[///MPower_2014]

See attachment. This is from my '11 X3 28i.

This is the 3rd oil change.

36,000 miles on the odometer at time of change.

BMW 5W30 oil, used for 19,000 miles for a year. Service meter had 1200 miles remaining before I needed a change, but I hit the 1 year mark and my dealer changes at 1 year under the "1 year low mileage" deal with BMW before the service meter says so.

All my driving typically gets the oil to operating temp and stays there for a while; 45 minute commute 1-way. Some long trips here and there, and my "short" trips are still about 30 minutes of driving, so no "Aunt Millie" cycles here. 1/2 quart top off on a 700 mile trip was the only make up oil. Most of my miles are highway miles up to 80 MPH. Some full throttle red lines a few times a week.

The oil did go out of grade to a 5W40, but BMW 5W30 is almost a 5W40 fresh. Not to bad considering, but a shorter oil change would be better for staying in grade and a slight improvement in fuel economy. Otherwise, this oil was still protecting the engine, TBN was over 1.0, and the air and oil filters still working well.

For my driving habits, the BMW oil change interval is ok, not perfect, but ok.

For short trips driving, I would not wait this long...curious if the meter would of told me to change it sooner.

[techie182]

Thanks for info. My last oil change was at 15k and this time its showing 20k.
I was going to change my oil at 7k but your post changed my mind. Going to wait until 10-12k.

[BavarianFanatic]

Good quality oil in a well tuned motor that gets up to temp during every trip can tolerate very long intervals. Cars/trucks are the only "machines" that don't reference runtime for the maintenance intervals. Mileage is really meaningless frankly, but it's something everyone can relate to. I'm glad you posted this and I hope everyone sees and understands it. The whole concept of the 3,000 mile change interval was fabricated by Jiffy Lube back in the day. It was totally and completely arbitrary, but it's engrained in a generation's brain.

[drexplode]

looks like Fe, Al, and Mg are up beyond normal. Doesn't BMW use these materials primarily in the cylinder head and block?

[gmblack3]

I just purchased a 11 335is w 48k. I took it in after driving it for 700 miles. Oil had 15k so I took a sample out prior to dealer low mile change. Computer showed 4400 miles left. Will post when I send it in.

[litxus]

Originally Posted by gmblack3

I just purchased a 11 335is w 48k. I took it in after driving it for 700 miles. Oil had 15k so I took a sample out prior to dealer low mile change. Computer showed 4400 miles left. Will post when I send it in.

Please do not try 15k or 19k intervals on 335i, it is not the same car as 328.

Forgot to add if you love experimenting and you do not own it, then why not experiment

[gmblack3]

Originally Posted by litxus

Please do not try 15k or 19k intervals on 335i, it is not the same car as 328.

Forgot to add if you love experimenting and you do not own it, then why not experiment

No plans too myself. I'll do every 7500.

[///MPower_2014]

Originally Posted by drexplode

looks like Fe, Al, and Mg are up beyond normal. Doesn't BMW use these materials primarily in the cylinder head and block?

This engine is aluminum block and head, no iron or iron sleeves. The magnesium is cast over the outside of the aluminum block in the N52. There is likely iron is the piston rings as they are typically made of steel. There may be other sources of these elements too...bearings, crank, cams, etc.

I also posted this on Bob is the oil guy forum...might get some more details there.

Here's a link I found of generic wear metal origins...look towards the end.

http://www.cre-lab.com/download/How_...sis_report.pdf

[Efthreeoh]

[QUOTE=2008_BMW_328xi;14491585]See attachment. This is from my '11 X3 28i.

This is the 3rd oil change.

36,000 miles on the odometer at time of change.

BMW 5W30 oil, used for 19,000 miles for a year. Service meter had 1200 miles remaining before I needed a change, but I hit the 1 year mark and my dealer changes at 1 year under the "1 year low mileage" deal with BMW before the service meter says so.

All my driving typically gets the oil to operating temp and stays there for a while; 45 minute commute 1-way. Some long trips here and there, and my "short" trips are still about 30 minutes of driving, so no "Aunt Millie" cycles here. 1/2 quart top off on a 700 mile trip was the only make up oil. Most of my miles are highway miles up to 80 MPH. Some full throttle red lines a few times a week.

The oil did go out of grade to a 5W40, but BMW 5W30 is almost a 5W40 fresh. Not to bad considering, but a shorter oil change would be better for staying in grade and a slight improvement in fuel economy. Otherwise, this oil was still protecting the engine, TBN was over 1.0, and the air and oil filters still working well.

For my driving habits, the BMW oil change interval is ok, not perfect, but ok.

For short trips driving, I would not wait this long...curious if the meter would of told me to change it sooner.[/QUOTE]

It will. The system uses an oil quality sensor built into the oil level sensor and BMW's oil use algorithm to determine change interval. But short trip cars usually fall into the 12-month oil change interval anyway, which negates a long change interval.

My car has 224K on it @ 17,500 mile OCIs. My 80 mile one-way commute is a mix of back country roads (20 miles - driven in classic BMW style ), some dual lane highway (40 miles), and some stop-and-go traffic (20 miles). My average MPH per tank ranges from 45 to 55.

[Ml3456]

I don't think its a oil quality sensor, but measures the anti wear additive zinc (I think). In US cars the computer determines the change interval, but many foreign cars actually measure the additive. I may not me 100% correct on what it is measuring but you get the idea.

[Chriztofor]

Why strive for the longest oil change record? I don't see the problem with changing oil once or twice a year.

[NoTempoLimitN54]

OP, did you add any ZDDP containing additives? Your Phosphorous/Zinc levels are higher than what I would expect to see from BMW 5W-30 oil.

Also, are you saying the oil got -thicker- with time? I know the report suggests this. But I thought that shear and heat caused motor oils to get thinner over time.

I wouldn't suggest anyone try 20k mile OCI's in a N54/N55 powered car. But on my 335i, the OCI resets to 14k just after an oil change. So it seems that would be the max.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Ml3456

I don't think its a oil quality sensor, but measures the anti wear additive zinc (I think). In US cars the computer determines the change interval, but many foreign cars actually measure the additive. I may not me 100% correct on what it is measuring but you get the idea.

You're not correct. You can Google how the sensor works.

[charrigan]

Originally Posted by NoTempoLimitN54

I wouldn't suggest anyone try 20k mile OCI's in a N54/N55 powered car. But on my 335i, the OCI resets to 14k just after an oil change. So it seems that would be the max.

On my 07 335 my last oil change OCI reset to 18k miles. I'm 70miles/day on 95% highway though.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by Ml3456

I don't think its a oil quality sensor, but measures the anti wear additive zinc (I think). In US cars the computer determines the change interval, but many foreign cars actually measure the additive. I may not me 100% correct on what it is measuring but you get the idea.

Agree - It's NOT much of a quality sensor, if at all. If it was actually measuring the condition of the oil (dielectric conductance --> metallic particles in the oil), then you would think it would recognize fresh oil after a change. NOPE!

Two separate events where I drained the oil and added new. The "condition" of the new oil had ZERO impact on the Oil service indicator.

The first was @ 2K miles and OIC did not budge up or down. It was still on track for a 15K mile Oil service.

The second was a low mileage/annual oil change @ ~7,500 even though the car was happily reporting it's first oil service at 15k miles. BMW did not reset the OCI which they state is normal for the in-between services.

Again, zero adjustment or off-set with the addition the new oil - the car remained stuck that an oil service was due @ 15K miles.

If the sensor were as magical as they would like for us to believe, then a logical brain would expect new oil to increase in the number of miles before the next service. Whomp Whomp Whaaaaaaa.....

[///MPower_2014]

Originally Posted by NoTempoLimitN54

OP, did you add any ZDDP containing additives? Your Phosphorous/Zinc levels are higher than what I would expect to see from BMW 5W-30 oil.

Also, are you saying the oil got -thicker- with time? I know the report suggests this. But I thought that shear and heat caused motor oils to get thinner over time.

I wouldn't suggest anyone try 20k mile OCI's in a N54/N55 powered car. But on my 335i, the OCI resets to 14k just after an oil change. So it seems that would be the max.

No additives were added, just 1/2 quart of make up oil after a very long trip, that's the only oil its burned, ever.

The oil got thicker as it's now a 5W40. Evaporation caused the thickening???

My OCI resets to 20k miles...yes, miles, not km.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Agree - It's NOT much of a quality sensor, if at all. If it was actually measuring the condition of the oil (dielectric conductance --> metallic particles in the oil), then you would think it would recognize fresh oil after a change. NOPE!

Two separate events where I drained the oil and added new. The "condition" of the new oil had ZERO impact on the Oil service indicator.

The first was @ 2K miles and OIC did not budge up or down. It was still on track for a 15K mile Oil service.

The second was a low mileage/annual oil change @ ~7,500 even though the car was happily reporting it's first oil service at 15k miles. BMW did not reset the OCI which they state is normal for the in-between services.

Again, zero adjustment or off-set with the addition the new oil - the car remained stuck that an oil service was due @ 15K miles.

If the sensor were as magical as they would like for us to believe, then a logical brain would expect new oil to increase in the number of miles before the next service. Whomp Whomp Whaaaaaaa.....

Maybe the software is smarter than you.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Maybe the software is smarter than you.

Has nothing to do with me. Magic is for kids.

[orionredwing]

Nice, I also did one a few years ago, and am sticking to 10K change intervals now.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=475228

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Has nothing to do with me. Magic is for kids.

And for people who don't understand the engineering.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

And for people who don't understand the engineering.

Think you mean the lack of engineering. What I don't understand is people who think make believe is real.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Clifton

Think you mean the lack of engineering. What I don't understand is people who think make believe is real.

Yeah, I agree, just like people who believe what BMW writes about Z cars made out of plastic.