540i service at 5yrs, 40k miles

tsbrown · 10-30-2023, 03:36 PM

So my 2019 540i is almost 5yrs old and has just under 40k miles. Thanks to covid and retirement, I don't drive nearly as much as I used to.

Anyway, the app tells me I need oil service and brake fluid, which all makes sense.

The dealer says I also need spark plugs and microfilter replacements. I suppose the microfilters may need replacement (they were done at 1yr and 3yr service) but spark plugs at 40k miles sounds really early. I thought those were 60k mile replacements.

Thoughts? I'm on the fence about keeping this or replacing in 6 months or so with G60 but in the meantime, I want to keep it properly serviced. I've really enjoyed owning this car.

ppointer · 10-30-2023, 05:18 PM

Although I own a '22 540i, I don't know enough about these B58s yet. I do know more about the N55, and for that motor, I would do plugs and coils together. The problem is that when a coil goes bad, you can get stranded while the car tries to run on one less cylinder. Does your dealer want to do the coils as well? I would wait until 60k miles on my G30 for plugs and coils.

tsbrown · 10-30-2023, 06:58 PM

No coils, just plugs. And yet on a couple other BMW dealership websites they say plugs get changed at 60k for 5 series. Checking with an indy shop on their recommendation. This is the second time this month the dealer service department has recommended unnecessary service for our cars.

tsbrown · 11-01-2023, 08:42 AM

Follow up… indy says just oil change, brake fluid and air filter/micro filters at my mileage. Plugs at 60k. Already have the filters on the way so will have them change fluids for me.

ezaircon4jc · 11-14-2023, 04:05 PM

Question...

Is ~$450 too much or about right for a plug change on the B58? I believe he said 1.4 hours labour and I have no idea the price of the plugs.

tsbrown · 11-14-2023, 05:17 PM

sounds high, but everything at the dealer sounds high anymore.

Checking getBMWparts, the plugs are either ~$29/ea or $19/ea depending on if your dealer is charging the MSRP or discount. So max of ~175 for plugs.

I think my dealer said their hourly shop rate is $185/hr so 1.4 hours at that rate would be $260.

So total would be $434 + shop supplies and tax. I'm not doing plugs until 60k, so another 20k miles for me (or about 2+ years), and I may not own the car by then.

tsbrown · 11-17-2023, 01:51 PM

Had the oil and brake fluid service done today…$350 total. Worth it to not have to deal with fluid disposal and it took less than 2 hours.

They also found my flex disk (rear only on my car) is cracked and will eventually need replacing, about $750 in today’s money. Probably will do that in the spring.

admranger · 11-17-2023, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tsbrown

Had the oil and brake fluid service done today…$350 total. Worth it to not have to deal with fluid disposal and it took less than 2 hours.

They also found my flex disk (rear only on my car) is cracked and will eventually need replacing, about $750 in today’s money. Probably will do that in the spring.

The flex disk on my m550i was buried under the active roll stabilization and rear steering components. I’m grateful mine was caught under cpo warranty. I caught it, but at least it was covered.

SoCal540 · 11-17-2023, 10:16 PM

What about a coolant flush at 5 years? Is that recommended?

tsbrown · 11-18-2023, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoCal540

What about a coolant flush at 5 years? Is that recommended?

I don’t recall seeing that on the maintenance schedule and the shop didn’t mention it. Is this commonly done at 5 years?

WretchedRefuse · 11-20-2023, 02:49 PM

Refilling coolant is a complex process that must be done meticulously to avoid problems. I've heard to wait on a coolant flush until you do your water pump at about 100k miles.

niju321 · 11-21-2023, 08:03 PM

Did you get a message from the CBS system about changing the spark plugs? I got this message in the myBMW app (and, I believe, from the onboard maintenance readout) around 60k miles.

ezaircon4jc · 11-21-2023, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niju321

Did you get a message from the CBS system about changing the spark plugs? I got this message in the myBMW app (and, I believe, from the onboard maintenance readout) around 60k miles.

Not in the app, but when I went to schedule service, the system said I was due a plug change. My SA said it was more time based (5 years) than mileage based.

Tpriest7893 · 12-16-2023, 07:38 PM

Dealers will do anything to make a buck

RonronEG · 12-17-2023, 02:35 PM

Did my 540i plugs at 45k only because I was flashing a tune, the plugs were pristine. They can easily go to 60-75k stock driving normal.

10-30-2023, 03:36 PM	#1
tsbrown Captain 1038 Rep 732 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: KY/MA iTrader: (0)	540i service at 5yrs, 40k miles So my 2019 540i is almost 5yrs old and has just under 40k miles. Thanks to covid and retirement, I don't drive nearly as much as I used to. Anyway, the app tells me I need oil service and brake fluid, which all makes sense. The dealer says I also need spark plugs and microfilter replacements. I suppose the microfilters may need replacement (they were done at 1yr and 3yr service) but spark plugs at 40k miles sounds really early. I thought those were 60k mile replacements. Thoughts? I'm on the fence about keeping this or replacing in 6 months or so with G60 but in the meantime, I want to keep it properly serviced. I've really enjoyed owning this car. __________________ Bluegrass Bimmers Current: 2019 G30 540i M Sport \| 2022 & 2018 G01 X3 xDrive30i Past: 2017 F30 340i M Sport/6MT \| 2013 E70 X5 3.5 \| 2011 E90 ///M3 6MT \| 2005 E46 330i ZHP 6MT \| 2001 E53 X5 3.0 \| 2000 E39 528i Sport/5MT \| 1998 E39 528iA \| 1997 E38 740i \| 1993 E36 318is
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10-30-2023, 05:18 PM	#2
ppointer Major 743 Rep 1,096 Posts Drives: '01 Z3M, '12 335is, '22 540i Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: FLL iTrader: (4) Garage List 2012 BMW 335i [5.25] 2012 BMW 335is [5.00] 2008 Infiniti QX56 [0.00] 1967 Chevrolet Corv ... [10.00] 2001 M Roadster [10.00] 2022 BMW 540i [0.75] 2009 528i [9.50]	Although I own a '22 540i, I don't know enough about these B58s yet. I do know more about the N55, and for that motor, I would do plugs and coils together. The problem is that when a coil goes bad, you can get stranded while the car tries to run on one less cylinder. Does your dealer want to do the coils as well? I would wait until 60k miles on my G30 for plugs and coils.
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10-30-2023, 06:58 PM	#3
tsbrown Captain 1038 Rep 732 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: KY/MA iTrader: (0)	No coils, just plugs. And yet on a couple other BMW dealership websites they say plugs get changed at 60k for 5 series. Checking with an indy shop on their recommendation. This is the second time this month the dealer service department has recommended unnecessary service for our cars. __________________ Bluegrass Bimmers Current: 2019 G30 540i M Sport \| 2022 & 2018 G01 X3 xDrive30i Past: 2017 F30 340i M Sport/6MT \| 2013 E70 X5 3.5 \| 2011 E90 ///M3 6MT \| 2005 E46 330i ZHP 6MT \| 2001 E53 X5 3.0 \| 2000 E39 528i Sport/5MT \| 1998 E39 528iA \| 1997 E38 740i \| 1993 E36 318is
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11-01-2023, 08:42 AM	#4
tsbrown Captain 1038 Rep 732 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: KY/MA iTrader: (0)	Follow up… indy says just oil change, brake fluid and air filter/micro filters at my mileage. Plugs at 60k. Already have the filters on the way so will have them change fluids for me. __________________ Bluegrass Bimmers Current: 2019 G30 540i M Sport \| 2022 & 2018 G01 X3 xDrive30i Past: 2017 F30 340i M Sport/6MT \| 2013 E70 X5 3.5 \| 2011 E90 ///M3 6MT \| 2005 E46 330i ZHP 6MT \| 2001 E53 X5 3.0 \| 2000 E39 528i Sport/5MT \| 1998 E39 528iA \| 1997 E38 740i \| 1993 E36 318is
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11-14-2023, 04:05 PM	#5
ezaircon4jc Major General 4484 Rep 5,365 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	Question... Is ~$450 too much or about right for a plug change on the B58? I believe he said 1.4 hours labour and I have no idea the price of the plugs.
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11-14-2023, 05:17 PM	#6
tsbrown Captain 1038 Rep 732 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: KY/MA iTrader: (0)	sounds high, but everything at the dealer sounds high anymore. Checking getBMWparts, the plugs are either ~$29/ea or $19/ea depending on if your dealer is charging the MSRP or discount. So max of ~175 for plugs. I think my dealer said their hourly shop rate is $185/hr so 1.4 hours at that rate would be $260. So total would be $434 + shop supplies and tax. I'm not doing plugs until 60k, so another 20k miles for me (or about 2+ years), and I may not own the car by then. __________________ Bluegrass Bimmers Current: 2019 G30 540i M Sport \| 2022 & 2018 G01 X3 xDrive30i Past: 2017 F30 340i M Sport/6MT \| 2013 E70 X5 3.5 \| 2011 E90 ///M3 6MT \| 2005 E46 330i ZHP 6MT \| 2001 E53 X5 3.0 \| 2000 E39 528i Sport/5MT \| 1998 E39 528iA \| 1997 E38 740i \| 1993 E36 318is
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11-17-2023, 01:51 PM	#7
tsbrown Captain 1038 Rep 732 Posts Drives: 2019 540i M Sport Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: KY/MA iTrader: (0)	Had the oil and brake fluid service done today…$350 total. Worth it to not have to deal with fluid disposal and it took less than 2 hours. They also found my flex disk (rear only on my car) is cracked and will eventually need replacing, about $750 in today’s money. Probably will do that in the spring. __________________ Bluegrass Bimmers Current: 2019 G30 540i M Sport \| 2022 & 2018 G01 X3 xDrive30i Past: 2017 F30 340i M Sport/6MT \| 2013 E70 X5 3.5 \| 2011 E90 ///M3 6MT \| 2005 E46 330i ZHP 6MT \| 2001 E53 X5 3.0 \| 2000 E39 528i Sport/5MT \| 1998 E39 528iA \| 1997 E38 740i \| 1993 E36 318is
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11-17-2023, 10:16 PM	#9
SoCal540 Private 26 Rep 68 Posts Drives: 540i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	What about a coolant flush at 5 years? Is that recommended?
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11-20-2023, 02:49 PM	#11
WretchedRefuse Lieutenant 209 Rep 494 Posts Drives: 2020 BMW M550i Join Date: Feb 2022 Location: Michigan iTrader: (0)	Refilling coolant is a complex process that must be done meticulously to avoid problems. I've heard to wait on a coolant flush until you do your water pump at about 100k miles.
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11-21-2023, 08:03 PM	#12
niju321 Private First Class 85 Rep 113 Posts Drives: 540i xDrive Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Did you get a message from the CBS system about changing the spark plugs? I got this message in the myBMW app (and, I believe, from the onboard maintenance readout) around 60k miles.
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12-16-2023, 07:38 PM	#14
Tpriest7893 Captain 217 Rep 821 Posts Drives: Bmw 335i f30 N55 ( sold) Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Venice Florida iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2012 bmw 335 [0.00] 02 2002 m3 Vert [0.00]	Dealers will do anything to make a buck __________________ 2012 bmw 335i sedan VRSF catless DP VRSF 5? HD IC Stock intake(had open before and was sick of noise) BMS CP 550i 351m rims with 275/245 set up. No tune as of yet.
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12-17-2023, 02:35 PM	#15
RonronEG Lieutenant 336 Rep 471 Posts Drives: BMW 540i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Northern California iTrader: (0)	Did my 540i plugs at 45k only because I was flashing a tune, the plugs were pristine. They can easily go to 60-75k stock driving normal.
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