Should you service a new car before its 10k km is due?

[Schwepps]

Ennui, engine manufacture is with finer tolerances these days, compared to the old days when maunfacturing wasn't so precise and a lot of metal was worn into the first oil. But here's where people, including some service personnel, make the mistake of thinking that running-in a car isn't necessary now. Because the engine isn't the ONLY thing that needs to be run-in; so does the gearbox, drivetrain, suspension, brakes and tyres.

As our Owner's Handbook says, observing run-in rules ensures optimum performance and fuel economy. It's just a matter of not overdoing the acceleration and speed for the first 2k. You are right to err on the side of caution. :wink:

 

[jazzler]

what's the max speed for a 6-potter during the duration of the run-in? Mine just passed the 1k mark.

I too was told by the SA run in not needed...

 

[astroboy]

Run-in is to avoid high RPM rev and if I my memory serves me right, it should not exceed 3k rpm.. but I remember well that my E90 can still cruise 160kph without violating the rpm cap.. *happy

 

[sharp]

just read the manual handbook semalam
for petrol, do not exceed 4.5k, and 160kmh

 

[garyfirex]

what about the 4 pot diesel of the 320d? my car has about 600+km on the odometer for now.. SA said that if i were to change the oil at 2000km , i would be wasting money...i also feel that changing the oil just after running in the car is better for extra peace of mind

 

[Ennui78]

This piece of mind will cost you a lot less in cash and heartache. Think of possible alternatives...... So it's definitely well-worth the extra expense and minor inconvenience.

 

[RR325i]

gilajazz,

I also own new E90, currently running around 8k and plan for 1st service at 10,000 km as per BMW advise. My simple technical justification ; BMW is performance car and was already tested in their factory...thats why i think may not required running in...However it is always better to do frequent oil changes but we may not optimise the useful life of the synthetic oil ( normally 10k km )which can run longer than mineral oil ( normally 5k km ). Frequent change oil mean you engine oil will b cleaner and prolong engine life...but of course $$$ will b more...

 

[sharp]

guys, my service indicator at 1st show the next 10k km, then it becomes 9k, yesterday after refuelling it shows 8k, wat the hell?

 

[Ennui78]

yay! Your FREE servicing is coming sooner that you thought!

 

[Schwepps]

guys, my service indicator at 1st show the next 10k km, then it becomes 9k, yesterday after refuelling it shows 8k, wat the hell?

The changes are at what interval? If roughly every 1k, that's the way it's supposed to work...it's a countdown.

 

[astroboy]

Ya loo... the faster it counts down, the better because u get to do BSRI oil change, FOC when it hit below the 2k mark. What's the actual mileage now?

With service indicator showing 8k km left, I would presume u are clocking 2k km now.. correct?!

 

[gilajazz]

sharp,

The BSRI works like a countdown, dependng on total time spent driving the vehicle, also depending on driving style, like whether ur the high-revving kinda guy, or the smooth-driving style. I just had my 1st service at IA (U gota book 1 week in advance if u wan2 service at IA) at 7300 km. I also had an initial countdowm fr 10k km, then went down to 8k km, and then finally it settled at 7100km. I was 200km 'late' in sending for service bcos i didn't know i had to 'reserve' my service place at IA one week earlier! Don't worry, the car is intelligent and is also learning yr driving characteristics.

As for me, im a high-revving kind-of-guy (especially since i changed to BMW Performace Exhaust & BMW Perforamce Air Filter) so my BSRI will tend to come sooner or the countdown will be faster. I guess dats a good thing, as we can service our UDMs earlier rather than seeing our car follow the 10k or 20k countdown!

guys, my service indicator at 1st show the next 10k km, then it becomes 9k, yesterday after refuelling it shows 8k, wat the hell?

 

[mini_jeff67]

Thx for all the info guys - my 325 just passed the 1k mark!

 

[Msports]

So the 1st free service for our cars is at 10,000kms ?

And every subsequent how many KMs after that ?

 

[Schwepps]

Bro, if I'm not mistaken, for all 2009 models, it is 1st BSRI at 10k and subsequent BSRIs set at 20k intervals. For 2008 and prior models: for 325s and above, it was 1st BSRI at 10k and subsequent BSRIs set at 25k intervals; and for 320s it was 1st BSRI at 25k and subsequent BSRIs set at 25k intervals.

However the recent BMWM letter and my own experience at my recent visit shows that they've brought subsequent BSRI intervals down to 20k, and I believe that's for all models, all years.

Bear in mind that the interval is set at each BSRI visit, but your OBC can change it based on your driving habits and condition of your car. Eg, after my 10k BSRI, the interval was set at 25k, meaning the next BSRI would have been at 35k, but that kept dropping faster until my OBC showed BSRI due at ~30k. I went in at 29k and they accepted it without question. So my car set its own interval at 20k. I think if you floor the accelerator and top 160kmh often, your OBC will think you're a hot-dogger and will lower the servicing interval accordingly. :wink: Conversely, if you drive like an auntie, your OBC will fall asleep.

My feeling is that BMWM has recently upped their BSRI cover as they changed things at my 29k visit that I never expected. :top:

 

[glock_8]

schwepps,

in my case, i have done the 10k km service when the actual mileage of my car was 7.8k km since the obc count down is earlier.

the next service is suppose to be at 35k km...but now we receive this circular from bmwm that the service interval is reduced to 20k km. currently my actual mileage is 17k km but the obc already count down 11k km to service....means i shud send the car in at 28k km...but this setting is per 25k km interval,


should i minus the 5k km from it and send it at 23k km actual mileage then? i've called bmwm, but the telephonist have no idea about this.

 

[BlackE90]

schwepps,

in my case, i have done the 10k km service when the actual mileage of my car was 7.8k km since the obc count down is earlier.

the next service is suppose to be at 35k km...but now we receive this circular from bmwm that the service interval is reduced to 20k km. currently my actual mileage is 17k km but the obc already count down 11k km to service....means i shud send the car in at 28k km...but this setting is per 25k km interval,


should i minus the 5k km from it and send it at 23k km actual mileage then? i've called bmwm, but the telephonist have no idea about this.

Bro, you might want to do a 10k service now after your 1st service (7.5k km, you mileage is 17kk km), you will be required to take care of this service bill. However, you may send your car in for BSRI service at about 27k km which will be FOC. Its your choice bro.

 

[glock_8]

Bro, you might want to do a 10k service now after your 1st service (7.5k km, you mileage is 17kk km), you will be required to take care of this service bill. However, you may send your car in for BSRI service at about 27k km which will be FOC. Its your choice bro.

it will be a waste if my next service happen to be at 23k km based on 20k km interval if i change the oil at 17k right>?

 

[BlackE90]

it will be a waste if my next service happen to be at 23k km based on 20k km interval if i change the oil at 17k right>?

Bro, better do a lub change now (17.5k km) + another 10k km = 27.5k km. (your OBC shows 11k km to the next service, right? That will be 28k km on the odo to service under BSRI (FOC).

 

[Schwepps]

Glock, I understand what you're getting at. No point calling the BMWM telephonist. Call the SCs of IA, QA, SA and AB, and explain your situation. Only they can tell you whether they can claim your BSRI at 23K. I bet you some will be blur, some will tell you no, and some will tell you yes. Go to the one that says yes. I have a feeling that IA and QA will say yes. QA has a brand new service centre off the LDP.

If all tell you no, call the After Sales Director in BMWM who signed the letter, and complain that the dealers are not practising what he's preaching.

Let us know the results - it would be interesting for us to know what's the rule during this transition from 25k to 20k interval.