[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by dudley07726

I purchased my X3 at the end of March 2012 and the brake flush is not due until March 2015. That will be 3 years, not 2 like everyone else keeps stating. My front brake pads are due in 1500 miles and I only have 15300 miles on the vehicle. When is the inside filter for heat/ AC changed?

You are correct, since 2011 the first brake fluid service on most BMW models is 3 years, then after the first change its every 2 years.

Its because the filling system at the factory is totally sealed and allows no moisture in any form to come in contact with the fluid before the vehicle is filled. But the storage and filling conditions at dealers is not as good, so 2 years is specified to be safe.
Seals on the car also start getting older and leak moisture over time.



The "inside filter" is called the microfilter.
It is replaced every oil service.

[lbjgh]

Only whatever the service indicator calls for on the dash... that's it. BMW service is shameful for a 'premium' maker. (not highlighting BMW Toronto here... just BMW Canada in general. BMW Toronto are one of the better dealers)

Originally Posted by The X Men

Does the free maintenance in Canada cover anything beside oil changes?

[The X Men]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

You are correct, since 2011 the first brake fluid service on most BMW models is 3 years, then after the first change its every 2 years.

My on board computer calls for the first brake fluid flushed at 14000 miles, my just had it done by the dealer free of charge.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by n55x3

Engine air filter is included in the USA Maintenance package BUT we are now at 42k miles and the dealer still won't change the air filter and won't give me a god idea as to when it needs to be changed.

With that being said, I changed our out on my own dime around 35k miles. It was really dirty but I have seen worse.

The intervals are modified slightly by each country depending on their average driving and climactic conditions



The basic numbers for current F25 X3 engines are


Oil Service ever 30,000km (18,641 miles) ( System will change this slightly depending on driving conditions)

Microfilter is changed every oil service

Engine air filter is changed every 2nd oil service ( 3rd in some countries)

Spark plugs every 2nd oil service

Fuel filter ever 2nd oil service

Vehicle check every 5 years


Brake fluid now usually 3 years for first change, then every 2 years
Coolant is "lifetime" for most models now.

[Ziba]

I've got 2011 X3 28i and the brake fluid was changed after 2 years free of charge. Next one is in another 2 years .

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by Ziba

I've got 2011 X3 28i and the brake fluid was change after 2 years free of charge. Next one is in another 2 years .

X3 changeover to 3 years for initial brake fluid change was about October 2011 (Usually called 2012 model in USA, but still 2011 model in many countries).
Some other models changed in March 2011.

Yours was probably earlier than October 2011
( Usually called 2012 model in USA)

[Ziba]

That would make sense

[paulbrenneman]

Originally Posted by Want the thrill

I'm betting that they will tell you the computer is wrong and they will reset it. They've done that twice with mine already. It's doubtful you actually do need brakes.

Check them visually?

[dudley07726]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

The intervals are modified slightly by each country depending on their average driving and climactic conditions



The basic numbers for current F25 X3 engines are


Oil Service ever 30,000km (18,641 miles) ( System will change this slightly depending on driving conditions)

Microfilter is changed every oil service

Engine air filter is changed every 2nd oil service ( 3rd in some countries)

Spark plugs every 2nd oil service

Fuel filter ever 2nd oil service

Vehicle check every 5 years


Brake fluid now usually 3 years for first change, then every 2 years
Coolant is "lifetime" for most models now.

Below is the response I received from my local BMW dealer regarding the micro filter:

The micro-filter gets replaced approx. every 2 years with the brake fluid flush on your vehicle. Yours should be due the next time you come in for service.



Regards,

Jennifer Malkiewicz

BMW of Freehold





From: Gary/Cynthia Lyons
Sent: Saturday, May 03, 2014 2:42 PM
To: jmalkiewicz@bmwoffreehold.com
Subject: Question regarding maintenance for 2012 X3



Hi


I have had the oil changed twice so far under the 4 year free maintenance. I do not think you have ever changed the Heating/AC filter. Isn't that supposed to be changed every year?



Thanks

[barcelona]

^ To reiterate Dudley07726, the same applies to Canada, Cabin Air Filter is replaced every 2 yrs, simultaneously with the brake fluid flush. Note: former is $165 latter is $205 tax in, when not covered.

[dudley07726]

Originally Posted by barcelona

^ To reiterate Dudley07726, the same applies to Canada, Cabin Air Filter is replaced every 2 yrs, simultaneously with the brake fluid flush. Note: former is $165 latter is $205 tax in, when not covered.

I've just passed the 2 year mark in march. Only an oil change

[heverlee]

just did my two yr service today with milage of 15500miles

all works done free:
oil change, replace havc filter (every 2yr according to CA), replace front/back wiper
flush brake fluid, check coolant, check brake

dealer said engine air filter has a longer service interval and didn't offer to replace it this time.

[dudley07726]

Originally Posted by heverlee

just did my two yr service today with milage of 15500miles

all works done free:
oil change, replace havc filter (every 2yr according to CA), replace front/back wiper
flush brake fluid, check coolant, check brake

dealer said engine air filter has a longer service interval and didn't offer to replace it this time.

I do not like not having a printed maintenance schedule as these advisers make up their own on some items like the HVAC micro filter. Your SA said every 2 years. Mine said every time brake fluid flush is done. And mine is not due to 2/15. Well SA, which is it?

[heverlee]

totally agree with you.

I am driving 13 x3 and SA mentioned flush brake fluid every 2 yrs, which in my case aligns with replacing the havc filter.

In addition, my local indy shop recommends flush brake fluid every 2 yrs as a preventive measure against moisture. they even recommend flush coolant at certain intervals.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by dudley07726

I do not like not having a printed maintenance schedule as these advisers make up their own on some items like the HVAC micro filter. Your SA said every 2 years. Mine said every time brake fluid flush is done. And mine is not due to 2/15. Well SA, which is it?

Initial brake flush is 3 years then changes to every 2 years

BMW USA has been changing their microfilter change intervals a bit and are not aligned with the rest of the world that change them every oil change.
And there are even difference between models in the USA.
The BMW system will tell you CA what is required as soon as they put your key FOB in the key reader

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by heverlee

totally agree with you.

I am driving 13 x3 and SA mentioned flush brake fluid every 2 yrs, which in my case aligns with replacing the havc filter.

In addition, my local indy shop recommends flush brake fluid every 2 yrs as a preventive measure against moisture. they even recommend flush coolant at certain intervals.

Coolant used to be every 2 years till the new metals were used in conjunction with the BMW blue coolant (HOAT) instead of the older type green coolant (OAT) (Never mix the 2)