[BayMoWe335]

I'm in a tough situation (if you can call it that).

I took delivery of my car on 10/15/2009. The car has ~4,500 miles currently. I want to get an oil change at around 5k-6k (I'm willing to pay at the dealer). Do I just walk in and request an off cycle change? Will I be able to come in again "whenever" to claim my 1 free oil change per year? Since I'm already almost at 1 year, when can I redeem my free change?

I basically want to be on the oil change twice per year or every 7,500 versus once per year, every 15,000 miles.

How much is an oil change?

[hubble bubble]

Dealer should be happy to change the oil on your tab. Just ask them not to reset the oil change indicator. Then BMW will pick up the tab for the regular oil change when the car indicates it is due.

One year free? It can't hurt to ask the dealer about it. If you have to wait until 7,500 miles, or half of BMWs scheduled interval, you should be good.

[zeenon53]

So if you car is over a year old it should have an oil change? Is there a time restriction along with mileage to oil changes? I just ordered a kit today to do my 09 that has 8500 miles. It would be nice if the dealer would do it since it is over a year old.

[Chriztofor]

Time Based Service (Low Mileage Driving)

If your vehicle’s service indicator is not requesting a maintenance service but it has been 1 year since your last maintenance service you should schedule a Low Mileage Oil Service. During this service your service indicator will not reset so as to continue the countdown to your next indicator based service.

http://www.motorwerksbmw.com/bmw-maintenance.aspx

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Originally Posted by Chriztofor

Time Based Service (Low Mileage Driving)

If your vehicle’s service indicator is not requesting a maintenance service but it has been 1 year since your last maintenance service you should schedule a Low Mileage Oil Service. During this service your service indicator will not reset so as to continue the countdown to your next indicator based service.

http://www.motorwerksbmw.com/bmw-maintenance.aspx

My reading is that you don't get to take advantage of the 1-year mark until after you've had your first 15,000-mile oil service. I'm keying on the "since your last maintenance service..." language.

[Chriztofor]

"The two factors that determine the appropriate maintenance service due for your vehicle are time and/or your service indicator. Time is the default but is secondary to your service indicator."

I would call the dealer to confirm.

[Alexander]

Oil change kit $60 at Tischer BMW. Don't be lazy. Every 6k or 6 months. The Mann paper filters shouldn't go for a year they start to deteriorate and all that shit gets into your motor.

[Healey3000]

Originally Posted by Marcus-SanDiego

My reading is that you don't get to take advantage of the 1-year mark until after you've had your first 15,000-mile oil service. I'm keying on the "since your last maintenance service..." language.

Hi,

I had my annual oil change by the calendar and did not have to get to 15k first.

Regards,
Adnan

[Alexander]

Originally Posted by Healey3000

Hi,

I had my annual oil change by the calendar and did not have to get to 15k first.

Regards,
Adnan

Says BMW to cut costs.

Every 6k or 6 months. It's not like the N52/ N54 is immune from preventive maintenance.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Originally Posted by Healey3000

Hi,

I had my annual oil change by the calendar and did not have to get to 15k first.

Regards,
Adnan

Nice. I was simply referring to the language I saw in the previous message.

Good to know.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Aonarch

Oil change kit $60 at Tischer BMW. Don't be lazy. Every 6k or 6 months. The Mann paper filters shouldn't go for a year they start to deteriorate and all that shit gets into your motor.

Ding Ding Ding! This pegs the BS meter.

Just go to an independent repair shop and get the oil changed. Why would you pay dealer rates for a simple oil change?

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

Ding Ding Ding! This pegs the BS meter.

Just go to an independent repair shop and get the oil changed. Why would you pay dealer rates for a simple oil change?

He said the "kit" is from Tischer. That means he orders it by mail and does the installation himself. That is probably even cheaper than an indy shop using the correct oil, and he will know for sure that the correct oil is used, as opposed to if he took it to the local gas station for the change.

[Tom K.]

If you are having it done by a dealer, request an "interim" oil & filter change - that is an oil change with no additional inspections, etc. Tischer does it for me for about $100 and throws in a hand wash.

[RoundelM3]

I get an in-between change right around the 7500-mile mark (since the last "free" change) and have it done at the dealer. I schedule it as a paid service visit, and get a free loaner and a wash. It's a bit more expensive, but it's also in my car's service record so they can see that the changes were done by BMW every 7500 instead of every 15,000 and the proper oil and parts were used.

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by Marcus-SanDiego

My reading is that you don't get to take advantage of the 1-year mark until after you've had your first 15,000-mile oil service. I'm keying on the "since your last maintenance service..." language.

Not true! I had my first free annual oil change on my 2008 model last year at just 5,000 miles on my 2008 E90.

Bought the car used with 3,520 miles. In Jul 2009, I had the first oil change and that one was an annual freebie.

I do my own in-between oil changes. Once every 5000 miles. I only put under 10K miles per year, so every year I get a 1 free oil change and I do one on my own. That way the car always has fresh oil to run with.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Quasimodem

He said the "kit" is from Tischer. That means he orders it by mail and does the installation himself. That is probably even cheaper than an indy shop using the correct oil, and he will know for sure that the correct oil is used, as opposed to if he took it to the local gas station for the change.

You missed my point. It was BS about the filter disintegrating within a year. The OP said he was taking the car to the dealer for the oil change. I suggested going to an independent for the lower cost he would charge. The dealer has a higher labor rate due to higher operating costs.

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Originally Posted by vasillalov

Not true! I had my first free annual oil change on my 2008 model last year at just 5,000 miles on my 2008 E90.

Bought the car used with 3,520 miles. In Jul 2009, I had the first oil change and that one was an annual freebie.

I do my own in-between oil changes. Once every 5000 miles. I only put under 10K miles per year, so every year I get a 1 free oil change and I do one on my own. That way the car always has fresh oil to run with.

As I said before (in an earlier message):

I was simply referring to the language I saw in the previous message. My comment pertained to the language from one dealer.

But thanks for the information.

[Solonng]

My friend and mechanic told me that it is really bad to follow BMW once a year oil change. He showed me an engine with the scheduled maintainance and it looks like crap. If you're going to keep the car for a long time, change the oil. I go to an independent shop so it doesnt cost $200 like at BMW. I think that there are coupons on BMW dealersites for oil changes..

[nogard13]

Originally Posted by Solonng

My friend and mechanic told me that it is really bad to follow BMW once a year oil change. He showed me an engine with the scheduled maintainance and it looks like crap. If you're going to keep the car for a long time, change the oil. I go to an independent shop so it doesnt cost $200 like at BMW. I think that there are coupons on BMW dealersites for oil changes..

I don't buy into the myth of the 3K/3 month oil changes (for regular dino juice). Oil changes in my previous cars were done between 5-7K miles, and they used regular dino juice. Synthetic oils don't break down as easily, so you should expect them to last twice as long, 10-14K. So, a BMW-recommended timetable of once every 15K miles is just at the top end of that range. Also, oil technology has improved in the last 25 years, yet my 1985 Accord SE-i recommended a 7,500 mile oil change interval (as did my 2002 Civic).

My previous TSX ran on a maintenance minder so it would calculate when an oil change was needed based on a few factors, including mileage, environmental factors, and driving habits. My Acura usually suggested an oil change between 8-9K miles and, again, this is on regular dino juice, not synthetic.

Does changing your oil more frequently than is actually needed make you feel warm and cozy? Good, then go ahead and do it. I understand the "insurance" aspect of changing it more frequently (i.e. the argument that goes something like this: "it won't hurt, it's only about $75, and it could actually be beneficial"). However, I spent 4 years as an airplane mechanic and have spent my fair time working on cars as well, so I'm not just speaking out of my @ss. I still stick by my 10-14K mile oil change interval for synthetic oil as being perfectly safe (under normal driving conditions), unless you're tracking your car or driving in excessively dusty/sandy conditions.

[SLCGoonski]

That...and the car holds 7+ quarts of oil. That will delay the time it takes to get dirty.

[vasillalov]

Originally Posted by SLCGoonski

That...and the car holds 7+ quarts of oil. That will delay the time it takes to get dirty.

Not only that but we have dry oil sumps and some engines have oil coolers which improves the longevity of the oil.

Go to Europe and anywhere else outside USA. People change the oil in their cars once every 10-15K km and thats in intensive city driving. Only in USA is that the oil companies have you by the balls and by the tits sucking more money from you by selling crappier oils and recommending 3,000 mile oil changes.

Ever wondered why Exxon is the richest company in the world?

[cotmfk]

Originally Posted by hubble bubble

Dealer should be happy to change the oil on your tab. Just ask them not to reset the oil change indicator. Then BMW will pick up the tab for the regular oil change when the car indicates it is due.

One year free? It can't hurt to ask the dealer about it. If you have to wait until 7,500 miles, or half of BMWs scheduled interval, you should be good.

Ditto...