[Ghost170]

10k-15k seemed pretty long to me. Well I change my oil around 5k, esp with my driving!

[BobS]

I had a 1996 bmw 328 from 0-100,000 miles and changed the oil at the recommended 10,000 mile interval every time, never had a problem, the car is still running local in town. Last time i ran into the owner it had 160,000 miles and no major issues. I'm not worried, bmw has had this long oil interval forever on various models.

[ManyMoonsAgo]

Originally Posted by jaysonbmw

Do you have any mods on your car?that is impressive from 250F to 225F

The only mods on my ride are:
BMW Performance Exhaust
OEM M3 Spoiler
'Shorter' shift knob - not a SSK
Tinted windows (if that counts LOL)

I DO have a factory installed oil cooler.

I have been impressed with the temp drop - I even cruised around in 3rd gear at 3500 - 4500 RPM to see if I could get a jump and I did get it to 230-deg F but that is where it topped out. Once I shifted to 4th and cruised at 2000 for a while, the temp dropped down 5-deg F to the 225 mark.

Keep in mind - the oil is three days old. I will keep tabs on it to see if the results continue.

The bottom line for me is the 14,000 - 15,000 oil change intervals are probably safe for those who lease or do not plan to keep their cars for a while. But if you plan long-term ownership why not spend the $60 or so and get the oil changed every 7,000 miles. Cheap insurance in my humble opinion.

[bimmerboy]

someone one 1addicts has also noted that after changing to mobil1 0w-40 his oil temps have dropped as well. I think mobil1 0w-40 might be my next oil, its approved by bmw as well.

[ZTUNER]

my oil sits around 235 240 in florida - still have not had an oil change yet

Harry

[Drakos]

15K plus seems way too long for me. The only reason BMW gives you a free oil change is to check up on the car. Most cars are leased, around 65%. This is part of the CPO program. If you want your car to last, change you bloody oil every 7k, especially for the 335's. We all like baggin on our cars once in a while. With no dipstick, and relying on a computer to let me know I need to change my oil makes me nervous. Some might not want to do them as much because of the hassle of removing mods maybe? Do you guys go to a dealership to do the oil change or a lube shop? I think there are way too many variables to blanket all cars at 15K intervals. Some of us crazy ass drivers might need an o/c every 3k FFS.

[JeffL]

I go to the dealer every 5k. $105 after tax. Not bad and every third one is free, still a good deal if you ask me.

[Diggy Diggy]

Originally Posted by JeffL

I go to the dealer every 5k. $105 after tax. Not bad and every third one is free, still a good deal if you ask me.

Change it yourself and save half that!

[Camet11]

Originally Posted by sonic_boom

Mike,

Thanks for making this info available to all. Very interesting and along with other such UOA reports for the N54 it makes you think twice about sticking to the suggested schedule of long drain intervals by BMW.

Could you please post the report by Oil Analyzers Inc. in a full page view so we could read all the results including wear metals and condition of oil? It would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Sorry for not being able to post up the data sooner. Things came up that evening.



I also want to note to everyone that my oil temperature runs significantly cooler most of the time as well. Before it used to constantly stay between 240 & 255, but now it's 220-235.

[Spydeputy]

great info mike. how did i miss this in july. oh right vacation.

[x5m power]

This oil analysis has no eveident on excelerated engine wear... There is more wear on an engine on a cold start. Then this report shows,no lubrication, ie... metal to metal contact... A car that has an oil change at 15k has no effect on its life if an engine's oil is changed at 5k.. The additive package in the oil is reduced it's the only reason we change oil....:danc e: The bmw engineers have these reports too. They build the motors they know best......

[x5m power]

If it blows up get a new one under warranty....

[SoCali E36]

i am on my way to an oil change right now!!

[ianthegreat]

Originally Posted by bimmerboy

someone one 1addicts has also noted that after changing to mobil1 0w-40 his oil temps have dropped as well. I think mobil1 0w-40 might be my next oil, its approved by bmw as well.

0w-40 is mobil 1's european blend, one of the top oils in my opinion

[Mike@N54Tuning.com]

What is the official policy on oil changes?

Every 15,000 or once a year? Correct?

I change mine twice a year, and let BMW do it annually, but I don't out on 15,000 a year anyways, but they are always happy to change it on the anniversary of the last change no matter what the computer says.

Mike

[aerodyte]

Originally Posted by Mike@N54Tuning.com

What is the official policy on oil changes?

Every 15,000 or once a year? Correct?

I change mine twice a year, and let BMW do it annually, but I don't out on 15,000 a year anyways, but they are always happy to change it on the anniversary of the last change no matter what the computer says.

Mike

The dealer will change the oil every 15k miles or 1 year. So if you drive only 5k miles a year, well then you will get your oil changed every 5k miles. It's even possible to get the dealer to change your oil in less than 5k miles.

I purchased my car used with 35k miles. I don't drive more than 7k in a year so it would take me a long time to reach the 15k mark. Since the last time the dealer change the oil was over a year ago, they agreed to change the oil during my last service. Now, the car computer says that I should change the oil in 4000 miles. The dealer says they will change my oil again in 4000 miles as long as it hasn't been less than 60 days from the last oil change. So probably in less than a year, I'll get another oil change.

[NaTuReB0Y]

i had to wait til' 20k miles....cause the onboard computer said so.. for my free oil change.

[Jeff@TopGearSolutions]

Originally Posted by JeffL

I go to the dealer every 5k. $105 after tax. Not bad and every third one is free, still a good deal if you ask me.

United BMW sells an oil kit (google it).

Its like $36 + Shipping (using the discount bimmerpost).

[BMWKLR]

Very Interesting. I changed my oil at the following intervals:

1- 20mi(yeah, I drove it home and changed the oil)
2- 100mi
3- 1000mi
4- 2500mi
5- 5000mi
6- yearly free-bee done at around 8k mi.

Currently almost have 10k on Odo. Car is a 2008 335 coupe w/sport. Leaving the oil in a car for the crazy oem interval never quite sat well with me.

[BMWAutoXer]

If two extra oil changes a year is too much money to spend on your N54 BMW you should have bought a 328.

As for the verbiage of 'Ultimate Care' compared to what's necessary - VW does it, Audi does it, Volvo does it, Mercedes does it, Mazda does it, Subaru does it . . . get the idea?

[shifterboy45]

Originally Posted by BMWAutoXer

If two extra oil changes a year is too much money to spend on your N54 BMW you should have bought a 328.

As for the verbiage of 'Ultimate Care' compared to what's necessary - VW does it, Audi does it, Volvo does it, Mercedes does it, Mazda does it, Subaru does it . . . get the idea?

I dont understand --

could you extrapolate on what VW/Audi/Volvo and MBZ do regarding "Ultimate Care" ?

[shifterboy45]

there is no "official" mileage interval for service on later model BMWS .. the mileage type interval passed away in I believe 1992 with the advent of the E36 and v-8 powered E32's (1993) .. the service booklet changed along with that to show oil service and inspection only and made note that the car would calculate the time for service. the service normally fell around 8-10k once all the green lights counted down to yellow and thus indicating service --

in 1999 the service interval indicator was revamped to eliminate the light countdown process and update to show mileage remaining until service is due.. the SI data then was calculated on fuel consumption alone .. no other determining factor was involved .. 2004 saw the evolution of new CBS (Condition Based Service) technology applied to the E65 (7series) trickle down to the E60 - and then 2005 to E90 --

as time and technology progressed the service interval has grown longer and longer, along with more stringent emission standards, which has created this service monster.. if you did a tail pipe probe on a 1991 E30 compared to emissions out of one of the current E90/92/93 it will tell the tale, and you know there is a big difference. with increased VE there is less unburnt fuel in the cylinder to be scraped down into the crankcase -- the recirc. system (fuel tank and crankcase) is wrapped so tight its pitiful .. synthetic oil is more durable than its petroleum counterpart .. all these things must have played a part in extending the service interval from the norm industry standard of 5/10/15k service we are all used to.

just like everyone else .. i dont like, nor intend to stick to the schedule that my car set for me .. im a low mileage driver and saw all of 2 services with my 328i, which i knew i would be turning in.. didnt sit well with me .. but it ran like a jewel ... i miss her.. but i had set my eyes on 335 when it came out in 2006 -- so is it worth it to me to modify my schedule maint -- yes -- does it bother me that BMW wont do it free for me -- no -- i know when its time either when the CBS say so, or on the day after a year has passed -- i get BMW to pony up .. till then

btw: years ago, cars were equipped with serviceable ball joints and control arm bushings, they run on leaded fuel and consumed copious quantities of gasoline.. you needed to spray silicone spray on the coil springs to keep them from squeaking and shocks lasted all of maybe 15-30km. and service intervals were every 3-5km .. do i wanna go back to that age? .. you guess

defending BMWs stance on service -- no
just taking a walk thru memory lane ....and making a mad dash to the future

cheers ...