Oil Changes? How often, or how regularly?

PLAY · 02-12-2010, 01:39 AM

How many km do you do your oil changes?

If you’re using full synthetic does that mean you can change your oil less frequently?
Someone told me if you use full synthetic you can do your oil changes every 20,000KM.

I only do oil changes when I bring my car into service, is that a problem or am I okay? Are you supposed to bring your car in to do oil changes every 10,000KMs or is it just the regular scheduled maintences you change your oil? I think on my 325 I've only changed my oil 3 times in 80,000KMs... is that right or is it bad for the engine?

Thanks!

CRS · 02-12-2010, 02:55 AM

Have you consulted the owner's manual?

samej · 02-12-2010, 06:54 AM

I'm going with the onboard computer on this. Right now it's thinking I'm going to get 28,000km or 1 year on this change, duhhh. I believe the OBC recommends a change once a year or mileage, whichever comes first.

dassub · 02-12-2010, 09:12 AM

I go by my own schedule

Twice a year, April, October, usually around 8-10k each.

ctgazer · 02-12-2010, 09:18 AM

around every 8000kms.

Soni · 02-12-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctgazer

around every 8000kms.

are you planning to buy back your car? If not, save the money and get your free oil change when ever the onboard computer tell you to.

PLAY · 02-12-2010, 10:27 AM

Well a friend of mine told me, you should change it around 5000km to 10,000km depending how you drive and what kind of distance you drive... I never knew we needed to change, I only change my oil when our computer tells us to.
I'm planning to do a tranny flush and engine oil change soon.

So I'm guessing for us changing it around every 20,000km is fine since we use full synthetic?

BDMBimmer · 02-12-2010, 10:38 AM

We get a free oil change once a year while the car is under warranty regardless of the on board computer.

Jeff@TopGearSolutions · 02-12-2010, 10:41 AM

If your keeping the car, I would do it every 10,000 MILES (dont feel like converting to KM).

I personally change mine every 5000 Miles, but I run meth and I like fresh oil.

If the car is leased, or you dont care, take the free oil change and/or see service manual.

Correct way to determine the safest interval is to have the oil tested.

sgmpw · 02-12-2010, 10:43 AM

I changed mine early since I was raised on the idea that it was a necessity.

Just read an article (InsideLine Pontiac G8) that talks about their experience and a lab test. Showed that a) you can wait that long b) the onboard computers are usually right and c) once the warning light goes off - get it in quick.

http://www.insideline.com/pontiac/g8...iac-g8-gt.html

ctgazer · 02-12-2010, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soni

are you planning to buy back your car? If not, save the money and get your free oil change when ever the onboard computer tell you to.

its psychological...i think the car drives better with newish oil...and i might as well enjoy the drive

PLAY · 02-12-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BDMBimmer

We get a free oil change once a year while the car is under warranty regardless of the on board computer.

Is this confirmed?
I'm going to bring my car in this monday then.
I'm almost out of warranty on my 325i.

mimik · 02-12-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PLAY

Is this confirmed?
I'm going to bring my car in this monday then.
I'm almost out of warranty on my 325i.

I believe this one for the first 4 years of the warranty, not extended warranty.

discoboy1 · 02-12-2010, 01:25 PM

I did my first at 2000Km then every 8000KM,
I am now at 40000km and oil consumption is about 1/4 liter for 8000km

bigjilm · 02-12-2010, 02:08 PM

Since the day I bought my 323ci (dec 1999), I have heard an opinion regarding oil change intervals once a month for 10 years. Everything from "You drive this thing pretty hard, so I'd go every 3K kms", to "If the factory says 25K, that's all you have to do." At one stealer, I had the service manager tell me that 25K is perfect, and then 3 minutes later the mechanic told me that I'm crazy to not do it more often.

I chose to take the factory recommendations, and go every 25K kms. The first few years made me nervous, but I'm also kind of lazy and seeing a mechanic for oil every 15 months sounds pretty good to me.

I'm now at 180K, and the engine is better than the day I bought it. Smooth, reliable, powerful (well, uh, 176hp powerful) and doesn't burn enough oil to measure.

So, based on my completely scientific, 100% conclusive study of oil changing intervals, you can probably do no wrong...

zuluZero · 02-12-2010, 02:51 PM

I own my car, and drive it about 20k/year or so, 60/40 on hwy/city
(not too much stop & go compared to Toronto)

BMW changes the oil every 24k klicks - so I change it myself once inbetween.

So that's every 12k. Seems like a reasonable compromise, and cost me about $100 a year.

schnell325 · 02-12-2010, 08:01 PM

On my M3, once a year, on BMW's dime, regardless of mileage!

Not sure what I'll do on the 2011 335xi I get.....not sure if it will have the free yearly oil change like the M does.

catch · 02-12-2010, 08:50 PM

I do mine twice a year. Once when I put my summer wheels on, once right before they come off so March and October. My car is too low with my winters on to fit on the hoist at the dealership! haha

Soni · 02-12-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctgazer

its psychological...i think the car drives better with newish oil...and i might as well enjoy the drive

I feel better with the $100 in my wallet

hmmm...I guess with a new born, I am thinking differently..

hubble bubble · 02-12-2010, 11:13 PM

Did my 335i at 1,500 km and then twice as often as bmw recommends - every 12-13k. More worried about a filter lasting 25k than the synthetic oil.

When I last took mine in, parts manager said he did his personal car at the same interval - twice as often as BMW recommends.

\if you search the forum, you can find the BMW maintenance schedule from before they introduced "free maintenance". I follow that one.

02-12-2010, 01:39 AM	#1
PLAY Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 204 Posts Drives: AWE92N54 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Oil Changes? How often, or how regularly? How many km do you do your oil changes? If you’re using full synthetic does that mean you can change your oil less frequently? Someone told me if you use full synthetic you can do your oil changes every 20,000KM. I only do oil changes when I bring my car into service, is that a problem or am I okay? Are you supposed to bring your car in to do oil changes every 10,000KMs or is it just the regular scheduled maintences you change your oil? I think on my 325 I've only changed my oil 3 times in 80,000KMs... is that right or is it bad for the engine? Thanks!
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02-12-2010, 02:55 AM	#2
CRS First Lieutenant 20 Rep 324 Posts Drives: 2009 323i Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Vancouver iTrader: (3)	Have you consulted the owner's manual?
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02-12-2010, 06:54 AM	#3
samej First Lieutenant 25 Rep 345 Posts Drives: 2017 F22 M240i xDrive MG Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Ottawa iTrader: (0)	I'm going with the onboard computer on this. Right now it's thinking I'm going to get 28,000km or 1 year on this change, duhhh. I believe the OBC recommends a change once a year or mileage, whichever comes first.
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02-12-2010, 09:12 AM	#4
dassub Captain 63 Rep 965 Posts Drives: '14 328xi sport line Join Date: May 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (1) Garage List 1981 Fiat 124 Spider [0.00] 2014 F30 BMW 328xi [0.00] 2006 E90 BMW 325i ( ... [0.00] 1988 Audi 90 Quattr ... [0.00]	I go by my own schedule Twice a year, April, October, usually around 8-10k each.
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02-12-2010, 09:18 AM	#5
ctgazer Major General 385 Rep 7,952 Posts Drives: a dilapidated ride Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: canada eh! iTrader: (10) Garage List 2006 e90 [0.00]	around every 8000kms. __________________
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02-12-2010, 10:27 AM	#7
PLAY Second Lieutenant 14 Rep 204 Posts Drives: AWE92N54 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Well a friend of mine told me, you should change it around 5000km to 10,000km depending how you drive and what kind of distance you drive... I never knew we needed to change, I only change my oil when our computer tells us to. I'm planning to do a tranny flush and engine oil change soon. So I'm guessing for us changing it around every 20,000km is fine since we use full synthetic?
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02-12-2010, 10:38 AM	#8
BDMBimmer First Lieutenant 18 Rep 319 Posts Drives: 2008 3 series Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (1)	We get a free oil change once a year while the car is under warranty regardless of the on board computer.
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02-12-2010, 10:41 AM	#9
Jeff@TopGearSolutions 3455 Rep 79,211 Posts Drives: C6 Z06, 09 335i, 10 335xi Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: www.TopGearSolutions.com iTrader: (37)	If your keeping the car, I would do it every 10,000 MILES (dont feel like converting to KM). I personally change mine every 5000 Miles, but I run meth and I like fresh oil. If the car is leased, or you dont care, take the free oil change and/or see service manual. Correct way to determine the safest interval is to have the oil tested.
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02-12-2010, 10:43 AM	#10
sgmpw First Lieutenant 27 Rep 330 Posts Drives: M240i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southwestern Ontario iTrader: (2)	I changed mine early since I was raised on the idea that it was a necessity. Just read an article (InsideLine Pontiac G8) that talks about their experience and a lab test. Showed that a) you can wait that long b) the onboard computers are usually right and c) once the warning light goes off - get it in quick. http://www.insideline.com/pontiac/g8...iac-g8-gt.html
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02-12-2010, 01:25 PM	#14
discoboy1 Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: E82 1M VO/F30 328D Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Montreal iTrader: (3)	I did my first at 2000Km then every 8000KM, I am now at 40000km and oil consumption is about 1/4 liter for 8000km __________________ 2011 E82 1M VO 2013 F84 35i VO
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02-12-2010, 02:08 PM	#15
bigjilm Private First Class 9 Rep 100 Posts Drives: '11 335i Sedan Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	Since the day I bought my 323ci (dec 1999), I have heard an opinion regarding oil change intervals once a month for 10 years. Everything from "You drive this thing pretty hard, so I'd go every 3K kms", to "If the factory says 25K, that's all you have to do." At one stealer, I had the service manager tell me that 25K is perfect, and then 3 minutes later the mechanic told me that I'm crazy to not do it more often. I chose to take the factory recommendations, and go every 25K kms. The first few years made me nervous, but I'm also kind of lazy and seeing a mechanic for oil every 15 months sounds pretty good to me. I'm now at 180K, and the engine is better than the day I bought it. Smooth, reliable, powerful (well, uh, 176hp powerful) and doesn't burn enough oil to measure. So, based on my completely scientific, 100% conclusive study of oil changing intervals, you can probably do no wrong...
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02-12-2010, 02:51 PM	#16
zuluZero Lieutenant 22 Rep 495 Posts Drives: 2006 e90 330i sport BSM Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: KW, ON iTrader: (0)	I own my car, and drive it about 20k/year or so, 60/40 on hwy/city (not too much stop & go compared to Toronto) BMW changes the oil every 24k klicks - so I change it myself once inbetween. So that's every 12k. Seems like a reasonable compromise, and cost me about $100 a year.
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02-12-2010, 08:01 PM	#17
schnell325 Bored at work.... 927 Rep 5,454 Posts Drives: 2016 F82 M4 GTS//2022 M235iGC Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Comox Valley iTrader: (8)	On my M3, once a year, on BMW's dime, regardless of mileage! Not sure what I'll do on the 2011 335xi I get.....not sure if it will have the free yearly oil change like the M does. __________________ Grey Matter:2008 E92 M3:608/425. SG/PS SOLD! Dark Matter:2015 F80 M3:495/505. SOLD! Anti Matter :2016 F82 M4 GTS 2024 U11 X1 2.8i
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02-12-2010, 08:50 PM	#18
catch Major General 670 Rep 7,148 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Thornhill iTrader: (27)	I do mine twice a year. Once when I put my summer wheels on, once right before they come off so March and October. My car is too low with my winters on to fit on the hoist at the dealership! haha __________________ 2016 F80 M3 Mineral White/Sakhir Orange 2013 BMW S1000RR Flat Silver <stolen> 2007 BMW E92 335i Jet Black/Jade Grey <sold>
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02-12-2010, 11:13 PM	#20
hubble bubble Captain 17 Rep 680 Posts Drives: 2008 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Calgary, AB, Canada iTrader: (0)	Did my 335i at 1,500 km and then twice as often as bmw recommends - every 12-13k. More worried about a filter lasting 25k than the synthetic oil. When I last took mine in, parts manager said he did his personal car at the same interval - twice as often as BMW recommends. \if you search the forum, you can find the BMW maintenance schedule from before they introduced "free maintenance". I follow that one.
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