display BMW 3 SERIES 2008 E90 Service and warranty information

Table of Contents
Page
2008 3 Series Models Covered in This Booklet ............................ 1
Introduction (for SULEV (PZEV) only) . . . ................................ 1
BMW Ultimate Service™ ............................................ 1
The BMW Maintenance Program ...................................... 2
Coverage ......................................................2
Maintenance Upgrade Option .........................................2
Intervals .......................................................2
Condition Based Service (CBS) ....................................... 3
Service Interval Display . . .......................................... 3
Info Display screen contents .........................................3
Possible displays .................................................4
Supplementary information (vehicles with optional iDrive) ......................4
Control Display screen contents (optional equipment) ........................5
Red Sectors ....................................................5
Yellow Sectors ...................................................5
Green lamps ....................................................6
Symbols .......................................................6
Special Note ....................................................6
Quality Certification I ...............................................7
Maintenance Summary . ............................................ 7
Standard operations ...............................................7
Engine oil ......................................................7
Microfilter (not shown in CBS) ........................................7
Frontbrake .....................................................7
Rearbrake......................................................7
Vehicle Check ...................................................8
Brake fluid ......................................................8
Automatic Transmission ............................................8
Emission Control Maintenance Schedule ................................ 8
Evidence of Maintenance Work ....................................... 8
BatteryCare .................................................... 17
Corrosion Protection ............................................. 17
Restoring corrosion protection .......................................17
Underbody maintenance ...........................................17
Body Inspection ................................................. 18
Customer Assistance Information .................................... 24
Customer Assistance - Notification ....................................24
BBB Auto Line .................................................. 25
California Residents ..............................................25
Special Programs ................................................ 27

The BMW Maintenance Program
The BMW Maintenance Program is a benefit
designed to help reduce the cost of ownership.
This program has been devised with the follow-
ing objectives: to maximize vehicle safety, reli-
ability, and resale value by minimizing
breakdowns resulting from wear, and minimizing
cost and inconvenience by computing mainte-
nance intervals based upon the specific manner
in which each individual vehicle is driven.
2008 3 Series vehicles purchased from any
authorized BMW center in the United States or
Puerto Rico are covered by The BMW Mainte-
nance Program for 48 months or 50,000 miles,
whichever occurs first. Coverage begins on the
date of first retail sale or the date the vehicle is
first placed into service as a sales demonstrator,
service loaner (SLP) or company vehicle, which-
ever is earlier.
Any authorized BMW center in the United
States or Puerto Rico will perform the sched-
uled maintenance services on your vehicle at no
expense to you.
Coverage
The BMW Maintenance Program covers all fac-
tory recommended maintenance, as determined
by the Condition Based Service (CBS) system.
Additional items that need replacement due to
normal wear and tear, and that are not covered
by the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty -
such as brake pads, brake rotors, and wiper
blades inserts - are included, provided wear and
tear exceeds BMW wear limits. Any adjustments
required due to normal operating conditions are
also included. See pages 7-8 of this booklet for
additional information.
Exclusions from coverage include the following:
 Items reimbursable under your New Vehicle
Limited Warranty
 Gasoline
 Windshield washer additive (except when in
conjunction with scheduled maintenance)
 Tires, wheel alignment, tire balance and
rotation 
Wear and tear of soft trim items, such as:
seats, carpets, moldings, headliner, door pan-
els and all chrome trim
 Damage detected when performing the rust
perforation inspection
 Damage which results from negligence,
improper operation of the vehicle, wear and
tear or deterioration due to driving habits or
conditions, improper repair, environmental
influences, flood, accident or fire damage,
road salt corrosion, alteration, installation of
non-genuine BMW accessories, or use of
improper, poor quality or contaminated fuel
 Altered or unreadable Vehicle Identification
Number (VIN) or odometer irregularities or
vehicles where the true mileage cannot be
determined
 Maintenance or repair after the vehicle is
deemed a total loss
 Maintenance or repairs performed by other
than an Authorized BMW center within the
United States or Puerto Rico
 Vehicles used in competitive events
 Oil changes performed outside the recom-
mended maintenance intervals as indicated
by the Service Interval Display
Maintenance Upgrade Option
Please contact your authorized BMW center for
information and availability on the optional Main-
tenance Program Upgrade for coverage up to
6 years and 100,000 miles.
Intervals
Time intervals should be followed using the
maintenance interval as indicated by the BMW
Service Interval Display.
Maintenance intervals on motor vehicles have
conventionally been specified based upon accu-
mulated mileage. However, driving conditions
have a major influence on routine maintenance
requirements; distance traveled is only one of
the significant factors. A vehicle driven for
50,000 miles of short trips in the city with
numerous cold starts, prolonged periods of
idling, stop-and-go driving, and high engine
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speeds during acceleration requires more fre-
quent maintenance intervals than a vehicle
driven for 50,000 miles for long distances at low
engine speeds primarily at operating
temperature.
The advanced technologies at BMW have led to
the development of the unique BMW Condition
Based Service (CBS) system which computes
the actual optimum maintenance requirements
based not only upon the accumulated mileage,
but taking into account important factors such
as high or low engine speeds, short or long trip
driving, and condition of the engine oil and
brake pads.
Condition Based Service (CBS)
CBS is a further development of the Service
Interval Indicator System. Sensors and sophisti-
cated algorithms take even more detailed
account of the various conditions of vehicle use.
The remaining times for selected maintenance
tasks as well as any legally prescribed dates are
displayed to you individually:
 Engine oil
 Brakes - front and rear separately
 Brake fluid
 Vehicle check
 Required State Inspection(s)
CBS thus determines the current and future
maintenance requirements. This data can also
be read from the vehicle key by your BMW Ser-
vice Advisor and used to propose the optimum
scope of maintenance.
Disconnecting the battery during periods
of long-term storage will interrupt the
calculation of time-based services. Have all
items requiring time-based maintenance, such
as brake fluid and possibly also the engine oil
and microfilter, brought up to date by your BMW
center. Also see the section on battery care on
page 17 of this statement.
Service Interval Display
Info Display screen contents
The distance remaining until your next service
briefly appears when you switch on the ignition.
The Info Display immediately switches to
its compute mode when you press one
of the two buttons in the turn signal indicator
lever.
For certain maintenance operations, you can
view the respective distance remaining or due
date individually in the instrument cluster.
1. Push button 1 in the turn indicator lever up
or down repeatedly until the appropriate
symbol appears in the display, accompanied
by the words “SERVICE-INFO”.
2. Press button 2.
3. Use button 1 to scroll through the individual service items.
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Possible displays
1. Button for selecting functions
2. Service requirements
3. Engine oil
4. Roadworthiness test*
5. Front brake pads 6. Rear brake pads
7. Brake fluid
The sequence of displayed service items may
vary. The data for the next service appointment
is shown first.
Supplementary information (vehicles
with optional iDrive)
You can have further information on the scope
of maintenance displayed on the Control
Display.
1. Open the start menu.
2. Press the controller to open the i-menu.
3. Select “Info sources” and press the
controller.
4. Select “Service” and press the controller.
5. If necessary, move the highlight marker to the uppermost field. Turn the controller until
“Service requirements” is selected and
press the controller.
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6. If necessary, move the highlight marker to the second field from the top. Turn the con-
troller until “Status” is selected and press
the controller.
A list of selected maintenance operations and, if
applicable, inspections required by law is displayed.
You can request more detailed information on
every entry.
Select the entry and press the controller.
To exit from the menu:
Select the
arrow and press the controller.
Control Display screen contents
(optional equipment)
For 3 Series equipped with the optional Naviga-
tion System, the current Status of Service items
determined by the CBS are shown in the Con-
trol Display.
You can view additional information on service
and maintenance procedures by selecting the
OB data menu.
1.Select and confirm.
2. Select “Service” and confirm your entry.
3. The display shows a list of selected service and maintenance procedures, as well as any
required state inspections.
Red Sectors
The service deadline has already passed.
Yellow Sectors
The deadline for service or a state inspection is
approaching. Please contact your BMW center
for an appointment.
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The engine coolant has a lifetime rating and
does not need to be changed except for sys-
tem repairs.
For your convenience, you may also wish to have
your BMW center perform any necessary opera-
tions to fulfill any state inspection requirements in
your area concurrent with the maintenance ele-
ments specified above during other repairs.
Should you request more frequent mainte-
nance service, the cost of these services will
not be covered by the Maintenance Program.
BMW has applied the most modern technological
advances not only to the design and production of
your vehicle, but also to computing of the opti-
mum maintenance interval for your type of opera-
tions and driving style. Your BMW center has
made a substantial investment in unique BMW
special service tools to enable BMW factory
trained service technicians to perform quality
repairs on your BMW in minimal time. Your service
technician looks forward to serving your every ser-
vice need and to help maximize your satisfaction
with your BMW, its longevity, and resale value.
Quality Certification I
For a detailed list of items inspected, refer to the
Quality Certification I form provided to the
Owner at time of delivery. A copy of the form is
on file at the selling BMW center.
Maintenance Summary
The Condition Based Service (CBS) system will
determine the requirement for performance of
the maintenance services described on this and
the following page. These services may be
required either individually or in conjunction with
other maintenance services.
Standard operations
Maintenance work:
 Brief diagnostic test
 Verify Check Control messages.
 Check indicator and warning lights.
 Reset CBS display.
 Inspect tires, adjust tire pressures and reset
Tire Pressure Monitor.
Engine oil
Maintenance work:
 Change the engine oil and oil filter. We rec-
ommend BMW High Performance 5W-30
Synthetic Oil P/N 07 51 0 017 866.
 After every 3rd engine oil change: Intake air
cleaner: replace air filter element (reduce
replacement interval in dusty operating
conditions).
 Parking brake: Check function and
pre-burnish.
Microfilter (not shown in CBS)
Maintenance work:
 Replace ventilation microfilter.
Front brake
Maintenance work:
 Replace brake pads, clean brake pad contact
points in calipers.
 Brake discs: Check surface and thickness, if
necessary replace at extra charge.*
Rear brake
Maintenance work:
 Replace brake pads, clean brake pad contact
points in calipers.
 Brake discs: Check surface and thickness, if
necessary replace at extra charge.*
 Parking brake: Check condition, brake lining
thickness and function, if necessary replace
at extra charge.*
*Unless covered by Maintenance Program
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Trip Interruption Benefits
Trip interruption benefits are provided for
mechanical breakdowns as follows:
 Breakdowns that are warranty related, and;
 Must occur in excess of 100 miles from the
drivers residence, and;
 Repairs cannot be completed during normal
business hours on the same day of
breakdown.
Reimbursements will be made for meals, lodg-
ing, car rentals, and alternate transportation to
bring the driver and the BMW automobile
together after the vehicle has been repaired by
an authorized BMW center. Original receipts
must accompany all reimbursement requests.
Trip interruption coverage is limited to $750.00
per incident, for a maximum of five days per
incident.
Always contact BMW Roadside Assistance for
trip interruption benefits. They will assist in
making all the necessary arrangements.
Car Rental Discounts
Discounts are available from Hertz and Enter-
prise car rental companies. Benefits may vary
with each company and location, and are sub-
ject to change without notice.
Simply display your Roadside Assistance card
(showing the applicable Plan number) during
reservation and at the time of rental to secure
your discount.
Exclusions
Specifically excluded from coverage are:
 Fines, taxes, or impound towing fees caused
by a violation of local or state law.
 Expenses related to extreme adverse weather
conditions, including, but not limited to,
floods, hurricanes and tornadoes (removal
from water, snow, ice, etc.).
 Expenses for the removal of snow tires, and
mounting or removal of snow chains.
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Federal Emissions System Defect
Warranty (Valid only in the U.S.A.
and Puerto Rico)
This warranty applies only to U.S. specification
vehicles distributed by BMW of North America,
LLC (BMW NA) or sold through the BMW NA
European Delivery Program.
In accordance with the defect warranty provi-
sions of section 207(b) of the Clean Air Act,
BMW NA warrants to the first retail purchaser,
and each subsequent purchaser, that the car (a)
was designed, built and equipped so as to con-
form, at the time of sale, with all regulations of
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency appli-
cable at the time of manufacture and (b) is free
from defects in materials and workmanship
which would cause it to fail to conform with
applicable regulations for a period of 2 years or
24,000 miles, whichever occurs first, except for
specific emission control components (as listed
on page 38), for which the warranty period is
8 years or 80,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Coverage begins on the date of first retail sale
or the date the vehicle is first placed into service
as a sales demonstrator, service loaner (SLP) or
company vehicle, whichever is earlier.
Warranty claims must be made as soon as rea-
sonably possible after a defect is discovered. To
make a claim, the car must be brought to any
authorized BMW center during normal business
hours.
The BMW center will, without charge for parts
or labor (including diagnosis), either repair or
replace the defective part, if any. The decision
whether to repair or replace said parts is solely
the prerogative of BMW NA and must be
expected to correct the failure of the warranted
part. Parts for which replacements are made
become the property of BMW NA. In all cases, a
reasonable time must be allowed for warranty
repairs to be completed after the car is received
by the BMW center.
For assistance in determining which specific
parts or components of your vehicle are covered
under this warranty, please contact your BMW
center. It is the owners responsibility to have all sched-
uled inspection and maintenance services per-
formed (at the owners expense), as prescribed
in the maintenance schedule for the BMW Emis-
sion Control System. Service intervals are com-
puted by the onboard BMW service interval
indicator and displayed on the instrument panel.
The instructions for proper maintenance and
use can be found in the Owners Manual. It is
strongly recommended that any replacement
parts used for maintenance, repair or replace-
ment of emission control systems be certified
BMW Service Parts or BMW Authorized
Remanufactured Parts. Without invalidating this
warranty, the owner may elect to have mainte-
nance, repair or replacement of the emission
control systems performed by any automotive
repair establishment, or elect to use parts other
than certified BMW Service Parts. However, the
cost of such service or parts will not be covered
under this warranty, except in emergency situa-
tions. In an emergency situation, where an
authorized BMW center or a warranty replace-
ment part is not reasonably available (within
30 days), repairs may be performed at any avail-
able service establishment using any equivalent
part. BMW NA will reimburse the owner for such
emergency repairs (including labor, parts and
diagnosis not to exceed BMW NA rates for labor,
parts, and diagnosis in said area) that are cov-
ered under this warranty. Replaced parts and
paid invoices must be presented at a BMW cen-
ter as a condition of reimbursement for emer-
gency repairs not performed by a BMW center.
The use of replacement parts, which are not of
equivalent quality, may impair the effectiveness
of the emission control system. If other than cer-
tified BMW Service Parts or Authorized Remanu-
factured Parts are used for maintenance, repair
or replacement of components affecting emis-
sion control, the owner should obtain assurances
that such parts are warranted by their manufac-
turer to be equivalent to genuine BMW parts in
performance and durability. BMW NA assumes
no liability under this warranty with respect to
parts other than genuine BMW parts.
However, the use of non-genuine BMW replace-
ment parts or non-EPA certified parts does not
invalidate the warranty on other components,
unless non-genuine BMW parts or non-EPA cer-
tified parts cause damage to warranted parts.
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California Emission Control
System Limited Warranty*
This warranty applies to California certified vehi-
cles distributed by BMW of North America, LLC
(BMW NA) or sold through the BMW NA Euro-
pean Delivery Program, registered and operated
primarily in California.
BMW NA warrants to the original purchaser and
each subsequent owner that the vehicle is:
a. designed, built and equipped so as to con- form with the applicable California Air
Resources Board emission standards.
b. free from defects in materials and workman- ship which cause any part that can affect
emissions to fail to conform with applicable
requirements or to fail a California Smog
Check test or EPA approved short test for a
period of 3 years or 50,000 miles, whichever
occurs first.
c. free from defects in materials and workman- ship in emission related parts, which are con-
tained in the California Emission Warranty
Parts List on page 42, for a period of 7 years
or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first.
Coverage begins on the date of first retail sale
or the date the vehicle is first placed into service
as a sales demonstrator, service loaner (SLP) or
company vehicle, whichever is earlier.
To obtain service under this warranty, the vehi-
cle must be brought, upon failure of a Smog
Check test or upon discovery of the defect, to
the workshop of any authorized BMW center,
during normal business hours. The BMW center
will honor or deny your claim within 30 days. If
the claim is denied, the BMW center will notify
you in writing of the reason(s). The BMW center
is required by law to honor the claim if notice is
not given to the owner within 30 days.
The BMW center will, without charge for parts
or labor (including diagnosis), either adjust,
repair or replace the defective part and other
parts affected by the failure of the warranted
part, if any. If your vehicle failed the California
Smog Check test or an EPA approved short test,
then BMW NA will repair your vehicle so that it
will pass this test. Items that require scheduled
replacement are warranted up to the replace- ment interval specified in the Service section of
this Statement. BMW NA may repair a part in
lieu of replacing it when performing warranty
repairs. Parts for which replacements are made
become the property of BMW NA. After 3 years
or 50,000 miles, and in accordance with para-
graph (c) above, such repairs are limited to the
repair or replacement of those parts identified in
the California Emissions Warranty List.
If your California registered vehicle is between
7 and 8 years old and has been driven less than
80,000 miles, then your vehicle is eligible for
additional warranty coverage under the Federal
Emissions Warranty.
A repair performed as the result of a smog check
test failure due to a defect in a part, which is war-
ranted for 7 years/70,000 miles, is covered.
In all cases, a reasonable time, not to exceed
30 days, must be allowed for a warranty repair to
be completed, after the car is received by the
BMW center.
It is the owners responsibility to have all required
maintenance services performed (at the owners
expense), as prescribed in the maintenance sched-
ule for the BMW Emission Control System. Service
intervals are computed by the service interval indi-
cator and displayed on the instrument panel.
However, BMW NA will not deny your warranty
repair claims solely because you do not have
maintenance records or you did not perform the
required maintenance unless BMW NA demon-
strates that such lack of required maintenance is
a direct cause of the emission control system
failure. The instructions for required maintenance
and use can be found in the Owners Manual and
in the Service section of this Statement.
*The California Emissions Control System Lim-
ited Warranty applies to all 2008 U.S. specifica-
tion BMW vehicles sold, leased, and/or
registered in California, Connecticut, Maine,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island or Vermont. This
warranty also applies to SULEV (PZEV) models
sold, leased and/or registered in Oregon or
Washington. SULEV (PZEV) models registered
in California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachu-
setts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and
Vermont have different emissions warranty cov-
erage; please refer to the SULEV (PZEV) section
beginning on page 42.
40

California Emission Control
System Limited Warranty SULEV
(PZEV)*
This warranty applies to California certified vehi-
cles distributed by BMW of North America
(BMW NA) or sold through the BMW NA Euro-
pean Delivery Program, registered and operated
primarily in California.
BMW NA warrants to the original purchaser and
each subsequent owner that the vehicle is:
a. designed, built and equipped so as to con- form with the applicable California Air
Resources Board emission standards.
b. free from defects in materials and workman- ship which cause any part that can affect
emissions to fail to conform with applicable
requirements or to fail a California Smog
Check test or EPA approved short test for a
period of 15 years or 150,000, whichever
occurs first.
c. free from defects in materials and workman- ship in emission related parts for a period of
15 years or 150,000, whichever occurs first.
Coverage begins on the date of first retail sale
or the date the vehicle is first placed into service
as a sales demonstrator, service loaner (SLP) or
company vehicle, whichever is earlier.
To obtain service under this warranty, the vehi-
cle must be brought, upon failure of a Smog
Check test or upon discovery of the defect, to
the workshop of any authorized BMW center,
during normal business hours. The BMW center
will honor or deny your claim within 30 days. If
the claim is denied, the BMW center will notify
you in writing of the reason(s). The BMW center
is required by law to honor the claim if notice is
not given to the owner within 30 days.
The BMW center will, without charge for parts
or labor (including diagnosis), either adjust,
repair or replace the defective part and other
parts affected by the failure of the warranted
part, if any. If your vehicle failed the California
Smog Check test or an EPA approved short test,
then BMW NA will repair your vehicle so that it
will pass this test. Items that require scheduled replacement are warranted up to the replace-
ment interval specified in the Service section of
this Statement. BMW NA may repair a part in
lieu of replacing it when performing warranty
repairs. Parts for which replacements are made
become the property of BMW NA.
A repair performed as the result of a smog
check test failure due to a defect in a part, which
is warranted for 15 years/150,000, is covered.
In all cases, a reasonable time, not to exceed
30 days, must be allowed for a warranty repair to
be completed, after the car is received by the
BMW center.
It is the owners responsibility to have all
required maintenance services performed (at
the owners expense), as prescribed in the main-
tenance schedule for the BMW Emission Con-
trol System. Service intervals are computed by
the service interval indicator and displayed on
the instrument panel.
However, BMW NA will not deny your warranty
repair claims solely because you do not have
maintenance records or you did not perform the
required maintenance unless BMW NA demon-
strates that such lack of required maintenance is
a direct cause of the emission control system
failure. The instructions for required mainte-
nance and use can be found in the Owner’s
Manual and in the Service section of this
Statement.
*The California Emissions Control System Lim-
ited Warranty SULEV (PZEV) applies to all 2008
U.S. specification BMW SULEV (PZEV) vehicles
sold, leased, and/or registered in California,
Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jer-
sey, New York, Rhode Island or Vermont.
It is strongly recommended that any replace-
ment parts used for maintenance, repair or
replacement of emission control systems be
genuine BMW Service Parts or BMW Authorized
Remanufactured Parts. Without invalidating this
warranty, the owner may elect to have mainte-
nance, repair or replacement of the emission
control systems performed by any automotive
repair establishment, or elect to use parts other
than BMW Authorized Remanufactured or genu-
ine BMW Service Parts. However, the cost of
such service or parts will not be covered under
this warranty, except in emergency situations. In
45