[Nordboy]

So, I'm in the UK.

I bought my 540i xdrive in March 2020. I have the BMW connected app and also have a pay monthly service plan for the car.

The app is telling me that there is an engine oil service due in March 2021 (next month). Being the good customer I am, I called up to book it in, and have been told that it's not due a service for two years after the purchase date, so March 2022. I explained that the app says March 2021 but she was adamant, even though she did say she would book it in if I wanted her to?

Anyway, just wanted to check that I'm ok to leave it for another 12 months, have to say, I'm not a big fan of the two year service intervals (and may do an oil change next month myself if it's not a big job?). Thanks

[LogicalApex]

Service is determined by CBS (Condition Based Service). If the car considers you to need service in March for time, mileage, or other reasons then it should be taken care of. In the US BMW maintenance plans (free and extended) cover all CBS requested services. So if the car asked for an oil change daily they'd be covered. I can't imagine it is different in the UK since BMW doesn't do their service intervals in the traditional manner and tie them to CBS.

[Qsilver7]

Sounds like the person you spoke with on the phone is still using the CBS time/mileage suggestion from the past which was 24months/15k miles.

As of July 2013...BMW changed (shortened) the CBS interval to 12 months/10k miles. The app is informing you using the new CBS interval.

[MauiSteve]

If you bought in March 2020, then you are due for an oil & filter change in March 2021. You should also ask BMW to update your iDrive software during this appointment since your 2020 can't get remote software updates and there has been some minor software revisions. Failure to perform scheduled service could impact your warranty.

[Barticus]

I am in the UK too. My 540i was bought in June 2020 and the apps are telling me that the oil change is due in June 2022 or at 18001 miles. I have both MyBMW and BMW Connected and the status in each is identical. When I picked up the car, the salesman said it would be two years before they saw the car again. This was the same for my previous 530d.

[Nordboy]

Thanks all

So confusing!!!

I've just checked my service plan and that says service S1 should be 15000 miles/ Feb 21 and service S2 is due 30000 miles/ Aug 2022.

I'm maybe guessing this is partly due to me saying I was going to do 12000 miles per year for the finance plan? Whereas due to COVID i've actually done less than 6000 miles.

What I don't want to do is have any issues if I have a warranty claim etc. Want to keep the servicing done correctly but seems that BMW can't tell me exactly what that requires??

[Sophisto540]

Not sure about the UK but here in the US, BMW has stopped paying for oil services during the manufacturer's warranty period so it will likely be out of pocket either way. There are additional fees you can pay to get free oil changes but you would know if you did that.

I would take it in early to ensure your car is properly lubed. My opinion, after reading various posts and articles, is that I will perform oil changes every 6k miles vice the 10k that BMW sets the car for.

[SteveinArizona]

my 2018 in the US says 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.

[hlothery]

Originally Posted by SteveinArizona

my 2018 in the US says 10,000 miles or one year, whichever comes first.

And my dealer is calling me within a couple of days of the light coming on to schedule service. I usually have to hold them off to get a little closer to the actual mileage limit, since the damn light comes on way early, and stays on until you get it done.

[LogicalApex]

Originally Posted by Sophisto540

Not sure about the UK but here in the US, BMW has stopped paying for oil services during the manufacturer's warranty period so it will likely be out of pocket either way. There are additional fees you can pay to get free oil changes but you would know if you did that.

I would take it in early to ensure your car is properly lubed. My opinion, after reading various posts and articles, is that I will perform oil changes every 6k miles vice the 10k that BMW sets the car for.

BMW no longer offers free services for the 4y/50K mile warranty period, but all new BMWs come with 3y/36K free maintenance in the US.

Since BMW is CBS that means they'll pay for all oil changes within the 3Y/36K interval. Typically, that means 3 oil changes, but if CBS deems it to be 4 or 5 due to "conditions" then it is that many provided time or mileage hasn't been exceeded.

I would press them to preform the maintenance the car is requesting as BMW keeps a detailed record of this and will ding you at lease end or void your warranty for poor maintenance. And the verbal word of some dealer rep won't do you much good.

[Nordboy]

I’ve emailed the BMW service plan dept just to see what they think, if it needs to go in next month then that’s fine. If not until nexr year, at least i’ve got something official in writing.

[ztx84]

Let's put it another way - you're certainly not going to hurt the car by changing the oil after a year so if in any doubt I'd get it changed. I'd have changed mine this year too (12 months since last change) but seeing as I have done less than 2,000 I'll let the car tell me what it wants this time!

[Nordboy]

Originally Posted by ztx84

Let's put it another way - you're certainly not going to hurt the car by changing the oil after a year so if in any doubt I'd get it changed. I'd have changed mine this year too (12 months since last change) but seeing as I have done less than 2,000 I'll let the car tell me what it wants this time!

I guess the truth is, I just don’t want to pay a main stealer ‘00’s for an hours job if I don’t have to.

[Nordboy]

My idrive is also saying service due 03/2021.

Are the service dates from the manufacture date of the car? or registration date? Or maybe the dealer didn't reset things before i"d picked it up?

I may just wait until the automatic servicing call function kicks in?

[Dephead2004]

For future warranty claims you really should do what the car is telling you. In the UK that's 2 years or about 15,000 miles ( a/c to CBS) whichever is sooner for each pull change. If you have a warranty claim, try telling them that a receptionist told you not to have the car serviced even though the car was saying service me please.

BTW service plans are great but they do not know what the car is asking for and so are written in generalities.

All this is never mind the reduced covid mileage weare all doing

[AP]

What is your mileage? Are you close to 15000 or thereabouts in which case it sounds right.
Obviously based upon mileage and how driven ( I'm guessing it's effectively based upon fuel consumption ie cold starts, stop start use fuel and coincidently are the most wear on the car in comparison to sitting on the motorway at a constant speed.)
Do you have average fuel consumption since new by any chance , that might get a feel for this

Mine is about 31mpg and my serving is about 16-17000 miles/ 2 years to date. My previous d10 was the same

[Nordboy]

Originally Posted by AP

What is your mileage? Are you close to 15000 or thereabouts in which case it sounds right.
Obviously based upon mileage and how driven ( I'm guessing it's effectively based upon fuel consumption ie cold starts, stop start use fuel and coincidently are the most wear on the car in comparison to sitting on the motorway at a constant speed.)
Do you have average fuel consumption since new by any chance , that might get a feel for this

Mine is about 31mpg and my serving is about 16-17000 miles/ 2 years to date. My previous d10 was the same

Just under 6000 miles, averaging 25mpg, switch off the stop/start function.

[ztx84]

It does seem odd that it is calling for a service so soon, as others have said though, if the car wants a service, then best to book it in and get it sorted.

[Weaselboy]

Originally Posted by Nordboy

Are the service dates from the manufacture date of the car? or registration date?

A little of both. Time only based things like brake fluid flush the clock starts running from the car's build date. Oil changes starts from the sale date.