[spxxx]

I come from a finance background so I naturally track a lot of things in spreadsheets.

Anyone have any best practices for tracking the financial burden of their BMW?

[Seymour Boost]

I use an Excel spreadsheet as well, titled "BMW Budget"

I also work in finance.

[drunkenup]

I have a similar list on a Google doc with repairs and jobs listed by mileage and date.. bolded major stuff like turbos and water pump for potential buyers in the future

[spxxx]

and yes, some of the things listed as "maintenance" could be filed under "performance" but it's easy reference when the CFO (girlfriend) asks why I buy so many parts.... They're all for maintenance.

[BlueBimmer]

you can get way better oil change pricing at a dealer - there are usual offers around for $59-$79.

[spxxx]

Bought the car on a Sunday and had to drive it 500 miles home. Didn't have many options but... found out that they didn't replace the oil filter gaskets and caused a huge leak. Likely going to get a refund for that ridiculously priced oil change.

[marsflis]

I too use an excel sheet for both, and honestly that price is about right for the oil change.. My IS still has the factory maintenance included but there is no way I will go 10k without changing my oil and the past few times I have ended up paying $140 after everything

[raceyBMW]

I like to separate out labor, shipping, and parts costs (so I know what I am saving by working on some things myself), but yeah my Excel spreadsheet is similar otherwise. I also like to track where I bought the parts and where the work was done just for my reference.

[blackbeast06]

I track on Excel as well, but I don't know how to get totals on the cells.

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by blackbeast06

I track on Excel as well, but I don't know how to get totals on the cells.

=sum(cell1, cell2, cell3, cell4)

There are TONS of awesome formulas for just about anything you need. Check out some basic ones, =if =if(or =sumif =vlookup =index/match

I miss excel sometimes, used it every day in my last job but after moving to a business intelligence company I use it a lot less.

[LMB335IS]

My wife is actually a CFO. If she found one of these spreadsheets on my laptop she'd flip out. These numbers are best left in the shadowy realm of the unknown in my case. It's better if she finds porn.

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

My wife is actually a CFO. If she found one of these spreadsheets on my laptop she'd flip out. These numbers are best left in the shadowy realm of the unknown in my case. It's better if she finds porn.

Yeah, I store this spreadsheet on my corporate Google account for privacy. And mine isn't even that bad... Yet

[igell]

where did you get walnut blast for $375 in the bay?

[135Pats]

Since I plan to run the E88 and E90 both into the ground I don't care about the paperwork, just matters to me that I can accurately keep track of when I did what.

So it's word doc time hollaaaaaa

[spxxx]

Originally Posted by igell

where did you get walnut blast for $375 in the bay?

$375 Walnut Blast, mention that Spencer sent you. Not sure if it's still being offered. Talk to Wade.

http://masterautomotive.net/

[raceyBMW]

Originally Posted by LMB335IS

My wife is actually a CFO. If she found one of these spreadsheets on my laptop she'd flip out. These numbers are best left in the shadowy realm of the unknown in my case. It's better if she finds porn.

HAHAHA! So true.

[marketmaster]

why not use an app. I use it for maintenance and also fuel fills. Therefore I know exactly how much money it is costing me down to the penny. I am also in finance and a little OCD. Here is the app I use: http://www.cargly.com/