E90 parts & maintenance

[Juan Powerblow]

It's been almost 8 months and I had to send in my car to AB Segambut for an unscheduled check after the external bulb warning light came on. It's weird though cos when I checked all external bulbs, everything seemed OK. However, at AB Segambut, a more thorough check revealed that the filamen for my rear braking lights had withered. Though it could light, the filamen fell apart when it was unplucked. What was more weird is that this affected 3 bulbs?!!! I dunno whether I should marvel or be suspicious of BMW's sensors that it was able to detect filamen weakness rather than warn only after the bulb had blown. In any event, the repair costed me RM66 (RM22 per bulb) which was not covered by warranty. I'm a bit concerned though that since 3 bulbs blew, this might not be a problem with bulb but power management? Barring any foul play, I should thank Hong for getting it fixed quickly @ AB Segambut.

 

[jarance]

JPB, can explained what do you mean that the filament fell apart when unplucked (unplugged). If I am not mistaken, the filament in inside the glass casing. How do you unplucked it? I presummed what you meant is that the body of the bulb fell apart when it is removed from the rear light housing/casing. It would be nice if you could post a picture of the bulb. Curious to know the root cause of the problem for it is very unusual.

 

[astroboy]

My oldman's 1994 Volvo 940 also had similar problem. Warning indicator lit intermittently during the day but all bulbs seem working. So I bought him some bulbs to test out. After replacing the brake light bulb, the warning indicator no longer appear.

As for Juan's case, I suspect the E92 ECU logs the bulb failure and require a manual reset to clear the fault code. Bulb's filament sometime does not break cleanly. Weaken filament will first demonstrate intermittent failure before the filament falls apart. So once the ECU detected failure, despite intermittent, it logs the fault code.

This is what I think.

But that doesn't explain why all 3 fail at the same time. The E36 generation of BMW has a problematic rear lights bulb connector assembly and frequent cause fail conductivity problem. Something to do with the design of the light fittings. The newer version lights dunno la.. haven't examine mine..

Have u check the bulb? Make/brand? Volt/watt rating? Inferior cheapo bulb are not lasting. I know there are irresponsible foreman around swapping our nice bulb with fake ones. So need to be careful.

If ur suspect is the power management, then quite difficult to test unless its consistently high. If consistently high, just use a volt meter or multi-tester to test the bulb connector to see what is the feed. Normal bulb can endure 14V with no problem, anything above will shorten its life and if u are seeing 15V or more, then confirm!! Power management or to be exact alternator regulator problem!

But Juan, your ride should have 3 years BSRI mah??!! which includes bulb wat..

 

[E46Fanatic]

I think our rides come with 2 yrs BRSI and 3 yrs warranty. Unfortunately there is a thin grey line when it comes to wear and tear parts which are not covered under warranty. Things like tyres, wipers, bulbs, even PS hoses etc wasn't covered under warranty cos they are wear and tear parts. BRSI covers only scheduled maint cycles if I am not mistaken not failed items which are covered by warranty.

I could be wrong but this has been my experience with AB and warranty for my E46. So far the E90 hasn't costed me a single cent for maint .... yet! 10k kms dy.

 

[astroboy]

I could be wrong but this has been my experience with AB and warranty for my E46. So far the E90 hasn't costed me a single cent for maint .... yet! 10k kms dy.

I was told by SA, BSRI covers everything except tyres wor. I just need to pay for petrol and tyres.

So E46Fanatic, 10k km lio... when is your first schedule engine oil replacement? 25k km? Intend to replace the oil at 10k km? No dipstick lobang to siphon the oil out le... headache!!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Jarence, what I meant was after unplugging the bulb, the filament then broke.

Astroboy, thanks for your explanation. E46F is right, the bulbs are not covered by Service Inclusive, it's not in the list and warranty doesn't cover wear and tear. The original bulbs in my car were made by "Toshiba" (huh?!) but the new ones I dunno. I was in a bit of a rush, so didn't quite attend to the details.

 

[E46Fanatic]

I was told by SA, BSRI covers everything except tyres wor. I just need to pay for petrol and tyres.

So E46Fanatic, 10k km lio... when is your first schedule engine oil replacement? 25k km? Intend to replace the oil at 10k km? No dipstick lobang to siphon the oil out le... headache!!

Done my first oil change at 7+k kms. the OBC states for the 6 pot to have the first oil change at 10k kms. For 4 pot its 25k kms, but dont believe it. Get it changed every 10k kms if possible

 

[astroboy]

..For 4 pot its 25k kms, but dont believe it. Get it changed every 10k kms if possible

I know! And I wanted to but SC don't entertain right? Where did u do yours? SC or outside?

 

[E46Fanatic]

Actually I took my car in to get the brake fluid replaced as highlighted by the OBC(since my car is an 05 CBU registered in 07). While I was at AB Segambut the SA told me might as well do the 1st oil svc, so I did it there too . Saved me one trip. I plan to do a precautionary oil chg in 10k kms intervals like what I did with my E46.

For the BRSI, I'm checking with a buddy who works in BMW Malaysia who looks after all the dealers here in the country. They gave him a new E90 325i Sports as a company car so he's ditched his Wira. Lucky &*^*&%*&%.. LOL.

 

[E46Fanatic]

Ok he said no Bulbs, but brake pads and wiper blades - yes. Call BMW hotline for more info...

I can live with that! Bulbs are cheap compared to pads and wiper blades heh.

He also said ok for our next E90 meetup. Good person to know in BMW Malaysia . All the gripes about dealers, he'll be the man to help us owners have an improved experience hehe.

 

[David Yong]

Yes, it's confirmed that BRSI doesn't cover bulbs. E46F is correct.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Ok he said no Bulbs, but brake pads and wiper blades - yes. Call BMW hotline for more info...

I can live with that! Bulbs are cheap compared to pads and wiper blades heh.

He also said ok for our next E90 meetup. Good person to know in BMW Malaysia . All the gripes about dealers, he'll be the man to help us owners have an improved experience hehe.

Aiks!! It's RM22 per bulb wohrrr... Anyways, I always bought the bulbs and replace meself. My fault for being lazy and getting it fixed at AB, even after I was told it's not covered.

 

[David Yong]

Hey E46F, get your friend to join us for the lunch on 26th Jan. Good to know a new friend

 

[astroboy]

So what shall I do about my premature oil change? Any recommendation? Just drive in to SC and pay for it? How much would it cost huh?

Any suggestion?

Thanks!

 

[Juan Powerblow]

Hey E46F, get your friend to join us for the lunch on 26th Jan. Good to know a new friend

Yeah. E46F got no excuse but to come since he lives so nearby. BTW, what happened to CK's car now that he's back in NZ? Anyways, has a list been started for the meet-up on 26th Jan? If not, I'll start one. I will also drop by the place and arrange for a whole stretch of carparks and tables @ Bernard's to be reserved. But, please ah, don't let it be that only 6 cars show up and I get hanged for making it such a big deal with the management of Centrepoint.

 

[rookie]

So what shall I do about my premature oil change? Any recommendation? Just drive in to SC and pay for it? How much would it cost huh?

Any suggestion?

Thanks!

I believe you can go to any workshop to do this. Bro Bimmer910 highlighted that that he did his oil change at Benson Auto in SS2 PJ. Just remember not to reset the OBC after the oil change.

 

[Juan Powerblow]

I believe you can go to any workshop to do this. Bro Bimmer910 highlighted that that he did his oil change at Benson Auto in SS2 PJ. Just remember not to reset the OBC after the oil change.

I had good experiences with Benson Auto in SS2 cos they are fast and efficient. Ask for the proprietor, Mr. Liang to attend to you. He's a BMW fan as well and really knows the car (at least the E46 inside out since I see lots of E46s there when I was going to him).

 

[David Yong]

So what shall I do about my premature oil change? Any recommendation? Just drive in to SC and pay for it? How much would it cost huh?

Any suggestion?

Thanks!

If I'm not mistaken, a normal engine oil & filter change at AB will cost you around RM 500 plus. Like what Rookie say, remember not to reset the OBC. Alternatively, you may try outside workshop like Benson Auto or the one at Jalan Ipoh whereby the mechanic (I will give you his name & contact thru PM if you need it) is doing it from his house and he is working with AB Segambut. He is experienced and price is ok too.

 

[danc]

How about warranty claims for cosmetic defects? Have you guys had problems claiming them? When I took my car in 2006 there were a few defects. Most got changed but I have been waiting for more than 1 year now to get my left side headlamp changed. I told AB, I have waited until I got fedup!

Another thing is the BMW emblem on your steering. Do you notice that the silver parts are fading. They need to change the whole airbag and steering boss to fix it. Have submited the request, I think I will need to wait for another year or more. BMW and AB what gives?????

 

[velocity]

Yeah..facing same problem also with my ride. got these light failure warning about a week now but check all external light are okay.