01-31-2012, 06:49 PM | #1 |
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Oil change 15000 ?? Thoughts
I am a new BMW X3 owner and I am concerned about not changing the oil until 15000 miles. Every previous vehicle that I have ever owned I would change the oil every 3000 miles and never had any problems with any major motor issues. My wife has a 2010 335 and when it is in for inspection they will always due a under mileage oil change due that we don\'t drive it in the winter. I would like to see everyone\'s experience and suggestions on this issue.
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01-31-2012, 07:46 PM | #3 | |
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I assume that you really meant "right brain" when you said "right mind". You're correct. The analytical side of my brain says "listen to BMW because they know more about your car than the people on this forum". I'll change my oil when BMW says change it. |
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01-31-2012, 07:50 PM | #4 | |
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01-31-2012, 08:11 PM | #6 |
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My driving pattern has apparently convinced CBS that 7500 mile oil changes are what my 35i needs, and I'm OK with that. Perhaps not if it were fossil oil, but I'm OK with the synthetic oil.
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01-31-2012, 08:15 PM | #7 | |
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01-31-2012, 08:24 PM | #8 | |
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01-31-2012, 08:26 PM | #9 | |
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I've done some Blackstone test (as have friends), and seen the insides of too many s54's, and there is no way I'd go 15k miles based on those results. BMW doesn't care about my engine past 50k miles - I do. Last edited by bren; 02-01-2012 at 09:05 PM.. |
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01-31-2012, 08:26 PM | #10 | |
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I changed my own oil at 5000 and 10000 and will go to a 7500 after the 15K service. YMMV |
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01-31-2012, 08:37 PM | #11 | |
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Sold the 325i to my brother-in-law, who put another 50k miles on it. That was my first BMW, and it went 185k miles with no major engine issues. Dealer serviced only when the old indicator lights said so. Quite impressive. |
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01-31-2012, 08:58 PM | #12 |
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10,725 miles on the odometer with oil change registering due in 4,500 miles. Also about 70% highway driving. I love driving fast so my engine exceeds 4K revs several times most days.
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01-31-2012, 09:17 PM | #13 | |
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As has been said this has been beaten to death. Some people prefer higher oil change frequencies with no real scientific backing to it. If it makes you happy, do it!
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01-31-2012, 10:57 PM | #14 | |
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An extended oil change interval provides a significant marketing advantage. As long as the consequences of an extended interval do not impact the original owner of the car, or consequentially increase BMW's liability for fixing the car, they do not care. In other words, I think its very naive to think the very extended oil change intervals are driven by the engineers. I change my oil every 7500 to 8000 miles. Although I certainly do not know for sure, I perceive this interval errs a little on the conservative side but provides a reasonable balance between not wasting money on unnecessary oil changes and assuring longevity of the machinery. I generally change the oil after the second green light goes out. This is typically around 7500 to 8000 miles. I could probably safely wait until the third light goes out but I am willing to possibly waste money by not waiting simply for the peace of mind it gives me. I am sure the kidney grill dimensions change slightly after every fresh clean Mobile 1 oil change and a perceptible smile appears if you look close enough. |
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01-31-2012, 11:16 PM | #15 | |
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I'm certain they performed a cost-benefit analysis on the oil change frequency. There is a thing called "The Law of Diminishing Returns", Change your oil 2x as frequently and increase engine life by 1%... worth it? Probably not. |
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02-01-2012, 01:18 AM | #16 |
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Being the curious person that I am, I asked BMW to take a sample at my CBS-recommended 7500 mile oil change. I didn't have a Blackstone kit available at the time, and borrowed a Caterpillar kit from work. My Blackstone kit has now arrived. I need to get off my butt, switch the sample bottles around, and send it in.
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02-01-2012, 05:47 AM | #17 | |
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02-01-2012, 07:01 AM | #18 |
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FWIW, I don't think the 15k MAX is accurate as others have mentioned. It is actually north of 16k at least that is what we experienced. Our first oil change was around 15,500. We hit 15,500 in about 8 months.
However I personally changed the oil at 2000 miles and will begin a 7500 OCI moving forward. |
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02-01-2012, 08:43 AM | #19 |
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Here we have oil change interval max 2 years or max 18750 miles (30 000km).
On my current car we changed after 2 years and no problems with the engine. Climate is challenging (-40...+30 Celsius) and I have my car on the driveway at nights and in warm garage during (work) days. It is interesting to see what BMW drive computer says when to change oil... |
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02-01-2012, 09:02 PM | #20 |
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Done it twice, going over 120k miles on each car. Always waited until at least one yellow light came on. Never a problem. As I said, I trust BMW's guidance and intend to keep following it. They're trying to make me happy, and they've been successful for the last 20+ years.
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02-01-2012, 10:21 PM | #21 |
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Smart System
The old fashioned way of changing oil every 3000 miles worked just fine when engine tolerances were poor and the oil companies offered a cheap reason to keep them in business.
But these days with tighter tolerances, smart engine diagnostics, and rising oil prices, most people are smart enough to let the sensors do the work and save them money. If you have a sports car (as opposed to a truck like an X3) then changing oil by the race hour makes equal sense. As is always the case if you have money to burn keep changing your oil every 3000 miles - the oil companies will thank you. |
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02-02-2012, 07:00 AM | #22 | |
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The only sensor in place is the one for oil level, and that hasn't exactly proven to be problem free. The only real way to tell is to send out a sample. You are free to stick with the elaborate algorithm based purely on theory and the will of the accountants. I'll split the difference and keep the varnish and sludge out of my engine. |
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