In article
<621800f9-901f-4fd6-b4cb-4e1e97aa74ee@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
bfd <bfd853@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> Its interesting that BMW never spec fluid changes "lifetime" until it
> started offering *FREE* maintenance.
That only holds good if BMW only sold cars in the US. Other countries
didn't get 'free' maintenance at the same time. And I'd guess BMW make a
bigger profit per car in most other countries too.
> For example, BMW coolant has basically been the same for the last 20
> years. In the US, BMW coolant is Vavoline Zerex G-48. For my 1990 535i,
> the owners manual says change every couple of years. Now, with the same
> fluid, its every 4 years for some cars or even lifetime for others.
You have to consider whether a fluid will deteriorate or not. Coolant
doesn't get contaminated with anything in a sealed system - unlike brake
fluid which absorbs moisture from the air.
> Same thing with brake fluid.
> Nevertheless, the lifetime fluid is a result of the general public not
> wanting to spend money on their car and expecting the car to run
> 100,000 miles "maintenance free."
Don't think any car runs for 100,000 miles without some maintenance. Sure
it's reduced from what it once was - but do you really want to go back to
greasing things every 1000 miles? Nor did cars last as long in those days
anyway.
--
*Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.
Dave Plowman dave@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.
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