Help me create a maintenance plan?

[Severian]

Hey everyone, this is my first BMW (1998 318ti w/ 80,000 mi.). This is also my first car that I care enough to maintain and I'm new at auto maintenance. I've changed oil in my '99 mazda protege plenty, but I also bought tires at Sam's club so I could take it there to have them rotated for free. Lately I've gone to Lube places because we were apartment owners. But now we own a home, have a garage, and have a BMW, and I want to make sure I give her a nice home. I'm really eager to learn how to maintain her properly and mostly on my own so we don't have to pay $80 for an oil change (gack!!)

Can you guys let me in on your maintenance routines? What do you do yourself, how often do you do it, and what tools will I need to do ALL of the personal maintenance. Here's what I have thus far, based on my research:

* Oil filters - Mahle Oil Filter Kit - $5.97 (autodoctorparts.com)
* Oil filter wrench - $8.95 (bavauto.com)
* Oil - Lubro Moly Voll-Synthese 5W40 - 5 Liters - $29.95 (bavauto.com)
* Small funnel
* Non-sieze silver compount for plug changes
* Oil pan
* Basic tools (but no torque wrench)
* This web site (you guys rock...)

Plan to purchase soon (if you guys agree):
* 2 ton Jack + two jack stands + creeper combo
(see this link: http://garage-toys.com/lavesece.html)
* Protective rubber gloves (so I can change the oil up to temp)
* Torque wrench?
* Filters? (cab & air)
* Tool to rotate tires myself? (can I rotate tires myself if I have 2 jack stands?)
* Other things you guys recommend

Thanks so much for your help. I saw elsewhere that someone does the following:

* Oil change when service indicator says so
* Air filter every 5k
* Rotate tires every 5k
* Full wheel alignment every 10k
* Spark plugs every 30k (?)
* Fuel filter (?)
* Cabin filter (?)

What do you say? I'm eager to learn and want to do things right. Feel free to make other recommendations, and websites are fine, I enjoy shopping online. Is the jack stand + jack + creeper a good deal? Or should I buy locally. They're $52 after shipping.

[L84THSKY]

That price seems too low, you gotta wonder about the quality. Your life might depend on it.

Lubro-Molly oil? That stuff seems too expensive, and you will have to order it each time you change your oil. Go with Mobile 1, buy in bulk.

Originally Posted by Severian

Is the jack stand + jack + creeper a good deal? Or should I buy locally. They're $52 after shipping.

[1996 328ti]

If you have the warranty booklet it will outline what needs to be done during the service intervals.

Most of what gets done is under Inspection II. That should work out to around 36,000 miles. I change the filter at 1/2 intervals. Oil and regular inspection/oil intervals. Inspection II gets filters and such. I change the HVAC micro filter at every Inspection.

I don't know if it necessary to rotate tires unless you see uneven wearing from front to back. Brake fluid is every 2 years.

[Severian]

Originally Posted by L84THSKY

Go with Mobile 1, buy in bulk.

Roger that. I'll gladly use Mobile 1 from this point on. Thanks guys.

[cali-ti]

suggest getting the bentley manual as well. should be like $50. it also details what should be done when besides detailing how to do many repairs that you're interested in doing yourself.

[aceyx]

order the OEM oil filters in bulk on ebay. comes to less than $6 per filter. no problem with the mahles, just don't know if it comes with the crush washer and o-rings.

i've never used anti-seize on plugs, and had no problems. YMMV.

i've used larin products for years, but then again i also triple-jack (jackstands, jack, rhino ramps). i upgraded to a set of AC jack stands a while back, and those go under the wheels i'm working under. but no problems with the larin stuff thusfar.

i'd suggest using vinyl gloves, but after the first few oil changes you should be able to do it just in a set of mechanic's gloves (e.g. not spill). i actually would recommend nitrile gloves, if you can find them (usually blue or green, latex-looking).

i have a torque wrench, but i rarely use it. after seasonal tire changes because it WILL affect how your brakes wear (and a week after for good measure), and a few strange repair/maintenance issues. as far as plugs and oil changes, i just go hand-tight.


also, no "e" on the Mobil1.