Just picked up 50k mile 1M - preventative maintenance list?

[MarkFT]

I just picked up a 50k mile (78k km) 1M for my daily driver and I'm planning on doing a bunch of preventative maintenance to give me some peace of mind that it will fire up every morning and I can depend on it to taxi my kids from school every afternoon.

This is the list I have developed so far (similar to what I did to my 335is a few years ago). Some of it is arguably overkill and a little early, but I'm okay with doing things early:

1. Carbon cleaning (plus valve cover gaskets, etc.)
2. Spark Plugs
3. Brake fluid change
4. Oil & filter change
5. Power steering fluid change
6. Water pump and thermostat
7. Coolant flush
8. Air filter
9. Cabin air filter
10. Charge pipe (Evolution Raceworks)
11. Transmission fluid change
12. Serpentine belt change

The battery was just replaced yesterday, the brakes and tires have lots of life left, and the differential fluid was changed about 2,500 miles ago.

Just looking for some input on anything I've missed or any other recommendations? Mileage is obviously not particularly high, but the car is 11 years old, so things like belts, gaskets, bushings, etc. have continued aging.

For mods, I have an Akra Evo exhaust and BBS RI-A wheels on the way for Spring, and I am debating installing Ohlins R&T suspension and maybe AP BBK. I am also on the waitlist for some AMX Performance BMW Performance seats. Any other mods to consider? The car will see a bit of track time, but primary purpose is as a fun daily.

Thanks all!

[schmick325]

I would seriously consider a new set of injectors as well at that age / mileage and being for daily driver use.

[ayao]

Differential fluid is the only thing I see missing.
(I don’t think anyone does HPFP preemptively.)
Don’t forget camber plates (I am happy with Vorshlag) with your Ohlins. Definitely spring for the rear shock adjuster extensions.

[vasmir]

Here's what I'm using for preventative maintenance:
Engine Oil - 7,500
Air Filter(s) - 15,000
Power Steering flush - 30,000
Gearbox, Differential Fluid - 30,000
Spark Plugs - 30,000
Serpentine belt, Fuel Filter, O2 Sensors - 60,000
Coolant and Fuel Hoses - 120,000
water pump, thermostat, radiator and expansion tank - 150,000
Wiper Blades - 1 Year
Brake Fluid - 1 Year
Engine Coolant Service - 2 Years

Would also check the tire age and replace if older than 5 years.

I wouldn't do injectors or HPFP preventively until the car starts to show it's actually needed, it may be a needless expenditure... usually for both you'll get some heads up, such as misfiring or inconsistent cold start. If you're taking it in for service soon, I'd also check the suspension while it's up on the lift; thrust arms are somewhat common to need replacement before 100k miles. I'd also be surprised if the oil drainage plastic cover was still there, ha.

[PRTSB1M]

In the US, ethanol became mandatory in fuel shortly after the N54 was released (aka Clean Energy Act of 2007); as such it was not designed to withstand the corrosive nature of this additive. As evidence, the only place where it is actually legal to sell ethanol-free gasoline (in the US) is in rural areas where farming is the primary industry. If you’re using ethanol mixed gasoline in an N54, you should expect the HPFP and injectors to eventually fail.

[10"]

Originally Posted by vasmir

Here's what I'm using for preventative maintenance:
Engine Oil - 7,500
Air Filter(s) - 15,000
Power Steering flush - 30,000
Gearbox, Differential Fluid - 30,000
Spark Plugs - 30,000
Serpentine belt, Fuel Filter, O2 Sensors - 60,000
Coolant and Fuel Hoses - 120,000
water pump, thermostat, radiator and expansion tank - 150,000
Wiper Blades - 1 Year
Brake Fluid - 1 Year
Engine Coolant Service - 2 Years

Would also check the tire age and replace if older than 5 years.

I wouldn't do injectors or HPFP preventively until the car starts to show it's actually needed, it may be a needless expenditure... usually for both you'll get some heads up, such as misfiring or inconsistent cold start. If you're taking it in for service soon, I'd also check the suspension while it's up on the lift; thrust arms are somewhat common to need replacement before 100k miles. I'd also be surprised if the oil drainage plastic cover was still there, ha.

Just mileage isn't enough for those things, I'd say 30,000 miles or 2-3 years for transmission fluid FOR EXAMPLE.

One of the main reasons why older german cars are not reliable is that they haven't been maintained aggressively enough!

I have 98k miles and my car has been very very reliable as an only car & family car.

[MarkFT]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I added a couple of more things to the list, and this is what I have as final:

1. Carbon cleaning (plus valve cover gaskets, etc.)
2. Spark Plugs + coils
3. Brake fluid change
4. Oil & filter change
5. Power steering fluid change
6. Water pump and thermostat
7. Coolant flush
8. Air filter
9. Cabin air filter
10. Charge pipe (Evolution Raceworks)
11. Transmission fluid change
12. Serpentine belt change + pulleys & tensioner
13. Thermostat-coolant pump hose (11 53 75456665)
14. Engine feed-radiator top hose (17 12 7540127)
15. Cylinder head-thermostat hose (11 53 7541992)
16. Engine feed-radiator top hose (17 12 7540127)
17. Ventilation line radiator top hose (17 12 7565094)

I added in the hoses as these seem particularly subject to failure (if not the hoses then the plastic fittings) based on various searches on the forums.

Hopefully that's it, but if anyone sees anything I'm missing, just let me know (noting that the differential fluid was changed already).

[rapter]

Originally Posted by MarkFT

Thanks for the replies everyone. I added a couple of more things to the list, and this is what I have as final:

1. Carbon cleaning (plus valve cover gaskets, etc.)
2. Spark Plugs + coils
3. Brake fluid change
4. Oil & filter change
5. Power steering fluid change
6. Water pump and thermostat
7. Coolant flush
8. Air filter
9. Cabin air filter
10. Charge pipe (Evolution Raceworks)
11. Transmission fluid change
12. Serpentine belt change + pulleys & tensioner
13. Thermostat-coolant pump hose (11 53 75456665)
14. Engine feed-radiator top hose (17 12 7540127)
15. Cylinder head-thermostat hose (11 53 7541992)
16. Engine feed-radiator top hose (17 12 7540127)
17. Ventilation line radiator top hose (17 12 7565094)

I added in the hoses as these seem particularly subject to failure (if not the hoses then the plastic fittings) based on various searches on the forums.

Hopefully that's it, but if anyone sees anything I'm missing, just let me know (noting that the differential fluid was changed already).

How do you know when to change the tensioner and pulleys mentioned in item 12? Noise and vibration? Beast shredding?

[Toronto1M]

This seems like a pretty thorough list and might use it myself. I also just picked up a 1M with 60k km and was planning on doing preventitive maintenance and fluid changes before getting it on the road shortly. It won't be my daily driver but I do want it to continue to fire up every time I take it out and not leave me stranded somewhere!

Is there a shop you recomend for this if you're in the GTA (since I see you're also Ontario) I've always dealt with BMW Toronto in the past for other BMW's - they were all new vehicles on lease

[MarkFT]

Originally Posted by rapter

How do you know when to change the tensioner and pulleys mentioned in item 12? Noise and vibration? Beast shredding?

No specific symptoms experienced, more of a mileage/time thing. They are pretty inexpensive and easy enough to swap when doing the belt.

Originally Posted by Toronto1M

This seems like a pretty thorough list and might use it myself. I also just picked up a 1M with 60k km and was planning on doing preventitive maintenance and fluid changes before getting it on the road shortly. It won't be my daily driver but I do want it to continue to fire up every time I take it out and not leave me stranded somewhere!

Is there a shop you recomend for this if you're in the GTA (since I see you're also Ontario) I've always dealt with BMW Toronto in the past for other BMW's - they were all new vehicles on lease

That was my approach as well - want to have it buttoned up and not have to worry about reliability. FYI, this was the second carbon clean on the car and the tech showed me pictures of the build up, and all I can say is that it definitely looked like it needed it. Not as bad as I've seen on some, but if your car hasn't had one done at 60k km I would recommend it.

in terms of the work itself, I use my local dealer (BMW Kingston) as they have some great techs who are genuine enthusiasts and have developed a good relationship there, but I've heard good things about RMP Motors. I've only dealt with them once when I was looking at an E46 M3 and Rocco there was incredible knowledgeable and helpful. Since you're in the GTA, I think you'll have a good selection of non-deal BMW specialists who will likely be more cost-effective than the dealer.