E90 cost diary · 3 min read
What does my BMW 318i E90 really cost?
What has been done on my 318i, which costs are still open, and how I budget for the next upgrade.
CapCar Editorial ·
My BMW is a 2011 E90 318i with 143 PS and a six-speed manual. This diary starts with the work that comes with using the car: maintenance, small jobs, and then the upgrades.
Work already recorded
My notes include engine oil, the air and cabin filters, and resetting the tyre-pressure display. Coolant and washer fluid are also in the notes. The amounts and odometer readings are not published here yet. There is no total so far. A missing cost does not mean €0.
Three ideas still on the list
A different front bumper, a different rear bumper, and a software-only tune are ideas to evaluate. For the bumpers, I would compare the cost with paint and fitting included. For a tune, I would first ask what evidence exists for my exact engine and ECU. These are open decisions, not fitted parts or paid jobs.
One job to log: the cabin filter
Next time I change it, I will note the date, mileage, part number, and price. A photo of the old and new filters helps me recognise the entry later. Match the replacement and instructions to your exact car before starting. Note the workshop if it did the work.
Write your first maintenance entry
Record the date, mileage, job, parts cost, and any labour cost. Keep payments separate from estimates and leave missing figures blank.
What will your next upgrade cost?
Enter your own estimates in euros.
Planned budget: —
E90 maintenance checklist
Date · Mileage · Job · Parts · Cost
- Work date and mileage are recorded
- Work performed is described precisely
- Parts and receipt references are noted
- DIY and workshop work are distinguished
- Checks and unresolved issues are recorded
Put this into practice
Make the checklist your own, then attach it to your vehicle in CapCar.
Your unassigned draft stays on this browser for 24 hours when you continue. Sign in to attach it to a vehicle.
Your next article
Build planner · 4 min read
A build plan that starts with one real job
Turn a saved idea into one defined job, a realistic budget and a useful next action in CapCar.
Read the article and use the checklist →
Vehicle guides · 3 min read
Before the first screw: use the guide, keep the result
Find a guide for your vehicle, check its prerequisites and keep a useful record of what actually happened.
Read the article and use the checklist →