How often do you change your oil?

Mosaud1998 · 03-07-2021, 09:54 AM

I change mines every 6 months/5k miles. Whichever one comes first.

I get my oil off FCP so I don't pay for the oil change kit nor shipping since I buy my stuff from FCP through Paypal.

Does changing your oil too soon harm the engine? I've never heard of anything like that asking out of curiosity.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 03-07-2021, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

I change mines every 6 months/5k miles. Whichever one comes first.

I get my oil off FCP so I don't pay for the oil change kit nor shipping since I buy my stuff from FCP through Paypal.

Does changing your oil too soon harm the engine? I've never heard of anything like that asking out of curiosity.

No, just your wallet, but with FCP all you're paying is shipping back to them so it's pretty much a negligible cost.

neilvan · 03-07-2021, 11:03 AM

I change mine once a year in my cars (5-6k km max). I dont usually drive that much so the time/temperature differences and driving type take a huge play.

In the all year round cars its still 6k km max and I use Motul because its fantastic and i get a good deal

Ps. I am an enginner in the hydraulics/fluid industry as well as build performance engines as a side gig; i choose it based on my experience.

seehund · 03-07-2021, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

No, just your wallet, but with FCP all you're paying is shipping back to them so it's pretty much a negligible cost.

Are you saying you can return containers of used oil back to them in exchange for new ones, only paying for shipping? That's fantastic!

zomski101 · 03-07-2021, 01:28 PM

7.5-10k miles I use either rotella r6, some form of liqui moly or euro castrol, whichever is on sale and get a mann filter off amazon.

Mosaud1998 · 03-07-2021, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quokka20

Are you saying you can return containers of used oil back to them in exchange for new ones, only paying for shipping? That's fantastic!

Or, if you buy stuff from FCP through Paypal you'll get the shipping cost reimbursed back to you.

So, at the end of the day, you paid $0 for an oil change.

tcphoto · 03-07-2021, 02:12 PM

I'm a freelancer and there haven't been a lot of miles driven over the past year. I've averaged 5K miles a year since buying it 4.5 years ago so I do an oil change in August to celebrate our anniversary.

Mosaud1998 · 03-07-2021, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcphoto

I'm a freelancer and there haven't been a lot of miles driven over the past year. I've averaged 5K miles a year since buying it 4.5 years ago so I do an oil change in August to celebrate our anniversary.

Since I brought my car in 2019, I've only driven 4k miles.

Did 4 oil changes since then. Sheesh didn't even notice.

Brian86 · 03-07-2021, 06:20 PM

N52 325xi MT at 294k, Purchased the car 6months ago at 282k.

I've settled into 0w40m1 with 1x quart of 10w40m1 H.M every 10k miles.

The car consumes/leaks a quart about every 3,500ish so I'm adding 2x between oil changes.

jwalker87 · 03-07-2021, 06:25 PM

7500 miles regardless of time (usually ends up being between 1 and 2 years). Liqui Moly from FCP Euro.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 03-07-2021, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by quokka20

Are you saying you can return containers of used oil back to them in exchange for new ones, only paying for shipping? That's fantastic!

Exactomundo. FCP Euro kicks ass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Or, if you buy stuff from FCP through Paypal you'll get the shipping cost reimbursed back to you.

So, at the end of the day, you paid $0 for an oil change.

Please reveal this magic to me. I've been paying $14 for shipping.

antonmn · 03-07-2021, 08:28 PM

2, maybe 3 times per year. 4-6k per interval. When I was running to Chicago a lot I'd go 10-12k. At 227k I don't burn any.

Mosaud1998 · 03-07-2021, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Exactomundo. FCP Euro kicks ass.

Please reveal this magic to me. I've been paying $14 for shipping.

Try this link:https://www.paypal-returns.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

If it doesn't work, google "PayPal return shipping refund".

Welcome to NBA Jam · 03-07-2021, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mosaud1998

Try this link:https://www.paypal-returns.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

If it doesn't work, google "PayPal return shipping refund".

Never knew paypal would do that. That is freaking awesome. Thank you!

Mosaud1998 · 03-07-2021, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welcome to NBA Jam

Never knew paypal would do that. That is freaking awesome. Thank you!

Ya learn something new every day

3PedalJake · 03-07-2021, 09:11 PM

I hadn't really considered this until now having only done the initial fill on it. I usually change oil in my vehicles @ 4-7k, but I'm used to pulling out the dipstick once every couple tanks of gas and checking if it's looking tired and dirty and going from there. I'm not a fan of this "electronic dipstick".

Mosaud1998 · 03-07-2021, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

I hadn't really considered this until now having only done the initial fill on it. I usually change oil in my vehicles @ 4-7k, but I'm used to pulling out the dipstick once every couple tanks of gas and checking if it's looking tired and dirty and going from there. I'm not a fan of this "electronic dipstick".

Me neither. But, I've kinda gotten used to it.

When I brought my E90, I knew it didn't have a dipstick from my months of research so it wasn't a shocker.

My parents don't know it doesn't have a dipstick tough. I wonder what their reaction would be

Bmw1939 · 03-07-2021, 10:02 PM

Once a year. Every fall. Hard to believe i have put only around 35k miles on my car in 7 years. Currently at 82k which I assume is on the lower end in this forum. The job i have had for the last 3 years is like 2 miles from home. I have to take a long drive once a week. No wonder the wife thinks I am crazy for wanting to buy a Z3 and keep the 328.

ADEe92 · 03-08-2021, 12:39 AM

I do mine when the service indicator hits half way, so every 12 - 13000km, so approx. 8000 miles. The dealer does them according to the service indicator, so I do an interim service in between (still on the dealer service package as the original owner bought the 10 year transferrable prepaid package). Works out to roughly once a year.

Vivek. · 03-08-2021, 01:12 AM

Haven't hopped on the FCP train yet but I will for my next one. IIRC I've changed my oil 3, maybe 4 times in 10k miles/18 months--I do it after every track day.

2one3E90 · 03-08-2021, 02:26 AM

once a year. I drive my cars hard and they see redline everyday. Once a year is perfect. Its almost a 10,000 mile interval since i drive that much a year.

Efthreeoh · 03-08-2021, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3PedalJake

I hadn't really considered this until now having only done the initial fill on it. I usually change oil in my vehicles @ 4-7k, but I'm used to pulling out the dipstick once every couple tanks of gas and checking if it's looking tired and dirty and going from there. I'm not a fan of this "electronic dipstick".

But that's what the e-dipstick does, it has an oil quality sensor built into the oil level sensor that measures the level of contamination of the oil. The methodology that determines the contamination level is way more accurate than just eyeballing the oil on a dipstick.

View Poll Results: How often do you change your oil?
3 months/ 3k miles	8	9.30%
6 months/ 5k miles	44	51.16%
1 year/ 10k miles	29	33.72%
Never, engine oil last a lifetime	5	5.81%
Voters: 86. You may not vote on this poll

03-07-2021, 09:54 AM	#1
Mosaud1998 Colonel 3943 Rep 2,647 Posts Drives: 2019 BMW 540 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Suburb of Chicago iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW 540 [0.00]	How often do you change your oil? I change mines every 6 months/5k miles. Whichever one comes first. I get my oil off FCP so I don't pay for the oil change kit nor shipping since I buy my stuff from FCP through Paypal. Does changing your oil too soon harm the engine? I've never heard of anything like that asking out of curiosity.
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-07-2021, 11:03 AM	#3
neilvan Major 858 Rep 1,363 Posts Drives: 09 E90 335i M-Sport 6MT RWD Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Ontario, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW E61 530xi [0.00] 1993 Mazda Miata [0.00] 2009 BMW E90 335i [0.00]	I change mine once a year in my cars (5-6k km max). I dont usually drive that much so the time/temperature differences and driving type take a huge play. In the all year round cars its still 6k km max and I use Motul because its fantastic and i get a good deal Ps. I am an enginner in the hydraulics/fluid industry as well as build performance engines as a side gig; i choose it based on my experience.
	Appreciate 3 2one3E902422.00 dephrank317.00 ttthai28.00 Quote

03-07-2021, 01:28 PM	#5
zomski101 Private First Class 55 Rep 147 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335i Join Date: May 2018 Location: Chicago, IL iTrader: (0)	7.5-10k miles I use either rotella r6, some form of liqui moly or euro castrol, whichever is on sale and get a mann filter off amazon. __________________ 09 335i - MMP stage 3, fbo
	Appreciate 2 Mosaud19983943.00 ttthai28.00 Quote

03-07-2021, 02:12 PM	#7
tcphoto Brigadier General 3537 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: E92 335i 6MT Coupe Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (1)	I'm a freelancer and there haven't been a lot of miles driven over the past year. I've averaged 5K miles a year since buying it 4.5 years ago so I do an oil change in August to celebrate our anniversary. __________________
	Appreciate 1 Mosaud19983943.00 Quote

03-07-2021, 06:20 PM	#9
Brian86 Captain 638 Rep 766 Posts Drives: e36 M3, e91 325xi, N50 Xterra Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Pittsburgh iTrader: (0)	N52 325xi MT at 294k, Purchased the car 6months ago at 282k. I've settled into 0w40m1 with 1x quart of 10w40m1 H.M every 10k miles. The car consumes/leaks a quart about every 3,500ish so I'm adding 2x between oil changes. __________________ Sometimes a bolt is just a bolt.
	Appreciate 1 Mosaud19983943.00 Quote

03-07-2021, 06:25 PM	#10
jwalker87 Major 319 Rep 1,023 Posts Drives: '08 335i, '11 335xi, '01 Z3M Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA iTrader: (2)	7500 miles regardless of time (usually ends up being between 1 and 2 years). Liqui Moly from FCP Euro. __________________ 2001 e36/7 M Roadster 5spd 2008 e90 335i 6spd 2011 e90 335xi 6spd 2011 e70 x5 diesel 2010 Ducati Monster 696
	Appreciate 1 Mosaud19983943.00 Quote

03-07-2021, 08:28 PM	#12
antonmn Private 28 Rep 78 Posts Drives: 2007 335i Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Minneapolis iTrader: (0)	2, maybe 3 times per year. 4-6k per interval. When I was running to Chicago a lot I'd go 10-12k. At 227k I don't burn any.
	Appreciate 2 Mosaud19983943.00 Fritzer944.50 Quote

03-07-2021, 09:11 PM	#16
3PedalJake Neo-Luddite 2614 Rep 1,401 Posts Drives: '06 325i, 330i 6MT RWD Sport Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: NJ iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 330i [0.00]	I hadn't really considered this until now having only done the initial fill on it. I usually change oil in my vehicles @ 4-7k, but I'm used to pulling out the dipstick once every couple tanks of gas and checking if it's looking tired and dirty and going from there. I'm not a fan of this "electronic dipstick".
	Appreciate 1 tcphoto3537.00 Quote

03-07-2021, 10:02 PM	#18
Bmw1939 Lieutenant 268 Rep 463 Posts Drives: BMW 2011 328i, 2008 BMW X3 Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Once a year. Every fall. Hard to believe i have put only around 35k miles on my car in 7 years. Currently at 82k which I assume is on the lower end in this forum. The job i have had for the last 3 years is like 2 miles from home. I have to take a long drive once a week. No wonder the wife thinks I am crazy for wanting to buy a Z3 and keep the 328.
	Appreciate 1 Mosaud19983943.00 Quote

03-08-2021, 12:39 AM	#19
ADEe92 First Lieutenant 253 Rep 316 Posts Drives: e92 320d sport plus edition Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: South Australia iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 320d [0.00] 1988 320i with M30B35 [0.00]	I do mine when the service indicator hits half way, so every 12 - 13000km, so approx. 8000 miles. The dealer does them according to the service indicator, so I do an interim service in between (still on the dealer service package as the original owner bought the 10 year transferrable prepaid package). Works out to roughly once a year.
	Appreciate 1 Mosaud19983943.00 Quote

03-08-2021, 02:26 AM	#21
2one3E90 Lieutenant Colonel 2422 Rep 1,770 Posts Drives: Bmw 330i and Bmw 328i Join Date: Dec 2020 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 BMW 328i [10.00] 2004 BMW Z4 [9.67] 2006 BMW 330i [10.00]	once a year. I drive my cars hard and they see redline everyday. Once a year is perfect. Its almost a 10,000 mile interval since i drive that much a year.
	Appreciate 1 Mosaud19983943.00 Quote