Would it make any difference if I got my oil changed at the mechanic?

UnknownSpiritX5 · 07-21-2009, 03:24 AM

I need to get my first oil change done (I bought a used '07 and the last oil change was when I bought it from the dealer--they took care of it)

I've looked at DIY oil changes and it doesn't sound too complicated, but would it make any difference if I just took it to the mechanic? Would I need to supply them with my own oil (Mobil-1, or similar). If they use their own oil, will they know to use synthetic oil? Is it relatively safe? Do they change the oil filter and get a new one, like I would have to if i changed my own oil, or do they keep the old one?

I know its a mechanic were talking about here, and quality really isnt their top priority, but how much quality will I lose if I have it done at the mechanic?

VTECaddict · 07-21-2009, 05:12 AM

are you out of the warranty period already?

BMW has a list of oils that should be used if not using their own brand. You will most likely need to buy your own oil and filter and have them do the labor if you wanted a mechanic to do it, unless you go to a BMW specific shop and they stock BMW approved oil and filters.

changing oil is simple and any mechanic can do it. its just a matter of if they have the required oil and filters. but whatever you do, dont go to those quick lube places.

UnknownSpiritX5 · 07-21-2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

are you out of the warranty period already?

BMW has a list of oils that should be used if not using their own brand. You will most likely need to buy your own oil and filter and have them do the labor if you wanted a mechanic to do it, unless you go to a BMW specific shop and they stock BMW approved oil and filters.

changing oil is simple and any mechanic can do it. its just a matter of if they have the required oil and filters. but whatever you do, dont go to those quick lube places.

Hi! I'm not out of warranty yet (I still have until 2013). Would it be best if i simply bought my own oil and filter, then go to the mechanic and hand those over to them? I don't have a leverage to jack up my car so I cant go underneath it. Also, I don't have my own garage, so I can't really do this on the street I think.

Bimmerdriver17 · 07-21-2009, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

are you out of the warranty period already?

BMW has a list of oils that should be used if not using their own brand. You will most likely need to buy your own oil and filter and have them do the labor if you wanted a mechanic to do it, unless you go to a BMW specific shop and they stock BMW approved oil and filters.

changing oil is simple and any mechanic can do it. its just a matter of if they have the required oil and filters. but whatever you do, dont go to those quick lube places.

+1

John 070 · 07-21-2009, 06:37 AM

I don't think it would matter, but while the car is under warranty I'd prefer that the BMW dealership does it.

My strategy would be to pay for one, get the other free, every 7500. But their policy is very confusing, even the SA can't explain it. That and whether or not the red service light should be off or on when you have low miles.

roadkillrob · 07-21-2009, 07:47 AM

I would take in my own oil and filter if it is a non-bmw specialist as they will probably not stock the correct stuff, if it is a independent BMW shop, then ask them as they may have it all.

SpmnE9zero · 07-21-2009, 08:09 AM

I just buy BMW oil and Filter and put in myself. The service reset is easy.

E92-Lighting · 07-21-2009, 09:08 AM

no difference at all!

3me · 07-21-2009, 10:08 AM

Go getcha a free oil change! but if you do take it to a mechanic it isnt a bad idea to bring your own oil and oil filter. (depends on mechanic really) some guys put oil straight out of a refillable drum which accumulates debris at the bottom of it, which is where the oil nozzle ends to draw up the oil from the drum. SO you could very easily be having a mechanic pumping a whole bunch of crap into your car. just so you know

Delta0311 · 07-21-2009, 10:13 AM

Bring your own oil and filter but in all honesty, a retarded monkey could change the oil in a BMW. YEs it is that easy.

Joonsup · 07-21-2009, 10:21 AM

Just do it yourself.

Just b/c you have warranty doesnt mean you can go into bmw whenever you want and ask for an oil change. You have go by what the car status says in your idrive/screen. It'll tell you how many miles till and oil change. You may get the oil change if you're close to that mark, but it usually doesn't hit till about 15K miles depending on how you drive

Delta0311 · 07-21-2009, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joonsup

Just do it yourself.

Just b/c you have warranty doesnt mean you can go into bmw whenever you want and ask for an oil change. You have go by what the car status says in your idrive/screen. It'll tell you how many miles till and oil change. You may get the oil change if you're close to that mark, but it usually doesn't hit till about 15K miles depending on how you drive

Actually the fine prints says EVERY 15k miles or ONCE A YEAR at any milage interval.

ragingclue · 07-21-2009, 10:51 AM

Last time of the many times I've been in for service, there was a lady there who had brought her car in for an oil leak. The SA came out after they had evaluated it and told her that the shit wasn't put together right and they know they didn't do the oil change because there was a Korean filter in there. Man, he was condescending, but it was pretty funny.

I guess they don't like you doing oil changes with Korean filters. That's the only advice I have. Oh, also make sure they put the car all the way back together.

blue2fire · 07-21-2009, 10:54 AM

I would just take it to the dealer. Probably false economy but might as well...

742 · 07-21-2009, 04:13 PM

You can have it done anywhere. But:

1. Use the right parts. Oil with BMW LL01 approval and the correct filter.

2. Keep the receipts. If you don't want any warranty questions down the road you need to be able to show that the correct oil went in.

3. If your mechanic does not care about quality you need to find a new mechanic. There are good ones out there, but the relationship does not start with "how much do you charge to....".

UnknownSpiritX5 · 07-26-2009, 03:15 PM

Thanks. I think the safest bet is to simply change it myself. I was looking at Oil filters online, and came across this : http://www.bavauto.com/lview.asp?img...27541827_2.jpg

Is this a decent one? Which brands or make (if any) should I look for. By make, as in, Made in ________.

VTECaddict · 07-26-2009, 08:22 PM

just get BMW oil and filter.

07-21-2009, 03:24 AM	#1
UnknownSpiritX5 Drive till Infinity 33 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 07 328i (E90), 2020 X5 40i (G0 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	Would it make any difference if I got my oil changed at the mechanic? I need to get my first oil change done (I bought a used '07 and the last oil change was when I bought it from the dealer--they took care of it) I've looked at DIY oil changes and it doesn't sound too complicated, but would it make any difference if I just took it to the mechanic? Would I need to supply them with my own oil (Mobil-1, or similar). If they use their own oil, will they know to use synthetic oil? Is it relatively safe? Do they change the oil filter and get a new one, like I would have to if i changed my own oil, or do they keep the old one? I know its a mechanic were talking about here, and quality really isnt their top priority, but how much quality will I lose if I have it done at the mechanic?
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07-21-2009, 05:12 AM	#2
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 479 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	are you out of the warranty period already? BMW has a list of oils that should be used if not using their own brand. You will most likely need to buy your own oil and filter and have them do the labor if you wanted a mechanic to do it, unless you go to a BMW specific shop and they stock BMW approved oil and filters. changing oil is simple and any mechanic can do it. its just a matter of if they have the required oil and filters. but whatever you do, dont go to those quick lube places. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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07-21-2009, 06:37 AM	#5
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	I don't think it would matter, but while the car is under warranty I'd prefer that the BMW dealership does it. My strategy would be to pay for one, get the other free, every 7500. But their policy is very confusing, even the SA can't explain it. That and whether or not the red service light should be off or on when you have low miles.
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07-21-2009, 07:47 AM	#6
roadkillrob Major General 857 Rep 5,446 Posts Drives: 08 335i,22 X3M, 2012 C63 Black Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Boston iTrader: (15)	I would take in my own oil and filter if it is a non-bmw specialist as they will probably not stock the correct stuff, if it is a independent BMW shop, then ask them as they may have it all. __________________ 2022 X3M Brooklyn Grey 2008 E93 335i FBO 2012 Mercedes C63 Black Series Alanite Grey
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07-21-2009, 08:09 AM	#7
SpmnE9zero DENY THE WORLD THAT SURROUNDS YOU 505 Rep 35,580 Posts Drives: JB 33ZERO Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: City of Champions iTrader: (14) Garage List 2006 330xi [0.00]	I just buy BMW oil and Filter and put in myself. The service reset is easy. __________________ Eurocharged V5 \| ROW's / CC Delete \| K&N's \| H&R Springs \| Single Fin G.B. Grill \| Mode Carbon Diffuser \| JBSpeed CF Spoiler \| Arkym Style CF Splitter \| CF Mirror Caps \| 5% Tints \| 12mm Spacers \|
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07-21-2009, 09:08 AM	#8
E92-Lighting 858 Rep 35,253 Posts Drives: Next Generation LED Lighting Join Date: May 2008 Location: Walnut iTrader: (324)	no difference at all!
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07-21-2009, 10:08 AM	#9
3me Lieutenant 17 Rep 415 Posts Drives: 6spd mt 325i Join Date: May 2008 Location: Mississippi iTrader: (0)	Go getcha a free oil change! but if you do take it to a mechanic it isnt a bad idea to bring your own oil and oil filter. (depends on mechanic really) some guys put oil straight out of a refillable drum which accumulates debris at the bottom of it, which is where the oil nozzle ends to draw up the oil from the drum. SO you could very easily be having a mechanic pumping a whole bunch of crap into your car. just so you know __________________
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07-21-2009, 10:13 AM	#10
Delta0311 Banned 7478 Rep 10,120 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335xi E92 2016 228xi Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NJ iTrader: (1)	Bring your own oil and filter but in all honesty, a retarded monkey could change the oil in a BMW. YEs it is that easy.
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07-21-2009, 10:21 AM	#11
Joonsup Lieutenant General 322 Rep 17,316 Posts Drives: E92 M3, E30 325i Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (8) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [9.50]	Just do it yourself. Just b/c you have warranty doesnt mean you can go into bmw whenever you want and ask for an oil change. You have go by what the car status says in your idrive/screen. It'll tell you how many miles till and oil change. You may get the oil change if you're close to that mark, but it usually doesn't hit till about 15K miles depending on how you drive
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07-21-2009, 10:51 AM	#13
ragingclue One cam is enough 130 Rep 6,801 Posts Drives: VF Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: mulletville iTrader: (1)	Last time of the many times I've been in for service, there was a lady there who had brought her car in for an oil leak. The SA came out after they had evaluated it and told her that the shit wasn't put together right and they know they didn't do the oil change because there was a Korean filter in there. Man, he was condescending, but it was pretty funny. I guess they don't like you doing oil changes with Korean filters. That's the only advice I have. Oh, also make sure they put the car all the way back together.
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07-21-2009, 04:13 PM	#15
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	You can have it done anywhere. But: 1. Use the right parts. Oil with BMW LL01 approval and the correct filter. 2. Keep the receipts. If you don't want any warranty questions down the road you need to be able to show that the correct oil went in. 3. If your mechanic does not care about quality you need to find a new mechanic. There are good ones out there, but the relationship does not start with "how much do you charge to....".
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07-26-2009, 03:15 PM	#16
UnknownSpiritX5 Drive till Infinity 33 Rep 118 Posts Drives: 07 328i (E90), 2020 X5 40i (G0 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New York City iTrader: (0)	Thanks. I think the safest bet is to simply change it myself. I was looking at Oil filters online, and came across this : http://www.bavauto.com/lview.asp?img...27541827_2.jpg Is this a decent one? Which brands or make (if any) should I look for. By make, as in, Made in ________. __________________ Drive till Infinity \| '07 Jet Back 328i \| Sport-LESS ._. \|
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07-26-2009, 08:22 PM	#17
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? 479 Rep 6,067 Posts Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Seattle, WA iTrader: (4)	just get BMW oil and filter. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: BC BR coilovers \| Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| High-kick CF spoiler \| NBT Retrofit M3 front control arms \| M3 rear guide rods \| Manzo rear toe and camber links \| Monroe rear shock mounts \| Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear
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