[Stevieno1]

Bit embarrassed to ask this, but I'm a BMW noob. Just got both my first BMW and M car, a 2018 M2 LCI.

Sales guy told me general service intervals for this car are 15k miles or 18 months, whichever comes first? Was surprised by this but a friend who previously had an M2 backed this up.

I never received a physical service booklet with the car as sales guy told me its all coded in the centre console and via your key. Fair enough. However I'm struggling to make sense of some of the service info, would appreciate if someone can help me:

1. It advises me the next 'vehicle inspection' is due in December. Is this a minor service? This must be separate from the MOT as its due in November.



2. You can see the car wasn't serviced at all last year in 2022, but it was done twice in 2021. It's currently done 23k miles, so its done 4k miles/16 months since the last service. I was thrown off a bit when the sales guy told me it didn't need another service till December 2024 (see my next point) but then this service history record throws me off with nothing done last year and a decent gap since the last one. Should I be looking to get it serviced in the next 1k miles/couple of months - regardless of it saying it isn't due an inspection until end of this year as per point 1, and what it states in my next point......



3. The servicing tab then advises the next inspection is due in November 2024 or at 15k miles. The oil and brake fluid checks indicate the same. This seems an awfully long time away? I'm wondering the fact the previous owner got it serviced twice in 2021 as I show further up has thrown the dates off in the system?



Overall I'm confused what it requires at the end of this year and next year, the fact it had no service done last year and that there will have been a 2 year gap between the last recorded one in Oct 21' and November 23' if I stick to the schedules as it advises me.

Would really appreciate if someone can help me make sense of this.

[///393]

Welcome. The BMW service centers idea of what is ideal and what is actually ideal differs significantly. The onboarding servicing system is for soccer moms and people that are lazy and or dumb. Forget about it entirely and just do the following (you can reset those minders as you follow this schedule)

You can’t over service these cars. Overkill service and it’ll last forever like a Camry. The N55B030T0 is particularly robust.

Find a quality independent BMW shop and avoid the dealer service center like the plague. Learn to get comfortable changing your own oil. It’s not hard, and requires only basic tools and you’ll pocket $200+ a lick. Google will lead you to diy oil change videos and how to reset the maintenance lights.

- Run OEM oil or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 and change it every 3-5000mi with OEM Mann oil filters. All in DIY this is like $50.

- Change your diff and trans fluids every 30-40k if not tracking the vehicle. Use OE fluid. I’m running the appropriate Redline fluid with great results. Everyone has their opinion on which fluid is best for Trans/diff but you can’t go wrong with these. As long as you’re changing both regularly you’re fine.

- Brake fluid once every 12-18mo if not tracking. You can also DIY this with a pressure bleeder. Upgrade to Castrol SRF. It’s not that expensive and brakes are kinda important.

- Coolant every ~3yr so you’re about due.

Finally, Read this old school maintenance write up and you’ll see it’s generally in line with the above but covers more (air filters, etc):

https://www.e90post.com/forums/attac...2&d=1338394953

Keep an eye out for leaking oil filter housing gasket, leaking rear differential/axles, and leaking oil pan gasket. Otherwise, enjoy one of the best BMW’s made and just put miles on it.

If you have questions, just post here and you’ll get help.

[Fred Conoway]

I've never seen the service history page that is listed under point 2; how do you see this info in iDrive??

[Stevieno1]

Originally Posted by Fred Conoway

I've never seen the service history page that is listed under point 2; how do you see this info in iDrive??

1. My Vehicle
2. Vehicle Status
3. Service Requirements
4. Service History

[ShortSides]

Im a noob as well. Subbed to this thread for tips n tricks n shit. U da man Wilson for the killer writeup

[Fred Conoway]

Originally Posted by Stevieno1

1. My Vehicle
2. Vehicle Status
3. Service Requirements
4. Service History

Wow, I can't believe I would have missed something a straightforward as that, lol. I'll check it out later this week.

[enjanir]

Originally Posted by Fred Conoway

Wow, I can't believe I would have missed something a straightforward as that, lol. I'll check it out later this week.

FYI: Not available for North America cars. It’s essentially turned off.

[Fred Conoway]

Originally Posted by enjanir

FYI: Not available for North America cars. It’s essentially turned off.

That's what I was going to ask as a follow up question, whether or not it was market specific. Thanks for the answer.

Does anyone know if this feature can be turned on, perhaps through Bimmercode?

[E90convert]

Specifically if you’re not modded or tracking the car, just follow the maintenance manual. You also don’t need to change the diff, trans, or spark plugs on any sort of time interval, just mileage. I’d suggest the oil every 5,000 miles or 1 year though even though it’s probably good for the full 10k. Maybe consider coolant and DCT oil at 10 years or 100k miles. The DCT oil is heavily filtered and doesn’t get very hot in normal operation.

If you’re tracking the car or modifying it (specifically tuning or slicks), then you’re going to generate more heat and wear and need to adjust the maintenance accordingly.

[DanG]

In the US oil changes are once every 10,000 miles or once a year which ever come first. Brake fluid flushes are every three years.

When we start our M2s the dash displays when the next service is due.