I suspect that the free maintenance has an major impact of how well your car is really serviced = as little as possible due to cost saving for the dealership.


Standard Maintenance Program for BMW,

This is included, only Conditional Based Service (CBS)

First service after 2500KM (engine oil change + filter change and micro filter change)
Second service after 50000KM (engine oil change + filter change and micro filter change) + brake oil replacement after 2 years after (CBS controlled)
Third service after 75000KM engine oil change + filter change and micro filter change)

The CBS used to control micro filter condition and the actual condition of the engine oil was some time go replaced with a hardcode 2500KM timeframe.

This is recommended every third oil change, but not included in the free maintenance program

Air filter change (actual - you should review the air filter condition during every oil change),
Cooler fluid change
Sparks change
fuel filter

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This is what a experienced BMW guys recommend Enhanced Maintenance Schedule.doc

 

Not really... Look at other car companies that require you to pay for service. IE. Mercedes and Porsche just to name 2.

Their oil change schedule is the same as BMW. ~12K mile or every year and Merc charges $250 a pop
Filter also 20-25K miles and its like $80 a filter.
Brake Flush every 2 years... $250.

ALL the same as BMW.

Porsche
Written in my manual says oil change every 2 years or 20K miles. But they sent a mail out reducing it to every 10K and every year. Same as BMW.
Filter, flushes... all the same.

So how is BMW "servicing" the cars as little as possible?

 

It not directed only the BMW, but to the whole industry = longer service intervals. We market a car with low maintenance costs. I do think the motor oil 100% better than a few years back. So read the attached document on enhanced maintenance.


In BMW E60 the 25000Km is hard coded to distance not to time nor conditions. A motor oil loose lubricant effect over time and your specific driving condition (driving short distances, a lot of cold starts etc.) I think, you should have your oil changed once year, even if you drive less 25000Km per year. Or if your driving condition is hard, try half BMW recommended 25000Km = 125000Km.


Change Cooler Fluid every third 3 year
Change Air Filter at least every second year
change micro filter every year
change gear oil and diff oil every 50000Km
flush and change your steering oil every 50000Km

The BMW Cooler Fluid is a great mixture as it design to protect the aluminum engine bock from corrosion.


I can almost promised you a better value on your car when you sell it, if you keep better care of it..