BMW concluded 2025 as the premier choice in the new car market. It captured 12% of all retailer enquiries. That is the highest share of any brand.
The X3 reclaimed its title as the brand’s most popular model. The upscale crossover saw an 11.3% surge in sales, totaling 76,546 units and narrowly outperforming the X5.
The larger ‘luxobarge’ wasn’t far behind. It posted a 5.4% increase to 76,246 units, trailing its smaller sibling by a mere 300 vehicles. Breaking the SUV dominance, the 4 Series secured third place.
If you have added a BMW to your luxury car collection, you’ve made a great decision. Now, you must be wondering how to ensure your BMW continues delivering that signature performance and refinement for many, many years, right? This guide is for you.
Here, we’ll share a few tips on how you can maintain the performance of your BMW:
#1 Check Oil Levels Regularly
Most BMWs still rely on the internal combustion engine. In 2024 alone, the automobile manufacturer’s plant at Steyr, Austria, produced 1.2 million combustion engines.
These engines depend entirely on proper lubrication for that silky-smooth acceleration. Even slightly low levels of oil can reduce efficiency and increase wear, leading to costly repairs down the road.
Check how much oil is in there regularly. This is especially important if you own a BMW N54, N55, B58, or older inline-six engines. These engines are notorious for oil leaks.
Auto repair experts cite valve cover gasket leaks as the most common reason for oil leaks in the BMW series. RevTech Performance explains that the valve cover gasket loses its flexibility and turns brittle over time, causing oil to seep out and drip down the engine block.
If you suspect oil leaks, visit an automotive repair expert offering oil leak repair services right away. Don’t worry; finding an auto repair expert that specializes in BMW oil leak repair won’t be troublesome, especially if you live in wealthy communities.
Sterling, located in Loudoun County, one of the wealthiest counties in the U.S., is home to a thriving BMW community. The BMW of Sterling ranks among Virginia’s top dealerships by sales. So, skilled professionals offering BMW auto repair in Sterling, VA, are never far away.
#2 Update Software and Electronics
Modern BMWs are fundamentally software-defined vehicles. The transition to the iDrive 7, 8, 8.5, and 9 operating systems has centralized the management of various sub-systems, including the powertrain, chassis dynamics, and cabin comfort.
Maintaining the software is now as critical as maintaining the hardware. That is because updates often include recalibrations that prevent mechanical failure and enhance system efficiency.
BMW has established a leadership position in remote software upgrade (RSU) technology. This system allows for over-the-air updates to the vehicle’s electronic control units (ECUs).
These updates provide bug fixes for known glitches in the iDrive interface or the vehicle’s connectivity modules. They also introduce reliability tools that adjust engine or transmission parameters to account for wear as the vehicle ages.
They also enhance the performance of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), such as lane-keeping and adaptive cruise control. That reduces the likelihood of future auto repair related to electronic malfunctions.
The update process is a bit complex, though. Your vehicle must be in a safe state. That is to say, it must be parked, engine off, and with a sufficient battery charge, to begin the installation. This typically takes between 20 and 40 minutes. During this time, the vehicle’s high-performance computing units are reflashed.
#3 Avoid Aggressive Driving to Protect the Suspension System
BMW uses multi-link suspension designs and stiff bushing materials to provide superior road feedback. However, the same stiffness that enables performance also increases the susceptibility of the chassis to vibration and wear, particularly under aggressive driving conditions.
Suspension bushings are critical rubber-to-metal components that isolate the chassis from road noise while maintaining the alignment of the control arms.
In BMWs, these are often hydraulic bushings (filled with fluid) or high-durometer rubber. Over time, exposure to heat, road salt, and extreme load transfers causes the rubber to crack or the fluid to leak, requiring professional auto repair intervention.
In specific models, the front tension strut bushings fail as early as 33,000 miles if the car is driven hard. That leads to a sloppy steering feel that often requires an upgrade to more robust M4-specification components.
The rise of the luxury SUV (X-models) and the flagship 7 Series has seen a wider adoption of air suspension.
These systems replace traditional steel springs with air-filled rubber bladders, offering adjustable ride height and superior damping. However, sharp, sudden impacts, such as potholes, rupture the air bladder or damage the delicate plastic air lines and control valves.
So, drive smoothly. Ease into acceleration, slow down for speed bumps, and avoid rough road surfaces when possible.
A Little Care Goes a Long Way
BMW is engineered for drivers who care about performance, precision, and quality. They do require attentive maintenance. But a well-maintained BMW delivers years of thrilling drives, smooth comfort, and reliable performance.
Follow these tips, and you can preserve the performance of your BMW car. The reward? Years of smooth rides, thrilling drives, and dependable performance. Isn’t that what you want?
