Condition vs time based service?

[Mattt]

Saw this asked on another forum - my service interval is 15k IIRC, and my annual mileage about 7.5K - so was planning on just doing an annual service.

Other marques say "12k miles or 12 months" - does the same apply, or does it really not need doing?

It's a 3.0 M54 if it helps.

[carl_w]

That was me

No definitive answer yet. I'll ask the dealer today.

[belleair302]

I do under 5k per annum and service my car every 12 months with oil changes more frequently. Mileage is not that important, keeping the car well cared for is more vital...its what you can't see that is more liklely to go wrong.

[wakehurst2]

It's only my opinion (and I am sure you will get many answers) but oil perishes, so I'm told, and whatever the mileage across a 12 month period it has to endure temp changes and many combinations of journey loads. I just remember a local garage telling me (when I had not bothered to check or change the oil in my 525i 1985 model for 15 months) that had I done what he suggested I would not have needed the services of the AA when I did. Since then I change the oil every 12 months regardless...

[carl_w]

BMW dealer advises it's oil change as advised by the service indicator, or every 2 years.

[AdamD]

Whats the service manual say

Pretty sure its as Carl states above. Unless you live in a particularly dusty country...

Edited by AdamD on Monday 11th August 22:15