IS RUNNING IN SERVICE ESSENTIAL?

[karbonkid]

I have found a CSL without its running in service from a dealer and wondering if it essential. I have heard from an engine builder in the past and some others that its just a forum thing and over played.

The car has done 28k miles and had first service at 6k. The car seems pretty reasonably priced and doesnt come with any warranty from the dealer.

Whats your thoughts peps?

[Andyk]

Not sure but I think the only reason the running service was important was to keep the warrenty up...you would not be able to get a BMW warrenty for the car unless this service has been completed at the right time. I'm sure the first service was important as a check to ensure all was alright with the car. When I had new Lotus they needed a 1000 mile service because you had to run the engine in, if you used more revs than the hand book said the they pickeed this up at the service and the warrenty was invalied if the engine went bang.

If the car is cheap enough and conditon is good then I see no problem as long as you don't want a BMW warrenty. If the car has been serviced correctly since then I didn't see a issue.

[karbonkid]

Im not sure what the service intervals are on the car but know it had one at 6k and had inspection one and is due next service in 11k. (currently at 28k).
Im pretty confident with the cars general condtn and has the additional extras and required mods.etc...so fingers crossed.

I was told i wouldn't be able to get BMW warranty now due to it running out but he mentioned warranyworks/ warrantydirect. Anyone with these?

[sailorbaz]

I've got a car with the Running in service carried out at 2100miles. The car was run by the DP and he apparently didn't bother his ar5e when it come to this service and only had it done when the time come to sell it.

I got a letter with the car from BMW(GB) stating that the warranty would not be affected in any way due to the late running in service carried out at 2100miles. ( I 'could' say it was a typo, :whistle: )

I bought the car at 17K and previously it had had Clutch, Flywheel, Diff (Gearbox I think will need to check Paperwork) and a steering wheel. Since I've had it, its had a VANOS, TWO n/s Callipers, front discs and pads (Due to latest seized calliper fiasco) ANOTHER Steering wheel and thats it...I think the dealer had painted the front end and replaced the sill plates too as it was in A1 condition when I bought it and now, another 17K on, front end is looking a wee bit rough and the sill plates have gone cloudy...again.

The previous owner was in touch with me when I bought the car and showed me pictures of her on track and told me the history of the car. It has since been on track by my goodself.

If BMW AUC are selling the car, surely they will put a years warranty on it. After all, its a different scheme to the Warranty you get from the manufacturers, i.e. The initial 3 year warranty and extended one...isn't it?

Just my opinion.

[amar7274]

A CSL that's not had it's running in service done on time is worth 3-4k less than one that's been done at the correct time.
I was told this by a trader when I was looking to buy mine.
He even showed me his glasses guide and I read it with my own eyes.

[karbonkid]

A CSL that's not had it's running in service done on time is worth 3-4k less than one that's been done at the correct time.
I was told this by a trader when I was looking to buy mine.
He even showed me his glasses guide and I read it with my own eyes.

Really. Can anyone else back this up? It may explain its value then! Do you thinks its a NoGo? and will reflect on having future mechanical problems and aftersale?

[dave1]

its over rated but just rememeber when you go to sell your buyer will be like you are now.

[karbonkid]

its over rated but just rememeber when you go to sell your buyer will be like you are now.

Just contact BMW and asked them and said he wouldn't personally touch it. Wondering if any company will give me warranty due to it missing its run in.

[RichW]

^^^ What Dave said :)

[Windowlicker]

I was told by a guy who was going to buy my evo ,( who himself had a couple of csl's , one of which he had supercharged and generally spent a fortune on it) that the running in service was a must below 1500 miles, as mentioned it affects the resale value, more so if its going as a p/x to a delaler.
Most relevantly though he said it was so important as , due to its nature, as in , it is a running in service, the car up until this service is completed is using specific grade "running in oil" in the engine and also in the rear diff.
Anything that has been driven hard after the running in period is completed, and has not had the fluids changed for the correct ones will basically be getting caned with limited protection for the load bearing (expensive) parts.
Hence the possibility of premature failure/wear on the engine and rear diff.
Could be total bollocks , but it makes sense.

[SpineOnABap]

Most relevantly though he said it was so important as , due to its nature, as in , it is a running in service, the car up until this service is completed is using specific grade "running in oil" in the engine

Just another myth. From the factory they had regular TWS1060 in :thumbs:

[englebert]

Personally i think its overplayed, but at the same i'd be worried about its resale in terms of value and hassle.

[RichW]

Running in oil is good for a few hundred "low load" miles and thats it - its like parafin when you drop it hot :119:

[Andyk]

Im not sure what the service intervals are on the car but know it had one at 6k and had inspection one and is due next service in 11k. (currently at 28k).


Depends on how you drive the car but mine has a service every 12.5k...so I would have though you should have 2 service stamps in the service book ofr a Insp1 and Insp11....I sounds like it has had one recently showing 11k to next service.

[Andyk]

Yes it goes Oil Service - Inspection1 - Inspection11 and then back round.

Intervals will depend on your driving style and mileage because the car has a service indicator. When you start the car it tells you how long until next service. I do around 5k a year with about 1 or 2 track days a year and will get about 12k between services, so will need a service every 2 to 2.5 years.

If I understand what you are saying the car was serviced at 6k and has now done 28k and not had a service between. So it has done 22k without a service....this doesn't sound right to me as when I picked my car up after the inspection11 I'm sure if said 15k until the next service.....It would be worth asking some question about the history and why the big gap between service.

[karbonkid]

Yes it goes Oil Service - Inspection1 - Inspection11 and then back round.


If I understand what you are saying the car was serviced at 6k and has now done 28k and not had a service between. So it has done 22k without a service....this doesn't sound right to me as when I picked my car up after the inspection11 I'm sure if said 15k until the next service.....It would be worth asking some question about the history and why the big gap between service.

No you've misunderstood. Its order in the brochure is:

NO running in Service.
6k Service. (assume OIL)
Then it had Insp I (not sure when Insp I was done, assume on time)
Next due in 11-12k (which Im guessing is Insp II)

So all has been done on time, apart from the running in.

[Andyk]

Ah right.....would say the Inspection1 is was around 18k then.

I would check the details just for piece of mind but Munich Legends are well respected and know they stuff so you shouldn't have a problem with what they are telling you.

Actualy I'm not sure if the service goes....

Oil - Inspe1 - Oil - Inspe11....

[karbonkid]

Ah right.....would say the Inspection1 is was around 18k then.

I would check the details just for piece of mind but Munich Legends are well respected and know they stuff so you shouldn't have a problem with what they are telling you.

Actualy I'm not sure if the service goes....

Oil - Inspe1 - Oil - Inspe11....

Yeah i will check all the details.
Sailorbaz said he had previously had a Clutch, Flywheel, Diff & maybe Gearbox and a steering wheel at 17k. Are these not all wear & tear, especially clutch and flywheel? is it normal to go at around 17k?
Is all this covered on warranty then, even wheel as i noticed they get bobbly after a few miles.

[Jaw_F430]

I think it is overhyped really.

I was watching a program on the Ferrari 599 the other day and they bring the car out of the factory, then get the test driver to hammer it around the track to makes sure it performs as it should before the car is delivered to its new home :-D

I don't think the "running in" period applies as much with the machining tolerances today


Having said that though I would still be cautious buying a car without a warranty. Thats why I ended up buying my CSL from a main BMW dealer :thumbs:

[Andyk]

My CSL was the cheapest on sale when I purchased it and did not have a warrenty and so far it's been faultless....if you do lowish miles, but the use the car everyday and not that many track days I think a warrenty is not as important as someone does lots of track days and and rags the arse off it every time they take it out........hope I haven't given mine the kiss of death now....You pay your money and takes your chance.

Will Munich Legends not look the car over and give you a report.

[karbonkid]

Yea well i will have the car for daily but only did 5k miles last year so possibly even less in the CSL as i would prob get a runabout. I will be doing a few trackdays inc the ring hopefully, due to me giving up my BEC that i was hoping to track.

What does that inc? (look over and report).

Regarding the Warranty. What stops you from getting warranty if you have a worthwhile problem to resolve, when it actually happens?

[Andyk]

Some specialists will give the car the once over and give you a report of what may need doing to the car or if there are any up and coming issues they may find.

[karbonkid]

Some specialists will give the car the once over and give you a report of what may need doing to the car or if there are any up and coming issues they may find.

I will bare in mind. Thanks again :thumbs:

[Mark CSL]

The service is in this order
Oil Service - Inspection1 - Oil Service - Inspection11 :thumbs:

[Andyk]

The service is in this order
Oil Service - Inspection1 - Oil Service - Inspection11 :thumbs:

Love the service schedule as with my 5k miles a year it's a pretty cheap car to run for the performance. :thumbs:

[bryce]

Its great aint it Andy :-D

Handbook says you change oil every year though, even with low miles.

[bryce]

Have you bought the car Kk?

[Andyk]

ML do know their stuff, so I wouldn't be too concerned with the car as long as the price is right. Rightly or wrongly buyers expect the run in service so it will be a little harder to move on........but don't worry about this and ENJOY :thumbs: