Mar 222012
I see a lot of questions coming from BMW owners — here on this blog and in online forums. When you buy a BMW to keep long-term, there is a checklist of items you need to acquire to make that ownership experience a good one.
If you prefer to lease and trade-in every two or three years, you can ignore the list below. But for the enthusiast owner who is looking for more than a prestige brand and simple point A to point B transportation, the following items are extremely valuable.
- OBD-II Scanner — Knowing what’s wrong with your BMW is often half the battle. Purchasing a scanner means you’ll at least be able to diagnose many issues, including the Service Engine Soon warning light. I use an Innova 3100, there are many models to choose from.
- Bentley Manual — Same principle here, having a Bentley manual provides you with the most complete information on how to maintain your BMW. It can be expensive, but will pay for itself in no time. Even if you have no intention of DIYing the work, knowing the exact issue, procedure and parts will make you an educated repair customer.
- Forum Membership(s) — You can gain an immense of knowledge from fellow owners of your BMW model. It’s almost guaranteed that someone has encountered the exact same issue, and has shared information on how to address it. Popular communities include Bimmerfest, Bimmerforums and even more specialized communities like M3Forum and M5Board. The For Sale sections of these communities are also excellent places to buy and sell well maintained used BMWs.
- Car cover — Even if you have a garage, a car cover is useful. If you don’t have a garage, it’s essential. Available from many retailers, usually around $150 for a custom fit cover.
- Independent mechanic you can trust — It’s usually best to find one prior to purchase. Even if you want to tackle most things yourself, you’ll want a professional who understands your car. If you don’t know of any in your area, BIMRS.org is an association of independent shops that specialize in BMW maintenance and repair. They offer a shop finder on their web site.
A small investment of time and money greatly enhances the BMW ownership experience. It can also save you a great deal of money and frustration over time. I’m sure some enthusiasts will think I’ve left some things off the list — feel free to add via a comment.