BMW X3 Forum
BMW X3 Forum
Welcome to the ultimate BMW X3 community.
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      11-14-2013, 03:01 AM   #1
scotta2
Private First Class
United Kingdom
5
Rep
110
Posts

Drives: MY2013 F25 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Falkirk UK

iTrader: (0)

Oil changes

I am a bit concerned at the amount of miles to be covered before BMW advise that the oil and filter need to be changed. My car has covered 11k miles and is 12 months old now and still has no requirement for an oil change. Now I know that fully synthetic oils offer a high degree of lubrication and protection but I would tend to think that at least an annual oil change may be necessary.

I'm sure that the engine design and research people at BMW will have done exhaustive (pardon the pun) testing and the oil change regime will provide adequate engine protection but does it?

My previous car was a Volvo XC60 and it had real issues with diesel ingress into the oil sump due to DPF regens not being fully completed. This obviously diluted the oil lubrication properties and caused great concern amongst the Volvo forum contributors.

Do any of you change the oil more frequently than the suggested intervals?
__________________
MY 2013 X3 M Sport 2.0D Auto, Media Package, Xenons Deep Sea Blue with 19" Alloys.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2013, 03:54 AM   #2
Chris55
Second Lieutenant
Chris55's Avatar
Switzerland
28
Rep
220
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 35d M Sport
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Switzerland

iTrader: (0)

Personally I have it changed it every time I change to winter tires then to spring - so twice a year.
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2013, 01:09 PM   #3
HighPlainsCruiser
Private
HighPlainsCruiser's Avatar
22
Rep
70
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 XDrive35i
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Oregon

iTrader: (0)

The recommended frequency for the 2014 model is now 10K miles. Has anyone with a 2013 model had any luck going to a dealer at the 10K mark and having their oil change covered?
__________________
Non-Sport
All Options Except Lane Change Warning and Cold Weather II
Car Name: Princess
Appreciate 0
      11-14-2013, 01:31 PM   #4
96_Impreza
Private First Class
96_Impreza's Avatar
12
Rep
140
Posts

Drives: 96 Impreza,07 Vette,11 X3 35i
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Albuquerque

iTrader: (0)

We paid to have the first oil and filter change at 8K miles on the thought that the oil and filter media might be stressed with debris and contaminants from manufacturing.

And it made us feel good.

Since then we do it when the car indicates it's time.

'11 X3 35i now at about 28K miles.

Also, just added a quart of coolant mix for the second time since new. No leaks, don't know where it goes in a closed system.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2013, 06:18 AM   #5
Booty
Enjoying it!
United Kingdom
4
Rep
93
Posts

Drives: X3 3.0D M
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK

iTrader: (0)

Just had mine changed at 5.5k.. A few puzzled looks from dealership but peace of mind for me I suppose. Probably didnt need it, and asked for service interval to be left.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2013, 10:36 AM   #6
liverman
Private
United_States
0
Rep
54
Posts

Drives: 2014 X3 35i
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Colorado, USA

iTrader: (0)

I live in a dusty area and I change it myself every ~7500 miles. The dealer will only change it when the computer tells them to, so my '14 is running at the longer interval since it was built before BMW decided to move interval to 10K miles.

My biggest concern is filter contamination (they're little things now) more than oil breakdown.

The oil change is a simple procedure and I just do it myself. I always buy the kit from my dealer (as cheap, especially with BMW CCA discount) as getting it online. That way I use genuine BMW parts and have a paper trail to show that I used BMW parts. The cost works out to be about the same as a tank of premium gasoline.

Same practice with my previous '05 E83 X3. No issues with that one. No issues with my new X3 (almost 15K miles now). I sleep well at night. Issue closed for me.
__________________
Our Car: '14 X3 35i, Premium, Cold Weather, Nav, all the cameras, Deep Sea Blue over Black Nevada
RIP 16 Feb 13 - '05 X3 3.0i, Flamenco Red over Beige leather
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2013, 05:29 PM   #7
DonC
Lieutenant
United_States
29
Rep
427
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 3.5i M sport, etc
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: near Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Changing mine at 7-8 K miles with the dealer paying for every other change.
__________________
2013 X3 3.5i AW,Msprt,rear fogs,PS,CP, Tech, etc...
Other cars
2005 S2000
2018 i3S
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2013, 06:15 PM   #8
EvilGenius
Private First Class
1
Rep
116
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW X3
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Tampa, FL

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scotta2 View Post
Now I know that fully synthetic oils offer a high degree of lubrication and protection but I would tend to think that at least an annual oil change may be necessary.
I think they will do annual changes if a year passes before sufficient miles.

Quote:
Originally Posted by liverman View Post
I live in a dusty area and I change it myself every ~7500 miles.
Now I'd be really super entertained to hear your logic as to why a dusty environment calls for more frequent oil changes. Do you drive without an air filter? A fuel filter? Oil stays inside the engine, dust stays outside the engine. They dont mix.
Appreciate 0
      11-15-2013, 06:18 PM   #9
ryanburk
New Member
0
Rep
17
Posts

Drives: X3 F25
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: usa

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EvilGenius View Post
I think they will do annual changes if a year passes before sufficient miles.
my dealer said this to me today when I was in for my "90 day first service appointment". which seemed like a total waste of 2 hours since they only did visual inspection and fluid top off...

Last edited by ryanburk; 11-15-2013 at 06:19 PM.. Reason: stupid quote issue
Appreciate 0
      11-17-2013, 07:32 PM   #10
barcelona
Major
barcelona's Avatar
Canada
269
Rep
1,417
Posts

Drives: X
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by scotta2 View Post
I am a bit concerned at the amount of miles to be covered before BMW advise that the oil and filter need to be changed. My car has covered 11k miles and is 12 months old now and still has no requirement for an oil change. Now I know that fully synthetic oils offer a high degree of lubrication and protection but I would tend to think that at least an annual oil change may be necessary.

I'm sure that the engine design and research people at BMW will have done exhaustive (pardon the pun) testing and the oil change regime will provide adequate engine protection but does it?

My previous car was a Volvo XC60 and it had real issues with diesel ingress into the oil sump due to DPF regens not being fully completed. This obviously diluted the oil lubrication properties and caused great concern amongst the Volvo forum contributors.

Do any of you change the oil more frequently than the suggested intervals?

Under warranty, the dealer would change oil every year regardless of low mileage. I would change every 6 months despite low mileage. Be kind to your engine. Lots of threads on oil changes and engine sludge.
Appreciate 0
      11-18-2013, 02:47 PM   #11
Pitiful Old Man
Private
0
Rep
54
Posts

Drives: 2011 X3 35i
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Colorado

iTrader: (0)

Our Colorado dealer, Schomp BMW in Highlands Ranch, does an oil change under warranty every year, even if the system does not call for it (as reported by Pvt. Barcelona). I do an oil change myself, "in between" the dealer's changes. This works out to be an oil change every 7500 miles. Seems like BMW's latest 10K mile recommendation is a good one to follow if you intend to keep the car a long time.
Appreciate 0
      11-20-2013, 07:08 PM   #12
DonC
Lieutenant
United_States
29
Rep
427
Posts

Drives: 2013 X3 3.5i M sport, etc
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: near Seattle

iTrader: (0)

Agree, my MM says I have another 14K miles till the next oil change - I'll look for service coupons and get it change at 8-9 K for my piece of mind.
__________________
2013 X3 3.5i AW,Msprt,rear fogs,PS,CP, Tech, etc...
Other cars
2005 S2000
2018 i3S
Appreciate 0
      11-21-2013, 02:52 AM   #13
scotta2
Private First Class
United Kingdom
5
Rep
110
Posts

Drives: MY2013 F25 X3 M Sport
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Falkirk UK

iTrader: (0)

I'm going into the dealership today and will ask about the change to 10k for MY2014. I will also ask why this has not been retrospectively applied to 2013 models, mine is just under 12k and exactly a year old so it will be interesting what response I get.
__________________
MY 2013 X3 M Sport 2.0D Auto, Media Package, Xenons Deep Sea Blue with 19" Alloys.
Appreciate 0
      11-21-2013, 11:29 AM   #14
n55x3
Captain
72
Rep
876
Posts

Drives: n55 BMWs
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: us - ohio

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by liverman View Post
I live in a dusty area and I change it myself every ~7500 miles. The dealer will only change it when the computer tells them to, so my '14 is running at the longer interval since it was built before BMW decided to move interval to 10K miles.

My biggest concern is filter contamination (they're little things now) more than oil breakdown.

The oil change is a simple procedure and I just do it myself. I always buy the kit from my dealer (as cheap, especially with BMW CCA discount) as getting it online. That way I use genuine BMW parts and have a paper trail to show that I used BMW parts. The cost works out to be about the same as a tank of premium gasoline.

Same practice with my previous '05 E83 X3. No issues with that one. No issues with my new X3 (almost 15K miles now). I sleep well at night. Issue closed for me.
I follow this exact same pattern on both our 35i X3 and 335i F30. Makes me feel good plus I enjoy spending quality time with our vehicles.
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:55 PM.




xbimmers
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST