service intervals -- time-based as well as mileage-based?

carl

Active member
 Bishop's Stortford, UK
My Z4MC has just over 6,000 miles to go to its first oil service (apart from the 1200 mile inspection which was done). However, it's also coming up on a year old. Is there any time-based element to the servicing, or do I just go by the OBC? Before condition-based servicing, service intervals used to be like "12,000 miles or 12 months". So do I need to book her in for a service soon-ish, or can I wait until the remaining 6,000 miles are done (which will probably be another 9 months or so)?
 
I ran into this issue with my wife's X3 and the service manager queried BMW USA about it - end result was a decision to always have us bring it in at least every year even though the mileage said otherwise. Her car is now just over 3 years old and has 21K miles on it.
 
AlanL said:
I ran into this issue with my wife's X3 and the service manager queried BMW USA about it - end result was a decision to always have us bring it in at least every year even though the mileage said otherwise. Her car is now just over 3 years old and has 21K miles on it.

I got the same reply from my service advisor. At least, once every 12 months an oil change is highly recommended.

Cheers.
 
My SA told me the exact opposite. I tried to bring my 04 3.0 in for an oil change before and they refused. He told me not to bring it in until the sevice indicator directed me to. That was 13 months after I purchased it. On my current MR the indicator went off at 13k miles.

It is not the time or mileage as much as the way the car is used I was told. The indicator will let you know when to bring it in.
 
rabman5 said:
My SA told me the exact opposite. I tried to bring my 04 3.0 in for an oil change before and they refused. He told me not to bring it in until the sevice indicator directed me to. That was 13 months after I purchased it. On my current MR the indicator went off at 13k miles.

It is not the time or mileage as much as the way the car is used I was told. The indicator will let you know when to bring it in.

Your SA was clueless. You should've been able to get that annual oil change for free, regardless of the service indicator.
 
rabman5 said:
My SA told me the exact opposite. I tried to bring my 04 3.0 in for an oil change before and they refused. He told me not to bring it in until the sevice indicator directed me to. That was 13 months after I purchased it. On my current MR the indicator went off at 13k miles.

It is not the time or mileage as much as the way the car is used I was told. The indicator will let you know when to bring it in.
See the following:

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/oilservice-1.jpg

http://www.unofficialbmw.com/images/oilservice-2.jpg
 
I had a look at the summary leaflet that comes with the car, and it recommends in any case to have the oil changed every other year.

I'm at the dealer this afternoon anyway, will confirm one way or the other.
 
GP20 said:
rabman5 said:
My SA told me the exact opposite. I tried to bring my 04 3.0 in for an oil change before and they refused. He told me not to bring it in until the sevice indicator directed me to. That was 13 months after I purchased it. On my current MR the indicator went off at 13k miles.

It is not the time or mileage as much as the way the car is used I was told. The indicator will let you know when to bring it in.

Your SA was clueless. You should've been able to get that annual oil change for free, regardless of the service indicator.

FREE????

How come its free? This is a chargeable service.

Cheers

PaulN
 
PaulN said:
GP20 said:
rabman5 said:
My SA told me the exact opposite. I tried to bring my 04 3.0 in for an oil change before and they refused. He told me not to bring it in until the sevice indicator directed me to. That was 13 months after I purchased it. On my current MR the indicator went off at 13k miles.

It is not the time or mileage as much as the way the car is used I was told. The indicator will let you know when to bring it in.

Your SA was clueless. You should've been able to get that annual oil change for free, regardless of the service indicator.

FREE????

How come its free? This is a chargeable service.

Cheers

PaulN

Free in the U.S./Canada. Part of the 4-year/50K mile free maintenance.
 
Just ring my dealer about this today.

My car is showing 9k until first oil service. The oil was changed 12 months ago.

The dealer said the oil should be changed every 2 yrs or 12k. I told them it was an M car and they confirmed this is still the case.
 
i'm stunnded about this... i'm use to the 3 month/3,000 miles intervals.... My indicators has a 11,500 miles til service... Not feeling very sure about it.
 
Interesting topic - here's a bunch on the topic over at bimmerfest

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=300918
 
Road Trip said:
Just ring my dealer about this today.

My car is showing 9k until first oil service. The oil was changed 12 months ago.

The dealer said the oil should be changed every 2 yrs or 12k. I told them it was an M car and they confirmed this is still the case.
In NA on M cars it is once per year for cars that do not achieve the prescribed mileage.
 
Caddyshk said:
Road Trip said:
Just ring my dealer about this today.

My car is showing 9k until first oil service. The oil was changed 12 months ago.

The dealer said the oil should be changed every 2 yrs or 12k. I told them it was an M car and they confirmed this is still the case.
In NA on M cars it is once per year for cars that do not achieve the prescribed mileage.
Non M ones too.
 
Dealer told me that it's as per the service indicator, or every 2 years.
 
carl said:
Dealer told me that it's as per the service indicator, or every 2 years.
There's a service bulletin here in NA stating once per year and to not reset the SIA. No time to look for it - I believe Ron Stygar posted it over at bimmerfest...
 
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