There is nothing much to 'service' on a modern car. In days of yore - when grease nipples were all the rage, 20W/50 Castrol GTX was a technological marvel, manufacturing tolerances were measured in mm rather than microns and fuel with little or no additives was provided via carburettors and, thus, decokes were needed every couple of years - sevicing inervals used to be every 3k miles or so. In the 1980's Vauxhall upped their service intervals to 9k miles and shortly after, before the end of the 80's, 12k miles became the normal service interval even for pretty bog standard oil. It is hardly surprising now, over 20 years later, with the advent of modern, synthetic, longlife oil, better filter technology, clean additive/detergent filled fuels, computer controlled fuel injection systems and manufacturing techniques, materials and tolerances only dreaned about 10 years ago, let alone 20 years ago, that a modern engine can go for well over 20k miles without batting the proverbial eye lid. Depending on how the car is driven then 30k miles is quite possible. My previous cars of 10 years ago used to go for 20k miles between servicing and the oil always looked and smelled in good order even at this mileage - at least you could get at it to check, I really don't like not having a dip stick to see the oil first hand.
Brake fluid should be changed every 2 to 3 years due to its hygroscopic nature and even coolant loses its 'prowess' over time and should be changed at about that interval. Spark plugs last for upwards of 50k miles in modern engines and air & pollen filters can go for 30k miles without problem.
Therefore, I don't think BMW is trying to rip anyone off. Besides which, doing an oil and filter change, if you are really worried, is an hours job if you take your time over it, or get a local garage/independent to do it - you'll find the cost of the oil is more than they charge in labour!
Brake fluid should be changed every 2 to 3 years due to its hygroscopic nature and even coolant loses its 'prowess' over time and should be changed at about that interval. Spark plugs last for upwards of 50k miles in modern engines and air & pollen filters can go for 30k miles without problem.
Therefore, I don't think BMW is trying to rip anyone off. Besides which, doing an oil and filter change, if you are really worried, is an hours job if you take your time over it, or get a local garage/independent to do it - you'll find the cost of the oil is more than they charge in labour!
