Oil Changes ?

[Zchild]

Is it safe to follow the factory change recommendation or go for the 5000 - 7500 mile industry standard? I currently follow a strict 5000 mile schedule,I have 125,000 miles with no, I repeat no trouble whatsoever. 85% of my miles are highway, show some love and give me some feed back.

 

[daihard]

I am planning on changing oil every 5,000 miles on my M3 regardless of the factory maintenance schedule.

 

[Tom]

I change it every 7k on mine.

 

[archang3l378]

I change every 5-6K miles. Remember, the oil that your using is synthetic. They last longer than regular oil.

 

[jonnyz16]

Aloha Zchild sounds like whatever you're doing its working great . I'm still under warranty so I change it every other 7500k myself and then the dealer ..

Here's to another 125k



edited due to poor grammar.

 

[pydo82]

I planned on changing mine once in between every scheduled maintenance, and i still do although I was a little late on my first ne. I hit about 9000 miles (although I had planned to do it at 7500), so i took it in for an oil change. The bastards reset my computer so the countdown miles are back up to 15000. All I know is they better give me my scheduled oil change for free. So for those of you who get your oil changed in between the free ones, make sure they dont reset your computer!

 

[RuflessPhilly]

I change every 5-6K miles. Remember, the oil that your using is synthetic. They last longer than regular oil.

It really has nothing to due with how long the oil lasts. It's about the oil being polluted over time with contaminants that can damage your engine over time. 9 times out of 10 the oil will become contaminated before the viscosity breaks down. If I didn't lease my car I would definitely change the oil every 7k. Just my .02

 

[bmwrocks]

I am going to do the obligatory 7500 myself, dealer at 15k, etc. etc.

I have 7100 right now......self oil change coming soon.

 

[dpnguyen]

When are you guys changing out your oil filters? Same time as oil change (once every 5k-7.5k) or twice during the same period? I was thinking of chaning my oil every 7.5k but changing my oil filter every 3.75k.

 

[jonnyz16]

When are you guys changing out your oil filters? Same time as oil change (once every 5k-7.5k) or twice during the same period? I was thinking of chaning my oil every 7.5k but changing my oil filter every 3.75k.

There's alot of threads on this topic. You could do a search . It boils down getting alot of facts and then making a choice that you'll be comfortable with .

my .02 is change oil and filter at 7500 miles .

 

[ajy1013]

Hey Zchild. I am on pace to put a disheartening 20,000 miles or more per year on my car (all highway). What kind of problems have you had so far? Anything major, or minor, due to wear and tear or any mechanical problems in general? Feedback would be great! I plan on keeping my baby for awhile until I can be cool like Tom and buy a M3, if they look as great as they do now. Thanks a bunch bro!

 

[Chakueem]

I'll be getting an oil change in about another 100 miles. I'm pretty close to that 7500 mark. How do you guys get under the car to drain the oil? It's kinda low to slide under there.

 

[lpquick]

I use Griot's oil extactor. If I were to use the drain plug I would have to use ramps.

 

[Susie520]

Is waiting for the maintenance/oil change indicator to come on waiting too long? I don't know if I feel comfortable waiting up to 10k miles to change the oil. BMW touts the "free oil change" thing, but if you get it changed more frequently (out of pocket) then will the indicator ever sense "dirty" oil? (not sure I know how this process works)

 

[Xyrium]

Is waiting for the maintenance/oil change indicator to come on waiting too long? I don't know if I feel comfortable waiting up to 10k miles to change the oil. BMW touts the "free oil change" thing, but if you get it changed more frequently (out of pocket) then will the indicator ever sense "dirty" oil? (not sure I know how this process works)

No way. That light maintains set intervalsy. Press a button, and it goes away. Nothing senses sludge. However, your "check engine" (do BMWs have these?) light may come on if the viscosity drops too low or goes too high due to ECU changes.

 

[codex57]

I plan on changing oil and filter at the 7500 range. Maybe less but prolly around 7500. I'll use an oil extractor for it. Then, the dealer can do the regular 15,000 mile one and since they use the drain, bottom contaminants will be flushed out every 15K or so. However, a year is coming up and I'm still only at 5K so I might have the dealer just change the oil if I can time it right cuz I believe you get a free oil change at either 15K miles or 1 year, whichever comes first.