2016 BMW M4 GTS Preventive Maintenance & Service Schedule

Key Takeaways

• The 2016 BMW M4 GTS requires a mandatory break-in service at 1,200 miles that includes engine oil and filter replacement, differential fluid replacement, and an intercooler inspection . This service is essential for maintaining warranty coverage on this limited-production model.
• The GTS features a unique water injection system that requires monitoring and maintenance not found on standard M4 models; distilled water must be topped up regularly, especially during track use .
• The factory maintenance program covers scheduled service for 4 years or 50,000 miles under BMW Ultimate Care, a significant difference from later-year M4 models .
• Spark plugs require replacement at 30,000 miles, with another replacement due at 120,000 miles .
• Oxygen sensors are recommended for replacement at 120,000 miles .
• Only 300 units of the 2016 BMW M4 GTS were imported to the United States out of 700 produced worldwide, making it a rare and collectible vehicle .

Understanding the 2016 BMW M4 GTS

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS represents the pinnacle of the F82-generation M4, a limited-production model celebrating BMW's racing heritage. Only 700 units were produced worldwide, of which only 300 came to the United States . There was even a screening process to purchase one, reflecting its exclusivity.

The GTS is powered by the S55B30 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six engine, producing 493 horsepower—significantly more than the standard M4's 425 horsepower . This power increase is achieved in part through a water injection system that allows for more aggressive boost and ignition timing . The engine features a forged steel crankshaft and aluminum alloy construction for durability under high-performance conditions.

The GTS also includes an electronically controlled Active M Differential, M Carbon Ceramic Brakes requiring 600 miles for optimal performance, and factory-bolstered bucket seats . Owners have noted that for track duty, a harness and fire extinguisher are popular additions not available from BMW of North America .

BMW Ultimate Care & Warranty Coverage

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS includes comprehensive factory coverage :

• BMW Ultimate Care maintenance coverage: 4 years or 50,000 miles (not the 3-year/36,000-mile plan offered on later models)
• New vehicle warranty: 4 years/50,000 miles
• Roadside assistance: 4 years/unlimited mileage
• Corrosion perforation warranty: 144 months/unlimited miles

The BMW Ultimate Care program covers factory-recommended maintenance including engine oil and filter changes, brake fluid service, spark plug replacement, and vehicle inspections . BMW's maintenance guidelines are sensor-driven and center around a Condition Based Service (CBS) system that is cycled to occur approximately every 10,000 miles . BMW utilizes electronic oil measurement to monitor the engine load on the current oil fill, based on driving style and distances, displayed on the vehicle's Control Display .

BMW offers Ultimate Care+ for owners who intend to keep their car beyond the standard coverage period, with coverage extending up to 7 years/125,000 miles .

Break-In Service (1,200 Miles)

Service Requirements

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS requires a mandatory break-in service at approximately 1,200 miles . This service is critical for the long-term health of the S55 engine and drivetrain components. During this initial visit:

• Engine oil and oil filter are replaced
• Differential fluid is replaced
• The intercooler system is inspected

This break-in service is covered under BMW Ultimate Care during the 4-year/50,000-mile period . This service is mandatory within a grace period up to 1,700 miles to avoid potential warranty invalidation . Owners should not delay this service, as proper break-in procedures affect engine longevity and performance.

Break-In Driving Guidelines

During the break-in period, BMW specifies several important driving guidelines from the owner's manual :

Up to 1,200 miles/2,000 km:

• Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do not exceed 5,500 rpm and 106 mph/170 km/h
• Avoid full load or kickdown under all circumstances
• Do not use Launch Control

From 1,200 miles/2,000 km to 3,100 miles/5,000 km:

• Engine and road speed can gradually be increased to a constant speed of 137 mph/220 km/h
• Use the maximum speed of 155 mph/250 km/h only briefly, e.g., when passing

Tires:

• Tire traction achieves full potential after approximately 200 miles/300 km

Brake System:

• M Carbon Ceramic Brakes require approximately 600 miles/1,000 km to achieve optimal performance between brake discs and brake pads

Clutch:

• Clutch function reaches optimal performance after approximately 300 miles/500 km

Water Injection System

System Overview

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS features a unique water injection system that is not present on standard M4 models. This system allows the S55 engine to produce 493 horsepower by injecting distilled water into the intake manifold, which cools the intake air and allows for more aggressive boost and ignition timing .

Maintenance Considerations

The water injection system requires regular monitoring and maintenance:

• Distilled water must be topped up regularly. In track use, the M4 GTS can consume approximately 2.5 gallons of distilled water over a weekend of track laps .
• A Check Control message "Water level too low, engine performance only available to a limited degree" may appear when water levels are insufficient. This indicates the system requires attention .
• A known software issue can cause false low-water warnings. BMW issued a Technical Service Bulletin addressing this issue through DME reprogramming rather than parts replacement .

Engine Oil Service

Factory Guidance

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS uses the Condition Based Service system to determine oil change intervals based on actual engine operating conditions. The S55 engine requires fully synthetic oils .

• BMW recommends 0W-30 oil with BMW Longlife-12FE approval
• BMW Longlife-04 0W-30 and 5W-30 oils are also suitable

The oil and filter are changed at the 1,200-mile break-in service, and subsequent oil changes are determined by the CBS system, typically every 10,000 miles or 12 months .

Conservative Owner Guidance

Many independent specialists recommend more frequent oil changes for high-performance engines like the S55:

• Pelican Parts recommends changing synthetic motor oil every 5,000 miles
• Some owners choose to install an oil level sensor kit to allow for an extra 0.5-0.75 liters of oil capacity, particularly for track use
• BMW did something similar for the GTS and CS special edition models using a different combination of sensor and spacer to add a half-liter of extra oil

Owners who participate in track events should consider oil changes before and after track use.

Spark Plugs

Factory Guidance

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS requires spark plug replacement at 30,000 miles according to the factory maintenance schedule . The genuine BMW spark plugs for the S55 engine are NGK Laser Iridium units (part number 97506) .

The S55 engine uses six spark plugs for a complete service. BMW recommends replacing spark plugs with original BMW components. Using cheaper alternatives risks misfires and expensive catalytic converter damage.

Conservative Owner Guidance

Some specialists recommend more frequent spark plug replacement, particularly for vehicles used in track events or aggressive driving. Some European sources suggest replacement at 40,000 km (approximately 25,000 miles) for S55 engines .

Oxygen Sensors

Factory Guidance

The factory maintenance schedule for the 2016 BMW M4 GTS indicates oxygen (O2) sensor replacement at 120,000 miles . At this interval, spark plugs are also replaced again .

A failing oxygen sensor can harm performance and fuel mileage and affect drivability. Unburnt fuel in the exhaust shortens the lifespan of oxygen sensors and catalytic converters.

Brake Fluid

Factory Guidance

BMW recommends replacing brake fluid on a time-based schedule. For M models, brake fluid should be replaced approximately every 2 years . Brake fluid may also be changed at the 30,000-mile mark according to some service guidance .

The M4 GTS comes equipped with M Carbon Ceramic Brakes, which require approximately 600 miles/1,000 km to achieve optimal performance between brake discs and brake pads . These brakes generate extreme heat during spirited driving or track days, making regular brake fluid replacement essential for maintaining pedal feel and preventing brake fade.

Engine Air Filter

The engine air filter on the 2016 M4 GTS is typically replaced according to the vehicle's service indicator. Some sources indicate replacement at 60,000 miles . European sources recommend air filter replacement at 20,000 km (approximately 12,500 miles) .

A clean engine air filter improves airflow, enhancing engine efficiency and performance, and prevents contaminants from entering the combustion chamber.

Cabin Air Filter / Microfilter

The cabin air filter (microfilter) is generally replaced according to service intervals. This filter cleans air entering the cabin and maintains HVAC system performance. The microfilter is critical for passenger comfort and air quality.

Fuel Filter

Fuel filters are typically changed every 20,000 to 40,000 miles . This interval ensures fuel flow remains clean and unobstructed, protecting fuel injectors and maintaining proper combustion.

Cooling System

The cooling system on the M4 GTS includes multiple cooling circuits for the engine and turbos. Maintaining coolant quality is essential to prevent corrosion and ensure adequate heat dissipation for the high-output S55 engine.

European sources indicate coolant replacement at 4-5 year intervals using BMW LL-12 FE coolant . Typical issues on higher-mileage S55 engines include leaks from the turbocharger oil coolers .

Transmission and Drivetrain Service

Manual Transmission

The 2016 M4 GTS equipped with the 6-speed manual transmission follows BMW's life-time fluid fill philosophy under normal driving conditions. BMW typically does not specify a fixed mileage interval for manual transmission fluid replacement.

However, many owners and independent shops recommend fluid changes as a preventive measure, particularly for vehicles used in performance driving or track applications. The break-in service at 1,200 miles includes differential fluid replacement , and many recommend transmission fluid replacement as part of major service intervals.

Rear Axle Differential Oil

The rear axle differential oil is replaced at the 1,200-mile break-in service . Subsequent replacement is generally recommended every 30,000-40,000 miles. The differential oil service is particularly important for M4 GTS models equipped with the Active M Differential, which uses electronically controlled multi-plate clutches.

S55 Engine Maintenance Considerations

Water Injection System

As detailed above, the water injection system is unique to the GTS and requires regular monitoring. The system uses distilled water and can consume significant amounts during track use . A known software issue may cause false low-water warnings .

Rod Bearings

Some Polish sources recommend preventive rod bearing replacement at 80,000-100,000 km (approximately 50,000-62,000 miles) . This is a known consideration for S55 engines subjected to high-performance use.

Cooling System

Typical issues on higher-mileage S55 engines include leaks from the turbocharger oil coolers . Regular inspection of cooling system components is recommended.

Turbocharger Health

The turbochargers in the S55 engine are designed for high performance but can experience issues under conditions including oil starvation, excessive heat, or foreign object damage. Symptoms include whining noises from the engine bay, reduced acceleration, and check engine light activation.

High-Mileage Ownership Considerations

For 2016 M4 GTS owners accumulating significant mileage, several additional services become relevant:

20,000-40,000 Miles

• Fuel filter replacement

30,000 Miles

• Spark plug replacement

60,000 Miles

• Engine air filter replacement
• Transmission fluid service (strongly recommended for performance use)
• Differential fluid service

80,000-100,000 Miles (50,000-62,000 Miles)

• Rod bearing inspection/replacement (preventive recommendation)

120,000 Miles

• Oxygen sensor replacement
• Spark plug replacement

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the 2016 BMW M4 GTS need a break-in service?

Yes. The 2016 BMW M4 GTS requires a break-in service at 1,200 miles that includes engine oil and filter replacement, differential fluid replacement, and an intercooler system inspection . This service is mandatory within a grace period up to 1,700 miles to avoid potential warranty invalidation .

What oil does the 2016 BMW M4 GTS use?

The S55 engine requires 0W-30 oil with BMW Longlife-12FE approval. BMW Longlife-04 0W-30 and 5W-30 oils are also suitable . Pelican Parts recommends changing synthetic motor oil every 5,000 miles .

What is the water injection system on the M4 GTS?

The water injection system is unique to the M4 GTS and allows the S55 engine to produce 493 horsepower by injecting distilled water into the intake manifold to cool intake air . It requires regular topping up of distilled water, especially during track use .

When should spark plugs be replaced on the 2016 M4 GTS?

BMW recommends spark plug replacement at 30,000 miles for the S55 engine . Some specialists recommend replacement at 25,000 miles for performance use. The genuine BMW spark plugs are NGK Laser Iridium units .

How often does brake fluid need replacing in the 2016 M4 GTS?

BMW recommends brake fluid replacement every 2 years for M models . Brake fluid may also be changed at the 30,000-mile mark according to some service guidance .

When should oxygen sensors be replaced on the 2016 M4 GTS?

The factory schedule recommends oxygen sensor replacement at 120,000 miles .

What is BMW Ultimate Care and what does it cover for the 2016 M4 GTS?

BMW Ultimate Care provides factory-recommended scheduled maintenance for 4 years or 50,000 miles for the 2016 M4 GTS . It covers engine oil and filter changes, brake fluid service, spark plug replacement, and vehicle inspections .

How many 2016 BMW M4 GTS units were produced?

Only 700 BMW M4 GTS models were made for the world, of which only 300 came to the United States . There was even a screening process to purchase one .

What should I do if I get a "water level too low" warning?

A Check Control message "Water level too low, engine performance only available to a limited degree" indicates the water injection system requires attention . Check the distilled water level. If the message persists with adequate water, a software update may be required .

What warranty coverage does the 2016 BMW M4 GTS include?

The 2016 BMW M4 GTS includes a 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle warranty, 4 years/50,000 miles of Ultimate Care maintenance, unlimited-mileage roadside assistance for 4 years, and a 144-month/unlimited-mile corrosion perforation warranty .