[driverman]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

DO NOT TAKE A BMW TO ANY REPAIR SHOP OTHER THAN AN ASE CERTIFIED AND BMW TRAINED MECHANIC. MAKE SURE THEY ARE A BMW SPECIALIST OR AT LEAST A GERMAN CAR SPECIALIST THAT REPAIRS BMWS.

+10000000

PARTS

Our cars were designed, built and tested with BMW parts. The service reminder calculates oil service intervals assuming BMW filters and oil. Oil is the life blood of the engine. Do you want to take a chance with aftermarket parts, especially those made with low price the main objective? Will the oil lubricate properly at different temperatures? Will it clean engine parts properly? Will it break down sooner? Will the oil filter filter properly? The consequences of improper lubrication can be decreased performance, increased engine wear and reduced life.

LABOR

The more expertise and experience a tech has with our cars the better. They are more likely to put the right amount of oil in the crankcase, use the right lift points and spot something the car needs while they have it in the air. They know the car. They know where things are, how things come apart, how things go together and what to look for. They have the right tools.

Taking our cars to the best dealers and independents maximizes the chances that everything will be done right. Putting our cars in the hands of poorly trained techs is asking for trouble. Find a good indy or dealer you trust, develop a relationship with them and stick to them. It's worth it in the long run.

[mlifxs]

First, congrats on your new ride and welcome

Consider DIY for oil change.

Buy a set of Rhino Ramps for around $45.
Check out the link on what oil to use (someone posted for you earlier)
Check out the oil change DIY on this site.

You should be able to do a change for around $45 (not counting your ramps).

You may see cheaper from big names (like Goodyear, Firestone, Walmart) for a full synthetic, but that's the low-ball price. They will charge extra for the filter and for the extra two quarts of oil our cars take. And as someone noted, they may not do it right or put in the oil they say they're using.

If you DIY, you control the process and can also do it for less. Takes about a half hour.

[Kolyan2k]

I only take my cars to dealerships or mechanics that I know, or I do work myself. And same goes for my wife's Civic. If you cant afford proper maintenance, shouldn't have bought BMW in the first place.

[Yeoman]

Originally Posted by BOBKUR

Independent shop that specialize on BMW. Stay away from fast lube stores, the clowns will be looking for the filter and drain plug for hours.

This^^

[Burnie35]

Lots of really good advice in this thread! Read and heed!

[nukezero]

Jiffy Lube, EZ Lube, China Lube, anything with "Lube" in its name is not worth taking your car into no matter how cheap the cost. Even if you bring your oil and filter.

I do my own oil changes, even though I'm not an ASE certified mechanic, but I know wtf I'm doing and I take my time.

[ozzy1]

Diy.

Once you get to know the car it's pretty straightforward. And there is a lot of good information here.

Plus you save a ton compared to any shop. My car hasn't seen the inside of one since warranty ended.

Good luck.