How often for service?

[iplayazi]

The dealer recommends 15000km but how often does Bmw lovers change there oil? And in my case im a weekend driver should I be changing it every so much time?

This is a neat site to http://www.baydiagnostic.com/inspection.htm

 

[aNoodle]

The dealer recommends 15000km but how often does Bmw lovers change there oil? And in my case im a weekend driver should I be changing it every so much time?

This is a neat site to http://www.baydiagnostic.com/inspection.htm

Some people think it's a waste of money to pay for the synthetic oil, then change it before the recommended 15,000 miles. But others say even with synthetic it should be changed every 5,000 miles. Generally, I'd say the consensus seems to be to half the oil change interval. I could be wrong to generally, but it seems many of the enthusiasts go ahead and change their own oil every 7,500.

 

[Chesty Bonds]

Hey nice link

 

[rjp325i]

I do an oil change once in between the free service or about once every 7-7.5K miles. This seems to be a very common interval among enthusiasts even with the synthetic oil. My oil change interval on the dashboard indicator comes up earlier than the 15K mileage point. My 2004 330 has had 3 changes so far (2 I did, 1 dealer) and I am 5K miles away from the 30K dealer service which will occur at 27K miles.

BMW CCA member since 1985 and VP Sin City Chapter

 

[DigitalDawn]

Is it ok to use Mobil 1 synthetic oil? I seem to remember that BMW suggests Castrol or something like that.

Dawn

 

[aNoodle]

Is it ok to use Mobil 1 synthetic oil? I seem to remember that BMW suggests Castrol or something like that.

Dawn

Mobil 1 is good. I've used it often, and I'm at 135,000 miles now. The Mobil 0w-40 (their so called 'European Car formula') meets the standards of BMW Longlife 01. This seems to be something new, or at least they're advertising it now, or I just got wind of it. LOL. Many people here have been using Mobil 5w-30 with no complains, me included.

It is said that BMW's oil is made by Castrol, but the European blend is special to them and not what you buy at the stores in the US. That said, Castrol makes an oil that meets BMW LL01, so does Valvoline. You may want to check out BMW oil, cuz many of the stealerships are very competitive on parts/oil (especially with the BMWCCA discount added in...it's their shop labor that is out of this world!). I just wish they sold 5 qt jugs, cuz they're so much easier to use and fill with the old oil to take the recycling center. It's so hard to go back to using 7 individual containers.

 

[///M SPEED]

It really isn't the synthetic oil you really have to worry about (I myself would change it once between the service light). Synthetic oil can go a very very long time between changes. The oil holds up against heat. It is the oil filter I would worry about. Most filters (especially the paper type) will not be able handle that long of a life span. I would at least change the filter if you don't plan on doing an oil change before BMW's recommended oil service (15,000 miles).....

 

[Wadula]

all up to your walet and will of spending the money. I use to follow the interval as my car tells me when new oil is needed. i don´t see a point in changing it more often. why should BMW tell you 15 kmiles while 7.5 would be the real deal? that surely would not help anyone. so, stay out as long as you can and do some more laps before you come in.

 

[Big Daddy]

I change my own oil and use Mobil 1. I change it every 3-7k depending on how the car has been driven.

 

[rjp325i]

BMW changed their oil change recommendations when they started giving free maintenance such as with my 330, 4 yr 50K miles. My previous BMWs had 7.5K recommended change intervals.

 

[Wadula]

4 years? 50 kmiles? now that is a bit toooo much. are you sure it is the real interval or only that every four years it would be free for you? heck that is way tooo much for a regualr interval!!!

 

[bmwrocks]

I have my X5 serviced by a guy who builds and races BMWs. He likes changing oil every 6K miles on street BMWs. I can't argue with him as he is an expert among experts.

 

[rjp325i]

The 4 yrs 50K miles is the length of the free maintenance period. The oil gets changed once in between each freebie which comes out to about 6.5 - 7K miles between changes. My 15K service indicator lit up at 12.8K miles and the 30K light will light up around 27K miles.

 

[codex57]

I'd like to add that the oil filter is easily accessible so at the very least, change the oil filter often.