Inspection II
 

Hey guys,

Looking into an Inspection II. Called an indy shop who offers a free 32-point inspection. They told me the Inspection is "overly glorified" and that his inspection will pretty much do the same, except not get into the major details. I've gotten my inspections done previously, and I feel it's great for peace of mind. Just wanted some opinions from you all; are the inspections overly glorified? Would a 32-point inspection cut it for my car at 90k miles ('01 325ci)? I'd rather spend money and get a quality inspection, but if they're just profit-makers then F it ya know? I appreciate it fellas.

You need cabin & engine air filters, diff fluid, oil change in addition to the lookover. Trans fluid, brake fluid, and coolant flush probably wouldn't be a bad idea either.

"Except not get into the major details" doesn't tell you what you need to know? Btw, I'm pretty sure 90K miles would be an Inspection I service.

It's pretty easy to do yourself. Basically you change all fluids (diff, transmission, oil, coolant, power steering, brake fluid), inspect all hoses/seals (gaskets), inspect brakes and driveline, inspect all bushings, change spark plugs, change all filters (cabin, oil, transmission, fuel), and check all dash lights/driving lights. I don't know what he means by "major details". None of this is particularly major. The fluid changes will be expensive if you don't DIY though. Honestly, I don't trust any general mechanic to wrench on my car, but I think I'd let one inspect. They know what good bushings look like and can find leaks easily enough.

Also, above poster is correct. 90K is Inspection I again, assuming you did Inspection II at 60K.

Yeah, I did have the Inspection II done at 60k. I thought it was every other inspection you do the II. So, I'll be doing Inspection I up until 120k? Good to know, I know I'll need the filters, fluids and spark plugs changed. Having some vibration at higher speeds as well so I'm pretty sure my control arm bushings are on the way out. The indy shop is ASE and BMW Certified, according to their website:

http://www.baltimore-bimmer.com/

They quoted me $123 for the filters, but I didn't ask about the fluids. $520 for the control arm bushing.

Thanks for the advice!

That is an insane price for the control arm bushings. They cost $100 for upgraded Meyle HD parts. I can do the install myself in about an hour. Yours definitely need replacing by this mileage though. Also you probably need new rear trailing arm bushings (RTABs) with limiters ($80). I would suggest a new steering flex coupler as well ($30)

I'd love to do it myself, however I'm a complete noob (not hard to tell, right?). I change my own oil and that's about it. May need to take a day or two and figure this ish out to save a couple hundred huh?

Just read a bunch of DIYs. Invest $500 in tools and you will save thousands. I have already saved several thousand dollars. I can do a brake job on a 330 for $300. The dealer would charge almost $1000. I did my entire front suspension parts (minus struts/mounts) for $500. An independent mechanic I went to wanted $575 to install tierods alone. They charge at least $650 for an ATF filter/fluid change (you can do it for $150).

Anyway, there are so many DIY guides available that you should have no problem. Just read a bunch of them to cross reference, build a list of tools you need, then get out there and do it.