a very spongy pedal - at a time when you don't want a spongy pedal! Having said that, I don't change the brake fluid on my other cars as often as bi-annually.

How far are you off your service?? Changing the brake fluid is an easy job for most garages (rather than going to a $tealer), and you can reset the iDrive notification yourself.

Your microfilter seems a bit of a conundrum. Mine is the original (at 33,000 miles) and the iDrive says that it has another 13,000 miles left in it!! So your at 29,000 miles seems a little early. To change this is a less than 5 minute job you can do yourself. They are ?15 (or ?21 for a carbon type) + VAT from Euro Car Parts, and again reset the iDrive yourself.

Mike

pinguhk

well yours is way too long. bad for the engine. will not last as long.
I change my oil at 7000km
spark plugs at 40000km
micro filter evary year.
brake fuild 40000km
gear box fuild 60000km
Front brake disk coming up done 43000 km now other 6000km to go
Back brake disk some with 20000 to go.
brake pad never change to ebc green stuff and had them for a year and only about 4%used.

Merv the Derv

Thanks guys!