[nomiS330d]

I’m doing an oil change today as it’s been a year and 10,000 miles since the last one. I looked on the idrive and it’s saying it’s got another year and 12,000 miles before it’s due! Who else thinks 2 years or 22,000 miles is way too long? Just curious that’s all.

[Phil325i]

You'll find lots of varying opinions on this. I think it comes down to how long you intend to keep the car. If you're not intending to hang on to it long term then complying with your iDrive instructions will probably be fine. Personally I would say 10K or once a year is about right for a change.

I change my oil and filter every 6K or once a year whichever occurs first - but mine is a 'keeper'. However, whatever you decide, don't skimp on using a high quality fully synthetic oil to BMW LL04 standard and an OEM quality filter (e.g. MANN).

[nomiS330d]

I always use castrol oils. Used 5w/30 m which is LL04 spec’d and a Bosch filter.

[Chappers 71]

In my 8+ years of ownership & 68,000 miles I've always changed oil when the cars asked for it & it's only had Castrol oil since new.
Oil changes have varied between 9-13,000 miles, dependant upon how hard Its been driven.
Cars now done 120,500 miles.

[rasa bmw]

i always do yearly or 10k miles whicheevr comes first,,i have 2 cars so never do 10 k miles in any of them,,around 9k in one and 6k in the other..would never let the 24k miles service run,,that could be 4 years on my 640d

[dave330]

always at 10k for me on my 330d ,i noticed in the service history it had gone to nearly 20k before a oil change, i wouldn't be happy with that.

[Tambohamilton]

Currently on about 6k since last oil change, but 15 months...it's bugging me because I feel I should change it, but the car's not asking me for it for another year or whatever. I'll probably do it in the next month or so. Got some cheap Fuchs oil lined up, which I reckon should still be good stuff.

[Vivek.]

The oil change interval that the car recommends is calibrated to save BMW money on their 4 years of free scheduled maintenance. It's quite intelligent and factors in driving style (this is true all the way back to e30 era) but I would always change the oil at 2-4x the recommended interval.

Once per year or 10k (whichever comes first) should be the minimum if you want longevity.

[Tambohamilton]

What proof is there of that, other than the ocis seeming longer than most would expect?

[nomiS330d]

Originally Posted by Tambohamilton

Currently on about 6k since last oil change, but 15 months...it's bugging me because I feel I should change it, but the car's not asking me for it for another year or whatever. I'll probably do it in the next month or so. Got some cheap Fuchs oil lined up, which I reckon should still be good stuff.

I don’t know how cheap Fuchs is but I got the castrol edge 5w/30 m which is the correct stuff for £35 for 4 litres off Amazon prime delivered next day.

[chrissyw]

My 320d lived on the long life schedule too for the first few years of its life. No idea what BMW we're thinking on the older M47 and M57 diesels. They need fresh oil.

Gets serviced around every 7-8k now.

Fuel filter every 20k.

[Tambohamilton]

Originally Posted by nomiS330d

I don’t know how cheap Fuchs is but I got the castrol edge 5w/30 m which is the correct stuff for £35 for 4 litres off Amazon prime delivered next day.

£70ish for 20L... I really don't think it'll do any harm. I trust Fuchs as a brand about as much as I trust Castrol, and I'm not particularly bothered about which brand BMW recommended 13 years ago

It's got castrol in it now and I'll get an analysis done, and I'll get another done after its first change with Fuchs just for funsies.

[nomiS330d]

To be honest, I half thought about getting Halfords oil of the correct spec. If the cost difference had been more I would have but it’s not really. I mean, as mere home mechanics/drivers do any of us really know if cheap oil is any worse than the big branded stuff? I’m sure I wouldn’t notice any difference if I did use it but because of internet opinions I always er on the side of caution and use what BMW recommend.

[Tambohamilton]

Any oil of the correct spec will work...that's what the specs are for. Some will be effective for longer, some will stay in grade to higher temps... If you're not pushing it, and not driving in extreme temps, there's basically no need to worry. If you can be bothered to wade through it, have a read of 540rat blog...lays it all out in pretty simple terms (but just one massive long rambling stream of consciousness).

[rasa bmw]

yeh i bought 40 litres of LUK LL04 spec pil for £80

[ro881e]

Oil change can be done at home or low cost at an indy and is universally known to be the best regular maintenance you can do to an engine. If you compare the plethora of topics on this and articles from other reputable sources they usually come back to saying to replace the oil as frequently as is practical and get the correct grade regardless of brand.

[Tambohamilton]

Got this yesterday...£73 or something, including postage from LRT Lubricants:
https://photos.app.goo.gl/6hJaauJ8V2f2USnQA

Will throw some in at the weekend...