Oil Analysis at Dealer?

Rupes · 05-15-2013, 11:49 AM

Anyone had any luck getting a dealer to fill a Blackstone oil analysis container? I plan to ask mine but not sure if they would be willing to do it.

ChipB · 05-15-2013, 11:54 AM

I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to do it for you. Ask them and see what they say.

David1 · 05-15-2013, 12:17 PM

Save your money.

Rupes · 05-15-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChipB

I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to do it for you. Ask them and see what they say.

I dunno I thought there may be some kind of liability or something. Guess it doesn't hurt to ask.

Rupes · 05-15-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

Save your money.

I bought my car with one oil change having been performed at 19k miles (now has 30k). It's not a waste to me to see what kind of damage that may have done to the engine. Guy put all those miles on it in about 1 year and 4 months, but still seems like a very long time to not change the oil.

PINeely · 05-15-2013, 12:50 PM

If they tell you no then you should be able to undo the drain plug just enough that a small trickle comes out but not fully remove the plug. I don't see why it would be a problem for the dealer to do it though.

Also if the car was driven for 19k on one change of oil it should be fine, however an oil analysis can't hurt for peace of mind.

Rupes · 05-15-2013, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PINeely

If they tell you no then you should be able to undo the drain plug just enough that a small trickle comes out but not fully remove the plug. I don't see why it would be a problem for the dealer to do it though.

Also if the car was driven for 19k on one change of oil it should be fine, however an oil analysis can't hurt for piece of mind.

Maybe I wasn't clear or I misunderstand what you're saying - the first oil change was performed at 19k, not in-between 19k. It was changed again when I bought it (30k miles). Thing "seems" ok, but this kind of stuff makes me nervous as hell. Going forward you can bet I'll be doing 7.5ki or so oil changes but I'm worried about the irreparable damage that was done during those first 19k miles.

PINeely · 05-15-2013, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

Maybe I wasn't clear or I misunderstand what you're saying - the first oil change was performed at 19k, not in-between 19k. It was changed again when I bought it (30k miles). Thing "seems" ok, but this kind of stuff makes me nervous as hell. Going forward you can bet I'll be doing 7.5ki or so oil changes but I'm worried about the irreparable damage that was done during those first 19k miles.

This is ok and it is unlikely that any damage was done but like you say it is probably too long to be going b/w changes in the future.

The BMW "approved" interval is actually 12.5k between changes using BMW LL-01 oil. This seems like a long time to wait but modern synthetic oils are more than capable of reaching this threshold safely. I still change my own at 5k though.

ken1137 · 05-15-2013, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

Maybe I wasn't clear or I misunderstand what you're saying - the first oil change was performed at 19k, not in-between 19k. It was changed again when I bought it (30k miles). Thing "seems" ok, but this kind of stuff makes me nervous as hell. Going forward you can bet I'll be doing 7.5ki or so oil changes but I'm worried about the irreparable damage that was done during those first 19k miles.

You are worried over nothing. Just change your oil as you mentioned (7.5K or less) going forward. Save you money. There will always be some metal particles in oil (some worse than others) due to the mechanics and lubrication involved).

David1 · 05-16-2013, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

I bought my car with one oil change having been performed at 19k miles (now has 30k). It's not a waste to me to see what kind of damage that may have done to the engine. Guy put all those miles on it in about 1 year and 4 months, but still seems like a very long time to not change the oil.

It's fine. I have been doing extended drains (15-20k miles) for 15 years on BMW and MB with no issues. Just chainged the oil on my x5 at 17k miles. I have 90k on the car and doesn't burn a drop of oil and is spotless in the valve cover. Once you get over the paranioa of long drains you will be fine especially on a 328. If you have a mechanical failure it most likely not due to an oil problem.

Rupes · 05-16-2013, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David1

It's fine. I have been doing extended drains (15-20k miles) for 15 years on BMW and MB with no issues. Just chainged the oil on my x5 at 17k miles. I have 90k on the car and doesn't burn a drop of oil and is spotless in the valve cover. Once you get over the paranioa of long drains you will be fine especially on a 328. If you have a mechanical failure it most likely not due to an oil problem.

Wow that seems like a really long time. I think I may stick to 7.5k-10k but it's good to know I more than likely don't have damage done to my engine because it went 19k before it's first oil change.

Efthreeoh · 05-16-2013, 09:52 PM

My car has 215,000 miles on it with an average OCI of 17,500 miles. There is no damage to your engine at a 19K OCI. I'd expect the previous owner did a lot of highway miles to rack up that mileage in 16 months, which set the OCI at 19K.

BMW has had extended OCIs for over 25 years now. I've owned three BMWs since 1988 all with the oil changed per BMW's extended OCIs. Two of them went well over 200,000 miles and one is at 161,000 and runs perfectly. It's not an issue.

But if you want to change it at 7,500, go ahead and do so; it's your car and your money.

Rupes · 05-17-2013, 07:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

My car has 215,000 miles on it with an average OCI of 17,500 miles. There is no damage to your engine at a 19K OCI. I'd expect the previous owner did a lot of highway miles to rack up that mileage in 16 months, which set the OCI at 19K.

BMW has had extended OCIs for over 25 years now. I've owned three BMWs since 1988 all with the oil changed per BMW's extended OCIs. Two of them went well over 200,000 miles and one is at 161,000 and runs perfectly. It's not an issue.

But if you want to change it at 7,500, go ahead and do so; it's your car and your money.

How come more people like you don't share their stories on here? This puts my mind at ease. Most of the things I read on here are contrary to what you're saying - sludge buildup after 15k, clogged filters, etc...

F32Fleet · 05-17-2013, 07:25 AM

Had my dealer pull a sample once but keep in mind that the oil will not have been properly mixed prior to pulling of the sample and/or the sample won't be mid stream.

F32Fleet · 05-17-2013, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

How come more people like you don't share their stories on here? This puts my mind at ease. Most of the things I read on here are contrary to what you're saying - sludge buildup after 15k, clogged filters, etc...

#1 enthusiasts suffer from wrench boredom so they'll use any excuse to work on a car.

#2 Old unsubstantiated stories, like urban legends, get recycled on the Internet.

#3 BMW has a history of not accepting accountability for problems in the past. Lack of trust.

#4 Pervasive ignorance with regards to the interpretation of Used Oil Analysis reports.

#5 Most owners dump their cars within 50k miles

Efthreeoh · 05-17-2013, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

How come more people like you don't share their stories on here? This puts my mind at ease. Most of the things I read on here are contrary to what you're saying - sludge buildup after 15k, clogged filters, etc...

Dude, I have been for years... I've had three BMWs since 1988 (two still active) with a total combined mileage of about 630,000 miles, all following the BMW's recommended OCI for oil changes and never had one engine failure.

I use BMW's oil and OEM filters. For my Wife's Z3 I was in the valve train last year when I had to replace the valve cover gasket set. Her car get oil changes about every 10,000 miles. The valve train was wistle clean at 152K when I did the valve cover gasket replacement about a year ago. I have the photographic proof.

litxus · 05-17-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rupes

Anyone had any luck getting a dealer to fill a Blackstone oil analysis container? I plan to ask mine but not sure if they would be willing to do it.

I think the dealer can do it for you, as they dump the oil anyway. Get the analysis done and see how it is.

For drain intervals it really depends on the car and driving style. Drain intervals cannot be the same for everyone, that's why I think oil analysis should be done. If you track your car you sure as hell will not be doing 19k drain intervals or even if you drive more aggressive. I would say if you want to get an oil analysis, get it done and let oil experts comment on how good it is.

There are a lot of opinions about oil and you will go crazy trying to figure it out as some will say one thing and others will be totally opposite. Personally I would not got more that 6k miles on OEM oil(per oil analysis) as I did try doing OEM interval and even in winter not pushing the car at all at about 10f degrees outside temp my oil temp got to 260 and stayed there. No issues with the car or anything at all. After the oil change (15k) it got to about 30 degrees lower on oil temp in same weather. My car is 335i and I believe it runs hotter than NA cars.

So really, it is your choice you will find plenty of opinions

05-15-2013, 11:49 AM	#1
Rupes Major 1055 Rep 1,459 Posts Drives: F87 M2 (current), E90 330xi (w Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Oregon iTrader: (0)	Oil Analysis at Dealer? Anyone had any luck getting a dealer to fill a Blackstone oil analysis container? I plan to ask mine but not sure if they would be willing to do it.
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05-15-2013, 11:54 AM	#2
ChipB First Lieutenant 54 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 'vert, 2014 X5 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Naperville, IL iTrader: (0)	I don't see why they wouldn't be willing to do it for you. Ask them and see what they say. __________________ F83 M4 convertible, F15 X5 xDrive35i Previous: E93 335i, E36 328iC, E28 528e, E21 320i
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05-15-2013, 12:17 PM	#3
David1 Brigadier General 814 Rep 3,949 Posts Drives: 09 E92 09 X5 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Columbus, OH iTrader: (1)	Save your money. __________________ 2021 M2 Comp Sunset Orange \|Black with orange Stitching Dakota Leather\|Executive Pkg\|DCT
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05-15-2013, 12:50 PM	#6
PINeely Lieutenant Colonel 1086 Rep 1,912 Posts Drives: 2013 535i, 2015 Tundra 1794 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Jackson, MS iTrader: (2)	If they tell you no then you should be able to undo the drain plug just enough that a small trickle comes out but not fully remove the plug. I don't see why it would be a problem for the dealer to do it though. Also if the car was driven for 19k on one change of oil it should be fine, however an oil analysis can't hurt for peace of mind. Last edited by PINeely; 05-15-2013 at 01:06 PM..
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05-16-2013, 09:52 PM	#12
Efthreeoh General 17278 Rep 18,722 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	My car has 215,000 miles on it with an average OCI of 17,500 miles. There is no damage to your engine at a 19K OCI. I'd expect the previous owner did a lot of highway miles to rack up that mileage in 16 months, which set the OCI at 19K. BMW has had extended OCIs for over 25 years now. I've owned three BMWs since 1988 all with the oil changed per BMW's extended OCIs. Two of them went well over 200,000 miles and one is at 161,000 and runs perfectly. It's not an issue. But if you want to change it at 7,500, go ahead and do so; it's your car and your money.
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05-17-2013, 07:25 AM	#14
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3570 Rep 10,351 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	Had my dealer pull a sample once but keep in mind that the oil will not have been properly mixed prior to pulling of the sample and/or the sample won't be mid stream.
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