[742]

Originally Posted by Paolino

10k miles is a good interval......

in europe the average is 15k miles.

Europe also has higher fuel standards, which among other things affects the oil. The crap third world gas that we have in the United States is the number 3 thing on my list to fix when I am Emperor.

[BMWfan07]

every 7 to 8 thousand miles the car gets new oil and filter.

[F32Fleet]

There is zero empirical evidence that changing synthetic at 3-5k is any better than 7.5k or 10k or using regular dino and doing 3k mile changes vs synthetic at 7.5k miles changes.

#1 BMW doesn't use break-in oil on their non-M cars judging by their lack of refusal regarding early oil changes.

#2 How you drive the car will have a larger impact on when you want to change the oil. If you track the sucker a few times a year then you might want to changer earlier (5k-7k miles). If you commute mostly highways then 7k-15k miles between changes.

#3 Europe has mandated extended intervals for over a decade for environmental reason hence oil companies and auto manufacturers have had to rise to the occasion.

[Delta0311]

Originally Posted by jake89714

I was wondering how often u guys change oil... BMW says that u can use for 12000 miles.. DOes not sound right to me..

what u guys think

5K on the dot.

[hubble bubble]

Originally Posted by 742

Europe also has higher fuel standards, which among other things affects the oil. The crap third world gas that we have in the United States is the number 3 thing on my list to fix when I am Emperor.

What are the first two?
Where does getting rid of runflat tires go on the list?

[ianbiz]

3k to 5k depending on driving. Im wanting to do my tranny and diff fluid but dont want to lose the CPO warrarnty.

[chromisdesigns]

Why would you lose the CPO for changing fluids??? I know some BMW dealers won't do it (some will, though), so just take it to an independant BMW shop and have them do it.

How would anyone ever tell, anyway? I'd be more concerned about keeping my car functional than I would about a theoretical warranty question.

[AlanAZ]

Where does getting rid of runflat tires go on the list?

How about adding a donut spare..

[fuzzybacchus]

i only put 3k miles on my car this year, what is the risk of going another year without doing my oil change? is the engine oil hydroscopic (like brake fluid>?) if not, then i should be good to wait to do oil change until my mileage is appropriate. advice is appreciated!

[J3NGOe90]

3.5-4k

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by fuzzybacchus

i only put 3k miles on my car this year, what is the risk of going another year without doing my oil change? is the engine oil hydroscopic (like brake fluid>?) if not, then i should be good to wait to do oil change until my mileage is appropriate. advice is appreciated!

Since BMW thinks it's important enough to include it in the "free" covered service, and most (if not all) other manufacturers specify a one year oil change in the US, why wouldn't you spend the $80 to 100 or so and have it done?

Tom

[big boost M]

3k cheap insurance

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by big boost M

3k cheap insurance

3k....wasteful period.

If you really want to know get an oil analysis from Blackstone or one of the other companies that do that type of thing. I have been changing my oil at 10k miles and according to the analysis could go longer. If you do not track the car and you sent in oil for an analysis with on 3k miles on it they would most likely tell you to double or even triple your interval.

[Yvette]

about 7-8K miles

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

3k....wasteful period.

If you really want to know get an oil analysis from Blackstone or one of the other companies that do that type of thing. I have been changing my oil at 10k miles and according to the analysis could go longer. If you do not track the car and you sent in oil for an analysis with on 3k miles on it they would most likely tell you to double or even triple your interval.

Why even bother with a $25 oil analysis? With synthetic, any car can go 10,000 miles on an oil change. BMW's easily go 15,000 on BMW oil and an OEM filter. BMW has done all the oil lubrication testing for you ahead of time, and the car has an oil life monitor built into the oil level sensor anyway.

3K oil changes on a modern car is a TOTAL waste of money; it's not a fricken lawnmower. You might as well just wipe your ass with 20 dollar bills, because it is about the same use of the money.

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Why even bother with a $25 oil analysis? With synthetic, any car can go 10,000 miles on an oil change. BMW's easily go 15,000 on BMW oil and an OEM filter. BMW has done all the oil lubrication testing for you ahead of time, and the car has an oil life monitor built into the oil level sensor anyway.

3K oil changes on a modern car is a TOTAL waste of money; it's not a fricken lawnmower. You might as well just wipe your ass with 20 dollar bills, because it is about the same use of the money.

Not exactly. Due to heat issues the older Subaru STIs had a recommended 3 or 3.5k oil change from the factory. With oil analysis I found that I could go 5k when using German Castrol. The analysis does help in some instances.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

Not exactly. Due to heat issues the older Subaru STIs had a recommended 3 or 3.5k oil change from the factory. With oil analysis I found that I could go 5k when using German Castrol. The analysis does help in some instances.

Completely different engine. Apples to Oranges

[N8N]

I changed mine for the 2nd time since I got the car at about 7500 miles or about 50% CBS interval. I have no science to back this up but leaving even good synth in for 15K makes me nervous especially when I'm running a tune. I have not changed my oil myself because the 1st I did @ dealership right after I bought the car because I wanted them to do a full inspection on it and 2nd I also had done @ dealership at the same time as the battery cable recall, it just worked out to be just about the right time.

I've also replaced the gear oil in the transmission and rear end because I don't believe any fluid is lifetime, and let the dealership do a brake fluid flush after I got the car because I'm a firm believer in doing those. I also let the dealership do the P/S fluid flush with the battery cable recall at their suggestion because it was the one fluid that I hadn't either changed or paid someone to change after getting the car but after decoding the part numbers on the service records for my car I realized that the power steering pump had been changed under warranty so I'm a little bitter about that. Oh well my car has all new shiny fresh fluids now with mileage documentation for the next owner, assuming that I don't just keep it until I'm old and wrinkly.

[beemerluvr]

I was told by my import mechanic every 5-7k. Took it to the dealership for the recall part and was going to get the oil changed at 7k but they told me to wait until the year mark which would put me at 10k. Will probably do the following at 7k...they ended up doing a brake fluid flush and steering flush so I wanted to keep costs to a min this time. My first year as a BMW owner so wanting to start getting my own records to keep it running a long time!

[gtaccord]

Originally Posted by gtaccord

Not exactly. Due to heat issues the older Subaru STIs had a recommended 3 or 3.5k oil change from the factory. With oil analysis I found that I could go 5k when using German Castrol. The analysis does help in some instances.

You said ANY car in your original post. A Subaru counts as any car.

[pcamera123]

Every 5K

[john_e90bimmer]

I change at around 5-6k miles.

Also see http://edgemotorworks.com/wordpress/...s-including-m/ see the Special Note at the bottom.