Can someone explain BMW servicing plan for me please
Discussion
Hi all,
I am having difficulty understanding BMW servicing plan requirements for my G30 BMW 5 series.
I currently do not have a servicing plan.
My car is from 2018 September and was serviced I think September 2020. The dashboard/car app is showing next Service (vehicle check and engine oil?) due in September 2022 or 17,000 miles and Brake fluid in 2023.
I drive approx. 9k per annum.
I checked on BMW website and it is showing I can purchase "Your Plan: 5 Series_Saloon_Petrol_8 - Cylinder" for £981.69
Why should I purchased 8 cylinder when my car is only 4 cylinder? I change the option to "Your Plan: 5 Series_Saloon_Petrol_4 - Cylinder" and it shows price was £900.
For both options, it is showing
What's included
Major Service: 30,000 miles / 48 months (May 2022)
Oil & Microfilter: 45,000 miles / 72 months (January 2024)
Now my car is saying September 2022. Do I need to do service in September or May 2022?
Is major service once every 4 years and normal service every 2 years? i.e. once I do the Oil & Microfilter service in January 2024 I do not need to do another servicing until 2026 or I still need to do major service in September 2022?
If servicing with BMW then isn't it best to purchase the servicing pack as it comes with 1 free MOT also?
Please can someone explain.
Also, do people usually do servicing in BMW itself or third party garages?
I am having difficulty understanding BMW servicing plan requirements for my G30 BMW 5 series.
I currently do not have a servicing plan.
My car is from 2018 September and was serviced I think September 2020. The dashboard/car app is showing next Service (vehicle check and engine oil?) due in September 2022 or 17,000 miles and Brake fluid in 2023.
I drive approx. 9k per annum.
I checked on BMW website and it is showing I can purchase "Your Plan: 5 Series_Saloon_Petrol_8 - Cylinder" for £981.69
Why should I purchased 8 cylinder when my car is only 4 cylinder? I change the option to "Your Plan: 5 Series_Saloon_Petrol_4 - Cylinder" and it shows price was £900.
For both options, it is showing
What's included
Major Service: 30,000 miles / 48 months (May 2022)
Oil & Microfilter: 45,000 miles / 72 months (January 2024)
Now my car is saying September 2022. Do I need to do service in September or May 2022?
Is major service once every 4 years and normal service every 2 years? i.e. once I do the Oil & Microfilter service in January 2024 I do not need to do another servicing until 2026 or I still need to do major service in September 2022?
If servicing with BMW then isn't it best to purchase the servicing pack as it comes with 1 free MOT also?
Please can someone explain.
Also, do people usually do servicing in BMW itself or third party garages?
Firstly, I assume your car would have a three year warranty. If so, whatever the service info says on the dash, you should get an end of warranty check, (which should be free). I suggest you book an end of warranty check followed by an MOT (you can do the MOT up to one month before the due date).
Secondly. With a low annual mileage, paying as you go is probably cheaper than a plan.
Finally. You need to decide whether you wish to extend the warranty. I did with my 3 series, but with an excess of £250 and an annual cost of £400 to £500, small faults won’t be worth it. Probably best to save the money, unless your appetite for risk is low.
Secondly. With a low annual mileage, paying as you go is probably cheaper than a plan.
Finally. You need to decide whether you wish to extend the warranty. I did with my 3 series, but with an excess of £250 and an annual cost of £400 to £500, small faults won’t be worth it. Probably best to save the money, unless your appetite for risk is low.
Pica-Pica said:
Firstly, I assume your car would have a three year warranty. If so, whatever the service info says on the dash, you should get an end of warranty check, which should be free). I suggest you book an end of warranty check followed by an MOT (you can do the MOT up to one month before the due date).
Secondly. With a low annual mileage, paying as you go is probably cheaper than a plan.
Finally. You need to decide whether you wish to extend the warranty. I did with my 3 series, but with an excess of £250 and an annual cost of £400 to £500, small faults won’t be worth it. Probably best to save the money, unless your appetite for risk is low.
Sorry, I purchased my car last week. It is second hand but BMW approved. Secondly. With a low annual mileage, paying as you go is probably cheaper than a plan.
Finally. You need to decide whether you wish to extend the warranty. I did with my 3 series, but with an excess of £250 and an annual cost of £400 to £500, small faults won’t be worth it. Probably best to save the money, unless your appetite for risk is low.
It has been MOT'd in June but the 3 year car warranty runs out mid September 2021.
I have BMW approved used warranty until August 2022.
I need to go see a BMW dealer anyways regarding the issue with Navigation crashing on tachometer (see other thread). I will book the end of warranty check at same time.
After a service in September 2020 and doing 9K miles a year I wouldn't have though your car will be telling you it needs a service before September 2022.
I wonder if the May 2022 date was based on an assumption it would have need a service then based on some predicted mileage rather than based on time?
As has already been said doing your mileage it's probably cheaper to pay as you go than buy a srvice plan.
I only used my local Sytner servicing while my cars were in warranty. Now my BMWs have all been older ones I only ever use an Independent BMW specilist for servicing. I'm lucky to have 2 local ones both run by ex-Sytner staff so I get the same quality of work for half the labour rate! Actually the service is better, because they will do jobs BMW won't, like changing transmission fluid (BMW claim they are selaed for life) and removing the Clutch Delay Valve on manual cars.
I've only extended a warranty once, but that was because I had a Euro trip planned. Since then I've always been in pocket by saving the warranty cost towards any unexpected problems. But not every one is willing to take the risk. Still if your car has average reliability it should be cheaper that way.
I wonder if the May 2022 date was based on an assumption it would have need a service then based on some predicted mileage rather than based on time?
As has already been said doing your mileage it's probably cheaper to pay as you go than buy a srvice plan.
I only used my local Sytner servicing while my cars were in warranty. Now my BMWs have all been older ones I only ever use an Independent BMW specilist for servicing. I'm lucky to have 2 local ones both run by ex-Sytner staff so I get the same quality of work for half the labour rate! Actually the service is better, because they will do jobs BMW won't, like changing transmission fluid (BMW claim they are selaed for life) and removing the Clutch Delay Valve on manual cars.
I've only extended a warranty once, but that was because I had a Euro trip planned. Since then I've always been in pocket by saving the warranty cost towards any unexpected problems. But not every one is willing to take the risk. Still if your car has average reliability it should be cheaper that way.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 21st August 22:46
Mr Tidy said:
After a service in September 2020 and doing 9K miles a year I wouldn't have though your car will be telling you it needs a service before September 2022.
I wonder if the May 2022 date was based on an assumption it would have need a service then based on some predicted mileage rather than based on time?
As has already been said doing your mileage it's probably cheaper to pay as you go than buy a srvice plan.
I only used my local Sytner servicing while my cars were in warranty. Now my BMWs have all been older ones I only ever use an Independent BMW specilist for servicing. I'm lucky to have 2 local ones both run by ex-Sytner staff so I get the same quality of work for half the labour rate! Actually the service is better, because they will do jobs BMW won't, like changing transmission fluid (BMW claim they are selaed for life) and removing the Clutch Delay Valve on manual cars.
I've only extended a warranty once, but that was because I had a Euro trip planned. Since then I've always been in pocket by saving the warranty cost towards any unexpected problems. But not every one is willing to take the risk. Still if your car has average reliability it should be cheaper that way.
Thank you for your response. Can I ask if the local garages are able to put service records into the car as proof of record, otherwise, are you just keeping receipts as proof?I wonder if the May 2022 date was based on an assumption it would have need a service then based on some predicted mileage rather than based on time?
As has already been said doing your mileage it's probably cheaper to pay as you go than buy a srvice plan.
I only used my local Sytner servicing while my cars were in warranty. Now my BMWs have all been older ones I only ever use an Independent BMW specilist for servicing. I'm lucky to have 2 local ones both run by ex-Sytner staff so I get the same quality of work for half the labour rate! Actually the service is better, because they will do jobs BMW won't, like changing transmission fluid (BMW claim they are selaed for life) and removing the Clutch Delay Valve on manual cars.
I've only extended a warranty once, but that was because I had a Euro trip planned. Since then I've always been in pocket by saving the warranty cost towards any unexpected problems. But not every one is willing to take the risk. Still if your car has average reliability it should be cheaper that way.
Edited by Mr Tidy on Saturday 21st August 22:46
I am not sure whether I will intend to renew the warranty for 1 more year or not. It is the biggest purchase so far of my life given that I am a young guy so might be worth a punt. Let's see how the car treats me for another 11 months
cardecisionhelp said:
Thank you for your response. Can I ask if the local garages are able to put service records into the car as proof of record, otherwise, are you just keeping receipts as proof?
I am not sure whether I will intend to renew the warranty for 1 more year or not. It is the biggest purchase so far of my life given that I am a young guy so might be worth a punt. Let's see how the car treats me for another 11 months
I've not had a BMW that new so can't be sure. But as both my Indys only work on BMWs and Minis I'd be very surprised if they didn't have the software to do that. If you find a good local Indy that has to be a question to ask before you book the car in.I am not sure whether I will intend to renew the warranty for 1 more year or not. It is the biggest purchase so far of my life given that I am a young guy so might be worth a punt. Let's see how the car treats me for another 11 months
As you say you have 11 months to see how things go, but it might be worth asking an Indy about warranty extension as they are likely to know about any common issues specific to the model of 5 Series you have.
BMW servicing is as follows:
2 years - oil filter and pollen filter
3 years - first brake fluid change
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
6 years - oil filter and pollen filter
And so on.
They changed the brake fluid from 2 years to 3 years for the 1st one only and then 2 years there after (I have no
Idea of the logic behind that). The car will show the MOT as a vehicle inspection but there is also an inspection that BMW like to carry out every 5 years which is just money for morning really. They look over the whole car and being to your attention anything that needs attention or could be replaced, like worn bolsters for example.
If you do low miles then it will be on a timing basis. Drive more and it will be based on millage. You might be worth looking at the cost of servicing at a main dealer on a car 4 years or older as BMW do offer reduced rates for cars over 4 years old and it could work out cheaper than a service pack. The only good thing about the service pack is the costs have been agreed up front BUT you need to ensure it covers everything required at each service. For example my i8 service pack doesn’t seem to include the door struts that need replaced every 4 years.
The service pack also includes things like regular health checks, free fluid top ups and map updates.
2 years - oil filter and pollen filter
3 years - first brake fluid change
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
6 years - oil filter and pollen filter
And so on.
They changed the brake fluid from 2 years to 3 years for the 1st one only and then 2 years there after (I have no
Idea of the logic behind that). The car will show the MOT as a vehicle inspection but there is also an inspection that BMW like to carry out every 5 years which is just money for morning really. They look over the whole car and being to your attention anything that needs attention or could be replaced, like worn bolsters for example.
If you do low miles then it will be on a timing basis. Drive more and it will be based on millage. You might be worth looking at the cost of servicing at a main dealer on a car 4 years or older as BMW do offer reduced rates for cars over 4 years old and it could work out cheaper than a service pack. The only good thing about the service pack is the costs have been agreed up front BUT you need to ensure it covers everything required at each service. For example my i8 service pack doesn’t seem to include the door struts that need replaced every 4 years.
The service pack also includes things like regular health checks, free fluid top ups and map updates.
MGirl said:
BMW servicing is as follows:
2 years - oil filter and pollen filter
3 years - first brake fluid change
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
6 years - oil filter and pollen filter
And so on.
They changed the brake fluid from 2 years to 3 years for the 1st one only and then 2 years there after (I have no
Idea of the logic behind that). The car will show the MOT as a vehicle inspection but there is also an inspection that BMW like to carry out every 5 years which is just money for morning really. They look over the whole car and being to your attention anything that needs attention or could be replaced, like worn bolsters for example.
If you do low miles then it will be on a timing basis. Drive more and it will be based on millage. You might be worth looking at the cost of servicing at a main dealer on a car 4 years or older as BMW do offer reduced rates for cars over 4 years old and it could work out cheaper than a service pack. The only good thing about the service pack is the costs have been agreed up front BUT you need to ensure it covers everything required at each service. For example my i8 service pack doesn’t seem to include the door struts that need replaced every 4 years.
The service pack also includes things like regular health checks, free fluid top ups and map updates.
As per your comment, I can see my car has had the year 2 and 3 services.2 years - oil filter and pollen filter
3 years - first brake fluid change
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
6 years - oil filter and pollen filter
And so on.
They changed the brake fluid from 2 years to 3 years for the 1st one only and then 2 years there after (I have no
Idea of the logic behind that). The car will show the MOT as a vehicle inspection but there is also an inspection that BMW like to carry out every 5 years which is just money for morning really. They look over the whole car and being to your attention anything that needs attention or could be replaced, like worn bolsters for example.
If you do low miles then it will be on a timing basis. Drive more and it will be based on millage. You might be worth looking at the cost of servicing at a main dealer on a car 4 years or older as BMW do offer reduced rates for cars over 4 years old and it could work out cheaper than a service pack. The only good thing about the service pack is the costs have been agreed up front BUT you need to ensure it covers everything required at each service. For example my i8 service pack doesn’t seem to include the door struts that need replaced every 4 years.
The service pack also includes things like regular health checks, free fluid top ups and map updates.
2 years - major service
3 years - first brake fluid change
They have also done MOT but it is not recorded on the system as inspection as I think it was done at the same time as first brake fluid change.
The upcoming things are:
MOT - June 2022
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
Let's say MOT cost - £50
4th Year service cost as per BMW website
"Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs + Standard Scope" = £620
5th Year Brake fluid replace
"Replace Brake Fluid + Standard Scope" = £105
Total cost - £775
BMW servicing plan using the 4 cylinder option - £900 for the following:
Major Service: 30,000 miles / 48 months (May 2022)
Oil & Microfilter: 45,000 miles / 72 months (January 2024)
MOT x1
+ the health checks in Feb 2022 and August 2022 (let's assume can be done prior to my warranty expiry) incl. map updates
+ the health check in Feb 2023 and August 2023 incl. map updates but these checks may only be worth it if I keep the warranty continued
I can't see any reason as to why not use the BMW servicing as the servicing is either mileage or time dependent so I can just go and see the dealership when the car pops up a warning no?
cardecisionhelp said:
Do they charge for service scope on top of the servicing plan or is it all inclusive because if they do charge for service scope even with service plans then it increases the prices obviously
Service scope, as I understand is an interrogation of fault codes - costs about £28 when itemised. Whether it is included in the overall service quotes, I am not sure, I would suspect so.cardecisionhelp said:
As per your comment, I can see my car has had the year 2 and 3 services.
2 years - major service
3 years - first brake fluid change
They have also done MOT but it is not recorded on the system as inspection as I think it was done at the same time as first brake fluid change.
The upcoming things are:
MOT - June 2022
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
Let's say MOT cost - £50
4th Year service cost as per BMW website
"Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs + Standard Scope" = £620
5th Year Brake fluid replace
"Replace Brake Fluid + Standard Scope" = £105
Total cost - £775
BMW servicing plan using the 4 cylinder option - £900 for the following:
Major Service: 30,000 miles / 48 months (May 2022)
Oil & Microfilter: 45,000 miles / 72 months (January 2024)
MOT x1
+ the health checks in Feb 2022 and August 2022 (let's assume can be done prior to my warranty expiry) incl. map updates
+ the health check in Feb 2023 and August 2023 incl. map updates but these checks may only be worth it if I keep the warranty continued
I can't see any reason as to why not use the BMW servicing as the servicing is either mileage or time dependent so I can just go and see the dealership when the car pops up a warning no?
The service plan usually covers 2 oil services, the minor and the major one and 1 brake fluid so you’ll get a 4 year service, 5 year service and a 6 year service under the pack. You will also get 1 MOT and the other bits. 2 years - major service
3 years - first brake fluid change
They have also done MOT but it is not recorded on the system as inspection as I think it was done at the same time as first brake fluid change.
The upcoming things are:
MOT - June 2022
4 years - major service, oil, spark plugs, pollen and air filter
5 years - brake fluid and vehicle inspection
Let's say MOT cost - £50
4th Year service cost as per BMW website
"Engine oil service with microfilter, air filter & spark plugs + Standard Scope" = £620
5th Year Brake fluid replace
"Replace Brake Fluid + Standard Scope" = £105
Total cost - £775
BMW servicing plan using the 4 cylinder option - £900 for the following:
Major Service: 30,000 miles / 48 months (May 2022)
Oil & Microfilter: 45,000 miles / 72 months (January 2024)
MOT x1
+ the health checks in Feb 2022 and August 2022 (let's assume can be done prior to my warranty expiry) incl. map updates
+ the health check in Feb 2023 and August 2023 incl. map updates but these checks may only be worth it if I keep the warranty continued
I can't see any reason as to why not use the BMW servicing as the servicing is either mileage or time dependent so I can just go and see the dealership when the car pops up a warning no?
Whilst you don’t need to do the health checks unless you feel them necessary (I’ve never bothered) you can and I would encourage you to take the car in prior to the warranty ending for a check over. Usually around the time of your MOT.
As for the Map updates, you could ask for them to be done at the same time as one of your services instead of making a special journey to have it done.
If you’re not planning on keeping it for too long then in the long run it’ll work out cheaper paying for servicing as required.
And yes when the car tells you it needs a service you can just contact the dealer and arrange, you might even find your car lets the dealership know too. My advice would be to book online or get a quote online first because dealers always try and charge the non discounted rate.
hilly10 said:
Always a good idea to have a intermediate oil change between Main dealer services at a local Indy never like my cars to run two years on the same oil.
I agree with you. My car is only a few months old now but I'm considering having this done when I reach 6k miles / 1 year as I plan to keep the car long-term.Unsure as to go to indy or main dealer route. Not concerned about costs, more concerned about messing with the warranty/digital SH on the car. Thinking main dealer would be best route?
RiccardoG said:
I agree with you. My car is only a few months old now but I'm considering having this done when I reach 6k miles / 1 year as I plan to keep the car long-term.
Unsure as to go to indy or main dealer route. Not concerned about costs, more concerned about messing with the warranty/digital SH on the car. Thinking main dealer would be best route?
If it’s a mid cycle oil service BMW will happily carry it out but they won’t update the service information on the idrive. Unlike a paper book where they could just mark it as a oil service, updating the idrive would make it look like a full service had been carried out early when it’s not. Unsure as to go to indy or main dealer route. Not concerned about costs, more concerned about messing with the warranty/digital SH on the car. Thinking main dealer would be best route?
So it’s up to you where you take it for your interim servicing. Either an independent that you trust or BMW.
MGirl said:
If it’s a mid cycle oil service BMW will happily carry it out but they won’t update the service information on the idrive. Unlike a paper book where they could just mark it as a oil service, updating the idrive would make it look like a full service had been carried out early when it’s not.
So it’s up to you where you take it for your interim servicing. Either an independent that you trust or BMW.
Thanks for your thoughts and good to get a view on the related handling of the service info from BMW.So it’s up to you where you take it for your interim servicing. Either an independent that you trust or BMW.
With the older generation cars the customer knew exactly what each service (oil / Inspections I & II) entailed from the paper service book. I do lament that is no longer the case. I have no idea what the difference between an "oil service" and "oil service with microfilter" is (apart from the obvious microfilter).
RiccardoG said:
Thanks for your thoughts and good to get a view on the related handling of the service info from BMW.
With the older generation cars the customer knew exactly what each service (oil / Inspections I & II) entailed from the paper service book. I do lament that is no longer the case. I have no idea what the difference between an "oil service" and "oil service with microfilter" is (apart from the obvious microfilter).
It is just that, they replace the microfilter. If you check their online service booking it will tell you how much it is. It will also confirm this.With the older generation cars the customer knew exactly what each service (oil / Inspections I & II) entailed from the paper service book. I do lament that is no longer the case. I have no idea what the difference between an "oil service" and "oil service with microfilter" is (apart from the obvious microfilter).
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