Every BMW has a specific recommended maintenance schedule that should be performed when your BMW hits a certain mileage or time interval.
Factory Scheduled Maintenance
Every BMW has a specific recommended maintenance schedule that should be performed when your BMW hits a certain mileage or time interval. This is called Factory Scheduled Maintenance (FSM). Not all BMWs require the same schedule, so it’s important to know your exact model.
Condition Based Service
In newer BMW automobiles, a Condition Based Service (CBS) system is used. This system creates individualized service requirements based on data collected from the vehicle using sensors, driving conditions and time intervals.
It details what items need to be replaced or serviced. It is both flexible and economical for serviceable items and has the benefit of being tailored to your driving habits.
Enhanced Factory Maintenance
To complicate things further, some BMW experts believe that current FSM standards are inadequate for properly maintaining an expensive high-performance touring car.
We tend to agree with that philosophy, so we’ve included some maintenance tips from Roundel Technical Editor Mike Miller’s Lifetime Maintenance Schedule. This program enhances the basic BMW service recommendations to help improve performance, reliability and longevity.
Lifetime Maintenance Tips
| System | Miles | Years | Notes |
| Break-in service | 1,200 | For new cars and new/rebuilt driveline components. | |
| Oil and filter | 5,000 | 1 | * Use only Castrol 5W-30 synthetic motor oil or equivalent. * Capacity: Approximately seven (7) quarts. * Use only BMW filters or MANN, Mahle or Knecht. * Filters should always be changed with the oil. |
| Brake fluid service | 1 | * Also change prior to each driving school or track event. * BMW recommendation: Replace every 2 years | |
| Engine air filter | 15,000 | 2 | * Use only BMW filters or MANN, Mahle or Knecht. * BMW recommendation: Replace after every 3rd engine oil change (CBS). * BMW terminology: Intake silencer |
| Cabin microfilter | 15,000 | 2 | * Some models have two types of interior air filters: Regular and activated carbon. |
| Engine coolant service | 2 | * Drain and replace. * Use only factory BMW anti-freeze mixed 50-50 with distilled water. * BMW recommendation: Designated as “lifetime fill” (long-term rating). | |
| Spark plugs | 30,000 | * Use only BMW spark plugs. * BMW recommendation: For 335i, replace every 60,000 miles or at every 4th engine oil service (not shown in CBS). | |
| Power steering fluid | 30,000 | (BMW offers no recommendation) | |
| Differential oil | 30,000 | * Use only BMW specified synthetic differential oil. * Possible plastic bearing-cage failure. * BMW recommendation: Designated as “lifetime fill” (long-term rating). | |
| Battery | 5 | * Use of a “battery maintainer” is recommended. | |
| Fuel filter | 60,000 | * Use only BMW filters or Knecht, MANN, or Mahle. * Replace with new fuel pump. * BMW recommendation: Designated as “lifetime fill” (long-term rating). | |
| Engine drive belts | 60,000 | * Use only BMW poly-ribbed serpentine belts. | |
| Automatic transmission fluid | 60,000 | * Use only genuine BMW ATF fluid and filter pans. * BMW recommendation: Designated as “lifetime fill” (long-term rating). | |
| Oxygen sensors | 100,000 | 6 | * BMW “Service and Warranty Information” manual is vague on this item. * Could be determined by CBS. |
| Coolant and fuel hoses | 120,000 | * Use only BMW hoses with the original hose clamps or Wurth/Zebra replacements. |
Sources
- BMW Lifetime Maintenance Schedule by Mike Miller
