[kptaylor]

My car has ~9300 miles on it, so called to schedule my first oil change service. Was told to check the Service Indicator settings since they can't do an oil change if it's showing miles to go.

I check it and it says to change the oil in another 9K miles or before May of 2009... I called them back and explained there is obviously something wrong since there is no way running the initial engine oil to 18K miles or two years is a good idea on a car with turbos that operates a high oil temp.

Nope. If I want it changed it's on my dime. They said they can make an exception and do it after one year in service, though. Now I have to wait and bring it back when I hit my one year mark.

I'm leasing, so one big draw to BMW was the maintenance program. Now I understand how they can give it away. Unbelievable! I told them I'll follow their recommendation only since it's a lease, but if I was an average non-enthusiast owner who blindly followed the service indicators, I'd be pissed when my engine or turbos experienced issues due to running oil way too long. I know synthetic can be run longer, but that's ridiculous! I come from VW/Audi turbo cars, so I'm well aware what can happen if you aren't religious about keeping fresh clean oil in turbo cars.

On another note, he did say the M cars get an oil change at 1200 miles and then every 10K after that...

Anyone ever done oil analysis on our oil when they've changed? Can't believe the high oil temps we see don't dramatically shorten the oil's effectiveness.

[e92phreak]

I bought my car so I change it myself multiple times before the recommended. To minimize cost, buy your quarts of oil and filters independently. I buy them from a local dealer in bulk and receive a discount.

Then I goto a shop that will do the oil change for a nominal fee.

[thekurgan]

Strange you went through that, my dealer maintains a one free change per year, even if you have less than 15k miles. I won't hit 7500 this year and they already reminded me when I was in getting info on a 5er.

[FastLane]

Dont feel left out. I tried to get my AD to change my oil after 1200 mi. He laughed and tried to charge me around $100. I then laughed and said "If my engine f's up, you are gonna be the one to replace it...for free"

Lesson learned: only bring it to the dealer when you cant fix it

[bimmerlex]

I took my car in for service last week, and my car is over a year old and has 11K miles. They still refused to change the oil. Said they will do it when I get service indicator on my dash.

[Bobby_Light]

I'm having the same issue. My car just hit 14,700 miles. I stopped by the dealership to get a bulb that burned out. Talked to a tech to see when I was going to get my first oil change. The car's system indicated 8,000 more miles! The tech was surprised so he talked to a SA to check out what the deal was. The SA said that can be inaccurate at times and big chunks of that 8,000 will start to come off as I approach 16,500 miles. I told the SA I trusted zee Germans and would wait it out. I don't want to throw away money on an unnecessary service, but 16,000+ miles seems extreme.

[jpsimon]

I'm at about 7900 miles and the oil change mileage tells me to change in another 14,000 miles

I'm going to call up and see if they'll do it for free, if not just going to do it myself next weekend or something.

[AWD Addict]

When I hit 5k, I'll have it done. It's cheap insurance, so there's no reason to wait.

After that, i'll see how often the car asks for one, and consider sticking to it.

$100 for an oil change? What is that, 15mins? I thought $400 services were bound to attorneys and doctors?

[Herms]

Originally Posted by kptaylor

My car has ~9300 miles on it, so called to schedule my first oil change service. Was told to check the Service Indicator settings since they can't do an oil change if it's showing miles to go.

I check it and it says to change the oil in another 9K miles or before May of 2009... I called them back and explained there is obviously something wrong since there is no way running the initial engine oil to 18K miles or two years is a good idea on a car with turbos that operates a high oil temp.

Nope. If I want it changed it's on my dime. They said they can make an exception and do it after one year in service, though. Now I have to wait and bring it back when I hit my one year mark.

I'm leasing, so one big draw to BMW was the maintenance program. Now I understand how they can give it away. Unbelievable! I told them I'll follow their recommendation only since it's a lease, but if I was an average non-enthusiast owner who blindly followed the service indicators, I'd be pissed when my engine or turbos experienced issues due to running oil way too long. I know synthetic can be run longer, but that's ridiculous! I come from VW/Audi turbo cars, so I'm well aware what can happen if you aren't religious about keeping fresh clean oil in turbo cars.

On another note, he did say the M cars get an oil change at 1200 miles and then every 10K after that...

Anyone ever done oil analysis on our oil when they've changed? Can't believe the high oil temps we see don't dramatically shorten the oil's effectiveness.

What's worse is that the car burns off oil so fast that as you top it off, the car keeps resetting when it thinks you need to oil, pushing your appt back further. Makes you wonder if the cars really need oil changes as often as we've all been led to believe. Interesting that when it's on their dime the cars don't need to much maintenance. Probably a bit of bs on both sides. No free maintenance = recommended maintenance intervals that too often and not necessary. Free maintennce = they'll let the car run into the ground and hope the shit don't hit the fan until after 50k miles.

[Vince@ V K Motorwerks]

I change my oil ever 3000 miles regarless of it being synthatic oil because I push my car hard and my temps do reach in the upper 200's all of the time.

[phantom330]

I'm sure they want the best for the cars since they'll be getting them back off lease. If I bought the car and planned on keeping it outside of warranty I'd probably perform my own oil changes a little earlier, but I doubt you'll run into any problems either way. They don't want messed up cars coming back at lease end, I'm sure it's fine.

[Sniz]

I change my own oil every 3-5k miles w/ Mobil 1........their oil change intervals are ridiculous. Mayyyyyyyyyyyybe if it was a 4 banger n/a motor.

[davidrab]

I was thinking about it the day, I'll probably only have one oil change during my
lease (2yr/24k). Wouldn't do it if it was my car, but if they want me to do it
that way, Oh well. 15,000 miles till the first oil change. Man, that's crazy.

[silvrevo]

The 4 yr 50k mile free service thiing is a joke
But they get away with it pretty well.

What do we really get 2 free oil changes?

What other main service is included in the 50k servie plann?

[sleepdoc]

I have changed my oil twice already. If you run your car hard, I think the recommended service intervals are way to long..

[FastLane]

to add to my previous comment, when I was trying to get my oil changed via dealership, I spoke with someone waiting for their first scheduled oil change (he had an 08 e90) and....he had been waiting for 2 hours just for an oil change!!!

[ElCapitan]

You should be able to get a free oil change once a year at the least. Tha is the way it works here in Canada anyway. I do get my oil change mid interval also for peace of mind.

If you would have to pay for your oil change do you really think BMW would recommend to wait 2 plus years even if you keep the miles low?

[radgator1]

Originally Posted by Herms

What's worse is that the car burns off oil so fast that as you top it off, the car keeps resetting when it thinks you need to oil, pushing your appt back further. Makes you wonder if the cars really need oil changes as often as we've all been led to believe. Interesting that when it's on their dime the cars don't need to much maintenance. Probably a bit of bs on both sides. No free maintenance = recommended maintenance intervals that too often and not necessary. Free maintennce = they'll let the car run into the ground and hope the shit don't hit the fan until after 50k miles.

Mine doesn't burn any oil at all

[radgator1]

Originally Posted by silvrevo

The 4 yr 50k mile free service thiing is a joke
But they get away with it pretty well.

What do we really get 2 free oil changes?

What other main service is included in the 50k servie plan?

You should get brakes at least once during the interval as well, 3 oil changes and front and rear brakes once is about all you get

[Calgary Agent]

Like someone said, BMW's scheduled maintenance (per: oil changes) is a joke. Drive you car around for a year or 15K miles with the factory oil if you like, or pony up and change your oil more frequently. I have 15,000 KM's (just under 10K miles) on my car and have changed the oil 3 times already.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by radgator1

You should get brakes at least once during the interval as well, 3 oil changes and front and rear brakes once is about all you get

and i've already replaced my pads myself.......free maintenance my ass.

[Appropriate]

Well, that is freakin lame.

Shit, I change the oil in my Chevy every 3k.

So if you don't want to do it yourself, just take it to Grease Monkey right?