[sspade]

Wanted to share my maintenance schedule so far and gather comments and recommendations for the next 100k miles. Bought this car CPO at 46k miles.

OE parts unless noted otherwise. Have used both Castrol 0W40 and Mobil 1 0W40.

[moneyforpeople]

Transmission fluid and filter every 60k

[J555]

Originally Posted by moneyforpeople

Transmission fluid and filter every 60k

This. Automatic fluid and filter best every 40-50k, the same for x-drive transfer case.

[J555]

If you flush and change the fluid in your transmission, you'd realize it works much better.

Applying the same logic, you can prolong the engine oil change to 20k, and don't care about the differential fluid as well.

[sspade]

Originally Posted by J555

If you flush and change the fluid in your transmission, you'd realize it works much better.

Applying the same logic, you can prolong the engine oil change to 20k, and don't care about the differential fluid as well.

Here we go turning this into a trans service debate…

The sheer volume of units on the road and lack of substantial proven failures… lends to the fact that it is indeed not necessary under regular use cases.

I was hoping not to bring this out but here goes:

Ever heard of Blackstone Labs? They have gone on record saying changing the oil in modern transmissions is mostly unnecessary (does not apply to CVT).

[J555]

Originally Posted by sspade

Here we go turning this into a trans service debate…

Not really, that was absolutely not my point.

All I can tell is that in Europe, the vast majority of "new" cars get the engine oil changed between 12-18k miles (depends on manufacturer and style of driving). Some of the commercial vans have 40k miles... While it may sound extremely long, the rate of significant engine failures is very low; it typically starts to kick in at 100k miles+ (with higher rate at 150k miles+). Even the previously very problematic engines as turbocharged 1-litre are fine now. If we see the significant issues before, it is usually related to either design or manufacturing.

With my previous car, I did the proactive maintenance (including 6k miles engine oil change), and it had a major issue before 60k miles. A small piece broke from the bottom of the piston and fell down. Ended up with pretty expensive engine rebuild, and maintenance had no influence on that.

All those ridiculously long servicing intervals have been originally applied due to regulation, when all car manufacturers have been forced to publish price of the required maintenance during the first years of ownership. As time goes and technology allows, they managed to make the cars reliable even under such conditions... under warranty period, at least. At that time, all manufacturers claimed their transmission fluids as life-long. Oh boy, I assume especially Ford (Powershift) and Volkswagen (DSG) still regret it. Today, their maintenance plan says either 35k or 40k miles for fluid change, with each second time with parts change. Some are even worse, as Kia/Hyundai dealers suggest the 25k miles fluid change... ZF recommends to change the fluid in ZF8 each 50k miles or 8 years, whatever comes first.

I absolutely agree, that ZF8 should not suffer from any major issue (as inability to change specific gear) before 150k miles, and probably even later. Will the transmission runs perfectly fine? No, similar to the engine with the 20k miles intervals.

I do understand all of us doing the proactive maintenance, no matter if we want to keep the car or we just love the cars. I do understand also the other camp, buying a new car, not willing to spend more than required, and sell it after 3-4 years. I just don't understand why someone gives so much care to the engine and other parts (I guess most of BMW owners do not change the differential fluid before it breaks or gaskets are leaking), but not the gearbox (also considering how cheap it is).

[Broadsword]

OP, any plans for suspension maintenance?

[sspade]

Originally Posted by Broadsword

OP, any plans for suspension maintenance?

Great call at this mileage. I recently installed M Sport dampers and springs, in addition to the M240 rear sway bar (15mm).

Suspension is feeling great although I'm sure my control arm bushings are tired. That being said... not leaking at 104k miles...

I've actually got a set of Lemforder replacement bushings in hand but realizing that replacing these in the existing arms is a huge pain and may just return/sell and buy the complete lower arm set from TRW.

Any other items (suspension or not) that you can recommend? This is my second N20 powered F30 and to be honest... from my experience, very low maintenance vehicles up to 100k. Its the next 100k Im preparing for now!

[sspade]

Got the DINAN coils and a fresh set of sparklers.

Complete ignition service for $183. Happy with that.

[Broadsword]

Originally Posted by sspade

Great call at this mileage. I recently installed M Sport dampers and springs, in addition to the M240 rear sway bar (15mm).

Suspension is feeling great although I'm sure my control arm bushings are tired. That being said... not leaking at 104k miles...

I've actually got a set of Lemforder replacement bushings in hand but realizing that replacing these in the existing arms is a huge pain and may just return/sell and buy the complete lower arm set from TRW.

Any other items (suspension or not) that you can recommend? This is my second N20 powered F30 and to be honest... from my experience, very low maintenance vehicles up to 100k. Its the next 100k Im preparing for now!

Sorry, no recommendations. I'm at similar mileage and trying to figure what I need to work on
as well. Although FCP has a pretty good video on the topic.

[BRK]

2015 f36 428i. Now at 152k kilometres.
All fluids done between 105-110. Similar schedule to that shown. Coil packs original. Got a good deal on ZF bits and I wanted to look in the auto. Nothing. So I’m happy. Coolant changes a bit more regular than most people would do. 4 years. I base that approach around a service groups recommendation that have two guys with a combined 40 plus years on bmw. Factory coolant only.

[sspade]

Updated; miles racking up quick.