[VBinBimmer]

I bought my 2011 e90 on 9/11/14 from a Mazda dealership...They said that they did an oil change recently.

I'm kind of paranoid about anything happening to the car since I didn't buy it from a BMW dealer. What does everyone think I should do should I just go get an oil change to be safe?

And does everyone usually really wait 15,000 miles? This is my first BMW was used to Honda oil changes every 5,000 miles for my 2009 accord

Thanks!

[adiba14]

Maybe just change it sooner in 4-5k miles. I plan changing mine every. 7-8k

[hockeyplayer]

You will get many opinions on this. First, if you are not sure about the oil change then go ahead & do it so you know for sure.

Also, I personally think 15K is too long. I usually go somewhere between 6-7.5K.

[norsairius]

I'd just go get an oil change from a source you trust. The good in me wants to give the dealership the benefit of a doubt, but there's enough nightmare stories floating around here even involving actual BMW dealerships about oil that you may as well get it taken care of. It's not like that dealership would have intentionally done something bad to the car, it's just that you may never know. I personally wouldn't trust my car with any shop except the BMW dealership that I like here or a reputable indy shop.

An $80 BMW value service oil change will be far less than any problems that could arise in the event that the wrong oil was used after all, regardless of likelihood. To think of it another way: Would the peace of mind be worth $80 to you? To me, it would be.

[Delta0311]

Most BMW dealerships have a $79.99 special so call up your local dealer and ask. As far as mileage goes you should change your oil every 5-7k miles.

['02onthebrain]

Go grab some Mobil 1 0-w40 euro from Walmart and do it yourself. Total is under $45 with a filter from the dealer or ebay. It is always the first thing I do when I get a "new to me" BMW.

[Built My Way]

Call Mazda and ask them what oil they used. Also if you are able, visually inspect the oil by draining some from the pan.

[thomas88162]

No, almost nobody on this forum stretches OCI's to 15k. Could you go 15k between oil changes? Absolutely.

[grzes]

Originally Posted by norsairius

I'd just go get an oil change from a source you trust. The good in me wants to give the dealership the benefit of a doubt, but there's enough nightmare stories floating around here even involving actual BMW dealerships about oil that you may as well get it taken care of. It's not like that dealership would have intentionally done something bad to the car, it's just that you may never know. I personally wouldn't trust my car with any shop except the BMW dealership that I like here or a reputable indy shop.

An $80 BMW value service oil change will be far less than any problems that could arise in the event that the wrong oil was used after all, regardless of likelihood. To think of it another way: Would the peace of mind be worth $80 to you? To me, it would be.

+1 wery well said

[blackturbo]

Originally Posted by grzes

+1 wery well said

Peace of mind
i agree.

[kiel_dafo_kenyg_as]

Changing oil helps keeping your engine clean. It's up to you how clean you want your engine. I change every 6k miles which means once in a year

[biscut]

Originally Posted by '02onthebrain

Go grab some Mobil 1 0-w40 euro from Walmart and do it yourself. Total is under $45 with a filter from the dealer or ebay. It is always the first thing I do when I get a "new to me" BMW.

+1 I wouldn't trust any dealership to use the right spec oil for a BMW/MB/Audi. You know Mazda dealer does not hose this oil and sure didn't go and buy some. Drop it out and fill it up with M1 0-40. I would run an OCI of 5k just to make sure I have everything cleaned out....then I would do 7500 and feel very good about it even if you are on the severe side.

That's just me, but oil is pretty cheap comparatively speaking. IMHO 7500k you arent exactly wasting and you know the oils is cleaning, cooling, and lubricating. If you want longer, go for it but get an analysis from Blackstone or any other indy lab.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by thomas88162

No, almost nobody on this forum stretches OCI's to 15k. Could you go 15k between oil changes? Absolutely.

LOL

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

I do 15k oil changes. Removing the valve cover showed the engine is squeaky clean. BMW recently decreased this interval to 10k, which I plan on doing once the maintenance plan is up. This is what I did with my previous BMW as well, and its engine was perfectly healthy at 120k.

All that matters is if the oil meets LL-01 specifications. That's it. Dealer oil is cheap, fully synthetic, and meets LL-01. Dealer oil + a Mann filter is all I use outside of the maintenance plan.

[hassmaschine]

if you do go to 15k oil changes (really, it's condition based), I'd replace the filter at 7500. the oil might last a long time, but the filter is still made of paper and has a limited life span. the one in my wife's car looked terrible, it was following the CBS schedule before we got it. I haven't had to change the oil in mine yet but I need to at least check out the filter.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

Originally Posted by '02onthebrain

Go grab some Mobil 1 0-w40 euro from Walmart and do it yourself. Total is under $45 with a filter from the dealer or ebay. It is always the first thing I do when I get a "new to me" BMW.

This. DIY everything you possibly can.
I drive 42k+ per year, so if I did 7500mi OCI, I'd be doing it every 2 months. I wait to do it every 10k. You can also get filters that supposedly last 3x as long, but they also cost 3x as much, so I see no point in buying them.

Regardless, whatever oil the Mazda dealer put in this car, it will be fine. Just put in the oil of your choice when the time comes. It won't hurt your engine one bit.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

if you do go to 15k oil changes (really, it's condition based), I'd replace the filter at 7500. the oil might last a long time, but the filter is still made of paper and has a limited life span. the one in my wife's car looked terrible, it was following the CBS schedule before we got it. I haven't had to change the oil in mine yet but I need to at least check out the filter.

I've used OE oil filters (and BMW oil) for 18 oil changes at very long OCIs and never found none of them degraded other than just oil stained.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I've used OE oil filters (and BMW oil) for 18 oil changes at very long OCIs and never found none of them degraded other than just oil stained.

The only time I ever stuck to the 15k interval was in my 2002 330, after the extended maintenance plan expired I started changing the oil on my own. I couldn't believe how watery and thin BMW oil was after 15k miles, so ever since I changed it at 7-8k, and on my 335i its 6-7k religiously.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Jklad

The only time I ever stuck to the 15k interval was in my 2002 330, after the extended maintenance plan expired I started changing the oil on my own. I couldn't believe how watery and thin BMW oil was after 15k miles, so ever since I changed it at 7-8k, and on my 335i its 6-7k religiously.

It's watery and thin because when you drain it, it is hot. You are comparing the hot oil to the room temperature oil you pour into the engine, which is about 150 degrees cooler.

[GB-335xiCoupe]

OMG that's funny. 6-7k would be way, way too often for me. It would cost me a small fortune.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

It's watery and thin because when you drain it, it is hot. You are comparing the hot oil to the room temperature oil you pour into the engine, which is about 150 degrees cooler.

it wasn't hot...back then I used to change the oil cold, without first warming it up....it might have been more like 17k miles by the time the car said it needed a change though

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Jklad;16858576[B

]it wasn't hot...back then I used to change the oil cold[/B], without first warming it up....it might have been more like 17k miles by the time the car said it needed a change though

I got nothin'