[BMW5and7]

I've noticed some confusion about the recommended service intervals for (brake fluid, spark plugs, coolant, etc) for the M8/M850/B8/840, etc.

It seems that several people have been convinced by their dealer to prematurally pay for spark plug change, or even pay for a 2-year maintenance plan that covers (a "not yet required") spark plug change or other items at earlier intervals (meaning you are buying a plan that includes replacement of items you don't even need during the 20K/2-years at first place).

Here is the recommended service intervals for the 8-series PER BMW ITSELF (the manufacturer), and right from a formal BMW document.

All 8-series variants except M-cars:

• Oil change: every 10K miles / 1yr
• AC Microfilters: every 20K miles / 2yr
• Air filter element: Every 40K miles / 4yr
• Spark plugs: 60K miles / 6yr
• Rear axle differential: Not required unless triggered in CBS in idrive
• Brake fluid: only once seen on the CBS window (no formal interval), typically will trigger itself every 2 yrs depending on your driving condition
• Oxygen sensor: 150K miles (no years threshold)
• Engine antifreeze/coolant: Factory-filled with long-term rated; only necessary when cooling system repairs are performed
• Drive transfer case and transmissions oil: same as previous note

M8 / M8C:

• Break-in: oil/filter+rear axle diff at 1200 miles
• Oil change: every 10K miles / 1yr
• AC Microfilters: every 20K miles / 2yr
• Air filter element: every 30K miles / 3yr
• Spark plugs: every 30K miles / 3yr
  
• Rear axle differential: every 50K miles / 5yr
• Brake fluid: only once seen on the CBS window (no formal interval), typically will trigger itself every 2 yrs depending on your driving condition
• Oxygen sensor: 150K miles (no years threshold)
• Engine antifreeze/coolant: Factory-filled with long-term rated; only necessary when cooling repairs are performed
• Transmissions oil: same as previous note

The only change I'd do, is to replace the coolant and transmission oil at around 50-60K / 5-6 year just as peace of mind, but obviously it's not required. I don't keep my cars until that mileage anyway but let's see.

[RockCrusher]

Thanks for the that. Speaking as an M8 owner about what I expected.

If I keep the M8 long enough -- and right now I plan on keeping the M8 a long long time -- I'll have the cooling system drained/refilled at 4 years. (This is what professional auto techs advised me to do for all my cars.) And the diff fluid serviced and the automatic transmission fluid changed. (Professional auto techs again...)

[dogocity]

Originally Posted by RockCrusher

Thanks for the that. Speaking as an M8 owner about what I expected.

If I keep the M8 long enough — and right now I plan on keeping the M8 a long long time — I'll have the cooling system drained/refilled at 4 years. (This is what professional auto techs advised me to do for all my cars.) And the diff fluid serviced and the automatic transmission fluid changed. (Professional auto techs again...)

I had all of my fluids flushed recently, except the transmission fluid.
When I talked to the service writer at BMW, he said to NEVER change the transmission fluid. He actually said that if they have to for some reason work on the transmission, they save the fluid and put it back in the car. I was very puzzled by this, but... followed his advise. This dealership is known to enhance M cars around here.

[BMW5and7]

Originally Posted by dogocity

I had all of my fluids flushed recently, except the transmission fluid.
When I talked to the service writer at BMW, he said to NEVER change the transmission fluid. He actually said that if they have to for some reason work on the transmission, they save the fluid and put it back in the car. I was very puzzled by this, but... followed his advise. This dealership is known to enhance M cars around here.

Exactly what i mentioned in my OP above, which I also came up by reading through a formal BMW maintenance document. The transmission fluid should NOT be flushed no matter what (unless a service is done on the transmission). Same is true for the coolant by the way (that's what the document says). Dealer is happy to charge you for whatever, and it's your money, but in my view it's a waste of money at the very best to flush the transmission fluid.

[Spdrcrj25]

As a new M8 owner (getting delivered tomorrow), I appreciate this post. Thank you.

[cham]

Originally Posted by dogocity

I had all of my fluids flushed recently, except the transmission fluid.
When I talked to the service writer at BMW, he said to NEVER change the transmission fluid. He actually said that if they have to for some reason work on the transmission, they save the fluid and put it back in the car. I was very puzzled by this, but... followed his advise. This dealership is known to enhance M cars around here.

I am very torn about the fact that BMW dealerships are telling people never to change oil on ZF transmissions. ZFs own website states a transmission service intervals at 60k. I did a ZF oil change my self 2 years back on a non M car with 70k miles. Glad I did it and the car felt smoother.