[DarkBM]

Hi All,

I had my car serviced today at BMW Sytner Solihull - I normally go to a independent specialist known as the BM Merc specialist based in Coventry. So I had my oil serviced at Sytner and I must admit that the performance of the car has improved quite a lot compared to when I normally visit the independent specialist, would this be due to BMW using a better grade oil for my car than the independent specialist does? The car just seems to be alot more responsive.

The other thing I want to mention is that when i do get my car serviced for an oil change, I normally get it done every 10,000 miles rather than the 22,000 the computer states. The chap at the service desk at BMW disagreed and told me I should wait until the oil has covered 22,000 miles . I personally feel that it prolongs the life of the turbo and keeps the car more healthy if you do it every 10, 000, which it how it feels right now. Do the rest of you guys change your oil earlier or when it shows up on your computer?
I drive a 320d e90

thx

[jabroni80]

Originally Posted by DarkBM

Hi All,

I had my car serviced today at BMW Sytner Solihull - I normally go to a independent specialist known as the BM Merc specialist based in Coventry. So I had my oil serviced at Sytner and I must admit that the performance of the car has improved quite a lot compared to when I normally visit the independent specialist, would this be due to BMW using a better grade oil for my car than the independent specialist does? The car just seems to be alot more responsive.

The other thing I want to mention is that when i do get my car serviced for an oil change, I normally get it done every 10,000 miles rather than the 22,000 the computer states. The chap at the service desk at BMW disagreed and told me I should wait until the oil has covered 22,000 miles . I personally feel that it prolongs the life of the turbo and keeps the car more healthy if you do it every 10, 000, which it how it feels right now. Do the rest of you guys change your oil earlier or when it shows up on your computer?
I drive a 320d e90

thx

Not sure about the difference you feel after the last service. Surely the indy would use a fully synthetic Llo4 oil as spec'd by Bmw.
Totally agree with you that 22k is far too long between changes. I do a change with fully synthetic every 12mths/10k miles. When I bought my car with fbmwsh the oil was like horrible and the trip had another 10k miles to go!

[DarkBM]

Glad its not only me, 22k seems to long for an oil service. I think I may stick with the dealer when it comes to servicing my oil as they will use the proper brand as I know some inde's use a brand of oil that I similar to what BMW use

[Sir_Pigley]

Originally Posted by DarkBM

Glad its not only me, 22k seems to long for an oil service. I think I may stick with the dealer when it comes to servicing my oil as they will use the proper brand as I know some inde's use a brand of oil that I similar to what BMW use

Go independent, but supply your own oil.

[MattOz]

I'm in the same boat OP. My 330d or M5, M3, , whatever I've had, has always come back from BMW feeling a little better. I'm sure it may be psychological, but there's definitely something "better" evry time.

Regarding interim oil changes, I always change mine half way between regular service intervals, so approx 9k for the 330d and 7k for the M cars. Increasing the frequency of oil changes isn't going to hurt a turbo diesel. In fact, quite the opposite.

Matt

[m1bjr]

Nice air freshener and a clean?
'Reassuringly expensive' labour rates?

I supect they just reset the EMU so it feels a bit 'snappy' for a while.

Old tricks...

[DarkBM]

Whats a EMU and how do they reset this?

[dopper99]

I know with other cars I've had if you leave the battery off for a while it resets the ECU. It then restores perfomance a bit while it "re-learns" your driving style. Maybe the same thing going on here?

[Spin]

I took my wifes car to Solihull last Friday for an oil/filter change plus vehicle check, prior to going they quoted "under £200" - this quickly increased to £288 whilst there, I complained and the price was reduced to £240.

Wash and vacuum was £15 extra.

Sytner were going to charge £84 for the oil, you can buy this online for around £45.

Same service at a very reputable independant would be £130 and using the same mobil 1oil.
In the end I have booked the car into Stratstone Derby who are doing the same service for £200 after much negotiation and the promise of new custom.

In reality I have probably spent the saving on fuel/time but I'm a man of principle and hate being ripped off.

Not sure why the car should feel any different so this is probably a placebo affect from the glitzy showroom

Pays to shop around and question all elements of the bill as I believe the service advisors hide behind the complexities of condition based servicing.

[p1tse]

The only time a stealer is competitive is if they priced match your indy

[mv57]

Originally Posted by MattOz

I'm in the same boat OP. My 330d or M5, M3, , whatever I've had, has always come back from BMW feeling a little better. I'm sure it may be psychological, but there's definitely something "better" evry time.

Regarding interim oil changes, I always change mine half way between regular service intervals, so approx 9k for the 330d and 7k for the M cars. Increasing the frequency of oil changes isn't going to hurt a turbo diesel. In fact, quite the opposite.

Matt

It goes better because your pocket is that much lighter.

[bimmaguy]

Originally Posted by p1tse

The only time a stealer is competitive is if they priced match your indy

I am sure BMW solihull is one of the few that do 'price match'?

[Spin]

They definetly do not price match which is why I pulled the car out.

Sytner parts on the other hand are very willing to negotiate and a pleasure to deal with.