Proposed M3 Maintenance Schedule

OP, don't forget about the air filter!

Might be good to note: when changing the differential and transmission oil it would be a great idea to replace the drain plugs. (low cost) On the differential they have an integrated seal/gasket that can't be replaced!

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I am surprised that no one here has yet mentioned Mike Miller's Lifetime BMW Maintenance schedule.

Mike is the technical editor for Roundel and Bimmer and has developed an excellent guide for ALL BMW maintenance. He will send it to you for free if you email him (his email address is in either of those two mags).

He covers everything, including recommended fluids/parts, and has good rationale and explanations for his recommendations.

He states at the beginning that his guide is primarily for people who want to keep their cars a long time.

quadpipes wrote

I am surprised that no one here has yet mentioned Mike Miller's Lifetime BMW Maintenance schedule.

Mike is the technical editor for Roundel and Bimmer and has developed an excellent guide for ALL BMW maintenance. He will send it to you for free if you email him (his email address is in either of those two mags).

He covers everything, including recommended fluids/parts, and has good rationale and explanations for his recommendations.

He states at the beginning that his guide is primarily for people who want to keep their cars a long time.

at the end of my first paragraph in the first post in this thread,i mention mike miller and his helpful schedule.i used that as one of my guidelines when starting this thread.the reason that i started this was in the 2011 version i have,he did not have many specific recommendations for e9x m3's,which have many parts that are different from regular 3 series,and thus may require a different maintenance schedule. if he now has put out an updated version with a more specific set of recommendations for m3's,let us know. i also wanted to get a consensus for what others are doing.

Indeed you did. Sorry I missed it. And happy to give Mike an additional endorsement.

I have 51k and a Vehicle check code came up, I'm out of warranty, but I did all the basics recently. (oil at 49k, PLugs at 41k)

Sorry to semi-jack, but does anyone know what the latest Mike Miller guide is? I have one from early 2011, and just wanted to see if there are any updates...

i looked at v09.11 from 2011.he told me about a year ago that was the newest one,but i would also like to know if there is now a newer one.

M3amigos wrote

OP, don't forget about the air filter!

it's in there,second line item

bump.i have incorporated suggestions from forum members into the original schedule.any other comments/suggestions are appreciated.

How much does it cost for changing the fuel filter and pump in USA?
Here in Korea, the dealer said 1,000 dollars, approximately..
My car is running 40k miles so far without any problem but I've never changed fuel filter before.. and DCT fluid neither. (DCT fluid also is very expensive, costs about $700..)

Just hit 40,000 mi in my '08 and decided to have the following services performed:

1. oil change (due)
2. brake fluid flush
3. transmission fluid
4. differential fluid
5. coolant flush
6. new sparkplugs

Very happy with how the engine feels post service. Would recommend at least trans / diff / plugs for those who want to stay ahead of the curve somewhat wrt to preventative maintenance.

Not sure if this is getting updated still but I wanted to make a correction to my previous post.

The fuel filter is indeed inside the gas tank and considered a non maintenance lifetime item. Given those circumstances I would personally not worry about having it replaced until I see symptoms of a dirty/clogged filter such as stalling/sputerring.

If the mileage is sufficiently high enough (like 80k+) by the time this happens I would just change the fuel pump also since you are already in the gas tank.

YMMV based on the price of the parts vs. your budget vs. how much confidence you have that the fuel pump is going to keep going well past 80k miles.

Don't forget valve cover gaskets

phrozen06 wrote

Don't forget valve cover gaskets

thanks-how often do you think they need to be replaced?

robbiedawg wrote

thanks-how often do you think they need to be replaced?

I waited till 129k to replace mine but I would do it sooner than that because I started seeing oil seep through my gaskets around 125k.

ok,i'll incorporate this suggestion along with dreamspeed's into the original post.

after revisiting this thread,i can't believe i completely forgot the most obvious thing....rod bearings! i'm thinking every 3 weeks or 700 miles

flipm3 wrote

Great information in here.

With those that have higher mileage E9X M3s, do you have any input on some of the rubber bushings and mounts? To list a few:

Flex Disc/Guibo - PN: 26112282573
Center Support Bearing - PN: 26122283046
Transmission Mounts - PN: 22312283285
Subframe Bushings - PN: 33312283382 and 33312283383
Different bushings throughout the suspension/axle.....

Thank you for this!!!!!!!

what should the differential fluid get changed at?

so basically do it when you think its right.

MY08 E92

currently with 84k miles.


got it new.

change oil every 7500k
spark plug change at 33k then another at 70k
Diff fluid change at 30k then 70k
Tranny fluid change 30k then 70k
brake fluid change 30k then another at 70k
power steering fluid change at 70k
front rotors and pads replaced at 83k YES NEVER REPLACED IT SINCE NEW
rear replaced at 80k due to warp..

my next maintenance will be 100k

basically all over again

spark plug
Diff fluid
Tranny fluid
brake fluid
power steering fluid
coolant