BMW 4-Series Maintenance Plans

This BMW 4-Series maintenance plan overview covers the 2013-2020 and 2020-2025 generations, with service needs that vary by engine and drivetrain. Select your exact 4-Series year and engine to see the correct maintenance schedule for your car.

Select your BMW model below to view the online service schedule for your specific engine.

2 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
4-Series 2013-2020 2013-2020 418d Diesel (B47D20A), 418d Diesel (N47D20C), 418i Petrol (B38B15A), 420d Diesel (B47D20A), 420d Diesel (N47D20C), 420d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A), 420d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C), 420d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A), 420d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C), 420i, -x… Diesel, Petrol
4-Series 2020-2025 2020-2025 420d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 420d mHev, -xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B47D20B+JA1), 420i Petrol (B48B16A), 420i, xDrive Petrol (B48B20A), 430d mHev, xDrive 48V (MHEV),Diesel (B57D30B+JA1), 430i, -xDrive Petrol (B48B20B), M4 Competition, -xDrive Petrol (S58B30… 48V (MHEV), Diesel, Petrol

Servicing by engine type

BMW 4-Series petrol servicing (B38, B48, B58, N20, N55, S55, S58)

BMW 4-Series petrol engines range from smaller turbo units to high-output M engines, so service needs can differ noticeably between B38/B48/B58, N20/N55 and S55/S58 variants. Keep on top of engine oil and filter changes, and treat misfires, rough idle and poor economy as reasons to check ignition components and air/fuel metering rather than simply clearing a warning light. Turbocharged petrol models benefit from careful attention to air-intake condition and oil leaks, as these can affect performance and reliability. Where fitted, an electric water pump and complex cooling system make correct coolant condition and leak checks important, especially on higher-output versions.

BMW 4-Series diesel servicing (B47, B57, N47, N57)

BMW 4-Series diesel engines span B47/B57 and earlier N47/N57 units, and the right schedule depends on the exact engine and whether the car is xDrive. Prioritise frequent checks for air and fuel filtration condition, and keep an eye on oil level and quality, as diesel usage patterns can accelerate contamination. DPF health is strongly influenced by journey type, so repeated short runs can make active regenerations more likely and may trigger drivability symptoms if ignored. Also plan for periodic inspection of EGR-related components and boost hoses, as leaks or restriction can show up as limp-home behaviour or uneven performance.

BMW 4-Series 48V (MHEV) servicing (B47/B57/B58 with 48V system)

Some later BMW 4-Series models add a 48V (MHEV) system alongside petrol or diesel engines such as B47, B57 and B58, which increases the importance of correct battery and charging-system checks. The core engine service items remain familiar (oil, filters, coolant and belt/auxiliary drive inspections), but electrical system condition can have a bigger impact on stop-start behaviour and fault messages. If the car shows intermittent warnings after low use, start with battery state of charge and charging performance before replacing parts. For any work around starter-generator, 48V wiring or battery components, follow model-specific safety steps and isolation procedures for the exact variant.

Common service operations for BMW

The operations shown below are typical for BMW 4-Series servicing, but the exact items and timing depend on the generation and engine you pick. Use the selector to confirm the correct cadence for consumables, inspections and time-based replacements.

Operation Typical interval Notes
Oil and filter changeSee selector aboveVaries by engine and recommended oil grade
Air filter30,000 to 60,000 kmMore often in urban or dusty driving
Cabin filter15,000 to 30,000 km or 1 yearAffects air conditioning and air quality
Brake fluid2 years (all models)Regardless of mileage
CoolantPer manufacturer (typically 5 years or 100,000 km)Check level and condition (colour, deposits) at every service
Front brake padsDepending on use (typically 30,000 to 60,000 km)Wear depends on driving style and load carried
Timing beltSee selector aboveInterval varies widely by engine
Spark plugs (petrol)30,000 to 60,000 kmPetrol engines only

BMW electronic diagnostics

If your BMW 4-Series shows an engine management light, reduced power, or repeated stop-start warnings, an OBD2 scan is the quickest way to pinpoint the system involved. Use the codes to separate emissions-related issues (such as DPF and lambda sensor faults) from air/fuel, ignition, boost and cooling problems, then confirm with basic checks before fitting parts. See our guide here: BMW 4-Series OBD fault codes.

What the BMW manual covers

A maintenance plan tells you what should be done and when, but doing the job correctly still depends on the exact 4-Series generation and engine. A Haynes repair manual can guide you through procedures such as oil and filter changes, brake and coolant work, and routine inspections with the correct order of operations. It also helps with torque settings, capacities, jacking points and component locations that can vary between B47/B57/B58-powered cars and M models. For more involved work, the step-by-step approach and diagrams help you avoid missed fasteners, hidden clips and model-specific access issues.

BMW manual