All new cars come with a schedule of periodic maintenance services that require mechanical check-ups at a garage. They happen at set intervals after the car has accumulated enough mileage or a certain period has passed since the last service. It’s all based on the manufacturer’s experience with the vehicle make & model and the places where it likely needs attention. 

In this respect, BMWs are no different from any other car. They come with a set timescale of regular service packages, each with a standard list of services for mechanics to follow.

If the BMW is still under warranty, then the interval and services will be mandatory. If it's out of warranty, then there’s more flexibility in the timing and services performed.  

BMWs have two standard service levels, an Interim Service conducted every six months or 6,000 miles (whichever comes first), and an annual Full Service or major service. 

The interim service is designed to keep your BMW roadworthy between full services and includes services such as an oil change and oil filter replacement, a visual brake check, a suspension check, and an exhaust check. For BMW drivers who use their cars for work or commuting, the Interim Service provides valuable peace of mind on the motorway. 

An annual BMW Full Service takes the interim service package and adds more intensive maintenance such as a detailed engine inspection and component check.  This can include replacing air filters and topping up power steering fluid, as well as replacing brake pads, discs, windscreen wipers, or even the clutch. A full service is meant to address long-term wear and tear and minimise breakdowns, which helps sustain the car’s resale value. Bumper offers 0% BMW repair finance, find out more.

How Much Does A Full BMW Service Cost? 

A major or full BMW service will cost £200 upwards for a smaller engine whilst for a larger engine over 3 litres, it will cost £300. However, prices will vary depending on your location and the garage, so it's worth shopping around. You can also get a better deal if you try and combine the full service with your MOT.

How Much Does An Interim BMW Service Cost?

An interim BMW service costs £150 for a smaller engine and from £300 for a larger engine size, again, you can get a good deal if you combine the service with an MOT and also it will pay to shop around for the best deal.

Sample BMW service packages 

Interim service 

Maintenance

• Check engine oil and replace or top-up
• Check brake fluid and replace or top-up
• Overall vehicle check to ensure all major functions are working as they should
• Check the air filter and replace when necessary
• Check the fuel filter and replace when necessary
• Check the micro filter and replace when necessary
• Check spark plugs and replace when necessary

Full service 

Maintenance

• Check engine oil and replace or top-up
• Check brake fluid and replace or top-up
• Overall vehicle check to ensure all major functions are working as they should
• Check the air filter and replace when necessary
• Check the fuel filter and replace when necessary
• Check the micro filter and replace when necessary
• Check spark plugs and replace when necessary

Wear & tear

• Replacing the front and rear brake pads
• Replacing the front and rear brake discs
• Replacing the clutch
• Replacing the wiper blades (this often happens as part of the engine oil service)

Three reasons to keep your BMW’s service schedule up to date 1

1. Regular service helps ward off part failures and breakdowns 

Driving any car causes wear and tear. There's no way to avoid it, even with a premium, finely tuned machine like a BMW. What you can avoid is the damage and long-term impacts that wear and tear can cause.  

For example, driving your BMW with a clogged oil filter and dirty engine oil reduces how well moving engine parts are lubricated. Less lubrication means more friction, which can cause overheating and alter how the part performs, or cause damage to the metal. An oil and filter change for a BMW costs around £50. Replacing damaged engine pistons will run you several hundred pounds. A damaged engine could cost you thousands. 

By servicing your BMW on the manufacturer’s recommended schedule, you’ll have an accurate and up-to-date picture of what parts need attention, and have them seen to before they can cause other damage. 

2. Your BMW's resale value will be higher  

Every car depreciates in value over time. You can't stop it, but you can reduce its impact. A recent study by Autotrader found, for example, that an incomplete or missing service history can lower a BMW’s value by as much as 20 per cent compared to the book value.  

Servicing your car when nothing’s apparently wrong can seem like wasted money, but your wallet will stay fatter in the long run. Used car buyers like to know what they're getting, especially when it comes to a premium brand automobile. If you don't have a detailed record of when and where your car has been serviced during your ownership, you may have to sacrifice a few thousand pounds in resale value to reduce the potential risk to the buyer. 

Provide a complete service record to a buyer and they'll be much more disposed to pay the asking price.  

3. Regular upkeep keeps fuel costs down

A car that doesn’t run at peak efficiency needs more energy to move, and that energy comes from petrol or diesel. BMWs are no exception. If they aren’t in tip-top shape they’re more costly to keep fueled and more likely to break down. You may believe you're saving money by delaying a service interval, but you're also losing out at the pump. 

Unless you drive like a demon, a well-maintained BMW is simply less likely to burn unnecessary fuel. When every part is working as it should, the engine is under less strain and doesn't require more energy to perform at the same level. Bumper offers 0% BMW repair finance, find out more.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.