[DEVIN13]

Son just bought a '13 Exec 3.6L ... so i am new to the forum..

Have 3 BMW s that I service myself (86 325e;87 325i;08 528 - just swapped engines on the 325I - so somewhat mechanical) and will use this as a sounding board and needed a couple quick links if someone has them ...

1) BMW has REALOEM.com where i can put in the VIN and have the car components as originally built pulled up including diagrams - is there a VW site that will do the same ? same for maintenance schedules ...

2) with 65K miles on the unit - what should I expect to change out in the next 20K miles - will investigate the maintenance schedules but already know the brake pads and rotors will need it ...what else should I look into ...timing belts? water pump? any Transmission tells that a problem is about to incur?

Thanks for any and all help

regrds

 

[FinallyTDI]

Hi Devin. Congrats to your son on the new vehicle!

1) For exploded diagrams of assemblies you can go to a site such as https://www.vwpartsvortex.com. I usually start there then google part numbers for the lowest price.

2) for the 3.6 FSI major services are 40 / 80 / 120k so you should not need anything major at 65k. For 40k intervals it’s plugs and air filter (unbelievably easy to DIY). Cabin filter every 20k and oil/filter every 10k. The engine is chain timed so no timing belts to worry about. I haven’t heard of any modern 3.6 having timing chain guide or tensioner issues. I’d inspect the accessory drive belt every 80k, it’ll likely go to at least 120k and when it gets tired do the tensioner too. I like to do differentials and transfer case every 50k miles but it’s probably gross overkill. Front and rear diffs take 75w-90 (3qts does both) and tcase takes VW G052536A2 (takes about 0.8L). You’re probably best leaving the transmission alone, but if you’re like me it will eat you alive not changing fluid so now would be a good time do do a pan drop and fluid / filter change. I did my TDi at 60k and the fluid came out blood red and clean which means it was a waste of time to change it but it made me feel better. About 6 liters will do this and the best option I found for filter/pan gasket is ATP part number B-425 for fluid I like Febi G-055-540-A2. The OC8 transmission is built by Aisin and is a total beast rated for 730 lb-ft of torque, the piddling 266 lb-ft the 3.6 puts down doesn’t even tickle it. Brakes are also very stout in the 7P platform vehicles so I’d be surprised if you needed rotors and pads at 65k, but the PO may have been an animal so it’s possible. Many people get 100k + from rotors and pads. Do the brake fluid, too, with dot 4. 1.5 L should handle the full change.

Enjoy that sweet-driving tank of an SUV, good luck!