[UrsulasRevenge]

New here...I searched for this question and found mixed answers. Do I need to use premium grade fuel in my x3 35i?

Also, I have no service history records for my car. It has 76k miles. I'm assuming it would be a good idea to get the spark plugs replaced?

Thanks in advance.

[Houranimd49]

Yes. 91 octane minimum for the N55.
I believe the interval for spark plugs is 60,000 miles. So yes, it’s good practice to change them at this time especially if you don’t know that they were done previously.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by UrsulasRevenge

Also, I have no service history records for my car. It has 76k miles. I'm assuming it would be a good idea to get the spark plugs replaced?

Thanks in advance.

Your BMW has a CBS (condition based service) interval built in that will notify you of upcoming service events. This is not to say that you should ignore a gut feeling you have towards maintaining your car...but just letting you know (if you didn't know or understand what may be coming your way in the future)...you can see upcoming services that will be indicated by a date and mileage.

Services that are overdue will have a red icon in front of it...service coming due soon will have an amber icon...and services that are not due yet will have a green icon.








And if you have statutory inspection (required by local municipalities/state/etc)...then the inspection is preceded by squiggly lines (vehicle inspection/emissions inspection):

[UrsulasRevenge]

Ah! Thank you so much!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by UrsulasRevenge

Do I need to use premium grade fuel in my x3 35i?

This is answered in your owners manual...and there's usually a sticker inside the fuel filler door that indicates what fuel you should use.

You asked do I need to use premium...the answer to that is up to you...because you don't "need" to use it...you can use the minimum octane rated fuel required if you want to...but you will not get the optimal performance from your engine.

BMW gives a "recommended" fuel octane and a minimum fuel octane requirement in the owners manual. BTW, there's an owners manual built into iDrive that is VIN specific...you can do a keyword search to see what the fuel requirement is for your BMW there, too.

From the X3 owners manual

[jd_perspective]

use premium. it's not that much more expensive. i had a prior vehicle that required premium and as soon as a family member filled it with something else i definitely noticed knocking and performance degradation.

[UrsulasRevenge]

Oil changes are really only every 10k miles?

[pungo]

Originally Posted by UrsulasRevenge

Oil changes are really only every 10k miles?

I change @7.5k miles, but that's me, many people go longer, even 15k

[n55david]

The x35s don't like 89 tbh.. so run premium. If you are in Cali or anything like that, 91 is 89 lol so yeah run at least 91

[Houranimd49]

Originally Posted by n55david

The x35s don't like 89 tbh.. so run premium. If you are in Cali or anything like that, 91 is 89 lol so yeah run at least 91

Agreed. Mine runs significantly better on 93 vs 91 even. So I can’t imagine 89, especially with the fuel in cali. An injector in my F10 535 took a dump when I was living in Cali using 91 at the time.

[Houranimd49]

Originally Posted by UrsulasRevenge

Oil changes are really only every 10k miles?

I think BMW even recommends 15k miles.
Should you? Probably not. 5k miles is a good interval for mixed driving.

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by Houranimd49

I think BMW even recommends 15k miles.
Should you? Probably not. 5k miles is a good interval for mixed driving.

Since July 2013...BMW recommends 10k/12 month oil changes in the US market.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by pungo

I change @7.5k miles, but that's me, many people go longer, even 15k

lol yeah... I know a friend who does this.... weird flex

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by Houranimd49

I think BMW even recommends 15k miles.
Should you? Probably not. 5k miles is a good interval for mixed driving.

ya and BMW claims LIFETIME tranny fluids.... no. we changing ALL fluids on this side

[pungo]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

lol yeah... I know a friend who does this.... weird flex

This is a very common interval, especially with the BMW I6, no flex here. Once you gain some knowledgeable about automotive mechanics and maintenance, you can come back here with your snarky "flex" comments

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by pungo

This is a very common interval, especially with the BMW I6, no flex here. Once you gain some knowledgeable about automotive mechanics and maintenance, you can come back here with your snarky "flex" comments

I'm not doing oil change every 15k miles or KM, regardless of engine size, driving habits, etc. I know a lot of factors play a role.

no matter what BMW AG says.

5,000 miles oil change is the way to go, IMO. To each his/her own.

but to be sure, it's best to send the old oil for oil analysis to see if it's worth doing oil change earlier or later.

which I am about to do with. Waiting for the kit to arrive.

[frisbeeguy]

Ah, the never-ending saga of oil change intervals, where opinions flow like a never-ending oil leak! It's truly remarkable how this topic can turn even the most mild-mannered individuals into oil-change evangelists, armed with pitchforks and data sheets.

But fret not, for I have devised a foolproof solution to end this incessant debate once and for all! We shall gather all the self-proclaimed oil change experts in a grand arena, armed with their oil filters and dipsticks (for BMW owners, oil level sensors). They shall engage in a battle of wits, each one vying to prove their interval theory supreme.

And as the oil change gladiators clash, let us sit back and enjoy the show. Grab some popcorn, my friends, and witness a spectacle like no other. The crowd will gasp as viscosity arguments are hurled like verbal projectiles, and the scent of synthetic oil will permeate the air.

In the end, my dear friends, we shall crown a victor, and the world will finally know the one true oil change interval! Until then, let us revel in the ongoing circus of opinions, as the oil change enthusiasts continue to oil the wheels of debate with their passionate arguments.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by slowblackx3f25

5,000 miles oil change is the way to go, IMO. To each his/her own.

I concur, if my dad owned a 2+ ton vehicle with an under powered 4 cyl like your dad, I'd change the oil at 5k miles too

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by frisbeeguy

Ah, the never-ending saga of oil change intervals, where opinions flow like a never-ending oil leak! It's truly remarkable how this topic can turn even the most mild-mannered individuals into oil-change evangelists, armed with pitchforks and data sheets.

But fret not, for I have devised a foolproof solution to end this incessant debate once and for all! We shall gather all the self-proclaimed oil change experts in a grand arena, armed with their oil filters and dipsticks (for BMW owners, oil level sensors). They shall engage in a battle of wits, each one vying to prove their interval theory supreme.

And as the oil change gladiators clash, let us sit back and enjoy the show. Grab some popcorn, my friends, and witness a spectacle like no other. The crowd will gasp as viscosity arguments are hurled like verbal projectiles, and the scent of synthetic oil will permeate the air.

In the end, my dear friends, we shall crown a victor, and the world will finally know the one true oil change interval! Until then, let us revel in the ongoing circus of opinions, as the oil change enthusiasts continue to oil the wheels of debate with their passionate arguments.

you should definitely write a book #passiveincome

there's many factors. I don't think there's a right or wrong answer.

Depends on if the BMW is heavily modified, if the BMW is tracked, abused on the highway, high RPM usage, etc.

[slowblackx3f25]

Originally Posted by pungo

I concur, if my dad owned a 2+ ton vehicle with an under powered 4 cyl like your dad, I'd change the oil at 5k miles too

lol yes, it is a HEAVY BMW truck... N20 POWER BABY!!! minus the noisy sounds

reminds me to buy another jug of Liqui-Moly 5w-30 BMW-LL FE spec oil for the next upcoming oil change in October (usually done with winter tire set swap).