[Lucky13]

I've owned 16 BMW's and every time the service department and manual said you have to get the brake fluid changed every 2 years. My car sent the two year warning for service, set an appointment and they won't do brake flush unless the computer says it needs it. How can you tell loyal customers for 20 years it has to be done every two years and now that they are cutting back "we were just kidding". Another example of BMW cutting back, going to 3 year free maintenance and not covering things that were always covered. You can't tell people their brakes might fail then all of a sudden oh their ok the computer will let us know if it needs changed.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

I've owned 16 BMW's and every time the service department and manual said you have to get the brake fluid changed every 2 years. My car sent the two year warning for service, set an appointment and they won't do brake flush unless the computer says it needs it. How can you tell loyal customers for 20 years it has to be done every two years and now that they are cutting back "we were just kidding". Another example of BMW cutting back, going to 3 year free maintenance and not covering things that were always covered. You can't tell people their brakes might fail then all of a sudden oh their ok the computer will let us know if it needs changed.

Back in the day it was yearly changes,then every two years,now every three.Seems like you have to do the level of maintenance you're comfortable with and pay for it.They're our cars not BMW's.

[Lucky13]

What's weird is our 2013 X1 was changed at 2 years and it shows it due again at exactly 4 years from the production date. Definitely cheaping out with their new programs as well as making it non transferable if you sell it.

[HP Autosport]

Standard DOT 4 fluid should be changed every 2 years.

The less BMW has to do the less it costs them.

[SteveInfante]

I'm changing mine out to hi temp DOT 4 fluid for track days. It's not that hard to do. If you are that worried about it then get some fluid and do it yourself. Piece of mind is worth more than the argument with the SA about getting a free fluid change to me.

[Liquidpaper]

Honestly, you don't want the BMW fluid. It's fine for normal driving, but you're better off just putting in some higher-temp DOT 4 fluid. If you don't want to break the bank, ATE 200 is a good choice. Much higher boiling point and isn't that expensive (I think $15 a liter?). If you do want to break the bank, you have many options. Gastrol SRF is kind of the default ($40 a half liter), and I use Torque RT 700 ($33 a half liter). Both have extremely high boiling points.

Only thing is that these high-boiling point fluids need to be changed every year.

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by SteveInfante

I'm changing mine out to hi temp DOT 4 fluid for track days. It's not that hard to do. If you are that worried about it then get some fluid and do it yourself. Piece of mind is worth more than the argument with the SA about getting a free fluid change to me.

Exactly. The maintenance and longevity of your car is up to you not BMW.

[SteveInfante]

The ATE 200 is good fluid. I used it while I was in Germany in my 5.0 Mustang. It was the ATE Blue though. Same specs as the 200 but just a different color and 30 Euro a liter there, more than twice to price as in the states for some reason.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Tpeterson

Exactly. The maintenance and longevity of your car is up to you not BMW.

Correct!

If you plan to keep the car for a while, most of the service items should be done at half of mileage and/or time. 10K oil service is too long even for high quality synthetic motor oils.

[Tpeterson]

Especially oil service at 5000 miles now that BMW's are directed injected.
Also,lifetime fluid just means a shorter life for that component!

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by Tpeterson

Especially oil service at 5000 miles now that BMW's are directed injected.
Also,lifetime fluid just means a shorter life for that component!

Lifetime fill is just a joke. Oil breaks down just sitting there. No way!

[2Banger]

Yeah very disappointed with BMW's servicing packages etc.

I did a Oil Flush & Top-Up at 7,500kms hoping i would be able to service my car early at 15,000kms (That way its basically changed every 7,500kms)

Arrive there, im not allowed to use my service package ahead of scheduled KM's...

Im worried they won't even change it as i top it up whenever needed and do flush at 7,500 (Their stupid computers will probably say not needed?)

First BMW ive owned, being told im getting this amazing service pack added to my car and it's just absolute rubbish... I would be better off not getting it and paying for an early service than whats been happening

[Lucky13]

I'm 63, I don't work on servicing my car myself and have not changed anything myself since maybe back in the 70's and I'm not starting now. I was referencing a point that BMW used to pay for it and they don't now, it wasn't meant to be a post on what type to use, how to do it yada, yada yada. It's a 3 year lease so other than washing and waxing it I'm not doing anything. I have 7,200 miles on it in 2 years. If I end up buying it I have a local Eurowerkz that does a better job than the dealer and charges $85 an hour vs $135 and I actually trust them. I've ruptured disks in my neck 10 years ago and the last thing I'm doing is crawling under a car and working on it.