[hxs80]

I've done two oil changes since owning my car. After much reading, I decided to go for the mobil1 0w40 and it was fine. The last oil change, i went with the stealership rebranded 5w30.This could be a placebo effect but I could swear that with the 0w40, I experienced the whole "cold start up shakes" a lot less than I do now with the 5w30 and before I bought the car. I bought the car at 46k so I'm assuming the previous owner had his car serviced at BMW. I'm going to go with mobil1 again next time to see if there are any differences.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

I'll tell ya why - because BMW sells their cars touting this great FREE Maintenance plan - which, after you really look into it, if you don't put a lot of mileage on your car, you basically don't get much, & even if you do - changing the oil at every 15k miles is ridiculous. Then when the plan is about to run out, they call you constantly trying to sell you an extended Maintenance Plan for another $2500? - well I'm here to tell you I can change my oil, brake pads, wiper blades a hell of a lot of times myself for that kind of $$.

Offering this 'great' maintenance plan, then creating a schedule where the dealer service hardly ever occurs due to mileage settings - saves BMW a lot of $$. They basically have the attitude that everyone is gonna trade-in or get rid of their cars at 3-5 yrs, so why bother maintaining it - just leave it for the next guy...

This includes their 'generous' change plan on their transmissions and differentials.

So, if you're the kind of person that likes to just buy a car, keep it a couple years, never pay for any maintenance or perform ANY on it personally, and then get rid of it - the BMW Maintenance Plan is for you


I would never even think of buying a newer used BMW with high mileage unless there was definite proof of owner maintenance above & beyond the factory maintenance.


I'll continue to change my oil every 7000 mi (whether dealer free or myself) thank you...

That's all nice to say with no empirical data to back up your opinions. My 2006 E90 325i is just about to turn 170,000 miles using BMW oil and filter and the CBS oil change interval, which for my car is averaging about every 17,500 miles. Stop spouting bullshit when you don't know what you're talking about. The idea of any car company is to keep all the cars it builds in service (i.e. an owner's hands driving them) for as long as possible so that it can make money on servicing those cars and selling parts for them. A business model that you believe is some sort of BMW conspiracy to have car last for 5 years and just over the 100,000 mile (CPO-extended) warranty is not sustainable for any car company, let alone BMW, one of the world's most profitable brands.

Additionally, if BMW engineered the car to have an oil change every 7,500 miles rather than 15,000 miles then it would simply add the cost of two additional oil changes to the base price of the car. An additional $200 to the price of a $40,000 car would not be noticed by anyone nor would it dissuade anyone from buying a new BMW.

[2kaccordocoupe]

whatever the dealer puts in

[Snyperx]

I did my first one last night after 5k miles (since buying back in September). The car just turned 70k. I used a BMW filter and M1 0w40. I also swapped out the drain plug for a magnetic one from ECS Tuning.

I bought the car from a non-BMW dealer and they had changed the oil with M1 5w30. No way I was going to go 15k on non LL01 M1 oil, so I changed it. More than likely I will be doing the 7500 mile change interval. I figure about two oil changes a year.

[Kolyan2k]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

That's all nice to say with no empirical data to back up your opinions. My 2006 E90 325i is just about to turn 170,000 miles using BMW oil and filter and the CBS oil change interval, which for my car is averaging about every 17,500 miles. Stop spouting bullshit when you don't know what you're talking about. The idea of any car company is to keep all the cars it builds in service (i.e. an owner's hands driving them) for as long as possible so that it can make money on servicing those cars and selling parts for them. A business model that you believe is some sort of BMW conspiracy to have car last for 5 years and just over the 100,000 mile (CPO-extended) warranty is not sustainable for any car company, let alone BMW, one of the world's most profitable brands.

Additionally, if BMW engineered the car to have an oil change every 7,500 miles rather than 15,000 miles then it would simply add the cost of two additional oil changes to the base price of the car. An additional $200 to the price of a $40,000 car would not be noticed by anyone nor would it dissuade anyone from buying a new BMW.

well....out of 3720 335s on cars.com 14 cars have over 100k, and out of 1100 M3s only 100 have over 100k miles, out of 10500 328s only 200 cars are with 100k+. so out of 15000+ 3-series on cars.com ONLY 315 cars over 100k miles.

also i am not sure that BMW builds their cars so they last as long as possible......if they do, they are doing a pretty lousy job to begin with.

i dont have a comment on the whole Oil Change interval conspiracy, but $200 bucks per car is 860 million bucks saved if you count since e90 launch

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Kolyan2k

well....out of 3720 335s on cars.com 14 cars have over 100k, and out of 1100 M3s only 100 have over 100k miles, out of 10500 328s only 200 cars are with 100k+. so out of 15000+ 3-series on cars.com ONLY 315 cars over 100k miles.

also i am not sure that BMW builds their cars so they last as long as possible......if they do, they are doing a pretty lousy job to begin with.

i dont have a comment on the whole Oil Change interval conspiracy, but $200 bucks per car is 860 million bucks saved if you count since e90 launch

Or $860M in lost revenue. They wouldn't save anything because the customer PAYS for the oil changes up front in the price of the car, so actually BMW is LOSING money by not having that $860M in the bank making interest...


Not sure what your stats are trying to convey other than 328's are the most popular model sold and the most driven.

[Kolyan2k]

looks like i bought the last 6qt of German Castrol in state :-) 6th was free

[123Britt]

I have got to believe that the turbo engines should but put into a different category. Understanding the continued argument that BMW knows best and 15k oil changes are appropriate ~ I just can't help but believe that 230-250 oil temps beat up the oil.
.
Strong beliver in cheapest LL-01 oil at a min interval of 7.5K for BMW turbo engines with 7qt sump. SO, M1 0W-40 or BMW 5W-30 or GC --- any LL01 that you can find and stick with it.
.
Here is an Alabama Analogy:

If BMW built a pair of socks that could last for 15 months without wearing out ~ would you put on a pair and follow their instruction. A true Southerner would think that they may indeed last for 15 mo - but would certainly get dirty and need a wash / require changing (stink like hell).

[Snyperx]

Well I am getting ready to do my second oil change and am going to try the Liqui Molly 5w30 oil this time around. The oil is BMW LL-04 approved. I am ordering it from Bavarian Autosport. My car is at about 78k miles so it has been about 8k between changes.

[AlanAZ]

going to try the Liqui Molly 5w30 oil this time around. The oil is BMW LL-04 approved.

Why use an oil that's not approved for use in North America (except for diesels)?

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by AlanAZ

Why use an oil that's not approved for use in North America (except for diesels)?

Well for one Liqui Moly is a German brand and is not sold readily here in the States which I would guess why it is only certified LL-04 and not LL-01. I have only found the oil available online.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Snyperx

Well for one Liqui Moly is a German brand and is not sold readily here in the States which I would guess why it is only certified LL-04 and not LL-01. I have only found the oil available online.

LL04 is not used in spark ignition vehicles for the NA market. If you buy LL04 cut your OCI by half (7,500 miles).

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by Socom

LL04 is not used in spark ignition vehicles for the NA market. If you buy LL04 cut your OCI by half (7,500 miles).

Why does ECS Tuning and Bav Auto sell pretty much either the BMW branded and Luqui Moly brand oil then?

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by Snyperx

Why does ECS Tuning and Bav Auto sell pretty much either the BMW branded and Luqui Moly brand oil then?

I've wondered that myself. LL04 is a low SAPS oil which I run in my diesel. It's not necessarily better than LL01. LL01 is used in NA because the engines run richer, gas has over 15ppm sulphur, ethanol, and 13k mile oil change interval is required.

The dealerships pours Castrol SLX OE for my diesel instead of the BMW labeled juice.

[Snyperx]

Has anyone ran Redline 5w30 oil in their engine?? I know BavAuto sells that as well.

[DieselDiner]

Originally Posted by Socom

I've wondered that myself. LL04 is a low SAPS oil which I run in my diesel. It's not necessarily better than LL01. LL01 is used in NA because the engines run richer, gas has over 15ppm sulphur, ethanol, and 13k mile oil change interval is required.

The dealerships pours Castrol SLX OE for my diesel instead of the BMW labeled juice.

Snyperx, I'll reassure you that Socom is dead on accurate regarding LL04 in North American. BMW specifically does not recommend LL04 oils for use in gas engines outside of Europe (and a few other territories). In the U.S., LL04 is a diesel only oil.

The Red Line question comes down to which specs it meets. I can't remember which specs are associated with LL01, but if the Red Line meets those specs, you should be good to go.

[GOTMH8N]

Hey guys my car has 72,8xx and I am ready to do an oil change soon. Should I consider something for high mileage?

[FCBuff]

Originally Posted by GOTMH8N

Hey guys my car has 72,8xx and I am ready to do an oil change soon. Should I consider something for high mileage?

No, not necessary. Just run the usual stuff.

[Snyperx]

Originally Posted by DieselDiner

Snyperx, I'll reassure you that Socom is dead on accurate regarding LL04 in North American. BMW specifically does not recommend LL04 oils for use in gas engines outside of Europe (and a few other territories). In the U.S., LL04 is a diesel only oil.

The Red Line question comes down to which specs it meets. I can't remember which specs are associated with LL01, but if the Red Line meets those specs, you should be good to go.

I was able to get 7 quarts of the M1 0w40 oil for $4.99 a quart. I will stick to what I know for the engine oil.