BMW 3rd series debuted in 1988. Its design has caused wide polemic. Opponents asserted that the car drops out of a general series and in general too for BMW. Among those who has interceded for BMW 3, there was Pol Marriage. By that moment it any more did not work on BMW, but it has not prevented it to tell: "3rd series - the best that have made on BMW after my leaving".
In Moscow the first BMW 3 has appeared almost right after a debut. It was the black car with glasses and flashing on a rear screen regiment. Looked BMW terribly and elegantly, was always pure and, and went with a speed not less than 120 km/h. Sooner or later any car appears on service. It not always means that it is sick. The good owner in service calls in and for the sake of preventive maintenance. But, as practice of operation BMW of 3rd series in our country has shown, to call in in service it makes sense only directly ahead of repair. You are surprised and ask, and what else there are variants?
Experience of official dealers testifies that is a lot of people (usually they are owners of cars without instructions, i.e. A sekond-hand) come to them on the BMW only to ask mechanics on features of operation of the car. Also are a little afflicted, when learn that such features are not present. Not a secret that to models BMW there are the most detailed books-appendices. Everything is written to them that it is necessary to know to the owner. Even the mark of gasoline of each concrete car is specified on the second-third page of this most useful book. What to do, when the book is not present?
To go to the official dealer. But not with questions, and behind the book. It exists in any languages, and in Russian including. About experience of nine-year operation "3" to write difficult. They do not break. Is not present in the car of weak places to which it is necessary to pay attention. Work of service stations BMW is usually reduced only to carrying out THAT. But stations are not ruined, on the contrary - sport character BMW dictates to drivers temperamental style of driving, therefore breakages though take away. But it is fault of drivers, a theme inexhaustible and at all for this heading.
The car does not break at regular and correct service. BMW 3rd series, for example, it is very exacting to terms of replacement of engine oil. That the driver has not forgotten about it, on the panel of devices special indication is provided. At engine start-up below, under devices, the ruler of green bulbs is fired. If from start-up to their start-up it is fired ever less, replacement means is close. The yellow bulb will at some instant be fired, and through some kilometres of run the red will flash. Everything, is exact now on service. Also there come uneasy people, and from a threshold: "Everything, red burns, help!". Hypochondriac even assert that "it does not pull". Pulls. But on THAT really it is time.
To engine oil mark "3" it is exacting no more other cars. In the thick book there is a list of firms, whose oils have passed factory tests and are recommended BMW to application. The preference is given to synthetics. By the way, "the oil counter" with green, yellow and red bulbs at each change of oil "is nulled".
In the world becomes more and more cars at which spark plugs need to be changed only through 60, and even 100 thousand kilometres of run. But at "3" them it is necessary to change everyone 10 - 15 thousand kilometres, painfully powerful - to 40 Kv - by the car ignition. By the way, the spark plug spanner enters into a tool set. But for independent replacement of candles skill, even to find them on some models of 3rd series not always easily is necessary.
Changing candles, oil and an oil filter, it is necessary to change and air. It is not necessary to regulate valves. And though it was necessary to meet workshops in which list of services the such was registered also in Moscow: "the Adjustable valve on BMW" to regulate at BMW there is nothing. There are hydropushers. On the very first "3" drive gear was belt. Gradually the firm has refused it, and, since 1990, on all engines BMW there is a chain. It is possible not to worry about its tension especially. Is.
What in the car it is possible to ruin an inattention? A suspender? As practice, at BMW shows 3rd series it rather hardy. The cars which have come from Germany a sekond-hand with run for 100.000 km usually do not require under repair suspenders, even in "". Our roads do not ruin a suspender. It is ruined by dashing drivers. Some see and go round hatches, and many - are not present. But even the person the suspender out of operation entirely does not leave more often. The first the top barrels of rear absorbers usually "fly". Rubber, and at their big desire it is possible "to roll barrels under replacement" for 50-60 thousand kilometres. But to replace them it is simple.
As a rule, the cars which have come from Europe have modest enough
ground clearance. Some years ago, when official advancement of trade mark BMW to Russia only began, on one of press conferences the representative of firm told that specially for Russian Bavarians assemble "east package" thanks to which at cars and the suspender is more rigid, and the
ground clearance is increased by 20 mm. If to buy the car at the official dealer "east package" will be established free of charge (at the order it will be called "Addition 199"). On the car or new, but bought to Germany, "east package" too it is possible to establish a sekond-hand, but, naturally, for money. Prorates under springs and more rigid absorbers enter into it. And it is possible at the same time and to change springs for more rigid. Will put not harmfully on "the European" car and crankcase protection. Understand, just in case.
It is not necessary to worry about bearings. On "3" they double-row and durable enough. Pads that disk that drum-type brakes, serve rather long. The car easy, and loadings on their share drop out the sparing. At cars from an automatic transmission of eyelids of pads is slightly shorter. But how the owner was prompt, the most ruthless driving does not result in deformation of brake plates.
One more problem of cars from Europe - a catalyst converter. It is considered that the catalyst is whimsical, leads the special life, on arrangements does not give in, intervention by a screw-driver answers with aggression and above all likes to fail. Experience of Moscow technical stations BMW testifies to other.
The catalyst is hardy. With it it is possible to agree. By the cars which have come from Europe, the catalyst normally works as 50-60 thousand in km. In most cases that "it does not pull", the catalyst, and the gauge (lambda probe) is guilty not. Besides, if necessary it is possible to get rid of the catalyst.
Modes to agree with the catalyst and its environment - a lambda probe - exists a little. If by the car the motor a working volume can be reprogrammed of 1,6-1,8 l, its control package for work without the catalyst. If the motor big (2-2,5 litres) volume and with a head to reprogram the block "in a forehead" it will not be possible. But the official dealer can order other block calculated for work without a lambda probe and the catalyst, and at the station it to establish and adjust. It is expensive, only the control package costs DM1600-1700.
It is possible to arrive differently. The firm chip of a control package is bought, in it registers new - without the catalyst - the work program, for this purpose exists the special complete set of diskettes. The chip is put in a control package. It turns out three times more cheaply - nearby DM600.
After reprogramming the catalyst converter can be left on a place, since. The lambda probe is already disconnected. But at technical stations such service is offered also - it is possible to put other final system. The new section and instead of neutralizer is usually ordered. But it is better to replace all front part of a tube, digesting nothing.
The electrician and electronics at BMW 3rd series very tolerantly concern our "salty" winter. Usually the electrician "perishes" only owing to infringement of leakproofness of a body. If, for example, on a railway crossing have been lost technological bores of the bottom or the master which did body repair, having returned to the car beauty, could not keep leakproofness of a body. As a whole BMW to 3rd series not so approaches for independent service in own garage. It is possible to overcome procedure of replacement of oil in the engine. But to change oil in a box does not leave any more - the hoist and the special tool is necessary. To intrude in a suspender with a screw key also it will not turn out.
Therefore each 15.000 kilometres - welcome to station
