Service Intervals E46 M3?

[roygarth]

What is the official recommendation on this?

As these cars are older now should one 'service' more frequently?

[E30M3SE]

Follow the on board service indicator which varies according to usage and driving style, if the car is doing low miles then it is every 2 years regardless of the indicator. Schedule is,

Oil Service
Inspection I
Oil Service
Inspection II, then back to Oil Service.

No real reason to service more frequntly as they get older, but you will probably find service bills get bigger as things wear out and need changing.

Edited by E30M3SE on Thursday 26th November 10:10

[roygarth]

Thanks.

If low mileage and use could one throw in an extra 'oil & filter change only' but not re-set indicator so one keeps to the protocol on the other Inspection Services?

[E30M3SE]

You can do, if you so wish, won't do any harm.

[roygarth]

E30M3SE said:

You can do, if you so wish, won't do any harm.

Thanks, I just like to change the oil on higher performance engines every 2 years even if minimal mileage done. Not sure if its based on anything too scientific but I've read about condensation etc causing problems and reducing oil effectiveness.

Which oil is recommended now?

[E30M3SE]

Up until earlier in the year BMW dealers were using Castrol TWS (10W60) or Egde for M cars,

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-715-castrol-edge-titan...

but now they have switcghed to Shell lubricates,

http://lubematch.shell.co.uk/gb/en_GB/equipment/m3...

more of a commercial decision than anything else. Either of these will be fine

[Stone Cold]

roygarth said:

Thanks.

If low mileage and use could one throw in an extra 'oil & filter change only' but not re-set indicator so one keeps to the protocol on the other Inspection Services?

Call me old fashioned but that's exactly what I've just had done same time as MoT, it's not due a service (oil) for another 8500 miles but I like the oil changed each year, it isn't cheap though!

[dave-the-diver]

E30M3SE said:

Follow the on board service indicator which varies according to usage and driving style, if the car is doing low miles then it is every 2 years regardless of the indicator.

And in the case of mine, this looks like:

Running in 1413 8/8/03
Oil Service 10201 30/3/03
Inspection 1 18776 9/9/04
Oil Service 26966 7/9/05
Inspection 2 36262 20/10/06
Oil Service 44848 17/05/08
Inspection 1 53956 5/1/10
Brake Fluid 53956 5/1/10
Oil Service 64625 26/8/11
Inspection 2 77056 05/09/14
Brake Fluid 77056 05/09/14

E46 M3 Convertible SMG
(Currently for sale!)

David