BMW Service & Maintenance Guide

January 21st, 2022 by

BMW Service & Maintenance Recommendations

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BMW builds luxury high-performance vehicles and in order to keep them running smoothly, regular maintenance is encouraged. The cost to maintain a new BMW is relative compared to other German luxury brands like Audi and Mercedes-Benz. The cost to maintain a BMW also depends on the model. BMW’s high-performance M line and SUVs cost more to maintain than models like the 2 series or 3 series. In fact, the BMW 3 Series is one of the most affordable models to maintain. BMWs are built well, and you shouldn’t expect many repairs in the first few years.

BMW Covered Maintenace – BMW Ultimate Care

BMW models 2017 or later come with three years or 36,000 miles of maintenance under BMW Ultimate Care. Only the following maintenance items are included with BMW Ultimate Care when they are performed as outlined in the vehicle’s Maintenance booklet:

  • Engine Oil
  • Engine Filter
  • Brake Fluid
  • Cabin Micro Filter(s)
  • Engine Air Filter(s)
  • Spark Plugs
  • Remote Control/Key Battery
  • Vehicle Check
  • Fuel Filter (Diesel engines only)

These maintenance programs are available to the exclusive benefit of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a new BMW vehicle.

For BMW model years 2015 or 2016, the BMW Maintenance Program is provided for the first 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. This program covers all factory-recommended maintenance, in addition to specific replacement due to normal wear and tear, that is not covered by the original New Vehicle Limited Warranty. These items can include brakes (rotors and pads), wiper blade inserts, and more depending on the level of BMW wear.

What is Not Covered Under BMW Maintenance Program?

The list below provides you with a list of BMW repairs that are not covered under the BMW Maintenance Program.

Exclusions from coverage are:

  • Vehicle safety inspection and emissions test
  • Oxygen Sensor replacement(s)
  • Maintenance service tasks performed on a vehicle with an ineligible/inactive/expired maintenance program
  • Repairs covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty for Passenger Cars and Light Trucks
  • Covered maintenance services performed by service facilities other than an authorized BMW center in the United States or Puerto Rico
  • Engine oil services and other covered maintenance services including those combined with engine oil services that are performed before they qualify or that are performed more frequently than indicated
  • Gasoline and diesel fuel
  • Gasoline and diesel fuel additives
  • Gasoline engine fuel filter
  • Diesel glow plugs
  • Diesel particulate filter
  • DMTL and NVLD system filters
  • Topping off low fluids (e.g., engine oil, coolant system antifreeze, washer fluid) except when done in conjunction with a covered scheduled maintenance service as outlined in the customized maintenance checklist printout
  • Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) top-ups except when done in conjunction with covered scheduled maintenance as outlined in the customized maintenance checklist printout
  • Tires and wheels/rims
  • Wheel alignment, tire balancing, and rotation
  • Parking brake shoes/linings
  • Tire Pressure Monitor (TPM) reset except when done in conjunction with a covered scheduled maintenance service as outlined in the customized maintenance checklist printout
  • Wear and tear of soft trim items such as seats, carpets, moldings, headliner, door panels, and all chrome trim
  • Damage, including consequential, which results from negligence, improper operation of the vehicle, wear and tear or deterioration due to driving habits or conditions, improper repair, environmental influences, flood, accident or fire damage, road salt corrosion, alteration, installation of non-genuine BMW accessories, or use of improper, poor quality or contaminated fuel
  • Altered or unreadable Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or odometer irregularities or vehicles where the true mileage cannot be determined

These maintenance programs are available to the exclusive benefit of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a new BMW vehicle. Coverage is not transferable to subsequent purchasers, owners, or lessees. The sole exception to the non-transferability of coverage is that household transfers—transfers within the United States (including Puerto Rico) to members of the household of the initial purchaser, owner, or lessee of a BMW vehicle from an authorized BMW center—will not terminate coverage.

BMW Recommended Service Intervals

At Bill Jacobs BMW, we want to help you understand what is going on with the health of your BMW. There are recommended timeframes to get maintenance depending on what BMW model you drive. Typically, your BMW should get service every 10,000 miles. The iDrive system provides service and maintenance information right onto the Control Display behind the steering wheel. If you wish to manually check this data, go to “CAR,” “Vehicle Status,” and “Service schedule”—all through iDrive. You’ll then want to select an entry for more detailed info. There are three symbols to be mindful of. If you see OK in green, then no service is needed at that time. If you see a yellow triangle, the deadline for scheduled maintenance is approaching. If you spot a yellow exclamation point, the service deadline has passed—you’ll want to make an appointment as soon as you can.

BMW 10,000-MILE MAINTENANCE

  • Replace engine oil, oil filter, and coolant
  • Repeat every 10,000 miles

BMW 20,000-MILE MAINTENANCE

  • Inspect and replace fuel filters
  • Repeat every 20,000 miles

BMW 30,000-MILE MAINTENANCE

  • Replace brake fluid
  • After first replacement, brake fluid can be replaced at 60,000-mile intervals
  • If manual transmission: replace transmission fluid every 30,000 miles

BMW 60,000-MILE MAINTENANCE

  • Replace engine air filter and spark plugs
  • Inspect and replace brake pads and brake rotors as necessary
  • Repeat every 60,000 miles
  • If you have an automatic transmission, replace transmission fluid every 60,000 miles.

BMW 90,000-MILE MAINTENANCE

  • Replace timing belt and hoses
  • Repeat every 90,000 miles

BMW MAINTENANCE AFTER 90,000 MILES

  • Continue to schedule BMW preventative maintenance every 5,000 miles
  • Follow BMW maintenance intervals as listed above

 

BMW Average Maintenance Costs 2022

Your Ultimate Driving Machine deserves special attention. Servicing your BMW at a trusted authorized BMW service center like Bill Jacobs BMW can help you save repair costs in the long run. Whether you are driving a new 2022 BMW 3 Series or an older model BMW X5 or X3, routine maintenance will help keep your Ultimate Driving Machine like new. According to RepairPal, the average annual BMW maintenance cost is $968, which includes routine services and mechanical repairs. BMW maintenance for models 2005 or older use a condition-based system monitored by computers.  Al new BMW vehicles come with three years or 36,000 miles of BMW Ultimate Care. This BMW maintenance program covers core services according to the guidelines laid out in your owner’s manual.

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