Oil Change question

[AspenSpencer]

I recently took my '02 330i to an independent mechanic for the Inspection II. After completing the work, he commented on how black the oil was. When I bought the car, to my recolection, the computer indicated a service at 15,000 miles, an oil service around 30,000, another one at 45,000 and the Inspection II at 60,000- all of which I did at the dealership with the exception of the last 60,000 mile inspection. This is my first BMW and I thought 15,000 miles was a long way to go between oil changes. The independant guy recommends it be changed every 3- 5,000 and that going 15,000 is crazy and I'm asking for big trouble in the long run. I tend to agree with the guy, but I figure BMW knows best.
Am I risking long term trouble by following the BMW service intervals? Or am I missing something?

 

[Zchild]

I have to believe that you are asking, no begging for trouble pushing to 15K between oil changes. I used to work on all my own vehicles and I found that there are two critical things in a vehicle that demand attention. First the oil and second the coolant. These two things are the life blood of all cars... Expensive ones and inexpensive ones. All that being said, I've driven a fair amount of miles in the expensive and inexpensive cars and find that if you change your oil with synthetic every 5K to 7.5K and with non-synthetic every 3K to 5K along with flushing your coolant your automobile will last. I have my bimmer oil changed every 5K by an independent bimmer shop. I have driven it just over 143K. You paid your nickel, take your chances... I'd rather pay up front for the oil changes then pay later for the engine replacement, just my two and a half cents. BTW, I drove a Nissan Quest over 100K and a Nissan Sentra over 140K by simply doing the above.[driving2]

 

[AspenSpencer]

I agree, maybe I should have known better, but it seems misleading for the service indicator in the car to show "oil service" and it is in 15,000 miles. Why wouldn't it say "oil service" and it is in 3- 5,000 miles? Anyone have any ideas if I have done any engine damage to my car by following what I thought was BMW recommended intervals?

 

[geneo]

bmw pays for the oil change thats why if you own the car you better change the oil 1 time in between the regular service if you love your car use castrol syntec from wallmart and an 8 dollar filter from the dealer

 

[Chesty Bonds]

I think this whole oil-change thing is a bit of a misunderstanding. I know the senior engineer at Holden Australia and he says that the new breed of cars don't need oil changes at every 3,000 miles, as used to be the case. He said that the new engines are so precisely calibrated and so efficient that oil degradation is virtually non-existent (within reason, of course). This is why the oil changes are placed so far apart and changing your oil and filter more often than BMW recommends is simply a waste of time and money.

 

[sobamaS2k]

I have held a theory for many years now that whatever car company you buy from REALLY wants you to buy another car from them when you are done with this one. Given this they aren't going to tell you anything in the owner's manual or dash computer that will not allow that car to run as they designed for a long life.

The old 3k mile oil change has become a thing of the past in modern cars (under NORMAL conditions) and is only hung on to by places of business that need to make more $$$ (that includes lots of dealerships). My owner's manual says change at 7.5k and I know I push my car so I change it at 5-6k. Just use common sense.

My limited experience with BMW I know there is a dash computer that indicates you need to change the oil, obviously it's taking some sort of measurement as my sister's car asked to have new oil at about 10k whereas you didn't need it till 15k. If you are a light commuter listen to the car.

Just my $.02

 

[Chesty Bonds]

I have held a theory for many years now that whatever car company you buy from REALLY wants you to buy another car from them when you are done with this one. Given this they aren't going to tell you anything in the owner's manual or dash computer that will not allow that car to run as they designed for a long life.

The old 3k mile oil change has become a thing of the past in modern cars (under NORMAL conditions) and is only hung on to by places of business that need to make more $$$ (that includes lots of dealerships). My owner's manual says change at 7.5k and I know I push my car so I change it at 5-6k. Just use common sense.

My limited experience with BMW I know there is a dash computer that indicates you need to change the oil, obviously it's taking some sort of measurement as my sister's car asked to have new oil at about 10k whereas you didn't need it till 15k. If you are a light commuter listen to the car.

Just my $.02

Well said. Having to change the oil and filter every 3K is just ridiculous.

 

[aNoodle]

Yeah, 3k on sythetic oil is a waste of money. 7,500 miles seems prudent. I've changed my own oil since out of warranty (most oil change places charge a fortune for the synthetic). I see how black that stuff is at 7,500...I wouldn't go further than that.

BMW has bought into the extended maintenance schedules. I think it's a mistake. The differential and automatic tranmission oil is NOT NOT NOT "life time" oil. Life time to BMW is 100,000 miles. I'm having automatic transmission failure at 125,000 miles and I'm pissed and sore. I should have changed the ATF at 60,000 (I've heard zeolots say do it every 30,000 but I think that is overboard). There is a filter/screen in the automatic tranmission that should be changed too. Damn, I wish I had done that...it's expenisve oil. But since I'm looking at a $4,500 transmission repair job at 125,000 miles, changing the oil and screen every 60,000 miles would have given me a piece of mind. Damn BMW and their GM transmissions and extended maintenance schedules.

New oil can never hurt the car. You'll always hear about the car that goes to 250,000 miles and they never changed the differential oil or tranmission oil and never changed the engine oil less than 15,000 miles. But that's gonna be the rare statisitic.

 

[codex57]

What bothers me is that mechanic you went to is unethical himself. I wouldn't go there anymore. He's just looking to rip you off any way he can. Key tip off was of course him telling you to change oil every 3000 miles.

 

[AspenSpencer]

He charged me less than $300 for the Inspection II and prior to that had only charged me $90 to put on new front tires and a four wheel alignment.
I think he is ok. He mentioned the 3- 5,000 miles is what he does on his cars. There are so many opinions, and he seems to be particular about his cars. He has charged me what I think are reasonable prices for the previous work, it lead me to think he really believes in the 3- 5,000 mile thing. I'll probably get it done every 5,000- 7,500 miles moving forward.. Might even get the old drain pan out and do it myself..
It is strange how particular BMW is and how they are very service minded (in my experience with them)- why they don't have the service counters on the car countdown to when a recommended oil change or service should really occur is a mystery to me. I have strictly followed what the car service countdown indicates and I fear I have possibly shortened the cars life.

 

[aNoodle]

He charged me less than $300 for the Inspection II and prior to that had only charged me $90 to put on new front tires and a four wheel alignment.
I think he is ok. He mentioned the 3- 5,000 miles is what he does on his cars. There are so many opinions, and he seems to be particular about his cars. He has charged me what I think are reasonable prices for the previous work, it lead me to think he really believes in the 3- 5,000 mile thing. I'll probably get it done every 5,000- 7,500 miles moving forward.. Might even get the old drain pan out and do it myself..
It is strange how particular BMW is and how they are very service minded (in my experience with them)- why they don't have the service counters on the car countdown to when a recommended oil change or service should really occur is a mystery to me. I have strictly followed what the car service countdown indicates and I fear I have possibly shortened the cars life.

When you first turn on the car, doesn't your window give you a read out on the next service?

I wouldn't worry about having 'ruined' the car, BMW stands by their average of 15,000 miles or 1 year on the synthetic. If ya moved over to 7,500 mile changes that can't hurt and would improve gas mileage.

Hey, where did you take your car in GA?

 

[AspenSpencer]

Until the warrenty expired, I was using Global Imports which I found to be very service oriented, but the thoughts of going there after I hit 50,000 miles sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to buy my car there but quickly found there were other customers willing to pay sticker price and I figure the same attention to cost would apply in the service dept. Since then, I found a place called "Pro- formance Place", it is on South Cobb Drive in the Smyrna area (770) 514 1448. The guy only works on high end European cars (Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, etc.). When I went there for the first time to have tires put on; in his immaculate shop there was a older very nice Porsche 930 slant nose that I asked if it was his. He said it was a customer of his but he he had recently rebuilt the engine in it. I felt comfortable inquiring about my then upcoming "Inspection II" which he said he could take care of. I paid approx $275 for it. The two times I've been there, the owner actually is the only guy there and he performs the work himself. He listens to classical music, keeps a shop you could eat off the floor, and seems like a genuine guy who knows what he is doing. I have always called for an appointment. The waiting area is small and filled with model cars and books on Porsche's. If I had to guess, I'd say the guy is retired and has set up little shop to do what he seems to love.

 

[jrahn]

I have decided to keep my oil changed at 5K regardless. Does the group recommend using the castrol synthetic from BMW, or how about using some higher-end synthetic like red-line? Also when it comes to the Automatic transmission I have learned some hard lessons (dirty fluid = transmission) in the past, so with that said, I am not going to allow my trans to pass 40K with the same fluid. What type of ATF does BMW put in the slushbox? I figure as long as I am on the fluid swap bandwagon, why not knock out the diff while the car is up in the air so my final question is what type of synthetic gear oil does BMW want in there?

If anyone could offer up source of a comprehensive factory service manual for my car I would be very interested in owning one. Yes, I realize that my warranty and service contracts cover about everything but tires, but call me "curious" I cant help it!

 

[aNoodle]

"Pro- formance Place", it is on South Cobb Drive in the Smyrna area

Julia Roberts home town! I might have to check that out!! [bmwdance] [bmwdance]

What type of ATF does BMW put in the slushbox?...what type of synthetic gear oil does BMW want in there

The ATF is a BMW only Texaco 7045E or something like that. It's crazy expensive....like CRAZY! I have the GM transmission and some mechanics tell me regular ol' DexronIII would be fine...but I've read elsewhere that anything but the BMW stuff will mess up the celenoids in the valve body. Who knows. The only way to get the BMW stuff is to bring a container to BMW or a shop that has a big drum of it...they don't sell it in quart bottles from what I understand. How bizarre is that!?! Maybe somebody can correct me if I've been given bad info from United.

I put Mobil 1 Synthetic 75w90 in my differential. I could reach it without lifting the car. You need a 14mm alan wrench or hex bit. That's pretty fat.

 

[jrahn]

Julia Roberts home town! I might have to check that out!! [bmwdance] [bmwdance]



The ATF is a BMW only Texaco 7045E or something like that. It's crazy expensive....like CRAZY! I have the GM transmission and some mechanics tell me regular ol' DexronIII would be fine...but I've read elsewhere that anything but the BMW stuff will mess up the celenoids in the valve body. Who knows. The only way to get the BMW stuff is to bring a container to BMW or a shop that has a big drum of it...they don't sell it in quart bottles from what I understand. How bizarre is that!?! Maybe somebody can correct me if I've been given bad info from United.

I put Mobil 1 Synthetic 75w90 in my differential. I could reach it without lifting the car. You need a 14mm alan wrench or hex bit. That's pretty fat.

Thanks! I'll check that out! Maybe I could find a guy in the BMW shop who may be willing to trade a jug or two of BMW's "special sauce" transmission fluid for some beer, or who knows?
I assume I can determine my transmission type by the VIN? I'll be dropping the pan and swapping the filter too.

 

[aNoodle]

Thanks! I'll check that out! Maybe I could find a guy in the BMW shop who may be willing to trade a jug or two of BMW's "special sauce" transmission fluid for some beer, or who knows?
I assume I can determine my transmission type by the VIN? I'll be dropping the pan and swapping the filter too.

Damn, I wish I had!

Definitley get the Bentley Manual for the 3-series. Very helpful. (And when you're flushing the radiator, don't overtighten the plastic bleed screw! I learned that one the hard way too....LOL....as they get older, they get real brittle...the manual has the right torque figures...those plastic deals brake real easy!!!!)

On your Castrol or Red Line question for motor oil...ask two people and you'll get 3 answers. If you're going to really keep to a 5k change as you say, I can't imagine it would even make a difference. I'm not a big believer in Red Line to be honest (just my opinion). Many people here use Mobil 1. I have used Mobil 1 for the past 60,000 miles. You can get a 5 qt. bottle at Sams or Walmart and they're alot easier to use than all those individual bottles. But I have the previous 2.8L and the original weight was 5w40 from the factory, which Mobil doesn't make...so occationally I go with Valvoline SynPower fully synthetic. My car seems to like the 5w40 for some reason, though BMW changed to 5w30 in about 2000 before the larger engines came out. Bottom line: any fully synthetic oil is fine for your engine.

I don't think you'll ever get all 9 liters of ATF out of the transmission. There is a tramission radiator up at the nose of the car...with a lot of fluid on it's way up there...or at least on my car...the Bently manual gives ya the low down. For my year, you'll have either a ZF or a GM transmission. Get the bently manual, it's not perfect, and I scream at it all the time....but I think that's all we got.

 

[jrahn]

Thanks again for the information!