[driverAthlete]

Hoping to get some advice here about what I should plan to get done by a shop, plan to attempt myself, and what to refuse when the dealer pushes it.

I’ve got 38,000 miles on this amazing vehicle in about a year and a half, 12,000 of which were electric, so only about 26,000 on the ICE.

After 20k total miles, dealer started pushing a coolant flush, which seemed totally unnecessary at the time based on a little research so now I don’t trust the dealer to recommend anything.

I’ve seen a lot of talk about the differential fluid that BMW claims is lifetime, and as with other “lifetime” fluids seems to actually mean “until we want you to buy a new one”. The failure seems limited to 2019-2020 vehicles on that particular issue, but maybe there just isn’t data on newer cars yet?

I’m planning on keeping this car 10 years 300k miles. I’m sure there are a lot opinions as to why that’s a bad idea but let’s just operate here on the assumption that that’s possible and desirable.

What maintenance and fluid flushes do you think I should be proactive about having done, aside from oil changes, to extend the life of the car?

Thanks for any help you can give!

[alexvej1]

HI.I had a 2017 BMW X5 40E with N20 engine and the car had 135K when I traded in in 2023 and it was functioning very well.
So I can give you suggestions related to my experience of oil changes as well as other items.
If you want to keep your car reliable for a long time there are suggestions which I think you can consider.
There is not such thing as "LIfe time oil" it is marketing.
In my car I changed Front and rear differential oil every 45k as well as the transfer case .
Transmission oil at 50k.
The most important don't charge your car to 100% keep like 80-85 it will preserve the battery modules(When you charge 100% it generate the heat and destroy battery) 3 out of 6 modules was replaced in my car because of it.
Don't forget to adjust the differential using ISTA after changing the transfer case oil.
Also when you are planning to use ICE try to warm the car before it will help engine in a cold start not going too 3k RPM and develop problems.Also change motor oil about 7k or 10k don't do 15k like others tell you.Good motor oil is good for turbo (turbo cooled by motor oil in this cars)
Coolant change every 5 years 60k
Brake fluid every 4-5 years -60k

[driverAthlete]

Thanks! Is there a way to get it to automatically stop charging at 90%, or you just unplug it?
I think I saw something to where it is sort of doing this already - there is a setting you can change with BimmerCode to get more total charge but less charge cycles, or do the opposite, but the default setting is kind of in the middle.

I’m currently at 40k miles after 18 months so the 4-5 years or 60k - not sure which to follow Hopefully using mostly regen for braking so can wait on brake fluid. Dealer still pushing coolant change like they have since 20k so thinking I’ll do that at 60k since I’ve seen a couple places suggest that.

Guess I should start planning for front and rear differential fluid, and transmission fluid at the next oil change, which will be about 47,500 miles.

[eelnoraa]

With your driving profile, 300k mile total means about 200k ice miles. I would do engine oil every 5k. Trans/diff/x fee every 60k at the time spark plugs are replaced. 30k air filter. Brake fluid every 2-3 years. I would forget about coolant because at 60-70k something in cooling will need repair, maybe thermostat, water pump …. change coolant together when they repair is done.

Also these days, there is no such a thing as flush. You cannot get all the coolant out without disassemble the engine. So all desler can do is to drain the radiator and refill, which is a simple job.

And time to look for a mechanics. You cannot rely on bmw dealer to get to 300k miles.