[DigitalDawn]

Just brought my 2010 335 in for the HPFP and injector recall.

Was talking with a new SA, and he asked me why I hadn't brought in my 335 in for an oil change. I told him that I had been having the oil changed elsewhere. He asked which oil I used last and I told him Penzoil Ultra Euro, which is formulated for use with BMW vehicles.

He then tells me that I shouldn't mix oils. Having had Castrol in the car before and then using a different brand is bad for the engine.

Sounds like a load of crap to me.

[Nedim]

Those SA's dont know shit. Whenever I go, I feel more knowledgable

[Express]

your SA is a funny guy

[lpphreakx06]

SA's are basically elaborate salesmen.

[fdriller9]

That's why I don't go to the dealer.....

[FVM3]

I hate dealing with some BS sales

[ianthegreat]

At the same weight, you can literally mix oils. I don't rec it because of specific formulas, but on some of our old pickups on the ranch... no oil goes to waste. These trucks have 200k+.

[malter2.0]

No.

Your SA is CORRECT to tell you that mixing the oil is not good, but what needs to be clarified is that IN GENERAL you shouldn't mix synthetic with non-synthetics. From his perspective he doesn't know what oil you use, so it might as well be $1.50 oil for all his knows. As being part of the BMW business he is required to be conservative. Quite normal. After all, these people fix your car for free under warranty and they want to make sure you do things their way...the way it was designed from factory. Wouldn't you do the same if you sold cars and had to warranty them?

Also, Castrol has been BMW's oil provider for like last 40 years. I would venture to say that you are safer using Castrol synthetic over any other synthetic. In fact, BMW is so serious about Castrol oil that all /// models in their tri-color badging carry one of the Castrol colors to honor their oil provider.

Whatever oil you use and wherever you change your oil, make sure it is synthetic and it meets BMW's oil certs on the back of the bottle. Also, if you run really low (light is on), it is safer to put ANY oil, than run too low.

[Clarence Watson]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

After all, these people fix your car for free under warranty and they want to make sure you do things their way...the way it was designed from factory. Wouldn't you do the same if you sold cars and had to warranty them?

On that basis, wouldn't it be in the dealers' best interests to charge only a reasonable (i.e., independent shop's) price for an oil change so that they can discourage as few owners as possible from having that service performed by the dealer and thus minimize the need for warranty repairs caused by things such as mixing oils? Seems like forgoing a bit of excessive profit on those kinds of services would give them more control and keep them from having to make as many warranty repairs.

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by Clarence Watson

On that basis, wouldn't it be in the dealers' best interests to charge only a reasonable (i.e., independent shop's) price for an oil change so that they can discourage as few owners as possible from having that service performed by the dealer and thus minimize the need for warranty repairs caused by things such as mixing oils? Seems like forgoing a bit of excessive profit on those kinds of services would give them more control and keep them from having to make as many warranty repairs.

That absolutely makes sense, BUT BMW gets so much overpriced oil-change business from obtuse owners who don't know any better, that it is in their financial interest to keep oil changes overpriced, even if few owners change their oil with something that will sieze the turbos down the road. They will eat that cost, because former gives them overall greater return.

In fact, BMW probably (more like ...definitely) has systems and business software to tell them what is optimal for them in terms of financial gain.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by Clarence Watson

On that basis, wouldn't it be in the dealers' best interests to charge only a reasonable (i.e., independent shop's) price for an oil change so that they can discourage as few owners as possible from having that service performed by the dealer and thus minimize the need for warranty repairs caused by things such as mixing oils? Seems like forgoing a bit of excessive profit on those kinds of services would give them more control and keep them from having to make as many warranty repairs.

My dealer:
Interim oil changes (car computer is not interrogated nor oil monitor reset) is $85 with the occasional "special" at $65. Plus wash and vacuum, and a shuttle ride down to/from the local mall, if I ask.

For $65, it isn't worth it to me to crawl under the car.

[Clarence Watson]

Originally Posted by Bcube

My dealer:
Interim oil changes (car computer is not interrogated nor oil monitor reset) is $85 with the occasional "special" at $65. Plus wash and vacuum, and a shuttle ride down to/from the local mall, if I ask.

For $65, it isn't worth it to me to crawl under the car.

$65 is pretty darn good. My dealer is over $100, and it's a 90 minute round trip. I'm sure somewhere on here is a thread with everyone's dealership oil change experiences/prices.

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Nedim

Those SA's dont know shit. Whenever I go, I feel more knowledgable

+1

[bimmertt]

Originally Posted by Bcube

My dealer:
Interim oil changes (car computer is not interrogated nor oil monitor reset) is $85 with the occasional "special" at $65. Plus wash and vacuum, and a shuttle ride down to/from the local mall, if I ask.

For $65, it isn't worth it to me to crawl under the car.

I find this hard to believe. I'm pretty sure 7 quarts of synthetic oil, a new filter, plus tax, add up to more than $65. I can't imagine that you have gotten this deal more than once.

[The HACK]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

I find this hard to believe. I'm pretty sure 7 quarts of synthetic oil, a new filter, plus tax, add up to more than $65. I can't imagine that you have gotten this deal more than once.

Why?

Dealer bulk rate on 50 gallon drums of Castrol Syntec 5W-30 European spec comes to something a little less than $1.00 per LITER. 6.5 liters comes to about $6 in oil. Filters, even if they pay single price, is $4.50 each.

Where it's going to KILL you is the FRU/Charge rate. At $120 per hour, that means they're only charging you 1 FRU (15 minute intervals) for the job.

[The HACK]

Anyone assuming SAs are stupid don't understand the business. They (SAs) deal with hundreds of customers a week. Out of 100 customers they maybe get one that hangs out at forums and reads up on all the DIYs and assumes they know more than the SAs. Unless they know you PERSONALLY they're going to simply assume you are just like the 99 other customers who doesn't know anything about cars. So they tailor their spiel to keep their jobs as simple as possible. Trying to explain to anyone that BMW engines require specific API and ILSAC ratings AND BMW's own LL-01 or better spec of a specific viscosity is useless. So they just tell you you can't use anything else or you shouldn't mix it because, well, to explain further would just be a waste of time, only confuse the customer more, and making more work in general for them.

[lightning20]

j/ w you guys that change your oil yourself what oil filter do you buy?

[Socom]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Anyone assuming SAs are stupid don't understand the business. They (SAs) deal with hundreds of customers a week. Out of 100 customers they maybe get one that hangs out at forums and reads up on all the DIYs and assumes they know more than the SAs. Unless they know you PERSONALLY they're going to simply assume you are just like the 99 other customers who doesn't know anything about cars. So they tailor their spiel to keep their jobs as simple as possible. Trying to explain to anyone that BMW engines require specific API and ILSAC ratings AND BMW's own LL-01 or better spec of a specific viscosity is useless. So they just tell you you can't use anything else or you shouldn't mix it because, well, to explain further would just be a waste of time, only confuse the customer more, and making more work in general for them.

DING DING WINNER!!!!

[John 070]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

I find this hard to believe. I'm pretty sure 7 quarts of synthetic oil, a new filter, plus tax, add up to more than $65. I can't imagine that you have gotten this deal more than once.

I get a coupon emailed to me every month for what used to be $59.99, now it went up to $69.99. My old one charges $110 but I asked for a discount for the only time I paid (1,200 mi.) and they charged me $71. They make money no matter what they charge.

[malter2.0]

Originally Posted by The HACK

Anyone assuming SAs are stupid don't understand the business. They (SAs) deal with hundreds of customers a week. Out of 100 customers they maybe get one that hangs out at forums and reads up on all the DIYs and assumes they know more than the SAs. Unless they know you PERSONALLY they're going to simply assume you are just like the 99 other customers who doesn't know anything about cars. So they tailor their spiel to keep their jobs as simple as possible. Trying to explain to anyone that BMW engines require specific API and ILSAC ratings AND BMW's own LL-01 or better spec of a specific viscosity is useless. So they just tell you you can't use anything else or you shouldn't mix it because, well, to explain further would just be a waste of time, only confuse the customer more, and making more work in general for them.

spot on. good job.

[claykin]

Here's an interesting read.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

[Morpheus]

Originally Posted by bimmertt

I find this hard to believe. I'm pretty sure 7 quarts of synthetic oil, a new filter, plus tax, add up to more than $65. I can't imagine that you have gotten this deal more than once.

Yeah just oil and filter is $65.