Driving a new luxury car off the dealer lot can be an exciting experience, but keeping one for the long term often requires a bit more care and intention. As your car ages, the miles and years will inevitably take their toll, leading to higher service costs and more downtime. With high-end vehicles, these repair costs can often be substantially more expensive.

However, a good maintenance schedule and routine servicing can help you avoid many of the worst pitfalls of luxury car ownership. By staying on top of routine maintenance, you can help ensure that your luxury ride doesn't become a money pit after your warranty ends. These three tips will help you keep wear and tear on your car to a minimum, even long after your last day under warranty.

1. Use Manufacturer-Recommended Intervals as a Baseline

All auto manufacturers publish recommended maintenance intervals for their vehicles. For example, for some cars, like a BMW, it is recommended you get routine service at 5,000-mile intervals, with more major inspections and service work performed at larger intervals. While you're under warranty, keeping up with these intervals is important to maintain and simplify your warranty coverage.

However, don't fall behind on these service intervals as your warranty ends. As your car ages, staying on top of routine oil changes, air filter replacements, and other regular maintenance items becomes more critical. Oil changes are particularly important since lubrication issues can cause your car's engine to wear more rapidly and severely.

2. Don't Ignore Inspections

Remembering the importance of routine services such as oil changes or coolant flushes is easy, but inspections are equally important. Inspections allow technicians to check the condition of critical components such as your car's brakes, suspension, and steering systems. As your car ages, these components will wear down and affect your car's handling, performance, or safety.

Luxury cars, especially those with a more sport-tuned demeanor, can be deceiving. Since these cars will often continue to handle well even as essential components wear out, you may not notice play developing in suspension or steering components. Regular inspections will help you uncover these problems before they become major issues.

3. Work With Specialists

Most high-end cars use complex electronic equipment and more specialized (and sometimes more expensive) mechanical parts. Working with a specialist shop for repairs is crucial to get the job done correctly, but you should also consider working with a specialist shop for routine service. These shops will have the know-how to perform all the manufacturer-recommended maintenance on your car.

Keeping an older high-end luxury car running well doesn't need to be challenging. By working with an experienced, specialized shop and sticking to your manufacturer's recommended intervals, you'll ensure your car can continue to provide the driving experience you expect long after your warranty period is a distant memory.

For more information on a service like a BMW service, contact a company near you.