E34 1989-1995 525i, 535i, 530i, 540i Maintenance
1989-1990 M20 525i
1991-1995 M50 525i
1989-1992 M30 535i
1994-1995 M60 530i, 540i
Skip down to '91-'95 M50 525i
Skip down to '89-'92 M30 535i
Skip down to '94-'95 M60 530i&540i
1989-1990 525i (with M20 Engine) Maintenance
Oil Changes---recommended at 3000 mile intervals
We exclusively use Castrol 20W50 [or Castrol Syntec 10W50 synthetic oil] for Texas climates, all year long. We always use this opportunity to check over your car so as to prevent future surprises. We check hoses, belts, fluids, brakes, drivetrain, steering, etc---all to keep you safe and reliable.
We reserve time every morning at 8 AM for oil changes WHILE YOU WAIT! No appointment needed, just come on in.
Major Tune---recommended at 15,000 mile intervals
Includes replacement of spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, adjusting valves, replacing valve cover gasket, checking compression, adjusting timing, checking, cleaning, and replacing cap and rotor as needed, adjusting mixture and idle, test driving.
Inspection II Checklist---recommended at 15,000 mile intervals
The Inspection II includes checking over the car from one end to the other: thoroughly checking for items of safety or reliability concern. These include hoses, belts, fluids, lights, horn, charging system and battery, etc. We also lubricate latches and hinges, check brakes, steering, suspension, driveshaft, wheel bearing play, and more---every little detail you would want checked before a trip, before you gave the car to your mother or daughter, or simply to maintain your investment in its best possible, most reliable, condition.
TIMING BELT----M20 ENGINES----EXTREMELY IMPORTANT
The penalty for not changing the timing belt on time is belt breakage and extreme engine damage possibly costing thousands.
The factory recommendation is replacement at 60,000 miles or 4 years, WHICHEVER COMES FIRST
Note: We have occasionally seen belt failure before 60K, especially on engines in aggressively driven cars. We strongly recommend replacement at 50,000 miles or 4 years for these cars.
Coolant Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals
Brake Fluid Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals
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Transmission Fluid Change
Standard transmission: recommended fluid change at 30,000 mile intervals
Automatic transmission: BMW recommends fluid changes at 30,000 mile intervals OR MORE OFTEN under severe conditions. We consider Texas heat to be severe conditions and recommend auto trans fluid changes every 15,000 miles.
Differential Fluid change---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
Wheel Alignment---recommended every year
To keep from needlessly wasting tires and maximize your BMW performance, we recommend alignment every year.
Recommended at 60,000 mile intervals
1990-1995 (M50 Engine) 525i Maintenance
Note about Routine BMW Recommended services
BMW utilizes a system of lights on each car which are designed to tell the car owner when services are needed. These lights and this service scheme WILL get the car through the warranty period, but are NOT reliable guides for the long-term health of the vehicle. The BMW Inspection system is a good system, especially when performed on a regular schedule. We strongly recommend more frequent oil changes than the lights will indicate, based on miles driven, and we further recommend Major Services at 15,000 mile or about one year intervals.
Oil Changes---recommended at 3000-5000 mile intervals
We exclusively use Castrol 20W50 [or Castrol Syntec 10W50 synthetic oil] for Texas climates, all year long. We always use this opportunity to check over your car so as to prevent future surprises. We check hoses, belts, fluids, brakes, drivetrain, steering, etc---all to keep you safe and reliable.
We reserve time every morning at 8 AM for oil changes WHILE YOU WAIT! No appointment needed, just come on in.
^Back Up^
Inspection I Checklist---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals, alternating with the Insp II each 15,000 miles
This is a glorified oil change, as recommended by BMW. It includes all the Insp II services itemized below, and an oil change. We separate out the oil change to give our customers more flexibility.
^Back Up^
Inspection II Checklist---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals, alternating with the Insp I each 15,000 miles
The Inspection II includes checking over the car from one end to the other: thoroughly checking for items of safety or reliability concern. These include hoses, belts, fluids, lights, horn, charging system and battery, etc. We also lubricate latches and hinges, check brakes, steering, suspension, driveshaft, wheel bearing play, and more---every little detail you would want checked before a trip, before you gave the car to your mother or daughter, or simply to maintain your investment in its best possible, most reliable, condition.
^Back Up^
Major Tune---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
Includes replacement of spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, checking and replacing any vacuum hoses needed, checking mixture and idle, test driving.
Microfilter Replacement: 1991 and on
The climate control system of these cars contains a microfilter designed to remove contaminants from the air before it enters the passenger compartment. When these replaceable filters become quite plugged they reduce the air volume and hence the efficiency of the heater and air conditioner. We recommend they be replaced at each Inspection or about every year.
^Back Up^
Coolant Flush---up through 1994:recommended at 2 year intervals
1995: recommended at 3 year intervals
Brake Fluid Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals
Transmission Fluid Change
Standard transmission: recommended fluid change at 30,000 mile intervals
Automatic transmission: BMW recommends fluid changes at 30,000 mile intervals OR MORE OFTEN under severe conditions. We consider Texas heat to be severe conditions and recommend auto trans fluid changes every 15,000 miles.
^Back Up^
Differential Fluid change---up through 1994, recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
1995: recommended at 60,000 mile intervals---synthetic fluid is standard
Wheel Alignment---recommended every year
To keep from needlessly wasting tires and maximize your BMW performance, we recommend alignment every year.
Up through 1994: recommended at 60,000 mile intervals
1995: recommended at 100,000 mile intervals
^Back Up^
1989-1993 535i Maintenance (with M30 engine)
Note about Routine BMW Recommended services
BMW utilizes a system of lights on each car which are designed to tell the car owner when services are needed. These lights and this service scheme WILL get the car through the warranty period, but are NOT reliable guides for the long-term health of the vehicle. The BMW Inspection system is a good system, especially when performed on a regular schedule. We strongly recommend more frequent oil changes than the lights will indicate, based on miles driven, and we further recommend Major Services at 15,000 mile or about one year intervals.
Oil Changes---recommended at 3000 mile intervals
We exclusively use Castrol 20W50 [or Castrol Syntec 10W50 synthetic oil] for Texas climates, all year long. We always use this opportunity to check over your car so as to prevent future surprises. We check hoses, belts, fluids, brakes, drivetrain, steering, etc---all to keep you safe and reliable.
We reserve time every morning at 8 AM for oil changes WHILE YOU WAIT! No appointment needed, just come on in.
^Back Up^
Major Tune---recommended at 15,000 mile intervals
Includes replacement of spark plugs, air filter, and fuel filter, adjusting valves, replacing valve cover gasket, checking compression, adjusting timing, checking, cleaning, and replacing cap and rotor as needed, adjusting mixture and idle, test driving.
^Back Up^
Inspection II---recommended at 15,000 mile intervals
The Inspection II includes checking over the car from one end to the other: thoroughly checking for items of safety or reliability concern. These include hoses, belts, fluids, lights, horn, charging system and battery, etc. We also lubricate latches and hinges, check brakes, steering, suspension, driveshaft, wheel bearing play, and more---every little detail you would want checked before a trip, before you gave the car to your mother or daughter, or simply to maintain your investment in its best possible, most reliable, condition.
^Back Up^
Microfilter Replacement: 1991 and on
The climate control system of these cars contains a microfilter designed to remove contaminants from the air before it enters the passenger compartment. When these replaceable filters become quite plugged they reduce the air volume and hence the efficiency of the heater and air conditioner. We recommend they be replaced at each Inspection or about every year.
^Back Up^
Coolant Flush---up through 1994:recommended at 2 year intervals
Brake Fluid Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals
^Back Up^
Transmission Fluid Change
Standard transmission: recommended fluid change at 30,000 mile intervals
Automatic transmission: BMW recommends fluid changes at 30,000 mile intervals OR MORE OFTEN under severe conditions. We consider Texas heat to be severe conditions and recommend auto trans fluid changes every 15,000 miles.
^Back Up^
Differential Fluid change---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
^Back Up^
Wheel Alignment---recommended every year
To keep from needlessly wasting tires and maximize your BMW performance, we recommend alignment every year.
Recommended at 60,000 mile intervals
^Back Up^
1993-1995 E34 530i, 540i (V8 Engine) Car Maintenance
Note about Routine BMW Recommended services
BMW utilizes a system of lights on each car which are designed to tell the car owner when services are needed. These lights and this service scheme WILL get the car through the warranty period, but are NOT reliable guides for the long-term health of the vehicle. The BMW Inspection system is a good system, especially when performed on a regular schedule. We strongly recommend more frequent oil changes than the lights will indicate, based on miles driven, and we further recommend Major Services at 15,000 mile or about one year intervals.
Oil Changes---recommended at 3000-5000 mile intervals
We exclusively use Castrol 20W50 [or Castrol Syntec 10W50 synthetic oil] for Texas climates, all year long. We always use this opportunity to check over your car so as to prevent future surprises. We check hoses, belts, fluids, brakes, drivetrain, steering, etc---all to keep you safe and reliable.
We reserve time every morning at 8 AM for oil changes WHILE YOU WAIT! No appointment needed, just come on in.
Inspection I---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals, alternating with the Insp II each 15,000 miles
This is a glorified oil change, as recommended by BMW. It includes all the Insp II services itemized below, and an oil change. We separate out the oil change to give our customers more flexibility.
Inspection II---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals, alternating with the Insp I each 15,000 miles
The Inspection II includes checking over the car from one end to the other: thoroughly checking for items of safety or reliability concern. These include hoses, belts, fluids, lights, horn, charging system and battery, etc. We also lubricate latches and hinges, check brakes, steering, suspension, driveshaft, wheel bearing play, and more---every little detail you would want checked before a trip, before you gave the car to your mother or daughter, or simply to maintain your investment in its best possible, most reliable, condition.
Major Tune---recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
Includes replacement of spark plugs, air filters, and fuel filters, checking and replacing any vacuum hoses needed, checking mixture and idle, test driving.
Microfilter Replacement
The climate control system of these cars contains a microfilter designed to remove contaminants from the air before it enters the passenger compartment. When these replaceable filters become quite plugged they reduce the air volume and hence the efficiency of the heater and air conditioner. We recommend they be replaced at each Inspection or about every year.
Coolant Flush---up through 1994:recommended at 2 year intervals
1995: recommended at 3 year intervals
Brake Fluid Flush---recommended at 2 year intervals.
Transmission Fluid Change
Standard transmission: recommended fluid change at 30,000 mile intervals
Automatic transmission:
530i only: BMW recommends fluid changes at 30,000 mile intervals OR MORE OFTEN under severe conditions. We consider Texas heat to be severe conditions and recommend auto trans fluid changes every 15,000 miles.
A note about the 540i: BMW says that this synthetic trans fluid does not need to be changed for the life of the transmission. We agree that the trans will last as the long as the fluid, but we believe that it could last longer if the fluid was changed. When we check the fluid at about 70,000 miles, it is black. If we were to recommend a time to change the fluid, it would be at 60-90,000 miles. Other trustworthy shops around the country DO make that recommendation. We’ll leave that decision up to you. Remember that the fluid is VERY expensive, and the trans is EXTREMELY expensive.
Differential Fluid change---up through 1994:recommended at 30,000 mile intervals
1995: recommended at 60,000 mile intervals, synthetic fluid is standard
Wheel Alignment---recommended every year
To keep from needlessly wasting tires and maximize your BMW performance, we recommend alignment every year.
Up through 1994: recommended at 60,000 mile intervals
1995: recommended at 100,000 mile intervals