What Maintenance Schedule Should BMWs Follow?

Following a regular service schedule is essential for keeping your BMW functioning properly. Basic maintenance like oil changes, brake services, and inspections can go a long way in preventing and identifying issues before they become severe. At Alex’s Autohaus, we follow the recommended service schedule for BMW vehicles. For certain items, we go beyond the factory recommendations, because we find the prescribed intervals are not always enough. Read on to learn our approach to the BMW maintenance schedule.

BMW Maintenance Items and Intervals

Oil Changes

BMW recommends oil change intervals of around 10,000 miles for many newer models. Many manufacturers recommend extended intervals for services, and while this may be more convenient, it’s not great for the longevity of the engine. Even with modern technology and synthetic oil, the high demands of engine operation will reduce the effective lubrication of engine oil before the 10,000-mile mark.

Depending on the specific vehicle, type of oil, and how the vehicle has been driven, you may end up needing to have your oil replaced sooner.

We recommend an oil change every 5000-7500 miles depending on the age of your vehicle, and whether or not it’s tuned. More frequent oil change intervals will prevent premature engine damage from poor lubrication.

Coolant flushes

Over time, debris and deposits build up in your BMW’s coolant system. Without performing regular coolant flushes, debris can block the flow of coolant and lead to more serious and expensive issues.

We recommend a coolant flush every 40,000-50,000 miles depending on the age of your vehicle. It’s a simple service that can protect your vehicle from catastrophic overheating in sensitive engine components.

Brake Flush

We perform brake fluid flushes every 2 years to keep the brakes on your BMW working properly. If your car is driven on the track a lot, a brake flush should be done even more frequently.

Transmission Service

On many modern BMWs, there is no exact recommended service interval. For optimal performance and reliability, we recommend a full transmission service every 50,000 miles.

Timing Chains and Belts

Except for a few older models, BMW engines use chains to keep the cylinder head and bottom end in time. For the most part, timing chains last for a while, and will not need to be replaced until your car reaches higher mileage.

There are a few exceptions to this. The N20 and N26 4-cylinder engines are notorious for timing chain failure. These engines are used in 3 and 4 Series BMWs, as well as MINI models. A class-action lawsuit was filed, and BMW extended the factory warranty on these engines due to this issue, Timing chain failure can destroy your engine.

 Spark Plugs

For a stock, non-M model BMW, we recommend spark plug replacement every 50,000 miles. Replacing your spark plugs regularly prevents misfires. For M performance cars (M3, M4, etc.) spark plugs should be replaced every 30,000 miles due to the higher demands of performance motors.

Lastly, if your BMW is tuned, spark plug replacement should be done every 24,000 miles.

Air Filters and Cabin Filters

Air filters clean the air entering the engine, while cabin filters clean the air entering the car through the heat or air conditioning. Both of these items should be replaced every 20,000 miles.

Bring your BMW to Alex’s Autohaus

Keeping up with regular service is the best way to avoid expensive repairs and time without your car. Performing recommended services on your BMW at a more frequent interval than factory recommendations will help you get more reliable years out of your vehicle. Give us a call or schedule an appointment at our Salt Lake City repair shop today!