There is a lot of confusion in the dealer community about the annual service recommendation for the prepaid maintenance program. Some dealers will do it, others don't. The SIB that mentioned it (the last one I saw) is from many years back, and applied to BMW models that aren't in production any longer. It also called for an oil spec that isn't current now. My dealer won't do a free annual service (in Canada, not the US), but will do it at 14 months. God knows why that is the interval, but that is what they work to under the prepaid maintenance program. I believe the SIB was issued by the BMW marketing organization in the US, and not the factory.

Personally, I think an annual service is a good idea, but with low mileage I don't worry if I go 18 months. I wouldn't let it go past 24 months, however. Others may cringe with that interval. Just realize that with BMW CPO vehicles, it may have gone 24 months twice, and it won't even be considered a reason to look under the valve cover before insuring it.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue