30,000km BMW service intervals

genetic

genetic

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I last sent my car in for a service in January, and the service counter was set to January 2015 or 30,000km. It now has 22,000km to go before it's next service.

I find is strange that the service intervals are so far apart. Surely the oil should be at least changed at 15,000km intervals?
 
genetic said:
I last sent my car in for a service in January, and the service counter was set to January 2015 or 30,000km. It now has 22,000km to go before it's next service.

I find is strange that the service intervals are so far apart. Surely the oil should be at least changed at 15,000km intervals?
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Why? Is there a specific reason? Its a petrol one right?

I bet its got fancy oils and a fancy engine so that's why its 30 000.
 
genetic said:
I last sent my car in for a service in January, and the service counter was set to January 2015 or 30,000km. It now has 22,000km to go before it's next service.

I find is strange that the service intervals are so far apart. Surely the oil should be at least changed at 15,000km intervals?
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My BMW doesn't get a lot of mileage put on it, and the last service was August 2012.... and it says the next one is only in February 2015.... so figure that hey.

Remember that the services are 30'000km apart, but the car will show you a small car fix sign and tell you that you need to take it in for a small service (BMW calls it an F1 service as they service while you wait), where they check the brakes, change the oil and so forth. It's a quick 2h service. This usually happens around 15'000km intervals depending on what the car decides.
 
It seems some of the manufacturers in SA make the service intervals longer to save on costs. Check what the international sites say about service intervals of your particular model.
 
TheGuy said:
It seems some of the manufacturers in SA make the service intervals longer to save on costs. Check what the international sites say about service intervals of your particular model.
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BMW still has 15'000 intervals, they just handle it differently, as per my post.

30'000km major intervals
15'000km (in the middle): F1 services, which are minor services that are completed quickly. The car just tells you when to go.
 
TheGuy said:
It seems some of the manufacturers in SA make the service intervals longer to save on costs. Check what the international sites say about service intervals of your particular model.
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It's the cars computer - it tells you the life span of all serviceable components, and it seems to vary depending on how you drive. I doubt BMW SA or any other motor company will mess with the lifespan of parts to save on costs. They are bound by international standards.

Thanks for the info Froot! :)
 
genetic said:
I last sent my car in for a service in January, and the service counter was set to January 2015 or 30,000km. It now has 22,000km to go before it's next service.

I find is strange that the service intervals are so far apart. Surely the oil should be at least changed at 15,000km intervals?
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Is your BMW Condition Based Service? My car does not have specified service counter. All the items such as Exhaust Inspection, Vehicle Inspection, Front brake pads, Rear brake pads, Engine Oil, Vehicle check and Brake fluid are condition based.
 
dlk001 said:
Is your BMW Condition Based Service? My car does not have specified service counter. All the items such as Exhaust Inspection, Vehicle Inspection, Front brake pads, Rear brake pads, Engine Oil, Vehicle check and Brake fluid are condition based.
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Specific items such as filters and brakes etc, are condition based which you can access from the service menu. When you start the car it shows you how many km are left, or what date until the next overall service.
 
genetic said:
Specific items such as filters and brakes etc, are condition based which you can access from the service menu. When you start the car it shows you how many km are left, or what date until the next overall service.
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My previous 2005 E90 325i required more Engine Oil service which concerned me. My current E93 335i Engine Oil service are far apart. BMW said both were normal and condition based. :confused:

When I picked up my car from last service, the service assistance asked me whether I drive short distances. Interestingly their diagnostics report was suggesting irregular battery charge status and engine oil usage. I was told the Engine Oil is sensor based and monitored by the engine control module. Variables such as vehicle mileage, driving styles and temperature will determine how frequently you change it.
 
In the case of Subaru, the service intervals are shorter in SA because of local conditions. ( 20 000 km overseas, and 15 000 km here)

Having said that, however, modern synthetic oils are quite capable of lasting way longer than 30 000 without any hassles.

A manufacturer would be committing suicide if he lengthened services to save on costs, so whoever came up with that theory is totally wrong.
 
Fazda said:
In the case of Subaru, the service intervals are shorter in SA because of local conditions. ( 20 000 km overseas, and 15 000 km here)

Having said that, however, modern synthetic oils are quite capable of lasting way longer than 30 000 without any hassles.

A manufacturer would be committing suicide if he lengthened services to save on costs, so whoever came up with that theory is totally wrong.
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Yup.
BMW does use (and promote) the use of synthetic oil, I use that grey Shell bottle (admittedly it's pretty expensive).
 
Fazda said:
A manufacturer would be committing suicide if he lengthened services to save on costs, so whoever came up with that theory is totally wrong.
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Anyway, a manufacturer would make more money if they reduced the service intervals - not extended them.
 
Fazda said:
A manufacturer would be committing suicide if he lengthened services to save on costs, so whoever came up with that theory is totally wrong.
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+1

Lengthened services to "save" costs could result in higher motorplan/warranty claims associated with abnormal wear/tear.
 
Well here is a theory.

Manufacturers specify longer service intervals than they should. Say 30,000km instead of 15,000km.

Most new cars come with a service plan, which means the car company saves money with the increased intervals.

Problems due to this longer service intervals only surface after the service plan and warranty has ended. This means lots more work and income for the dealerships!
 
gifs said:
Well here is a theory.

Manufacturers specify longer service intervals than they should. Say 30,000km instead of 15,000km.

Most new cars come with a service plan, which means the car company saves money with the increased intervals.

Problems due to this longer service intervals only surface after the service plan and warranty has ended. This means lots more work and income for the dealerships!
Click to expand...

Tin foil hat on a bit tight there?

Manufacturers have been working on extending service intervals without hurting long term reliability probably since the car was invented.

In the 1950's a car needed a service every 1000 miles or 1500km.

As engine, oil, spark plug and filter technology advances service intervals will be extended.
 
gifs said:
Problems due to this longer service intervals only surface after the service plan and warranty has ended. This means lots more work and income for the dealerships!
Click to expand...

Problems surfacing after service plan would negatively impact the image of the brand which would result in lower sales. If a car is perceived to be unreliable and expensive to maintain, it cannot be a good thing for sales.
 
Last edited:
crysis said:
Doesn't hurt to change your oil. Will only do the engine good.
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A myth to a certain extent. It's good if it's done before the lifetime of the oil is reached. It's bad if it's done before the oil starts doing its work - before the detergents in the oil starts to break down.
 
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