M service intervals?

[Jaw]

Hey guys

I'm trying to get my head around service intervals and what I can get away with but keep getting different answers..

I haven't serviced my M since I've had it being I'm lucky if I clock up 3-400 kms a month! the counter is still saying I have 9000kms till the next service. So if we're talking time based, what should I be sticking to?

it's due an inspection I, last service was an oil change about a year ago now.

Some places are saying every two years if I'm not hitting the mileage, others say a year, others say just keep an eye on things and wait for the mileage to run out, which doesn't seem right to me! :lol:

any ideas?

Cheers

 

[PGF]

There are two separate intervals. Your normal services go by the clock and you should change the oil and brake fluid every two years regardless of what it says on the countdown (assuming it's not about to run out). Hth.

 

[srhutch]

If you are not doing the mileage Then oil service every two years. Do not reset the indicators and do the inspection services on the mileage.

As I don't do the mileage that is what I do. I will get the inspections done slightly early when due though so they fit in time with the two year oil and brake service. May be done 2k early but that's about it.

 

[original guvnor]

If you are not doing the mileage Then oil service every two years. Do not reset the indicators and do the inspection services on the mileage.

As I don't do the mileage that is what I do. I will get the inspections done slightly early when due though so they fit in time with the two year oil and brake service. May be done 2k early but that's about it.

You see this is what I always used to think too srhutch. But I now don't believe that to be true. Certainly if i want to maintain my warranty it isn't. I would've been planning an oil service next because it will be 2 years since the last one but the countdown clock is still showing 10k to go but i keep getting told I should have an Inspection 2 because that's what would be done when the clock hits zero next time. I'm going to email BMW to see what they think.

 

[exdos]

In the Section entitled "Maintenance" in the Owner's handbook. it states:
"The BMW maintenance System consists of the Oil Service and Inspections I and II.

The principle determining maintenance intervals according to load effectively covers all the operating conditions the car is likely to be exposed. Cars used very infrequently, far less than 10,000km, approx. 6.200miles, per year, should nonetheless have their engine oil changed at least every 2 years since the engine oil ages regardless of the loads imposed on it."

If you actually look at what is involved in the Oil Service and Inspections I and II, most of it is: check this, that and the other, rather than applying spanners to every part on the car. Therefore as long as the oil is changed every two years and you lubricate all the hinges and locks etc. keep the coolant topped up and use all the switches when you drive the car, you can go for many years before your car will need a "proscribed service" as shown by the cars service indicator. THIS IS THE LAW!

 

[srhutch]

In the Section entitled "Maintenance" in the Owner's handbook. it states:
"The BMW maintenance System consists of the Oil Service and Inspections I and II.

The principle determining maintenance intervals according to load effectively covers all the operating conditions the car is likely to be exposed. Cars used very infrequently, far less than 10,000km, approx. 6.200miles, per year, should nonetheless have their engine oil changed at least every 2 years since the engine oil ages regardless of the loads imposed on it."

If you actually look at what is involved in the Oil Service and Inspections I and II, most of it is: check this, that and the other, rather than applying spanners to every part on the car. Therefore as long as the oil is changed every two years and you lubricate all the hinges and locks etc. keep the coolant topped up and use all the switches when you drive the car, you can go for many years before your car will need a "proscribed service" as shown by the cars service indicator. THIS IS THE LAW!

Exactly.

Dealers know nothing, which was proven again this week when they stated I could not fit non run flats to my E87. When I asked why he said because you can't and couldn't give a reason. Needless to say I went somewhere else who fitted without an issue. I knew it could be done but had to satisfy work due to being a CC.

The service question always throws up these arguments, but I'm following what is written in the service book by BMW as quoted by exdos. Dealers are trying to screw you for more money that is all.

Also if I did what they said I would have an Inspection service every 4 thousand miles, and there is no way my plugs and valve clearances need checking every 4k.

 

[XMetal]

I guessed BMW is more conservative in the US. Even when BMW is paying for the service (we get 4 years of free scheduled maintenance - not sure if this is true around the world), they would provide an annual oil change at no charge, even if the counter haven't been reached.

 

[CornishRob]

In the Section entitled "Maintenance" in the Owner's handbook. it states:
"The BMW maintenance System consists of the Oil Service and Inspections I and II.

The principle determining maintenance intervals according to load effectively covers all the operating conditions the car is likely to be exposed. Cars used very infrequently, far less than 10,000km, approx. 6.200miles, per year, should nonetheless have their engine oil changed at least every 2 years since the engine oil ages regardless of the loads imposed on it."

If you actually look at what is involved in the Oil Service and Inspections I and II, most of it is: check this, that and the other, rather than applying spanners to every part on the car. Therefore as long as the oil is changed every two years and you lubricate all the hinges and locks etc. keep the coolant topped up and use all the switches when you drive the car, you can go for many years before your car will need a "proscribed service" as shown by the cars service indicator. THIS IS THE LAW!

Exactly.

Dealers know nothing, which was proven again this week when they stated I could not fit non run flats to my E87. When I asked why he said because you can't and couldn't give a reason. Needless to say I went somewhere else who fitted without an issue. I knew it could be done but had to satisfy work due to being a CC.

The service question always throws up these arguments, but I'm following what is written in the service book by BMW as quoted by exdos. Dealers are trying to screw you for more money that is all.

Also if I did what they said I would have an Inspection service every 4 thousand miles, and there is no way my plugs and valve clearances need checking every 4k.

But what about diff and gearbox oils etc that are part of Inspections and not part of oil changes? If someone did only a small mileage and only had the oil service completed every 2 years, the gearbox etc would never get changed!

 

[CornishRob]

Surely they should really have Sevice A = Just Oil, Service B = All oils in car etc, then Inspection (valve clearance etc) based on mileage from onboard computer!

Makes most sense in my head!

 

[Jaw]

glad to see it's not just me who's confused :lol:

The dealer said take it for an insp I, but the stamps stack up and the counter has another 10 k's so I'll book it in for an oil change so it might be worth doing the box oil too? - Anything else worth a look without stacking the bill up too much? No problem spending on anything needed but am still in that horrible mid point where I don't know if to mod the brains out of her and keep or to trade in, so just looking after the ''essentials'' for now to keep the stamps up .. head v heart

the dealership prices here seem extortionate; $1600+ for an insp I without filters etc and $2700+ for an insp II. and undoubtedly they'll find something to tack on to those prices.. out of interest, does anyone have UK service prices/time taken from experience so I can figure out how much it should cost/hour as a guide?

 

[srhutch]

Surely they should really have Sevice A = Just Oil, Service B = All oils in car etc, then Inspection (valve clearance etc) based on mileage from onboard computer!

Makes most sense in my head!

I'm guessing that as the gearbox and diff are sealed units so to speak there is no contamination from other sources. Bearing in mind that most cars these units are sealed for life I guess these being done on a mileage basis will be fine.

 

[mmm-five]

glad to see it's not just me who's confused :lol:

The dealer said take it for an insp I, but the stamps stack up and the counter has another 10 k's so I'll book it in for an oil change so it might be worth doing the box oil too? - Anything else worth a look without stacking the bill up too much? No problem spending on anything needed but am still in that horrible mid point where I don't know if to mod the brains out of her and keep or to trade in, so just looking after the ''essentials'' for now to keep the stamps up .. head v heart

the dealership prices here seem extortionate; $1600+ for an insp I without filters etc and $2700+ for an insp II. and undoubtedly they'll find something to tack on to those prices.. out of interest, does anyone have UK service prices/time taken from experience so I can figure out how much it should cost/hour as a guide?

UK dealer prices are upto £900 for an I1 and £1400 for an I2, so I don't think there's much in the pricing.

However, I can't believe anyone doesn't negotiate those dealer prices down a little, or price match against and independent/specialist.

 

[Jaw]

cheers for that, not as much of a rip off as I first thought then.. in fact seems about spot on if you look at the exchange rate. I'd imagine they'd tell you where to go if you tried to negotiate a service unless say you bought the car there?

am trying to find an indi, but to be honest I just haven't found a trustworthy one (I HATE handing over the keys to my car at the best of times) There's one I had lined up to install the supercharger, so getting a quote of them at the mo

 

[mmm-five]

I'd imagine they'd tell you where to go if you tried to negotiate a service unless say you bought the car there?

Some are happier than others to negotiate.

Some will price match local independents/specialists, some will knock off 10-20% just for asking, some will give you a discount if you're a BMW CC member, some will tell you to FRO.

 

[tomscott]

Diff and gearbox oil has the same relevance as an oil service. I get an oil service done every 2 years, but my gearbox and diff oil was changed during inspect II with oil and brake fluid.

My car does enough milage to just about hit the intervals and has since it was purchased so mine has been spot on so far no confusion.

If you have your services done at BMW all will be documented on your ECU so will be read and the machine will tell them if it is due. You can also find out what you car has had done and what it needs if you take your key along to BMW it will be read and they will print you a full schedule… and for free lol.

 

[pvr]

Diff and gearbox oil has the same relevance as an oil service.

What do you mean? The oil of a gearbox does not have the same change frequency as engine oil?

 

[tomscott]

Relevance being it needs to be changed more frequently and deteriorates, than just waiting for an inspection. But like I said mine was done with my Inspec II on schedule.

 

[Jaw]

Relevance being it needs to be changed more frequently and deteriorates, than just waiting for an inspection. But like I said mine was done with my Inspec II on schedule.

So is it routine with Insp II? if so then it wouldn't have been done all to long ago. Will ask the stealer for a quote anyway and go from there I suppose

Turns out I have to decide by the end of Jan if I'm keeping her or trading her in so that will be the real deciding point against whatever the extra cost is.. Real head v heart I think if it comes in at say $2-300 over a plain oil change, I'll just go for it

I'd imagine they'd tell you where to go if you tried to negotiate a service unless say you bought the car there?

Some are happier than others to negotiate.

Some will price match local independents/specialists, some will knock off 10-20% just for asking, some will give you a discount if you're a BMW CC member, some will tell you to FRO.

yeah I think there's only a handful of main's in the city so I'm guessing that will sway them towards the latter :lol: gives them a bit of a superiority complex! Asking them to price match an indi is a good idea though, cheers What's a CC member?

 

[srhutch]

Relevance being it needs to be changed more frequently and deteriorates, than just waiting for an inspection. But like I said mine was done with my Inspec II on schedule.

Having this done at mileage will not be an issue. Most cars on the road have no service schedule for either gearbox or diff so getting these changed every 35k regardless of time period will not be an issue.

Any reference I can find on the web regarding the subject only suggest mileage intervals, nothing about time.

 

[CornishRob]

Relevance being it needs to be changed more frequently and deteriorates, than just waiting for an inspection. But like I said mine was done with my Inspec II on schedule.

Having this done at mileage will not be an issue. Most cars on the road have no service schedule for either gearbox or diff so getting these changed every 35k regardless of time period will not be an issue.

Any reference I can find on the web regarding the subject only suggest mileage intervals, nothing about time.

My Previous Defender was 24k or 2 years for all fluids on the vehicle. An oil service in between at 12k or 1 year. Sensible I though!