[Deep Ocean Blue]

New member and first posting.
three weeks ago, I purchased a 2017 X3 CPO with just over 15,000 miles. My last car was a VW Jetta TDI that I drove just shy of 260,000 miles for the last 14 years, and always changed the oil and filter every 10,000 miles.

The last oil and filter change in my new X3 was at 13,600 miles and the onboard computer is showing the next oil change is in 6,000 miles. I am uncomfortable going over 10,000 miles with a gas turbo 4 cylinder. I have a service contract for the next 72 months or 100,000 miles. The dealer tells me the oil change is derived by time and driving conditions. Also, this is my first BMW. Should I not worry about the miles between oil changes?

[DBU]

Originally Posted by Deep Ocean Blue

New member and first posting.
three weeks ago, I purchased a 2017 X3 CPO with just over 15,000 miles. My last car was a VW Jetta TDI that I drove just shy of 260,000 miles for the last 14 years, and always changed the oil and filter every 10,000 miles.

The last oil and filter change in my new X3 was at 13,600 miles and the onboard computer is showing the next oil change is in 6,000 miles. I am uncomfortable going over 10,000 miles with a gas turbo 4 cylinder. I have a service contract for the next 72 months or 100,000 miles. The dealer tells me the oil change is derived by time and driving conditions. Also, this is my first BMW. Should I not worry about the miles between oil changes?

Welcome!

I think you ended up in the wrong sub-forum. Your '17 X3 would be a "3rd generation" Bimmer.

Anyway, most (non-lease) owners that hang out on these forums choose to give their Bimmers an "in-between" oil change out of their own pocket. Be sure to get the right oil type for your car if you choose to do this yourself. You seem to be a long-mileage owner, so be good to your baby.

Your dealer is correct: Time and driving conditionds. Actually, I believe that rather than straight mileage, our cars measure how much gas has been consumed to help figure out oil change interval. That piece of info will also be telling in how you drive the car, which obviously has a bearing on the oil change interval. The time element comes down to you getting a free oil change once every 12 months - regardless of miles driven.

[dreamspeed]

15,000 - 13,600 = 1,400

1,400 + 6000 = 7,400

7,400 < 10,000

Regardless, the free maintenance oil changes are every ~10k miles. Many people to pay for an additional oil change at ~5k miles

[Deep Ocean Blue]

Thanks for the info. Just found out that there is no Bentley Manual available for my X3. Looking for some service manual to direct me to usual service steps and torque values.

[deyrag]

https://www.newtis.info/

[Deep Ocean Blue]

deyrag, Thanks for the link to the info. Lots of info to look over.

Again, Thanks

[Barbera335]

Originally Posted by DBU

Welcome!

I think you ended up in the wrong sub-forum. Your '17 X3 would be a "3rd generation" Bimmer.

I believe a 2017 X3 is a second generation X3. The G01 would be the third generation.

[DBU]

Originally Posted by Barbera335

I believe a 2017 X3 is a second generation X3. The G01 would be the third generation.

Right you are - my bad. Tks.

[Tjalle]

Good to know: in 2015 BMW switched from Castrol to Shell - for some reason - probably cost, but could also be performance/endurance.

There has been a discussion of this, which ended up with agreement that either oils are very probably OK - that is if you want to avoid paying premium for BMW can.

[Deep Ocean Blue]

Checked my oil level and noticed the level dropped from "Max" to slightly below. Looked in my X3 manual and found four different grades of oil the 2.0L uses. So I called my dealer and the parts department says BMW used to use 5w-30 until 2016 and changed to 0w-30 as a required oil. Its about better millage and lower emissions. Going to need to pick-up a bottle to top-off for now.

However, did not know I could check the price for the extended maintenance policy at BMW.com, and found out the dealer overcharged exactly $600.00 what is shown on the web site. Now I am thinking of dropping it and continue doing my own service. What are the forum thoughts.

[Tjalle]

5w-30 or 0w-30 is a pee in Mississippi. Just make sure it is Castrol or Shell.

It´s a bit tricky, but I suggest you do your own service.

It's not much of it:
-oil change and oil filter as per discussion
-other filters: engine air filter, HVAC air filter every year if high mileage - otherwise every second.
- sparkplugs every 60000 miles.
-brake fluid every third year, due to otherwise water build up, which makes brake cylinders corrode.

[Deep Ocean Blue]

Tjalle,

I did all the service except shocks and wheel bearings on my VW and enjoyed doing it without a computer telling me when I should. I was at the dealer on Thursday and wanted to pick-up a bottle of oil. Parts guy checked and said my 2017 X3 uses 0w-20. I said I thought 0w-20 was almost like water, and wasn't the correct wright 0w-30? The service tech replied that 0w-20 is what the service tech will put in my X3 when I bring it in for the next oil/filter change in 6000 miles or so and I should not worry.

Also, while at the dealer, I picked-up a copy of the BMW maintenance plans that I did not received two weeks ago when I drove away my 2017 X3 and, I am crunching the numbers between BMW / DIY costs. I see nothing in the ultimate care plans about accessory drive belts, coolant flushes, differential/transfer fluid changes, or transmission/trans axle fluid changes in any BMW maintenance plan.

By Monday, I will make-up my mind wither I will drop the service plan I paid for or not.

[Tjalle]

DOB, all manufacturers are chasing fuel consumption - incl. thin oil. I would stick to 0w-30.

Maintenance has been discussed without general agreement. You have my two pence worth above.

It does not include:
-drive belts - but check now and then
-coolant flush - a "US" thing - never heard of in Europe.
-flush of diff/transfer - again a US thing.


There are some hints of changing oil in the ZF auto, like every 100.000 miles.