[KiX1911]

Are you guys really following the BMW regular scheduled maintenance?

My indy shop advised me he has been working on BMW's for close to 20 years and he told me not to worry about the brake fluid flush and the coolent flush. Its saposta bee done this month but I'm the kinda guy that keeps his cars for 15+ years (hopfully) and thats why I purchased this car for.

Also maintenance what are you guys ABSOLUTLY doing?

Brad

[bimmerlvr77]

I follow it while its under the 4yr/50k plan and everything is done on their dime. After that, I trust my indy's recommendations.

[Yeoman]

Spend your money on going back to 3rd grade to learn how to write English.

[JustinGTP]

Originally Posted by Yeoman

Spend your money on going back to 3rd grade to learn how to write English.

+1.

Originally Posted by Killerx

Its saposta bee done this month? ABSOLUTLY?

Really?

I hope you're kidding.

[slider86]

Haha, and I thought the American education system was bad.

[FormerRotor]

Originally Posted by Yeoman

Spend your money on going back to 3rd grade to learn how to write English.

Well...Are we all settled then, OP? I would imagine that you found this response from Yeoman to be so helpful that we can now close the thread feeling both humbled and enlightened by his presence.

In response to the OPs question...
I do follow the recommended maintenance plan to some extent, but I err on the side of performing service sooner than what is recommended. The transmission fluid is one such example (which is a topic often debated on this forum). BMWs service documents state that it should be changed at 100k miles. When I recently changed the fluid in my wife's x5 (at 47k miles & 5 years), a quick pH test found it to contain a higher level of acidity than I would like to see in a mechanical system. I will gladly invest $250 (in filter/pan, seals, and fluids) and 40 minutes of my time to help delay degradation and prevent a catastrophic failure. The "savings" of deferred maintenance will often cost you in the long run.

My suggestion would be to find a trustworthy independent shop with proven knowledge of the brand. Also, buy some tools, and get comfortable with working on your vehicle (if you haven't done so already).

[Mardio]

Can't go wrong with flushing out everything.

[cuiter23]

BMW recommends oil change every 24k kms. I do one every 6k because it is mandatory

[KiX1911]

Originally Posted by Yeoman

Spend your money on going back to 3rd grade to learn how to write English.

Originally Posted by JustinGTP

+1.



Really?

I hope you're kidding.

Why thank you grammar and spelling police. This post was placed on my cell phone, where my one thumb takes up half the screen when I try to click one letter. Again I thank you for pointing out the errors in my post and contributing to the OP. I hope to follow your footsteps and never make another grammar or spelling error ever again.


To the rest of you, thank you for your responses. I'm going to be attempting to do the coolant myself since I have a pit in my garage and the brake flush I might get my indy to do.

Thanks again

Brad

[KiX1911]

Originally Posted by cuiter23

BMW recommends oil change every 24k kms. I do one every 6k because it is mandatory

Ha ha very true. Every time I go in to my local BMW dealer, I get into an argument about BMW's 24K change. I keep telling them that BMW has not made an "all mighty" oil that magically lasts double the life as other oils. BMW keeps telling me that their engines are "easier" on the oil. I just leave laughing.

Brad

[cuiter23]

Originally Posted by Killerx

Ha ha very true. Every time I go in to my local BMW dealer, I get into an argument about BMW's 24K change. I keep telling them that BMW has not made an "all mighty" oil that magically lasts double the life as other oils. BMW keeps telling me that their engines are "easier" on the oil. I just leave laughing.

Brad

Yea, 24k is a stretch I would say. I would not do one every 6k either its only because my aftermarket warranty requires it. I would say closer to 15k for an oil change would be safe.

[FormerRotor]

Originally Posted by cuiter23

Yea, 24k is a stretch I would say. I would not do one every 6k either its only because my aftermarket warranty requires it. I would say closer to 15k for an oil change would be safe.

+1 (assuming we are still using km as our unit of measurement)

[krhodes1]

Brake fluid absorbs water, it needs to be changed regularly. Personally, I do it every Spring on my daily drivers, as I have the wheels off to change from snow tires to summer tires. This also ensures that the bleed nipples are not stuck. With a pressure bleeder it takes all of 10 minutes extra as I am swapping wheels. My non-daily drivers get it every three years. Don't forget the clutch slave if you have 3 pedals.

Coolant every two years on all of them.

I'm of two minds on the oil change interval on my 328i. On the one hand, BMW is using an algorithm that measures how the car is driven to dynamcally alter the OCI, a sensor that measures actual oil quality to do the same, AND specifies a LARGE quantity of top-spec synthetic oil. So in theory, I am OK with the "up to" 18K mile interval. BUT, I am not OK with 18K on the FIRST factory oil fill, so I changed it at 2500 when I got it off the boat. And then because I am anal I changed it again at the 50% point of 9K. And I will continue to do so, with oil analysis. If the analysis says 18K is fine for my car, I may stop doing the intermediate changes.

Transmission and diff were done at 2.5K as well, and will be done again at 20K in a couple months. I plan to keep this car a VERY long time. BMW fluid until the warranty is up, then it will get Redline.

If you have a mechanic who says brake fluid and coolant never need to be replaced please find a new mechanic.

[dcat151]

I follow the old school maintenance plan. It's probably overkill, but I think it's (relatively) cheap insurance.

[KiX1911]

Wow there's a lot of good info here.

krhodes1, I personally have never had great experience with anything brake fluid related (bleeding brakes and me dont get along) but I'll check out a DUI and see what I need to attempt it myself.

Brad

[sathoro]

Originally Posted by Killerx

I'll check out a DUI

I'd recommend a DIY instead

[N55]

Oil Change every 6-7k. I pay for one, BMW pays for the other, gotta make sure I tell them not to reset the the time on the oil change when I pay for it. That way you can get another one 6-7k later paid for by BMW.


Ohh and the spark plugs with the tune....

[inline6ix]

Besides doing an oil change more often, the schedule is pretty reasonable to adhere to. Though my service indicator keeps telling me I'm overdue for a microfilter which obviously isn't too important.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by Killerx

Wow there's a lot of good info here.

krhodes1, I personally have never had great experience with anything brake fluid related (bleeding brakes and me dont get along) but I'll check out a DUI and see what I need to attempt it myself.

Brad

Get yourself a Motive Products pressure bleeder, preferably the nicer one with the pressure relief valve and removable hose. Makes the whole thing a complete doddle. They are only ~$60. I hope you mean DIY!

[DFW_M]

Originally Posted by Killerx

Why thank you grammar and spelling police. This post was placed on my cell phone, where my one thumb takes up half the screen when I try to click one letter. Again I thank you for pointing out the errors in my post and contributing to the OP. I hope to follow your footsteps and never make another grammar or spelling error ever again.


To the rest of you, thank you for your responses. I'm going to be attempting to do the coolant myself since I have a pit in my garage and the brake flush I might get my indy to do.

Thanks again

Brad

Always blame the phone for the spelling errors...

[gzim335]

its a forum so who gives a crap about few mistakes as long as you understand the question

[summall]

Lots of good infor here. Thanks.
Where can I find BMW Canada's maintenance schedule (i.e. free maintenance program)? Thanks.