XSeries-forum

Hi,
I am about to purchase a 2012 X5 30d M Sport from a indepenant car dealer which has very low miles, less than 30k. It does not have a service book and I and told by the dealer this is normal for one of these cars, it's all logged on the I drive with paper recipts to back it up. I've only ever had older cars which have been accompanied by a service book fully stamped. Is the dealer correct in telling me that this is now the way with these cars ? It's not particularly cheap and it's had two main dealer services with one due this December or 10,000 miles. Everything else about the car backs it up and I believe that mileage, just don't want to be stuck with a vehicle which is difficult to sell on of in twelve months time we don't like it. Thanks in advance.

Hi
Service history is everything with these cars.
Anyone considering buying one of these regardless of model would insist on a documented history.
A 12 plate is now 2 years out of its main dealer warranty, unless its had a AUC warranty since then. Its my guess its been independently serviced or not, and this independent is looking to achieve main dealer price. Yes the main dealer (if you can track when and where it was maintained) will be able to verify what service history, and any work that may have been done.
But where is the paperwork? What's he/she trying to hide? ::)
These cars don't hang around the forecourt very long. They are quick sellers and basically sell themselves. There is always a market for the X5 regardless of age, but only if the price is right, and or there's good documentation. If I was the dealer selling this car I'd be broadcasting its pedigree, by producing documented history........?
If you're in any doubt or it doesn't feel right, stick with your gut feeling and walk away. There aren't many bargains to be had with these cars unfortunately. Research is the key, wait for the right one to become available, it will pay dividends in the future.

I am a 60 plate owner, now at 72k. One previous owner. Dealer serviced until AUC warranty expired in 2015. Other than service costs, nothing spent in last 3 years of ownership.

BMW now use electronic records, and have done for many years.  BMW UK will provide you with the full service history but they do charge for it.

I have very little if any paperwork for mine and it has only been main Dealer serviced as it is still under a BMW Extended Warranty.  I have only done just over 35K in 7 years though.  My new Škoda also has electronic service records only - though again I can ask for a paper copy - and there is no service book in the car.

I have not heard of the details being stored on the IDrive before though it might be true.  It would make a lot of sense but I can't see a dealer updating it as that costs time and we know what they are like  >:(

So should it have a stamped service book or is this not the norm with a 12 plate X5? It does have records of two main dealer services but know stamped service booklet?

I have a 2012 40d MSport, purchased as an AUC a year ago - definitely has full service book, stamped and up to date.  The dealer is spinning a yarn to you,  this info is not on the iDrive - you can of course go into "vehicle information" and check when services are due, this is probably what they are referring to.  As X5Sport said, you can get info on any work carried out by BMW on application for it - they do charge for this. The dealer should have obtained this instead of lying to you!  The mileage may well be accurate, and service book lost at some point, but the replacement service book should be obtained by this dealer, they can send it to the dealerships who did the servicing for stamping, I know this had to be done for mine - dealer could have obtained this easily instead of telling porkies! 
Personally, I would not touch one of these from an independent dealer unless I knew the car or the dealer very well indeed.  Also remember that some servicing is time based not mileage, like brake fluid changes etc. Low mileage on diesel cars not necessarily always a wonderful thing.  I think newer cars, ie F15s etc may have this electronic service book feature, definitely not 2012 E70s though.

These cars are still quite expensive, I would be getting a bit more demanding if I were you, if the dealer is telling porkies about this, what else can they be hiding?

Hi I have a fully stamped up book as well 2012 X5

2011 4.0d with service book and all stamps to date....

I meant to add, BMW AUCs have to have a full service history when you purchase - and this is part of every AUC sale, so dealers have to get the service books etc up to date. For newer cars perhaps they just give you a printout of the service history?

These cars do carry a bit of a premium and E70s are by no means a cheap or bargain purchase - "saving" by buying from an independent "Honest Joe's Car Sales" may save a bit off AUC prices from BMW but given you are likely spending over £20k ish, is it really worth the risk?

The first X5 I bought had a service book but on closer looking ALL the pen dates signatures looked the same although there were a couple of dealer stamps, which were faded as if there was not a lot of ink in the pad. That and the other issues they had it back and I had my money back. If you have any doubt ............ walk away. I did and they found a really good one.

I Bought a X5 2012 3.0d sports last year from a independent dealer, he had a fully stamp service book but I was still not happy, because there were no invoices to back up stamps, so I asked him if he could get in touch with the previous owner or dealer who serviced the car and get me a copy of all invoices before I buy, which he did for me.

Sent from my ONEPLUS A3003 using Tapatalk

[quote="X5Sport"]
BMW now use electronic records, and have done for many years.  BMW UK will provide you with the full service history but they do charge for it.

I have very little if any paperwork for mine and it has only been main Dealer serviced as it is still under a BMW Extended Warranty.  I have only done just over 35K in 7 years though.  My new Škoda also has electronic service records only - though again I can ask for a paper copy - and there is no service book in the car.

I have not heard of the details being stored on the IDrive before though it might be true.  It would make a lot of sense but I can't see a dealer updating it as that costs time and we know what they are like  >:(
[/quote]
Was it/is an option to get service book when you got new car? Had many bmws without book...

For the X6 I don't remember and for the Škoda no it wasn't an option.  TBH with the Škoda on lease it will be going back in due course.

For the X6 I do keep what paperwork there is and I can most likely (but haven't checked) ask the supplying Dealer for a printout.  I have all the MOT chits. 

[quote="PioneerSSM"]
Hi
Service history is everything with these cars.

[/quote]

I'd have to disagree with you there. Service history means next to nothing. I'm far more interested in maintenance history when buying a second hand car (not the same thing at all)

All that "service history" means in real terms is, that there is some evidence that someone claims to have changed the oil and filter. The rest is BS - checking brake discs, pads, wipers, light bulbs etc. And at 30k even if the oil had never been changed and nothing else does at all, you would, probably, be fine. My green lights go out every 5k so with all 5 I have 25k between oil changes. It's linked to driving style, fuel consumption, etc.

The dealer spinning a yarn, or not, is more of the issue for me.

There have been a couple of conflicting post repossess here saying it's been electronic for years and others saying they have a book. The OP should just act daft phone another dealership, or two, and ask them the question

[quote="Smeeagain"]
[quote="PioneerSSM"]
Hi
Service history is everything with these cars.

[/quote]

I'd have to disagree with you there. Service history means next to nothing. I'm far more interested in maintenance history when buying a second hand car (not the same thing at all)

All that "service history" means in real terms is, that there is some evidence that someone claims to have changed the oil and filter. The rest is BS - checking brake discs, pads, wipers, light bulbs etc. And at 30k even if the oil had never been changed and nothing else does at all, you would, probably, be fine. My green lights go out every 5k so with all 5 I have 25k between oil changes. It's linked to driving style, fuel consumption, etc.

The dealer spinning a yarn, or not, is more of the issue for me.

There have been a couple of conflicting post repossess here saying it's been electronic for years and others saying they have a book. The OP should just act daft phone another dealership, or two, and ask them the question
[/quote]

I agree, the dealer service history is far too long irrespective of technological changes to oil development etc.
I religiously change oil every year, regardless of mileage, allbeit I'm lucky to do more 5000miles/ year
Fuel filter and air filter every second year, (though car ownership habits seldom see a second change) cost to change is offset by DIY against the dealer/indi hourly rate!

Being an engineer and ex mechanic, when I buy, I strip brakes and have yet to find or own a car that doesn't have brake pads stuck to the calipers with molten brake dust! Would a main dealer or independent carry out this check, or even clean the calipers prior to reditment, or is it more timed work!
I could go on & on about my resentment against dealers though realise that some are not mechanically minded and have reliance on their skill sets or reassurances of warranty, ever since the bonus structure hit workshops the care & maintenance declined to where it is now!
Like most trades, it's all time and money!

However
I document all my works in the "service book" keep all receipts in the hope the new owner will have the reassurance, though as my purchases have gotten more expensive, my trade ins are perhaps loosing value, I know diy maintenance becomes a problem with Warranty companies so there is a place for a maintained record, allbeit it's you scratch my back I'll scratch yours......

For the record, All previous BMW models built prior to 2013 had paper service books, F models thereafter use electronic records held on key and I drive
BMW E models had service requirements on idrive allbeit, a bit of knowledge or you tube session on the system and the dates can be manipulated so really of little value or reliance

I was under the impression that E53 series had a CANBUS system and that iDrve only came into use from the E70 onwards - there were changes to the CCC system around 2010/11 and LCI models have a CIC system.  The E53 AFAIK has no useful info easily accessible about past services /work carried out held within the memory; the E70 also has no directly accessible electronc service book on the idrive, just the vehicle information area. 

Confusion reigns I think, because BMW dealers DO keep electronic details of services and work carried out whch they can access for a fee if you want the history pronted out orma service book replaced.  But those records are on BMW computer systems, not the idrive. 

Whichever way you look at it, this dealer seemingly couldn't be bothered to get the full history from BMW - so either the car doesn't have the history he claims, or he is slapdash and is fobbing you off.