Service Interval

[Frankh]

At one year old it is required by bmw to have the brake fluid changed and there after every 2 years.

 

[APE]

That's not what I have been told. Nor is it how my service indicator is set to come on again. The last service on my RT was at the end of September sand the service indicator was set to come on in September 2012. The bike at the time of the service was 18 months old. My wife's F650 was serviced in December prior to collection with 4400 miles on the clock. It will not need another service now until either 6000 miles have been added or in December 2012.

In my case it seems to be 12 months from the last service or at 12k - whichever comes first. Which is annoying as the last service was at 10k in September. Should I query this it doesn't sound right but it's definitely what's written in my service book

 

[mrmoog]

How much are people paying for the service to be done, is it standard throughout the BMW dealers?

 

[Bobbin-Man]

Regarding brake fluid ..... it's a hydroscopic liquid, or in other words it likes moisture and will absorb it over time.
The moisture content in the fluid will gradually cause the fluid to become compressible, reducing braking efficiency, but also it will cause corrosion to the brake system. For the cost of a bottle, change it every two years ...... and always buy NEW fluid - it absorbs moisture as soon as the bottle is opened.

 

[Wapping]

... as the last service was at 10k in September. Should I query this it doesn't sound right but it's definitely what's written in my service book

What sounds wrong about it?

If you looked at my service book, you may well find a 9,500 in June.... That would be correct, as that was the mileage of the bike and the month of the year when that that particular service was made.

In short, don't worry about it. Just follow the recommended service intervals from now on and you'll be fine.

 

[Wapping]

How much are people paying for the service to be done, is it standard throughout the BMW dealers?

£5,000,000 in central London, which sets the standard. Everywhere else struggles to reach that high benchmark.

 

[APE]

What sounds wrong about it?

the fact that I have to have it serviced again after only 2,000 miles

 

[BBB61]

the fact that I have to have it serviced again after only 2,000 miles

My wife's F650GS has just been serviced at 4400 miles. The dealer told us the next service will be due either in one year or at 10400 miles, whichever comes first. She doesn't have to take it back in for another service at 6000 miles.

 

[Wapping]

the fact that I have to have it serviced again after only 2,000 miles

You don't have to

Read what you have been told in this thread and what your owner's hand book says about the service intervals.

All that happened is that the last owner let the mileage run over, or the year interval gap came into play for him (ie. he didn't do six thousand miles in a service interval year on his runs to the root vegetable shop)... you don't tell us when the service before was made, so we can't help.

Either way, the bike seems to be fine, does it not? Proof, if any were needed, that nobody dies if the services are not exactly six thousand (or a year) apart.

OK, if you really want to line up the miles at exactly 12, 18, 24 thousand again do it at 12,000..... and put yourself out of your misery, cursing the previous owner and the dealer who sold you the bike to hell.

 

[Wapping]

My wife's F650GS has just been serviced at 4400 miles. The dealer told us the next service will be due either in one year or at 10400 miles, whichever comes first. She doesn't have to take it back in for another service at 6000 miles.

See how it works now, APE?

As clear as day, I hope.

Here's another example for you:

I don't do 6,000 miles a year on my HP2Sport. I could but I don't. So the handbook shows all sorts of milages when the last service was performed, simply as I trigger it on the year gap, not mileage..... Sometimes I get really daring and wait 14 months, sometimes just 11. The bike never complains.

Think about what happens to bikes that get put away for maybe two years or more years in a garage as the owner is ill or away or riding something else. They do no mileage, but maybe need just a basic fettle (and / or an MOT) when the owner finally blows the cobwebs away.... assuming he can find the padlock key of course.

 

[Myke Rocks]

Regarding brake fluid ..... it's a hydroscopic liquid, or in other words it likes moisture and will absorb it over time.
The moisture content in the fluid will gradually cause the fluid to become compressible, reducing braking efficiency, but also it will cause corrosion to the brake system. For the cost of a bottle, change it every two years ...... and always buy NEW fluid - it absorbs moisture as soon as the bottle is opened.

True, but only of the system is open to atmosphere, like car systems are. Motorcycle systems are not open to atmosphere. Regarding discolouration, this is no indication of deterioration. If colour change was an indication of deterioration, I would be changin ght eoil in my car on a daily or twice daily basis. By the way, regarding the so called compressability mentioned above, - bollocks. Actually what happens is that the boiling point is lowered bu the absorbsion of moisture, and the fluid, when braking hard, boils. Brake works perfectly whislt boiling, but the moment the brake is released, the fluid is expelled back into the reservoir by the boiling. When this happens, on ehas no brake, unless one "pumps" the brake. On pumping the brake, one keeps the brake slightly engaged to keep the fluid locked in the system, and can carry on. - In my case this happened on a regualar basis in rally cars.
When the system cooled down again, back to normal.
The events described above were casused by plain overheating, not moisture ingress. I have never boiled the brakes on a ropad car or any motorcycle.

The only things that are time based are brake fluid (change after one year, then every two), final drive oil (every 12k or two years) and gearbox oil (every 24k or two years).

I strictly follow the service manual supplied with the bike regarding final drive oil changes. It states it is sealed for life.
They changed their minds later, but mine doesn't count. Have never looked at it!

 

[APE]

See how it works now, APE?

As clear as day, I hope.

Very clear. The difference in my example is the dealer saying it needs to come back at 12k and not 16k which is the difference with Bob's example. This is also written in the book. Of course I can ignore that and run it as long as I want but the question is have they got this wrong.

I'll call the dealer to clarify this thanks for your comments

 

[NLC]

£5,000,000 in central London, which sets the standard. Everywhere else struggles to reach that high benchmark.

Does that come with fries or is that extra?

 

[snerkler]

I used to write service schedules for everything from trucks to jet engines.
It's ALWAYS mileage OR time.
So 6k or 12 months, for example.

Saying 6k AND 12 months DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE.

there are service centres out there that will try and confuse you into doing both. They just want your money. Don't fall for it.

If the above does not make sense to you then you should return your motorcycle and buy a Montego.

There was an actual service schedule posted on here that showed that the twin cam needed both, so was in black and white and not a dealer spouting nonsense

 

[slydog]

spot on

First of all, one has to ask oneself why any low stressed modern motorcycle should need such an expensive service with such short intervals, when cars (including BMW) can do 18,000 miles betwen services, and no annual.
Then there is the issue of brake fluid change, which is, in my opinion, "Dangling The Skeleton". My Bike is 2005, I bought it in 2007, and have not, as yet been so foolish as to change the brake fluid, nor do I plan to do so.
Yes, I do, on occasions, use the brakes hard, E.G. fully laden trhough Switzerland. I change the plugs when the bike starts to "miss", and the oil once or twice a year, (usually before parking for winter at end of October,) and that's it. Feck warrantys, feck the trade in values, all bullshit.
If I had been getting my bike serviced by BMW since I bought it, it would have cost me circa £3500 in charges. The warranty would have cost me an additional £1500.
Total around £5,000. (+ consumables at BMW prices)
In that intervening period, I have spent around £400 on servicing the machine myself. ( + consumables at non BMW prices)

The difference is circa £4600.
Items which would have been changed under warranty - fuel pump controller. Knock off £100.
If I go to sell my bike, will I get £4500 less for it because I do not have a service history? - a rhetorical question.

Myke

spot on fella . its all about dealers etc making money . low reving low stressed 1200cc engine carrying a light load compared to a ford fiesta or small car with 4 or 5 passengers being thrashed to bits that needs servicing every 18000 lol .its all bollox

 

[mrmoog]

My local main dealer said that they would do the 6000 mile service with 5000 miles on the bike and the 1st year service together, for £270 inc Vat, and this would keep the warrenty sound, travel 100 miles and you get it £4,999,730 cheaper, now that's some deal

 

[Wapping]

My local main dealer said that they would do the 6000 mile ........ now that's some deal

Amazing what you can find out when you ring up and ask.