[lawadm1]

Hi all, I just purchased my first BMW and will be picking it up in 2 days. I went with the 2024 X3 M40i and I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm coming from the 6MT WRX (Stage 2) that I will also have in the garage.

So, I've always done the oil changes in all of my cars every 3-4k miles or 3-4 months, but after reading some of the posts about BMW's and waiting 10k miles or a year before oil changes, I question waiting that long.

I guess I'm just trying to get a consensus here from you guys/gals that have owned BMW's for a while. What is best for these engines post break-in? 6k miles or 6 months?

I know BMW offers the maintenance plan, but I'm 1.5 hours from Memphis and 2 hours from Nashville, which are the closest BMW dealerships.

And is 0w-20 really what is used in these engines? Being in Southwest TN I would think you would want something a little thicker.

TIA,
Jeff

[Gfit]

I’m pretty sure the German Engineers are a lot, a whole lot, smarter than me so I do what they tell me. No more. No less.

[Bimma360]

I would use the oil suggested, and only genuine BMW oil. Especially on a new car.

FCPeuro has a lifetime warranty on everything they sell, including oil and filters. That's right, send them your old oil and filter and they'll refund you the purchase price after the second time you purchase. Granted you pay for shipping back, but it translates to your oil changes running you about $20-30 net with every oil change. Not bad for Genuine BMW parts.

If it were me, I would change the oil every 5k miles or 12 months. 3-4k miles or 3-4 months sounds a little extreme. But that's just me.

Regarding not getting your oil changed at the dealer during the regularly scheduled intervals, if you go to sell the car there won't be any documentation in the dealer logs. Might throw off any potential buyers depending on when or if you ever decide to sell the car.

[JABCAT]

Originally Posted by Gfit

I’m pretty sure the German Engineers are a lot, a whole lot, smarter than me so I do what they tell me. No more. No less.

This. Follow what's outlined in your owner's manual.

[DBU]

Congratulations. Most folks here will do a "in-between" oil change on their own dime.
Let the dealer do the 10k mile one and you do one at 5k miles. Do NOT reset the oil change interval when you do yours. You would loose out on the next free oil change at the dealer. When you take the long drive to the dealer for your first oil change, go to the parts dept. and purchase the BMW oil and filter for the next (your own) oil change.
If you are DIY handy, well do it yourself. The filter is a bit tricky to get to. Make sure you have the right tools for that.
Finally, consider whether a 1,200 mile oil change makes sense for you. For the the M-cars, BMW will void the warranty if the 1,200 mile oil change isn't done. However, that is mostly for the M-specific rear differential.

[thestimp]

Its a non-M, just beat the hell out of it.

[Gfit]

Originally Posted by thestimp

Its a non-M, just beat the hell out of it.

Ouch

[Joatmon]

Originally Posted by lawadm1

Hi all, I just purchased my first BMW and will be picking it up in 2 days. I went with the 2024 X3 M40i and I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm coming from the 6MT WRX (Stage 2) that I will also have in the garage.

So, I've always done the oil changes in all of my cars every 3-4k miles or 3-4 months, but after reading some of the posts about BMW's and waiting 10k miles or a year before oil changes, I question waiting that long.

I guess I'm just trying to get a consensus here from you guys/gals that have owned BMW's for a while. What is best for these engines post break-in? 6k miles or 6 months?

I know BMW offers the maintenance plan, but I'm 1.5 hours from Memphis and 2 hours from Nashville, which are the closest BMW dealerships.



And is 0w-20 really what is used in these engines? Being in Southwest TN I would think you would want something a little thicker.

TIA,
Jeff

I'm sneaking into this forum section for info. I just changed the oil after 1200 initial miles. I was able to reset the oil service date in diagnostic mode, but the iDrive 8.5 would not reset the mileage. Let me know if you DYI your oil change and able to reset oil date and mileage. Thanks

[R0ot.Us3r]

Originally Posted by thestimp

Its a non-M, just beat the hell out of it.

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by lawadm1

Hi all, I just purchased my first BMW and will be picking it up in 2 days. I went with the 2024 X3 M40i and I'm pretty stoked about it. I'm coming from the 6MT WRX (Stage 2) that I will also have in the garage.

So, I've always done the oil changes in all of my cars every 3-4k miles or 3-4 months, but after reading some of the posts about BMW's and waiting 10k miles or a year before oil changes, I question waiting that long.

I guess I'm just trying to get a consensus here from you guys/gals that have owned BMW's for a while. What is best for these engines post break-in? 6k miles or 6 months?

I know BMW offers the maintenance plan, but I'm 1.5 hours from Memphis and 2 hours from Nashville, which are the closest BMW dealerships.

And is 0w-20 really what is used in these engines? Being in Southwest TN I would think you would want something a little thicker.

TIA,
Jeff

Congratulations! Pictures are always appreciated.

[DBU]

Originally Posted by Joatmon

I'm sneaking into this forum section for info. I just changed the oil after 1200 initial miles. I was able to reset the oil service date in diagnostic mode, but the iDrive 8.5 would not reset the mileage. Let me know if you DYI your oil change and able to reset oil date and mileage. Thanks

You do NOT want to reset the oil change date whenever you do an "in-between" oil change. You will cheat yourself out of future free oil changes if you do.