[RicheyBMW]

So I'm about to reach 1,400 miles, I was reportedly told by my SA that my first oil change should be at 15k. Of course, I feel that most SA don't know what they are talking about. So I want to seek advice from many of you to see when should I get my first oil change so I can make sure I keep up to date with my maintenance etc. 15k just seems too long to me?

[2M]

Yep that's what they told everyone on here. You should do one oil change yourself (get the oil kit from Tischer) at like 7,500 and let the dealer do the one at 15. I'm out of factory warranty so I do mines at 6,000.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by RicheyBMW

So I'm about to reach 1,400 miles, I was reportedly told by my SA that my first oil change should be at 15k. Of course, I feel that most SA don't know what they are talking about. So I want to seek advice from many of you to see when should I get my first oil change so I can make sure I keep up to date with my maintenance etc. 15k just seems too long to me?

It is too long..if your planning to keep your car..change it every 5K miles/6 months..when i was under warranty..i used to do a 6 month oil change at an indy shop on my own dime and got the annual oil change at the dealer for free

[NaTuReB0Y]

i received two free oil change during my 50,000 miles warranty period.....

but i changed my own oil every 5,000 miles........

[bookman2]

It is too long, preposterously so. I would change the oil after 5k and roughly at this interval for the remainder of your ownership. BMW has gone for the cheaper option of skimping on the service requirements of vehicles that they don't expect customers to keep beyond 100K on the odometer. This is the rationale behind their ludicrous "lifetime" oil fill for the gearbox and differential reservoirs as well. I'll believe in the lifetime oil gambit for these items when BMW offers a lifetime warrantee. Get yourself ahold of a copy of Mike Miller's "Old School Maintenance Schedule" for BMW's and put your mind at ease.

[zamboni]

Spend the $89 for your first oil change at your local dealer, get all the junk from engineer break in out of your car.

[RicheyBMW]

Thanks for all the replies so far. Truly appreciate the help on this forum. Couple questions however. Changing the oil earlier than the "15k" mark recommended by bmw wouldn't damage the car right? Basically, I don't want to be damaging anything by changing it too much etc. Second thing, regarding oil brand, I plan to go to a bmw dealership to get it changed and just pay since i will be doing it more often than what is given free under the warranty. That being so, the so called " bmw oil" is fine? Third, there seems to be a lot of subjective opinions on when to change the oil, I think I'm set with changing my oil the first 7,500 and every 7,500 for the rest of its lifetime. Is that okay?

[Edjay]

You could change your oil everyday and you wont damage anythng but your bank account. When you do take it to get pay for your oil change, remind them not to reset the service indicators. They go by that for your free maintanance. Bmw oil is good.

[pruettfan]

There are a lot of opinions on this issue. The facts are that synthetic oils last a lot longer than conventional oils. While I agree that 15,000 miles is a long time to go between oil changes the reality is that the engineers at BMW have the data to back up that interval and risk the reputation of a multi billion dollar company and would not do so unless it was pretty safe. Having said that I change mine at 10,000 miles to be on the safe side. Due to high temps here my computer sets the intervals at about 12,000 during the summer. BMW's use condition based intervals for oil so the computer looks at time, temps, rpm's etc in determining oil life so if you do drive in more challenging conditions your car will require an oil change sooner. Guys will claim every 5,000 miles is better. I am sure it is. So that must mean every 1,000 miles is best. At the end of the day it is your money. You won't hurt the car changing it too often and probably won't hurt it if follow the factory interval.

[RicheyBMW]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

There are a lot of opinions on this issue. The facts are that synthetic oils last a lot longer than conventional oils. While I agree that 15,000 miles is a long time to go between oil changes the reality is that the engineers at BMW have the data to back up that interval and risk the reputation of a multi billion dollar company and would not do so unless it was pretty safe. Having said that I change mine at 10,000 miles to be on the safe side. Due to high temps here my computer sets the intervals at about 12,000 during the summer. BMW's use condition based intervals for oil so the computer looks at time, temps, rpm's etc in determining oil life so if you do drive in more challenging conditions your car will require an oil change sooner. Guys will claim every 5,000 miles is better. I am sure it is. So that must mean every 1,000 miles is best. At the end of the day it is your money. You won't hurt the car changing it too often and probably won't hurt it if follow the factory interval.

Yeah the only thing that got me paranoid is hearing people say junk and stuff are in the oil filters after the break in period. So i wasn't sure waiting till 15k would be the best thing. But I think I will do it at 7,500 and then continue doing so every 7,500 as well.

[tibra1]

Originally Posted by RicheyBMW

Thanks for all the replies so far. Truly appreciate the help on this forum. Couple questions however. Changing the oil earlier than the "15k" mark recommended by bmw wouldn't damage the car right? Basically, I don't want to be damaging anything by changing it too much etc. Second thing, regarding oil brand, I plan to go to a bmw dealership to get it changed and just pay since i will be doing it more often than what is given free under the warranty. That being so, the so called " bmw oil" is fine? Third, there seems to be a lot of subjective opinions on when to change the oil, I think I'm set with changing my oil the first 7,500 and every 7,500 for the rest of its lifetime. Is that okay?

How could changing the oil "too much" damage the car? Some may see it as a waste..myself I see it as cheap insurance..these are twin turbos which rely on oil even more so than an NA..so no it wont do any harm and can only do good...regards to which oil to use..there are definitly better oils than BMW..as long as you use an LL-01 oil you will be fine.

[username604]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

There are a lot of opinions on this issue. The facts are that synthetic oils last a lot longer than conventional oils. While I agree that 15,000 miles is a long time to go between oil changes the reality is that the engineers at BMW have the data to back up that interval and risk the reputation of a multi billion dollar company and would not do so unless it was pretty safe. Having said that I change mine at 10,000 miles to be on the safe side. Due to high temps here my computer sets the intervals at about 12,000 during the summer. BMW's use condition based intervals for oil so the computer looks at time, temps, rpm's etc in determining oil life so if you do drive in more challenging conditions your car will require an oil change sooner. Guys will claim every 5,000 miles is better. I am sure it is. So that must mean every 1,000 miles is best. At the end of the day it is your money. You won't hurt the car changing it too often and probably won't hurt it if follow the factory interval.

/thread

[ctuna]

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...e-our-m5s.html

There are some Blackstone Oil Lab reports in some of these threads that say the oil
is depleted of all it additives at 10k hence the 7500 mile as safe interval.

You are entitled to a free oil change every year even if the computer does not say so.
You have to know to ask for it . Its in your manual

Mike recommendes the breakin fluid changes as per the schedule (his old school schedule)
I think someone mentioned they only do them on the M3 for free.

[DarkRider23]

Originally Posted by RicheyBMW

Yeah the only thing that got me paranoid is hearing people say junk and stuff are in the oil filters after the break in period. So i wasn't sure waiting till 15k would be the best thing. But I think I will do it at 7,500 and then continue doing so every 7,500 as well.

I believe the break-in oil change is done at 1,200 miles. Most dealerships should do it for free for you.

[RicheyBMW]

Originally Posted by DarkRider23

I believe the break-in oil change is done at 1,200 miles. Most dealerships should do it for free for you.

Nope. They still said at 15k should be my first oil change. One of them also told me only M3 cars get oil changes earlier than that. I will prob do my first at 7,500 and repeat.

[armenh]

Originally Posted by DarkRider23

I believe the break-in oil change is done at 1,200 miles. Most dealerships should do it for free for you.

thats only for m cars

[wins76]

What was told or imply and what is good for the car is two different things. The frequently or mileage restriction is in the eye of the beholder; so just do it if your bank acc. allows it or it gives you a good nite sleep.

....Fear is a tool to make money.....

[RoundelM3]

I've been doing my own "half-interval" oil changes since my first 330i in 2001; it's worth it even more so when you have an engine like the N54 with two turbochargers. If your yearly mileage is low, like mine is, I make sure it gets changed at least once a year regardless of the miles.

[Edjay]

M3 has a break in period of 1200 miles it gets an oil change then. Then its at normal oil change interval. I change oil before and after each track event. I feel better this way. But my wallet is alot lighter. Oil and filter alone my cost is $140 thats 9 qts of oil at $12/qt and filter kit. If I dont track I change every 5k I still have maybe 1 or 2 more under free maintenance.

[M40i4me]

Originally Posted by tibra1

How could changing the oil "too much" damage the car? Some may see it as a waste..myself I see it as cheap insurance..these are twin turbos which rely on oil even more so than an NA..so no it wont do any harm and can only do good...regards to which oil to use..there are definitly better oils than BMW..as long as you use an LL-01 oil you will be fine.

Is there any difference starting a car that has sat overnight with all the oil returning to the pan verses a car completely drained of oil, refilled, and started? In other words is there any additional lag time that fresh oil needs to circulate properly in an engine causing wear? I remember in the old days some auto manufactures would specify filling the oil filter prior to instalation to get the oil to circulate faster.

[ceb]

Originally Posted by NaTuReB0Y

i received two free oil change during my 50,000 miles warranty period.....

but i changed my own oil every 5,000 miles........

Great - overkill on oil changes but then you fail to get your new battery registered.

[Thud]

My "Service" light came on at 12k miles, so I'm going in for my first free oil change.

I did an oil change at 7500 miles as well, and I'll continue doing an interim oil change between scheduled services.