[Judd120]

Dear BabyBMWers,

I have a 2012 BMW 116D. I was wondering if anyone can help me with understanding what needs to be done for my latest service? The service indicator came on recently.

Service history-wise the car has had a full BMW service history until the Pandemic with the last main service done by BMW in late 2019. Then in June 2021 due the pandemic with the help of a friend I performed a minor service with a full oil change (top of the range Shell Helix Ultra ECT C3 0w-30 oil), a new Bosch oil filter, and via Kwik-fit completely new brake fluid.

Now the service light indicator has come on again in January 2023 can anyone advice what needs to be done?

Do I have to change the oil, oil filter and brake fluid again? This seems excessive to me as I’ve only done about max 12,000 miles since the last service. The car sounds and drives great!

Should I now (also) change the air, cabin and fuel filters?

I think I’d like to try and do it myself again as it was a real learning experience. I used a great YouTube video where a mechanic shows how to do a 1series service yourself. Here's a link:

By the way, the brake pads and discs have been checked and are fine.

Can anyone kindly advise? Many thanks in advance

 

[DanM1980]

Usually the idrive will tell you (although many think the intervals are too long on oil changes and I agree) but it depends if the items were reset correctly when the previous work was done (you can do this yourself there are gudies on youtube).

I would say you defo need an oil change as although the BMW intervals (programmed into idrive and what BMW recommend) are somehting like 19k most will say this is way too long and it should be changed every 10k max. I would say you dont need brake fluid again just yet but I am unsure on the interval but reckon its more like 20-30k. Air filter is an easy one to pull out and look at the date on it and how it looks condition wise. Fuel filter - you can look at the date but whether its wise to DIY - opinions vary - people have ran into problems getting the fuel system to bleed up afterwards without the BMW specific software to bleed the system.

 

[Judd120]

Usually the idrive will tell you (although many think the intervals are too long on oil changes and I agree) but it depends if the items were reset correctly when the previous work was done (you can do this yourself there are gudies on youtube).

I would say you defo need an oil change as although the BMW intervals (programmed into idrive and what BMW recommend) are somehting like 19k most will say this is way too long and it should be changed every 10k max. I would say you dont need brake fluid again just yet but I am unsure on the interval but reckon its more like 20-30k. Air filter is an easy one to pull out and look at the date on it and how it looks condition wise. Fuel filter - you can look at the date but whether its wise to DIY - opinions vary - people have ran into problems getting the fuel system to bleed up afterwards without the BMW specific software to bleed the system.

Thanks Dan, I really appreciate your kind advice! I think I'm going to do the oil, oil filter, air and cabin filters. I'll check the air and cabin filters tomorrow to see how they look but I'm guessing they haven't been changed since mid 2019 and the last major BMW service before the pandemic. I'm assuming therefore it's time!

Regarding the fuel filter, as you can see on the video I linked to above (3m 28sec to 5min), the fuel filter looks very straight forward to change on my 2012 116D (the video is the same model as mine). There doesn't seem to be any software involved other than the eventual general reset. Can anyone confirm this?

If there is no software needed then I think I might give it a go. Is the fuel filter something that should be changed regularly? I'm assuming it was done at the last major BMW service in 2019.

The brake fluid was changed in mid 2021 and everything seems fine, so as you suggest too, I'm going to leave that job.

The biggest problem I have is finding a ramp I can use (in or near St Helens). I don't have any of my own. Previously I borrowed some metal ramps from a friend. However, he has unfortunately moved a long distance away. What I'd really like to to get access to is a proper garage type ramp that lifts the car completely as then the car would be completely level... or even a garage pit. When I changed the oil last time I was a little concerned that not all the old oil came out due to the angle on the ramps in the front. I've googled but in St Helens there doesn't seem to be any ramps available to hire. I remember in the old days my Dad telling me that the council had drive on ramps the public could use but they've of course gone a long time ago. Does anyone have any suggestions of where I could hire a garage type ramp or access a garage pit for an hour or two?

Thank you again. Sincerely, Judd

 

[marco_polo]

I would be changing the Gearbox oil + Diff oil, also.

 

[Judd120]

I would be changing the Gearbox oil + Diff oil, also.

Thanks for your reply Marco. Can I change the gearbox and diff oil myself?

Also, do you know if I need software when changing the fuel filter on my (2012) 116D as Dan suggests might be necessary? Dan wrote:

'Fuel filter - you can look at the date but whether its wise to DIY - opinions vary - people have ran into problems getting the fuel system to bleed up afterwards without the BMW specific software to bleed the system.'

Many thanks!

 

[marco_polo]

You can certainly change the diff oil yourself, that’s an easy driveway job. If it’s a manual gearbox, you can do that too with a jack/axle stands, etc. Auto boxes are quite fussy, and need to be taken to a specialist really.

I’d also recommend changing the G48 coolant, or as much of it as you can. 3/4 fresh is much better than nothing.

Neither the coolant nor transmission oils appear on any BMW service schedule, so it’s highly likely they’ve been neglected since new. Keeps the bills down for the original buyers, but unfairly punishes people who run older cars.

Not sure about the fuel filter procedure, I would expect the system to prime itself when you unlock the car (going by my E87 diesel), but I’m not 100% sure on yours.

 

[marco_polo]

How To Change Your Diff Oil

As requested by a couple of people.... This is a guide for changing your differential oil, this relates directly to a M135i, but I'm sure it would be a very similar procedure for any BMW. I did mine laying behind my car in the street in a few minutes. Before you start, you'll need a litre of...

www.babybmw.net

How To Change Your Gearbox Oil

This is a guide for changing your gearbox oil, this relates directly to a 120d, but I'm sure it would be a similar procedure for any BMW. I did mine on a ramp, which is preferable to stands. Before you start, you'll need 2 litres of gearbox oil; a pair of rubber gloves (unless you prefer the...

www.babybmw.net

M135i coolant change

BMW seem to think there is no need to change the coolant on our cars, despite the manufacturer Glysantin recommending it is done every 3 to 4 years because of its properties breaking down and becoming acidic. Water pump failures are common on E series cars including on the N55 engine so I...

www.babybmw.net

Some of that should be relevant.

 

[Judd120]

Thanks Marco! What a fantastic answer! Do you know what type of differential oil I should buy for my made Sept 2011 (registered 2012) F20 116D?

Also, forgive my ignorance but G48 coolant? I'm guessing that is the coolant in the white tank in the engine bay? I'm guessing I could use a Turkey baster to suck most of it out and fill up with new G48(?)?

I found this video on YouTube regarding the differential oil change. It says F20 too but is on a 520. I'm guessing it's roughly the same?

I'm going to hire full car lift in the next few weeks and am going to try and do everything over a few hours so any other suggestions would be appreciated.

Plan so far is:

1. Full oil change with new oil filter, sump plug ring, etc.
2. New fuel filter
3. New Air filter
4. New Cabin filter
5. Differnatial oil change. (Just need to work out which oil and how to put new oil in)
6. New (G48?) Coolant (as much as possible depending on how much I can get out)
7. Gearbox oil change. (I don't know which oil to get and am a bit worried by this one...)

If I do all of this do you think it adds up to a full BMW service?

Many thanks again! You guys rock!