How often should I change my oil?

alexp318 · 05-03-2011, 12:21 PM

I have a 2011 328i and i feel that the oil change schedules BMW has laid out are too far apart. Does anyone change their oil in between BMW's scheduled maintenance? If so how long till I do an intermediate oil change? 6K miles? 8K miles? Also, if I plan on doing intermediate oil changes, would I have to tell the car mechanic not reset my oil change schedule? Would BMW void my maintenance warranty if they found out?

Thanks~!

Sean@PYSpeed.com · 05-03-2011, 12:24 PM

A lot of people plan on changing in between the 15k alloted segments of the free maintenance period. Meaning around 7-8K.

mr_milo · 05-03-2011, 01:16 PM

I have a new 2011 E93 and had the same question. I plan on changing it myself at 7500 and every 7500 miles between the BMW 15K mile changes.

My big question is do I wait till 7500 miles for the 1st change or do one earlier?

michaelalex17 · 05-03-2011, 01:18 PM

what i do is go in every 7,500 miles and that way every other oil change is free. just on the one you pay for tell them NOT to reset the computer

bmw-er1 · 05-03-2011, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by michaelalex17

what i do is go in every 7,500 miles and that way every other oil change is free. just on the one you pay for tell them NOT to reset the computer

same here.

Bimmer Al · 05-03-2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexp318

I have a 2011 328i and i feel that the oil change schedules BMW has laid out are too far apart. Does anyone change their oil in between BMW's scheduled maintenance? If so how long till I do an intermediate oil change? 6K miles? 8K miles? Also, if I plan on doing intermediate oil changes, would I have to tell the car mechanic not reset my oil change schedule? Would BMW void my maintenance warranty if they found out?

Thanks~!

alexp318 · 05-03-2011, 03:40 PM

what is the average price you guys pay for an oil change???

F32Fleet · 05-03-2011, 03:47 PM

On that engine I would not hesistate to go the full interval

alexp318 · 05-03-2011, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Socom

On that engine I would not hesistate to go the full interval

even if i drive like 1500-1600 miles per month?

Tom K. · 05-03-2011, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexp318

what is the average price you guys pay for an oil change???

My dealer generally charges about $105 with an occasional coupon for an $80 change (make sure you ask for an "Interim Oil change", not a complete Oil Service). Since DIY is $65 for the parts, I gladly pay $15 or even $40 to avoid the hassle and get a good car wash in the bargain.

And the dealer will normally not reset the countdown so the next free change is not delayed.

Tom

jaybird124 · 05-03-2011, 04:40 PM

often

F32Fleet · 05-03-2011, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexp318

even if i drive like 1500-1600 miles per month?

Yes.

roundle · 05-04-2011, 02:34 PM

I've been doing mine every 8K miles.

Since I'm in Europe, the dealer uses a BMW-LL04 oil (Castrol SLX 0W40). The oil changes cost about 230 Euros per (ouch!).

I have my second oil change 31 May. I've already requested a sample so that I can send it to blackstone--I'm really curious to see the results.

Bimmer Al · 05-08-2011, 06:13 AM

$140 in Toronto. Change every 12000kms

ZuerstBMW · 05-08-2011, 06:26 AM

The car tells you when it needs it. Either when its do or once a year, if you dont drive 15k a year(which is my case)

ENINTY · 05-08-2011, 07:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundle

I've been doing mine every 8K miles.

Since I'm in Europe, the dealer uses a BMW-LL04 oil (Castrol SLX 0W40). The oil changes cost about 230 Euros per (ouch!).

I have my second oil change 31 May. I've already requested a sample so that I can send it to blackstone--I'm really curious to see the results.

I predict they will tell you 10,000 miles.

05-03-2011, 12:21 PM	#1
alexp318 New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	How often should I change my oil? I have a 2011 328i and i feel that the oil change schedules BMW has laid out are too far apart. Does anyone change their oil in between BMW's scheduled maintenance? If so how long till I do an intermediate oil change? 6K miles? 8K miles? Also, if I plan on doing intermediate oil changes, would I have to tell the car mechanic not reset my oil change schedule? Would BMW void my maintenance warranty if they found out? Thanks~!
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05-03-2011, 12:24 PM	#2
Sean@PYSpeed.com Major General 305 Rep 8,952 Posts Drives: 2009 AW E92 M3 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (22)	A lot of people plan on changing in between the 15k alloted segments of the free maintenance period. Meaning around 7-8K.
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05-03-2011, 01:16 PM	#3
mr_milo Captain 12 Rep 668 Posts Drives: 2011 E93 328i Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: SF Bay Area, CA iTrader: (1)	I have a new 2011 E93 and had the same question. I plan on changing it myself at 7500 and every 7500 miles between the BMW 15K mile changes. My big question is do I wait till 7500 miles for the 1st change or do one earlier?
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05-03-2011, 01:18 PM	#4
michaelalex17 Brigadier General 596 Rep 3,386 Posts Drives: Manual Wagon Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CT iTrader: (4)	what i do is go in every 7,500 miles and that way every other oil change is free. just on the one you pay for tell them NOT to reset the computer
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05-03-2011, 03:40 PM	#7
alexp318 New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: 2011 328i Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Orange County iTrader: (0)	what is the average price you guys pay for an oil change???
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05-03-2011, 03:47 PM	#8
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3566 Rep 10,346 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	On that engine I would not hesistate to go the full interval
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05-03-2011, 04:40 PM	#11
jaybird124 Major 156 Rep 1,046 Posts Drives: 2017 M3 ZCP Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Florida iTrader: (0)	often __________________ '17 M3 Imola Red/Carbonstructure Cloth, Competition, Lighting, 6MT Retired: '93 325i \|'99 Jeep Wrangler Sport \|'06 330i Sport \|'08 335i Sport \|'08 328i Sport \|'09 335d Sport
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05-04-2011, 02:34 PM	#13
roundle EXPAT 65 Rep 889 Posts Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	I've been doing mine every 8K miles. Since I'm in Europe, the dealer uses a BMW-LL04 oil (Castrol SLX 0W40). The oil changes cost about 230 Euros per (ouch!). I have my second oil change 31 May. I've already requested a sample so that I can send it to blackstone--I'm really curious to see the results.
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05-08-2011, 06:13 AM	#14
Bimmer Al Lieutenant 24 Rep 597 Posts Drives: 2010 335xi Coupe MSport, 6MT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0)	$140 in Toronto. Change every 12000kms __________________ *2010 335i xDrive Coupe, Titanium Silver, MSport 6MT* 2006 325i Sparkling Graphite Sport Package 6MT Retired 1999 323i Titanium Silver, Sport Package, 5MT Retired
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05-08-2011, 06:26 AM	#15
ZuerstBMW ¡Viva España! 372 Rep 7,803 Posts Drives: 2023 230i Mineral White Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Apollo Beach, FL. iTrader: (68)	The car tells you when it needs it. Either when its do or once a year, if you dont drive 15k a year(which is my case) __________________ 23 G42 230i Mineral White Cognac, Aluminum With Mesh Effect Interior Trim MODS Clear Guard, 15% Ceramic Tint, Floating Caps
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