[mike185]

I am thinking of changing my oil ? I just hit 1200 miles , should I do it ?

[perto]

No!!!

[Nahoa]

Absolutely not. You'll be able to go about 10 times farther before it's needed. Save a few bucks and a bit o' planet. Stick to the BMW maintenance schedule.

[MA78]

The BMW maintenance schedule is designed to save BMW as much money as possible.
I change mine every 5k. Just make sure to use a good synthetic.

[pault]

http://skepticblog.org/2009/02/22/oilchange-rant/ an interesting read, especially the actual lab testing of the oil. Summary; stick to the recommended schedules, unless you like don't like money.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by pault

http://skepticblog.org/2009/02/22/oilchange-rant/ an interesting read, especially the actual lab testing of the oil. Summary; stick to the recommended schedules, unless you like don't like money.

The problem with this article is that they're talking about 3000 to 7000 mile intervals. BMW is recommending 15k! Also, this article is a total fluff piece with no hard information. Search the BMW boards and you'll see why you should change your oil more often than your service dept is willing to do it.

[gregoryw1]

Originally Posted by MA78

The problem with this article is that they're talking about 3000 to 7000 mile intervals. BMW is recommending 15k! Also, this article is a total fluff piece with no hard information. Search the BMW boards and you'll see why you should change your oil more often than your service dept is willing to do it.

I lease my X3 - so I'll let BMW worry about the detriments of 15K oil changes vs ponying up my own money to do it more often!

[raleedy]

Search the boards all you want. You won't find actual cases of engine damage from following BMW's service schedule. None.

[Nahoa]

Seriously? The engineers who designed the vehicle define a maintenance schedule and folks are convinced that the "wisdom" of a blog demands ignoring that schedule?

How do those on the blog know better than the BMW engineers? They've designed, produced, and maintained cars that are doing better than the BMW approach? What cars are those, I might like to buy one.

Or we're saying the BMW bean counters have calculated that they can save X dollars by doing fewer oil changes and the damage will only show up after the warranty period at which point the cars will crap out but nobody will care and happily return to buy additional BMWs? Reinforcing the BMW bottom line through encouraging early death of their luxury cars leading to repeat purchases? That's the business model you figure BMW has instituted to compete with MB, Audi, and Lexus? Save a buck on the oil changes and damn the engines?

Not buying it. I'm going with the idea that BMW earnestly believes its maintenance recommendations and I'll follow them.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Or we're saying the BMW bean counters have calculated that they can save X dollars by doing fewer oil changes...

Pretty much.


I'm not saying that if you follow the 15k recommended service interval that your car will die. But it has been pretty much proven that your performance will suffer.

[Drnelly]

Originally Posted by MA78

Pretty much.


I'm not saying that if you follow the 15k recommended service interval that your car will die. But it has been pretty much proven that your performance will suffer.

I have yet to see any reasoned and authoritative argument supporting this. If anything newer inline 6 engines benefit from a longer oil change span because of the way synthetic oil decomposes over time.

I am definitely sticking to the scheduled maintenance.

[sfax]

Interesting this. There is a slight conflict of interest because of the BMW service packages but I agree that ultimately the last thing BMW would want is getting a bad reputation from either poor performance or engine problems because of dirty oil. I'll probably stick to the schedule but there's no harm in doing some extra oil changes IMO.

[walendvay]

Originally Posted by mike185

I am thinking of changing my oil ? I just hit 1200 miles , should I do it ?

DO IT! Get the crud out of the engine! it should cost $5/quart and the car takes 7 quarts. (oil price from Costco). You can pick up a filter for $10. A $45 insurance policy to get the known shavings and metal out of your engine! Takes about 30 minutes and you get to hang out under your car and in the engine bay getting to know your rig!

[walendvay]

Originally Posted by Nahoa

Seriously? The engineers who designed the vehicle define a maintenance schedule and folks are convinced that the "wisdom" of a blog demands ignoring that schedule?

How do those on the blog know better than the BMW engineers? They've designed, produced, and maintained cars that are doing better than the BMW approach? What cars are those, I might like to buy one.

Or we're saying the BMW bean counters have calculated that they can save X dollars by doing fewer oil changes and the damage will only show up after the warranty period at which point the cars will crap out but nobody will care and happily return to buy additional BMWs? Reinforcing the BMW bottom line through encouraging early death of their luxury cars leading to repeat purchases? That's the business model you figure BMW has instituted to compete with MB, Audi, and Lexus? Save a buck on the oil changes and damn the engines?

Not buying it. I'm going with the idea that BMW earnestly believes its maintenance recommendations and I'll follow them.

Engineers are sometimes told what to do by the accountants!

[MA78]

One of my good friends is the service manager at a large California BMW dealership. His new 3 series gets new oil ever 5k-7k. He will be the first person to tell you that BMW cheaps out on service as much as possible.
Like I've already said; sticking to the recommended intervals will not damage your car. But if you drive your car with a bit more spirit than your average soccer mom, it would be in your best interest to change your oil with more frequency. I'm sure I could post a dozen links to back this up, but I'll let you do your own research. It's more convincing when you find it for yourself.

[flash3]

How much is the oil change (before it's due) @ the BMW dealer?

[MA78]

Originally Posted by flash3

How much is the oil change (before it's due) @ the BMW dealer?

Not sure, but I'm guessing it in the neighborhood of "a lot."

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by MA78

Not sure, but I'm guessing it in the neighborhood of "a lot."

My dealer charges 7 bucks a quart for the oil, 15 for the filter, 55 for labor and a 6 dollar waste disposal fee for the oily rag they use to wipe the oil pan. So it's a nice, round $125 plus sales tax. I've heard of dealers who charge anything from $90 to $200!!

[MA78]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

My dealer charges 7 bucks a quart for the oil, 15 for the filter, 55 for labor and a 6 dollar waste disposal fee for the oily rag they use to wipe the oil pan. So it's a nice, round $125 plus sales tax. I've heard of dealers who charge anything from $90 to $200!!

One dealership in the LA area charges $250. Yeah, dollars.

[Lotus7]

Originally Posted by MA78

One dealership in the LA area charges $250. Yeah, dollars.

Well, somebody has to pay for the wardrobes of all those aspiring actors who are working day jobs as BMW mechanics. Gee wiz, you'd think U. S. $ were real money or something.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by Lotus7

Gee wiz, you'd think U. S. $ were real money or something.

I no longer suffer from this illusion. :P

[flash3]

The dealership in Miami charges $200. WTH?