How do I make my car last forever?

danxrf · 02-28-2026, 04:28 PM

Hi all

I have a 2017 318D with 109k kms. I have had the car since new. I drive just over 10k kms per year on average. Mix of city and highway driving. I do engine oil every year. Air filter every 2 years. Fuel filter every 3 years. Thats all I've ever done in terms of servicing the car besides tyres and brakes of course. I want to make this car last as long as possible so I was thinking to do a refresh this year and get some extra servicing done. I've done some research and from what I gather the most important things I should do is coolant refill, new battery and a transmission oil+filter. Do you guys agree? Anything else you would recommend I get checked/serviced to stay on top of things?

Thanks for your help!

scubajim · 03-01-2026, 10:12 AM

preventative maintenance is the best you can hope for. Forever is a long time.

learntocode · 03-16-2026, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by danxrf

Hi all

I have a 2017 318D with 109k kms. I have had the car since new. I drive just over 10k kms per year on average. Mix of city and highway driving. I do engine oil every year. Air filter every 2 years. Fuel filter every 3 years. Thats all I've ever done in terms of servicing the car besides tyres and brakes of course. I want to make this car last as long as possible so I was thinking to do a refresh this year and get some extra servicing done. I've done some research and from what I gather the most important things I should do is coolant refill, new battery and a transmission oil+filter. Do you guys agree? Anything else you would recommend I get checked/serviced to stay on top of things?

Thanks for your help!

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...00%2C000+miles

Altamate · 03-16-2026, 01:03 AM

10,000km on a diesel oil change is too long an interval I’d do it twice a year. Transmission and differential fluids every 75,000km, if x drive transfer case fluid at 75,000 too

Stuff to look into
Try to do something to ensure good fuel to the HP pump. Better/extra filtration(3yrs/30,000km is too long between changes) and no air, plus a lubricant like Lubricity or Howes in the tank every fill up.

cfm56d7b · 03-22-2026, 01:07 PM

danxrf Any vehicle can last forever but the cost of aging components will at some point exceed the cost of the asset. You just have to be willing to keep replacing aging or failing components.

All recommendations provided earlier - a great start. I suggest to consider replacing all rubber hoses in the engine bay since your vehicle is approaching 10 year mark.

02-28-2026, 04:28 PM	#1
danxrf Registered 0 Rep 3 Posts Drives: 2017 318d se Join Date: Feb 2026 Location: dublin iTrader: (0)	How do I make my car last forever? Hi all I have a 2017 318D with 109k kms. I have had the car since new. I drive just over 10k kms per year on average. Mix of city and highway driving. I do engine oil every year. Air filter every 2 years. Fuel filter every 3 years. Thats all I've ever done in terms of servicing the car besides tyres and brakes of course. I want to make this car last as long as possible so I was thinking to do a refresh this year and get some extra servicing done. I've done some research and from what I gather the most important things I should do is coolant refill, new battery and a transmission oil+filter. Do you guys agree? Anything else you would recommend I get checked/serviced to stay on top of things? Thanks for your help!
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03-01-2026, 10:12 AM	#2
scubajim Second Lieutenant 167 Rep 262 Posts Drives: 16 BMW 435 F33 Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Milford CT iTrader: (0)	preventative maintenance is the best you can hope for. Forever is a long time. __________________
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03-16-2026, 01:03 AM	#4
Altamate Grumpy Old Fart 280 Rep 336 Posts Drives: 2020 440 GC xdrive Join Date: Nov 2024 Location: Edmonton, Alberta iTrader: (0)	10,000km on a diesel oil change is too long an interval I’d do it twice a year. Transmission and differential fluids every 75,000km, if x drive transfer case fluid at 75,000 too Stuff to look into Try to do something to ensure good fuel to the HP pump. Better/extra filtration(3yrs/30,000km is too long between changes) and no air, plus a lubricant like Lubricity or Howes in the tank every fill up.
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03-22-2026, 01:07 PM	#5
cfm56d7b Lieutenant General 7553 Rep 11,530 Posts Drives: 2025 BMW X6 M60i & 2015 BMW X5 Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: DFW iTrader: (2)	danxrf Any vehicle can last forever but the cost of aging components will at some point exceed the cost of the asset. You just have to be willing to keep replacing aging or failing components. All recommendations provided earlier - a great start. I suggest to consider replacing all rubber hoses in the engine bay since your vehicle is approaching 10 year mark.
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