BMW owners, service interval help needed

[Turkish]

Mine had a service light indicator which flashes up what needs maintenance next and how many miles, ie Oil change due in 1300 miles, shows up when I turn it on. It also has the same thing for brakes, brake fluid and other things and how mnay miles until they need doing, do I just get the various bits sorted as and when the indicator tells me they need it or do i still need to get it serviced every 20,000 or so in addition to this as with other cars I've had?

[NickG]

Mine had a service light indicator which flashes up what needs maintenance next and how many miles, ie Oil change due in 1300 miles, shows up when I turn it on. It also has the same thing for brakes, brake fluid and other things and how mnay miles until they need doing, do I just get the various bits sorted as and when the indicator tells me they need it or do i still need to get it serviced every 20,000 or so in addition to this as with other cars I've had?

 

I use an independent garage who seem pretty trust worthy. Asked them same for mine as it was approaching two years saying needed nothing doing.

 

They said some people add just additional oil change but their advice was save money and only do what the indicators say and trust BMW.

[Katalinic]

Just go by the indicators.

[Saint in Paradise]

Most BMW drivers don't know they have indicators and so don't use them.

[hutch]

[Whitey Grandad]

BMW service indicators used to work to a complicated algorithm that took into account factors such as engine temperature, rev range and so on but then they found that just looking at the fuel consumed gave them the same answers so now that's all they use. You can get a cheap interface for your PC that can read the computer control unit under your seat and reset the indicators if necessary.

[Berkhamsted Saint]

The sensors on the BMW will track the condition of the parts and adjust the service intervals based on how you drive. Always get the BMW serviced on these intervals. On the front brakes one when you reach 0 miles to service you have about 500 miles until the pads start to damage the discs. Having followed the service intervals I had 180,000 trouble free miles on my last BMW. Not following the service intervals is asking for trouble. Also I would only ever take my BMW to a proper BMW dealer.

[Turkish]

So just to confirm you DO NOT need to get it serviced every 20,000 in addition to this, just as and when the service indicator lights come on get that particularly thing sorted?

[Whitey Grandad]

So just to confirm you DO NOT need to get it serviced every 20,000 in addition to this, just as and when the service indicator lights come on get that particularly thing sorted?

 

Quite right, but I would add that if you only do a few miles a year you should still get a safety check.