Oil question - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

Xtrs87x · 12-28-2012, 10:48 AM

So I just got the Bentley service manual and it contradicts BMW on when to change the oil. According to this book it should be done every 7500 or once a year. BMW says every 12000 miles or once a year. I am going to go by 7500 just though some of you would like to know. On another note, why does my car say I need an oil change in 16000 miles?

dcat151 · 12-28-2012, 11:09 AM

I'm sure there are a number of threads debating the oil change interval. I always have changed mine at 7,500 because I plan on keeping the car a relatively long period of time. The OBC oil interval change is much longer, presumably because for the first four years BMW is paying for the oil change. A 7,500 mile interval may be overkill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

cbad335 · 12-28-2012, 11:12 AM

ronny214 · 12-28-2012, 12:21 PM

Shell Rotella T6 every 3500 miles

Blackhawk36 · 12-28-2012, 12:24 PM

One thing that is great about the Bentley manual is that it is updated with "field observations" in the front of the book. I think the shortened oil change interval reflects that. BMW states the longer interval because they pay for it up to 50K miles, not enought time to cause any problems. Over the longer time it has caused some problems for some posters. Like CBAD335 says...Search. You will find tons.

bluescoupe · 12-28-2012, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dcat151

I'm sure there are a number of threads debating the oil change interval. I always have changed mine at 7,500 because I plan on keeping the car a relatively long period of time. The OBC oil interval change is much longer, presumably because for the first four years BMW is paying for the oil change. A 7,500 mile interval may be overkill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

^^ Good plan!

roundle · 12-28-2012, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

One thing that is great about the Bentley manual is that it is updated with "field observations" in the front of the book. I think the shortened oil change interval reflects that. BMW states the longer interval because they pay for it up to 50K miles, not enought time to cause any problems. Over the longer time it has caused some problems for some posters. Like CBAD335 says...Search. You will find tons.

Just FYI: BMW service is not included in Europe. We have the same oil service intervals here. Since new, I have been paying for my oil changes (250 Euros a pop). Rather than wait once per year or 18K miles, I do it every 6 months (10K miles for me).

TigOn. · 12-28-2012, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roundle

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackhawk36

One thing that is great about the Bentley manual is that it is updated with "field observations" in the front of the book. I think the shortened oil change interval reflects that. BMW states the longer interval because they pay for it up to 50K miles, not enought time to cause any problems. Over the longer time it has caused some problems for some posters. Like CBAD335 says...Search. You will find tons.

Just FYI: BMW service is not included in Europe. We have the same oil service intervals here. Since new, I have been paying for my oil changes (250 Euros a pop). Rather than wait once per year or 18K miles, I do it every 6 months (10K miles for me).

250 Euros for an oil change! Damn... Why dont you just do it yourself?

gunsekun · 12-28-2012, 01:09 PM

You have to see this as a long run.
Are you keeping the car after car is out of Factory warranty?
Option A) Yes. Then I would recommend at least every 5k miles.
Option B) No, just get the free BMW oilchange... and don't even worrry about it oil change intervals

VTECaddict · 12-28-2012, 04:01 PM

IMO, 5000 miles is overkill on 7 quarts of full synthetic. 7500 is a good medium. But it's your car and your money so basically change the oil however often you feel like it. Everyone will have a different opinion.

snowman81 · 12-28-2012, 07:31 PM

^agreed. Anything less than 7500 is overkill for full synthetic IMO.

12-28-2012, 10:48 AM	#1
Xtrs87x New Member Drives: 335i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Plainsboro nj Posts: 27 iTrader: (0)	Oil question So I just got the Bentley service manual and it contradicts BMW on when to change the oil. According to this book it should be done every 7500 or once a year. BMW says every 12000 miles or once a year. I am going to go by 7500 just though some of you would like to know. On another note, why does my car say I need an oil change in 16000 miles?
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12-28-2012, 11:12 AM	#3
cbad335 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: '09 E92 335i Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA Posts: 1,733 iTrader: (17) Garage List 2009 BMW 335i Coupe [5.00]	__________________ \| 6MT \| ZSP \| ZPP \|

12-28-2012, 12:21 PM	#4
ronny214 New BMW Owner Drives: 2011 BMW 335i (e90) Black/Tan Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 300 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 3351 E90 LCI [0.00]	Shell Rotella T6 every 3500 miles __________________ 2011 E90 335i LCI // Jet Black / Beige Dakota Leather / Dual STEPTRONIC DCT / Premium / Sport Mods // Cobb AP / ER Charge Pipe / AR 4" Down Pipe / AA FMIC / LUX H8 v3 Angel Eyes Other // Mann Oil Filter / Shell Rotella T6 5w40 (3.5k OCI)

12-28-2012, 04:01 PM	#10
VTECaddict Where'd my VTEC go? Drives: 06 330i 6MT Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 4,033 iTrader: (3)	IMO, 5000 miles is overkill on 7 quarts of full synthetic. 7500 is a good medium. But it's your car and your money so basically change the oil however often you feel like it. Everyone will have a different opinion. __________________ AW/Terra \| ZSP \| ZPP \| ZCW \| iDrive \| CA Mods: KW V2 \| OEM Blacklines \| M-tech rear \| custom dual exhaust \| M3 steering wheel \| BMW SSK \| ZHP shift knob \| BMW Performance rep spoiler Varrstoen ES1 19x9.5+20 Front, 19x11+25 rear

12-28-2012, 07:31 PM	#11
snowman81 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: VA Beach Posts: 255 iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	^agreed. Anything less than 7500 is overkill for full synthetic IMO. __________________ Detailed Image Home Page

12-28-2012, 11:09 AM	#2
dcat151 Lieutenant Drives: 2006 330i 6MT ZSP/ZPP/ZCW Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Gainesville, GA Posts: 482 iTrader: (1)	I'm sure there are a number of threads debating the oil change interval. I always have changed mine at 7,500 because I plan on keeping the car a relatively long period of time. The OBC oil interval change is much longer, presumably because for the first four years BMW is paying for the oil change. A 7,500 mile interval may be overkill, but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

12-28-2012, 12:24 PM	#5
Blackhawk36 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2007 335i 6MT No iDrive Join Date: May 2009 Location: MD Posts: 212 iTrader: (0)	One thing that is great about the Bentley manual is that it is updated with "field observations" in the front of the book. I think the shortened oil change interval reflects that. BMW states the longer interval because they pay for it up to 50K miles, not enought time to cause any problems. Over the longer time it has caused some problems for some posters. Like CBAD335 says...Search. You will find tons.

12-28-2012, 01:09 PM	#9
gunsekun Banned Drives: E92 335i Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: your mom's Posts: 714 iTrader: (0)	You have to see this as a long run. Are you keeping the car after car is out of Factory warranty? Option A) Yes. Then I would recommend at least every 5k miles. Option B) No, just get the free BMW oilchange... and don't even worrry about it oil change intervals

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