Doing you own services

Who? · 05-01-2017, 05:17 AM

Hey Guys,
I like to do my own basic servicing (brakes, oil plugs etc)
How do I keep track of, and more importantly, log it for selling it in the future?
Afaik, its all done electronically via the key fob/idrive now, so i dont know where to start

any insights would be good!

BEAR-AvHistory · 05-01-2017, 05:34 AM

Not something I am interested in doing but a spread sheet would work well. Might even be car specific software out there to create a service log.

tgmsocal · 05-01-2017, 06:52 AM

Excel.

jwilly · 05-01-2017, 08:06 AM

Car Minder app.

Joel

NitroLX · 05-01-2017, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

Excel.

Would you believe someone who is selling there car and shows you an excel spreadsheet with no real time stamps?

I wouldn't.

skw · 05-01-2017, 09:58 AM

Excel spreadsheet w/ notes of service done, date, and mileage. Or even a note book w/ same info handwritten and receipts.

otay · 05-01-2017, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitroLX

Would you believe someone who is selling there car and shows you an excel spreadsheet with no real time stamps?

I wouldn't.

On the other hand, CarFax misses stuff all the time. Just because something doesn't show on CarFax doesn't mean it didn't happen.

Billfitz · 05-01-2017, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SJ00

How do I keep track of, and more importantly, log it for selling it in the future?

Save the sales receipts for the parts.

beanbaguk · 05-01-2017, 10:30 AM

Say bye bye to re-sale value.

While it's something I'm sure many of us would like to do, as a buyer, I would never consider a car without a FSH from an approved garage.

There's just so much that could be missed out and while I'm definitely not saying you would do this, a lot of people could simply make it all up.

The nice thing with a BMW SH is I can go to any approved BMW network service centre and request a copy of the service history along with all the notes.

I don't even have a log book anymore as it's all electronically kept.

tgmsocal · 05-01-2017, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitroLX

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

Excel.

Would you believe someone who is selling there car and shows you an excel spreadsheet with no real time stamps?

I wouldn't.

While I agree with you, the question of the OP was how to keep track of self-maintenance. Nothing like an Excel spreadsheet. Not sure how to make "official" records of stuff you do yourself..

-tgm

NitroLX · 05-01-2017, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tgmsocal

While I agree with you, the question of the OP was how to keep track of self-maintenance. Nothing like an Excel spreadsheet. Not sure how to make "official" records of stuff you do yourself..

-tgm

true but he also wanted to know for re-sale value =P

tgmsocal · 05-01-2017, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NitroLX

true but he also wanted to know for re-sale value =P

Haha true true. To be fair, between no records and someone with a meticulous spreadsheet who seems honest.. Well now I think I'm just stating the obvious

I do a considerable amount of self-maintenance, so keep track of it there, in addition to dealership/mechanic provided services.

-tgm

turo329 · 05-01-2017, 12:34 PM

I personally use a Spreadsheet as well as have a folder of all service with receipts. Including the Oil changes, Brake jobs, Air filters etc. that I do myself. If I am a buyer and see this information from a seller I am absolutely more inclined to buy from them. Dealer doesn't care if you are trading it in. It will absolutely help you sell your car. If a dealer has carfax and private owner has full details I am going with the private owner. Carfax has limited information on it.

CalCarNut · 05-02-2017, 03:19 PM

I have a folder for each of my cars to keep receipts, etc. For the BMWs, it should just be dealership invoices (with future 'oil filter only' receipts for my own peace of mind for in between changes).

jparnes1 · 05-02-2017, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turo329

I personally use a Spreadsheet as well as have a folder of all service with receipts. Including the Oil changes, Brake jobs, Air filters etc. that I do myself. If I am a buyer and see this information from a seller I am absolutely more inclined to buy from them. Dealer doesn't care if you are trading it in. It will absolutely help you sell your car. If a dealer has carfax and private owner has full details I am going with the private owner. Carfax has limited information on it.

This is what I do too. A potential buyer may not believe me, but screw them. There's plenty of buyers out there. I think anyone who looks at my cars and asks me questions will believe what they're seeing. Anyway, I'm not going to have a service shop do my maintenance or repairs just so I can have a receipt for the work. I do cuz I like it, I save money and I know its done right. That's more important to me.

dreamspeed · 05-06-2017, 11:42 AM

I keep detailed records in excel for all my cars.
I don't keep the receipts.... but I guess I'm more concerned with enjoying my car and keeping it running than the resale value.

If you are expecting detailed FSHs outside of the free maintenance period then the pool of acceptable cars for you will be extremely small.

Service history is nice to have but I'd say a PPI would be more valuable

etinifni · 05-06-2017, 02:50 PM

Besides keeping physical records in file cabinet, I use http://www.fuelly.com to track servicing. They have a free mobile app and it makes it extremely easy to track mileage. As soon as I fill up I input info into app.

Gamb1t · 05-08-2017, 01:38 PM

If you are like me and want to access car records anywhere and at anytime and don't have MS 365, then use Google Spreadsheet on cloud. It's free that attaches to your gmail account. Assuming you are a google citizen.

In addition I use Evernote as well. Free hand, image inserts etc....

Regarding keeping receipts. I recently sold a 10 year old Mazda6 GT wagon. The buyer was blown away when I handed the folder of invoices. Sold at way above the market price of the car.

etinifni · 05-08-2017, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gamb1t

If you are like me and want to access car records anywhere and at anytime and don't have MS 365, then use Google Spreadsheet on cloud. It's free that attaches to your gmail account. Assuming you are a google citizen.

In addition I use Evernote as well. Free hand, image inserts etc....

Regarding keeping receipts. I recently sold a 10 year old Mazda6 GT wagon. The buyer was blown away when I handed the folder of invoices. Sold at way above the market price of the car.

You'd probably like Fuelly. Their apps are free as is their site usage. It has built in graphing of mileage, servicing, etc. Their app is quite intuitive plus you can export all your data in CSV.

Gamb1t · 05-11-2017, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by etinifni

You'd probably like Fuelly. Their apps are free as is their site usage. It has built in graphing of mileage, servicing, etc. Their app is quite intuitive plus you can export all your data in CSV.

Thanks I looked into Fuelly many years ago. Can't remember why I didn't adopt it. Will check it out again. Migrating data across would be a pain however.

STR8-6IX · 05-14-2017, 01:03 PM

if you were buying a used car, would you believe that the owner in fact had all this maintenance done?

I would keep invoices that is the best proof.

luckily I bought my car used, its out of warranty, and I have no plans to resell. love the freedom of being able to do what I want with it

05-01-2017, 05:17 AM	#1
Who? Colonel 487 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: F87 LCI Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	Doing you own services - Logging it? Hey Guys, I like to do my own basic servicing (brakes, oil plugs etc) How do I keep track of, and more importantly, log it for selling it in the future? Afaik, its all done electronically via the key fob/idrive now, so i dont know where to start any insights would be good! __________________ So far: 200cell downpipe, custom exhaust, lifhtweight splitter, m4 comp seats
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05-01-2017, 05:34 AM	#2
BEAR-AvHistory 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convt 3131 Rep 5,264 Posts Drives: 2020 Z4 M40i - 2022 M4C Convrt Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Raleigh, NC - OIB, NC iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 COBRA (FFR rep ... [8.57] 2023 Jeep Wrangler ... [9.50] 2009 Yamaha V-Star [0.00] Cars 2-BMW, 2-FORD, ... [0.00] 2023 Ford Expeditio ... [0.00] 2020 Z4 M40i [10.00] 2022 BMW M4C [7.25] 1998 FORD Ranger 4X4 [0.00]	Not something I am interested in doing but a spread sheet would work well. Might even be car specific software out there to create a service log. __________________ Kevin Dravit Gray, Black Leather, Moonlight Roof, Red Calipers 2022 M4C - 2020 Z4 M40i - 2023 FORD Expedition XLT Max 4X4 400BHP - 2009 V-Star - 1998 Ranger 4X4 5MT - 1965 Cobra (R) 5MT - 2023 Jeep Wrangler Sport S 6MT
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05-01-2017, 06:52 AM	#3
tgmsocal Lieutenant 158 Rep 597 Posts Drives: 2016 M235i 6MT Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: OH iTrader: (0)	Excel.
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05-01-2017, 08:06 AM	#4
jwilly Private First Class 9 Rep 150 Posts Drives: They're all white now. Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Mebane, NC iTrader: (0)	Car Minder app. Joel __________________ That's a lot of white
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05-01-2017, 09:58 AM	#6
skw Lieutenant 205 Rep 557 Posts Drives: M340i Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Excel spreadsheet w/ notes of service done, date, and mileage. Or even a note book w/ same info handwritten and receipts. __________________ Boston CCA 383036 '20 M340i '18 MB GLS550 '07 4Runner V8 Limited 4WD
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05-01-2017, 10:30 AM	#9
beanbaguk Captain 458 Rep 938 Posts Drives: BMW G30 520d M-Sport Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Costa del Sol iTrader: (0)	Say bye bye to re-sale value. While it's something I'm sure many of us would like to do, as a buyer, I would never consider a car without a FSH from an approved garage. There's just so much that could be missed out and while I'm definitely not saying you would do this, a lot of people could simply make it all up. The nice thing with a BMW SH is I can go to any approved BMW network service centre and request a copy of the service history along with all the notes. I don't even have a log book anymore as it's all electronically kept. __________________ Current car: 2017 BMW G30 520d M-Sport, BMW F46 218d Grand Tourer Previous cars: 1989 BMW E30 316i, 1998 BMW E36 323i Coupe M Sport, 2009 BMW E87 116d, 2013 BMW F31 320d M-Sport
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05-01-2017, 12:34 PM	#13
turo329 Enlisted Member 20 Rep 35 Posts Drives: 2012 BMW 335i Sportline Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Alpharetta GA iTrader: (0)	I personally use a Spreadsheet as well as have a folder of all service with receipts. Including the Oil changes, Brake jobs, Air filters etc. that I do myself. If I am a buyer and see this information from a seller I am absolutely more inclined to buy from them. Dealer doesn't care if you are trading it in. It will absolutely help you sell your car. If a dealer has carfax and private owner has full details I am going with the private owner. Carfax has limited information on it.
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05-02-2017, 03:19 PM	#14
CalCarNut Brigadier General 1062 Rep 3,258 Posts Drives: 2015 F36 Jet Black Sport Line Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Blue Skies iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW X3 [0.00] 2015 BMW 428i Gran ... [10.00] 1996 Chevrolet Impa ... [8.00]	I have a folder for each of my cars to keep receipts, etc. For the BMWs, it should just be dealership invoices (with future 'oil filter only' receipts for my own peace of mind for in between changes). __________________ 2015 BMW F36 428i JetBlack. Sport Line Edition 25% 3M Tint\|
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05-06-2017, 11:42 AM	#16
dreamspeed Lieutenant Colonel 262 Rep 1,616 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	I keep detailed records in excel for all my cars. I don't keep the receipts.... but I guess I'm more concerned with enjoying my car and keeping it running than the resale value. If you are expecting detailed FSHs outside of the free maintenance period then the pool of acceptable cars for you will be extremely small. Service history is nice to have but I'd say a PPI would be more valuable __________________
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05-06-2017, 02:50 PM	#17
etinifni Captain 204 Rep 943 Posts Drives: 2012 328i Modern Line Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: NC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i Moder ... [0.00]	Besides keeping physical records in file cabinet, I use http://www.fuelly.com to track servicing. They have a free mobile app and it makes it extremely easy to track mileage. As soon as I fill up I input info into app. __________________ :wave:
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05-08-2017, 01:38 PM	#18
Gamb1t Major 598 Rep 1,343 Posts Drives: 330i,X1,Z4,Solstice GXP, RX-8 Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Canukistan iTrader: (0)	If you are like me and want to access car records anywhere and at anytime and don't have MS 365, then use Google Spreadsheet on cloud. It's free that attaches to your gmail account. Assuming you are a google citizen. In addition I use Evernote as well. Free hand, image inserts etc.... Regarding keeping receipts. I recently sold a 10 year old Mazda6 GT wagon. The buyer was blown away when I handed the folder of invoices. Sold at way above the market price of the car.
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05-14-2017, 01:03 PM	#21
STR8-6IX Banned 537 Rep 2,825 Posts Drives: RWD 528i N52 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	if you were buying a used car, would you believe that the owner in fact had all this maintenance done? I would keep invoices that is the best proof. luckily I bought my car used, its out of warranty, and I have no plans to resell. love the freedom of being able to do what I want with it
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