I recently bought an older (2000) BMW 328i and I have a fairly good knowledge of general car maintenance (oil/filter change, tune-up, radiator flush) but this is different. What can I do myself?

Asked by Tricia Nov 13, 2013 at 08:12 PM about the 2000 BMW 3 Series 328i Sedan RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

I'm intimidated by how differently the BMW engine is designed, for example the transmission is "sealed", there is not a dipstick to check fluid level, but it's confusing, there is only one dipstick (oil) and the power steering lid says, "use ATF only", Do all fluids have to be bought at the dealer or are there any equivalent substitutes. What maintenance, minor repairs can I do myself vs. dealership only?

4 Answers

migration_judge_roy answered 10 years ago

....okay... the timing chain or belt could be a ticking time bomb....either check the maintenance schedule in the glovebox to see at how many thousand miles this chain and tensioner has on it~

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328cidriver answered 9 years ago

1st for checking ur tranni fluid u have to raise the car and remove the drain plug on the tranni..if fluid runs out freely ur level is good..if it barely drips outbu need to add..and u can only add fluid thru that same drain plug via portable oil/fluid pump...2nd u can get any parts/pieces u need for ur bmw from..Eeuroparts.com...they are super great...prices are great and their custemer service reps are the best..they will help u with any part and or question u may have..if they don't have the part..they will tell u who does...or order it themselves..

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328cidriver answered 9 years ago

P.s..Eeuroparts.com parts are genuine bmw parts made in germany..anything and everything a bmw dealer has Eeuroparts has at less than half the price...

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