15,000 Mile Oil Change Interval

[newbold1]

Having bought my 2005 330Ci Conv. new from the dealership I get the free oil change service from them whenever the car shows that the oil change is due within the next 500 miles. AND... these days that interval is about 15,000 miles. I am at 10,000 now and I cannot shake the feeling that I am destroying my engine by not changing the oil on a more frequent cycle. 15,000 miles just seems to be way too long. On the other hand I don't want to waste my money. Plus, I suppose I would have to take the car elsewhere or do the job myself since I would figure the dealership would advise me to wait until the oil change indicator says its time to do the job. Neither of those options are all that appealing. I'd rather not have a quick lube shop doing any work on my new car.

How does everyone else feel about these extended oil change intervals? Are you comfortable with them? Do they make you nervous?

 

[Big Daddy]

This topic has been debated over and over. I for one am not waiting 15k to change my oil. When I was still under the 3yr/36000 I changed my oil myself at about 7500k using Mobil 1 and a Mahle filter. Than at the service interval, usually around 15k the dealer would do it and reset the lights.

I still change my oil at 3-7k depending on how I have been driving and I still use Mobil 1 and Mahle filters. No probelms with any of my cars!

 

[sly]

It's interesting that companies that offer free maintenace have extremely long oil change intervals whereas those that charge for the service recommend changing oil every 7K miles or every six months, whichever comes first. Personally I'd never go more than six months between oil changes.

 

[codex57]

I suspect the interval is just long enough to keep the car alive until the warranty runs out. At most, 100,000 miles.

I do the oil change every 7500 miles too.

Oh, and you also get a free one every year if you don't have it done according to the mileage. Say you're at 10,000 miles now. Still 5,000 to go right? Well, if it's been a year since you've bought the car, then you get a free oil change too. I was lucky. I got the free 1 yr oil change cuz I was only at 7500 miles or so, but they didn't reset the oil change computer. That meant that when I hit 15,000miles, I could go back in and say, "hey, it's 15,000 miles, gimme my free oil change."

 

[Zchild]

Hey gearheads and bimmer dreamers... I do not hold to the 15,000 mile Big BMW oil change policy. I used to get my oil changed every 5,000 but that began to become really expensive. I am now firmly on the 7,500 mile bandwagon. I do not have time to do my own oil changes, I have more money than time, however I stop going to the Stealership when my bimmer warantee ran out. Bottomline, I've got 177,000 with one great ride that keeps surprizing me mile after mile. That's my two and a half cents worth...
[driving2]

 

[sharkman330Xi]

my 330xi has 50k miles, I just got it.
The previous owner only did the changes as per the service indicator....
Should I be scared of something to come? I will be doing the changes at 7500 with synthetic from here forward, but has damage already been done?

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I suspect the interval is just long enough to keep the car alive until the warranty runs out. At most, 100,000 miles.

I do the oil change every 7500 miles too.

Oh, and you also get a free one every year if you don't have it done according to the mileage. Say you're at 10,000 miles now. Still 5,000 to go right? Well, if it's been a year since you've bought the car, then you get a free oil change too. I was lucky. I got the free 1 yr oil change cuz I was only at 7500 miles or so, but they didn't reset the oil change computer. That meant that when I hit 15,000miles, I could go back in and say, "hey, it's 15,000 miles, gimme my free oil change."

Thats what I did, (btw, as per BMW instructions they're not supposed to reset the indicator on a low mileage oil change) the thing is after that oil change they get you. Since you end up changing it again after say 4-5k miles and they reset the indicator meaning now you have to wait either another year from the date of that last oil change or 12-15k (whenever the indicator goes to 0) The 1yr policy is only good if you drive 8k a year, and even then the 12 month period of city driving does a number on the car.


Sharkman: I doubt that any damage has been done, so long as you take care of the engine and change the oil every 7500 miles as you're doing now I think you're ok. However, the car might not last as long as one thats been pampered since it was brand new.

 

[Big Daddy]

I do not reset the indicator when I do the changes, I let BMW change it when they do them. (Of course it no longer applies to any car I own)

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

I do not reset the indicator when I do the changes, I let BMW change it when they do them. (Of course it no longer applies to any car I own)

So you're at -10000 now?

BTW, I got the free oil change in late June at 8k, I have 11k now with 1k left on the indicator. Should I make an appointment for November and get my oil changed at 12k? (4k and 5 months on the oil) or should I wait till it's -3500. I wouldn't want the BMW dealer to gasp, and just reset the indicator without changing the oil...

 

[concoran]

I do not reset the indicator when I do the changes, I let BMW change it when they do them.

Just curious - how do you change the indicator? [I must admit - I haven't really had time to read the entire manual yet]

 

[Big Daddy]

So you're at -10000 now?

Not sure how what I said translates to 100k, but yes my 318is had 164k when I sold it, my 750iL had 100k, my 733i 250k, and my roadster now has 50k.

You need a reset tool or instructions. I have the reset tool.

 

[Bmw 325i 7803]

Not sure how what I said translates to 100k, but yes my 318is had 164k when I sold it, my 750iL had 100k, my 733i 250k, and my roadster now has 50k.

You need a reset tool or instructions. I have the reset tool.

It's actually 10k. (-10000)

 

[Big Daddy]

Sorry, I must have had my eyes closed, hehe.

 

[Harman1]

I saw a report a while back on 60min. they tested cabs in New York, they determaind that the oil was good in these cars for 7500 miles, using non synthetic oil. BMW used the synthetic oil so I feel under normal driving conditions 15000 mile is okay to wait.

 

[Big Daddy]

And 60 minutes is always accurate and truthful? I have had oil analysis done at 3000, 7500, and 15000 using Mobil 1. The biggest factor is how the car is driven and where. Analysis at 1500 was never as good as 7500 or less regardless of conditions. Over a short period of time, less than 100k it may never make a difference, but I keep my cars to over 150k and it does make a big difference. To each his own, but regular maintainence is cheap insurance.

Here is a link to Amsoil NY City Taxi Cab Fleet test, where using regular oil changed at 3k resulted in twice the camshaft wear than using Amsoil (synthetic) at 3k oil change intervals. Amsoil Test

 

[PhatBimmer]

You use amsoil?

 

[Big Daddy]

No I use Mobil 1, my point was simply any synthetic is better than any dino oil and that oil changes in excess of 7500 miles are damaging.

 

[PhatBimmer]

Ah cool

 

[ThatOneGuy]

I'm with the 7500 crowd on this one. Synthetic oil doesn't break down (for the purpose of this discussion) it just gets dirty & contaminated. I'll pay for my own 'mid service service'. I'm not a fan of this new trend in performance cars that rely on sensors to tell you when to change the oil. The new Cayman S doesn't even have dipstick, making it very difficult to even see condition of the oil, much less know when it's low. You're relying on a sensor. As we all know, sensors fail. I'm not risking my S54 on a $20 part.

 

[Dutch]

I am not going to discuss how long you should wait before changing the oil, but I want to say one thing: In the Netherlands (and I think Germany does the same) you don't get free oil changes or any other free stuff; those programs hardly exist. So I pay for all the maintenance myself. If BMW wants to get more money or stay on the safe side regarding engine damage due to long oil change intervals, they would have decreased the mileage in between services! So in my opinion, the reason why there is a 30.000 km/ 18.000 mile interval for my car is that the oils are just that good (why would BMW risk their reputation as one of the premier engine builders in the world???).

Just my 2 cents