Proposed M3 Maintenance Schedule

Giorgia wrote

what should the differential fluid get changed at?

in the schedule i'm proposing every 30k miles.

Sean05 wrote

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

Bulletproof much?

checkmate wrote

Bulletproof much?

ha?

This thread really needs to be stickied....

I'm also just so surprised that these cars really don't need much maintenance. I'm at 55k and keep thinking there is some big service I am supposed to do.

Nautik wrote

This thread really needs to be stickied....

I'm also just so surprised that these cars really don't need much maintenance. I'm at 55k and keep thinking there is some big service I am supposed to do.

I just hit 50k and feel the same way!! haha.

I do however want to go to BMW and make sure my spark plugs were changed at 37k right before I bought the car

robotk wrote

I was thinking about oil change intervals the other day and was going to go with a 7.5/k or 6 mos, whichever comes first, approach. With a high strung engine, waiting a year makes me a bit nervous.

I am changing it myself every 6 months. Honestly it is very easy...Like you mentioned with a 12:1 compression ratio I am not taking any chances. If this engine had zero issues I would wait for a year or follow the BMW bull shiz schedule.. ...However, as we all know the S65 is like a stripper, it looks and sounds beautiful but it has issues ..

It really doesn't have issues. Just needs to be treated properly.

meko wrote

It really doesn't have issues. Just needs to be treated properly.

That's what the strippers say too...lol;)

For those of you that do your maintenance when the time comes could you please post what products you use. Does not matter if it is OEM or aftermarket. Possible a link where to pick up these items.

BMW_Boy7 wrote

For those of you that do your maintenance when the time comes could you please post what products you use. Does not matter if it is OEM or aftermarket. Possible a link where to pick up these items.

bump as im curious too as a new owner.

also, did you guys do it yourselves or did you go to a dealer?
if dealer, any recommendations?

Id add battery to the list- every 3-4 years. I know the system tells you when to replace but I tend to do this proactively.

Mvy wrote

Id add battery to the list- every 3-4 years. I know the system tells you when to replace but I tend to do this proactively.

good idea

Mvy wrote

Id add battery to the list- every 3-4 years. I know the system tells you when to replace but I tend to do this proactively.

Never had to replace a battery in a 3 year old car. I know BMWs have a ton of electronics but I think that is overkill. Unless you are in a subzero environment with a lot of cold starts

BMW_Boy7 wrote

For those of you that do your maintenance when the time comes could you please post what products you use. Does not matter if it is OEM or aftermarket. Possible a link where to pick up these items.

djaft3rb3ats wrote

bump as im curious too as a new owner.

also, did you guys do it yourselves or did you go to a dealer?
if dealer, any recommendations?

I'd be in for this as well. I do all my own maintenance.

mharris2007 wrote

I'd be in for this as well. I do all my own maintenance.

Disclaimer: Use these recommendations at your own risk. I'm not responsible if something goes wrong.


I do all my own maintenance and here are the parts that i've used or plan to use.

Spark plugs - NGK 4471 LKR8AP

Engine Oil - Mobil 1 0w40

Engine Oil filter - OEM

Air Filter - Macht Schnell air filter that I clean with KN oil filter cleaner and re-oil with KN filter oil

Brake Pads - Akebono Euro Ceramics (EUR918 + EUR919). There are numerous options for brake pads, i chose these because of the reduced brake dust. The performance is slightly less than OEM

Transmission Oil - Redline MTL

Differential Oil - OEM

Brake Rotors - I haven't been able to find a decent OEM replacement so mostly likely I will go with OEM unless I end up upgrading them.

Battery - Duralast Platinum Model: H8-AGM

Coolant - OEM

Sean05 wrote

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

how much would something like this cost minus the rotor and pads? Can u lead me to any local indy shops here in Los Angeles area?

thanks

Richsocal12 wrote  

Sean05 wrote

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

how much would something like this cost minus the rotor and pads? Can u lead me to any local indy shops here in Los Angeles area?

thanks

All of those maintenance items are simple to do. You can find detailed DIYs on these forums with pictures. You can either use OEM parts or possibly some of the alternatives I've listed above.

dreamspeed wrote

Disclaimer: Use these recommendations at your own risk. I'm not responsible if something goes wrong.


I do all my own maintenance and here are the parts that i've used or plan to use.

Spark plugs - NGK 4471 LKR8AP

Engine Oil - Mobil 1 0w40

Engine Oil filter - OEM

Air Filter - Macht Schnell air filter that I clean with KN oil filter cleaner and re-oil with KN filter oil

Brake Pads - Akebono Euro Ceramics (EUR918 + EUR919). There are numerous options for brake pads, i chose these because of the reduced brake dust. The performance is slightly less than OEM

Transmission Oil - Redline MTL

Differential Oil - OEM

Brake Rotors - I haven't been able to find a decent OEM replacement so mostly likely I will go with OEM unless I end up upgrading them.

Battery - Duralast Platinum Model: H8-AGM

Coolant - OEM

Good stuff. I appreciate you taking the time to lay it all and respond. Thank you.

Out of curiosity, should the DCT fluid be changed every 30k like the manual transmission?

Also, are there any (safe/exceed OE) alternatives to the OE BMW DCT fluid?

TIA

How about ignition coils? We should I change them?

Amirsm3 wrote

Every 15k miles.

Seriously?

2013M3 wrote

Seriously?

Bro. If you don't replace your muffler every 15k miles, you'll flood the headlight fluid reservoir.