Service intervals

[arcbeer]

Starting to look into owning a BMW for the first time. Would someone mind explaining the service intervals and service lights that I've read about.

Cheers Merry Christmas

[steve-v8s]

I think basically if you drive about like a lunatic or do lot’s of short journeys the car will flag up a service more often than if you do a lot of calm motorway miles. Most independents can reset the service lights no prob.

Service interval on my 530d seems to be around 14-15k each time, that is mostly doing motorway miles.

[fixedwheelnut]

What year and model is it most later models are calculated on fuel consumption so the harder you drive it or short journeys means shorter intervals carefull longer journeys longer intervals as a rule they are generally 12000 to 18000 between services, E46 models display an approximate mileage countdown to the next service when the ignition is first turned on.

[Gimlet]

Does that also apply to Alpina's ?
Mine has now done 9,000 miles since June 2004 and the computer is telling me that I can do another 6,600 before an oil service is required.
Should I take it in at 12,000 miles anyway ?

[Philrose]

Just had an inspection 1 on my M Roadster (s54 engine) and still had one light lit. 10500 miles covered though between the 2 services and guess it could have been 11500 had I waited for the last service light to go out.

[dcb]

Philrose said:

Just had an inspection 1 on my M Roadster (s54 engine) and still had one light lit. 10500 miles covered though between the 2 services and guess it could have been 11500 had I waited for the last service light to go out.

Getting a service when the last green light is still lit seems a bit keen to me.

Even the BMW owners manual says only "soon" when all lights go out and the orange light comes on, upping it to "now" for when the red light comes on.

I've done London to Slovenia & back on one green light.

You still had all the last green, one orange and one red to go before it *really* needed a service. IMHO.