[mashimarho]

I'd rather do early if it does't hurt in any way.

[Tom K.]

Where did you get the 12k figure, Sean? The CBS system starts with about 15k as a baseline OCI and adjusts up or down according to how the car is driven. As my 128i is used primarily for long distance touring, I often see 18 or 19k.

Although there is no proof that there is any benefit to "Interim" changes, I tend not to exceed 8~10k between changes - but 6k seems a bit much if you are using a BMW approved full synthetic.

And to answer the question you asked on your first oil thread, you can change it every 100 miles if you want to - but BMW will only pay for the CBS mandated changes.

Tom

[PA66400]

Sean, I used to change my oil every 3000 miles, because my high school auto shop teacher in 1980 said that was necessary for long engine life. As I grew older, I drank some of the green movement Koolaid and asked myself why I am polluting so much. I now follow the manufacturer's recommendations and have had no engine troubles keeping cars for a decade and have easily gotten 180,000+ miles out of my engines. The fact is, almost everybody is going to trade in for a new car by 180,000 miles/10 years and almost nobody on this forum is going to "drive the car into the ground". Car comfort, performance, economy and safety are improving so rapidly now, that we will all want a new car after 8-10 years and if you follow the manufacturer's recommended intervals for oil and service, you will easily reach that milestone, without a lubricant-related failure.

The only exception that I take to the BMW CBS oil chage interval is that I do not go the full 2 years, but change at the recommended mileage interval, or 12 months, whichever occurs first. Generally, that translates into about 12,000 miles of driving, which I think is best for my mostly city driving, with short trips. I think BMW is wrong with the 2-year interval on the CBS.

[mashimarho]

Alright then, enough said. 15k it is.

[samchoi604]

Turbo engines (N54/N55) run very hot. The standard BMW oil change interval is not adequate. High heat = easier for oil to cake and build up sludge.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=543359
http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=534957

[PA66400]

Another myth, not supported at all by field experience. The two threads that are mentioned above do not support the turbo is tougher arguement. The first thread is highly suspicious of owner abuse and the second is a used car that is anybody's guess as to how it was treated during its lease. We are not hearing of BMW turbos blowing worldwide and no European person does a 5K lube and filter - they simply cannot afford the cost of such service. No sign of their turbos grenading....I'll take my chances with trusting BMW engineering and stick to my plan of once per year, during the life of the car in my ownership, thanks.

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by PA66400

AWe are not hearing of BMW turbos blowing worldwide and no European person does a 5K lube and filter - they simply cannot afford the cost of such service.

Still a relatively new engine (4 years). Oil change costs me $70 for BMW approved oil and filter.

Originally Posted by PA66400

I'll take my chances

ok

[smokinHawk]

well it doesnt hurt to change it early. seeing how black my oil was when i changed it at 10k miles, i think i am going to start changing it at every 5k, oil changes are one of the most important things for long life in an engine.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by PA66400

Another myth, not supported at all by field experience. The two threads that are mentioned above do not support the turbo is tougher arguement. The first thread is highly suspicious of owner abuse and the second is a used car that is anybody's guess as to how it was treated during its lease. We are not hearing of BMW turbos blowing worldwide and no European person does a 5K lube and filter - they simply cannot afford the cost of such service. No sign of their turbos grenading....I'll take my chances with trusting BMW engineering and stick to my plan of once per year, during the life of the car in my ownership, thanks.

Is the typical OCI in europe 20km?

[TotalPower]

belt and suspenders. Safe rather than sorry. What does it cost to do 5 more oil changes in your cars life...300 dollars? This could save you a couple thousand dollars....seems like good insurance.

belt and suspenders my friends

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by TotalPower

belt and suspenders. Safe rather than sorry. What does it cost to do 5 more oil changes in your cars life...300 dollars? This could save you a couple thousand dollars....seems like good insurance.

Done by a dealer with approved oil, 5 more changes will cost more than $500.

And do you have a source for the assertion of "a couple thousand dollars" in savings? So far, there seems to be no evidence that BMW's recommended oil change schedule has caused $$$ in damage. And it has been in force for more than a decade.

Tom

[TotalPower]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Done by a dealer with approved oil, 5 more changes will cost more than $500.

And do you have a source for the assertion of "a couple thousand dollars" in savings? So far, there seems to be no evidence that BMW's recommended oil change schedule has caused $$$ in damage. And it has been in force for more than a decade.

Tom

Did I say done by BMW? I specifically meant bmw castrol oil + filter DIY.

It depends on how you drive your car: if you track it, if it's turbo'd, engine mods, etc. The more heat the block therefore oil is subject to the sooner it will break down.

Also, BMW's are known to consume oil, so checking/filling/ changing your oil is a good way to keep your car happy. Think about waxing your car...you can do it once every 6 months, once every month, hell once a week...Similarly, your engine oil can't be too new, but it can be too old.

We can go on and on, but i'll wear belt and suspenders and you do what you like- I know i'm safe for about 5 bucks a month...

[PA66400]

We can discuss this until we are all blue in the face. I respect other's points. But, Tom has made the best point - show us the data on engine failures since BMW started making the long OCI recommendation. My 1999 E39 M52TU specifies a 15K change. No failure on that and I am not aware of a rash of failing engines out there. If anybody has substantial data, show us......

[ENINTY]

I hope one day BMW comes up with a different lubrication system than using oil. That way we can stop arguing about this stupid fucking subject. Christ.

99% of the people on this board will not even keep their cars past 100,000 miles, so it is pointless to discuss OCI's and oil PAOs, viscosity, blah, blah, blah.

[PA66400]

What he said. Right on eninty!

[TotalPower]

Motor oil or engine oil is an oil used for lubrication of various internal combustion engines. The main function is to lubricate moving parts; it also cleans, inhibits corrosion, improves sealing, and cools the engine by carrying heat away from moving parts.
In engines, there are parts which move against each other causing friction which wastes otherwise useful power by converting the energy to heat. Contact between moving surfaces also wears away those parts, which could lead to lower efficiency and degradation of the engine. This increases fuel consumption, decreases power output and can, in extreme cases lead to engine failure.


One of the most important properties of motor oil in maintaining a lubricating film between moving parts is its viscosity. The viscosity of a liquid can be thought of as its "thickness" or a measure of its resistance to flow. The viscosity must be high enough to maintain a lubricating film, but low enough that the oil can flow around the engine parts under all conditions. Another manipulated property of motor oil is its Total Base Number (TBN), which is a measurement of the reserve alkalinity of an oil, meaning its ability to neutralize acids.


Fundamental weakness of the generic standards always was that it only served as an assurance of a given minimal performance of the lubricant. Never there was any additional specification that would demand some key parameters to be for example 30% better, as a basis for a future specification

sparknotes: Send your oil in, get it analyzed, and make your decision on a case by case basis.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Done by a dealer with approved oil, 5 more changes will cost more than $500.

And do you have a source for the assertion of "a couple thousand dollars" in savings? So far, there seems to be no evidence that BMW's recommended oil change schedule has caused $$$ in damage. And it has been in force for more than a decade.

Tom

Actually more like two decades. But you made a good point!

My 1989 E30 325i used to go 9,000 to 12,000 miles between oil changes via the CBS back then; and BMW spec'd dino oil and only also "special oils" (i.e. synthetics) to provide a wider ambient temperature operating range. The M20 in the E30 spec'd 20w-50 for temps above 100 deg. F. If I remember correctly BMW didn't start selling BMW-branded Castrol until the late '90s or early '00s.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by TotalPower

sparknotes: Send your oil in, get it analyzed, and make your decision on a case by case basis.

+1,000

It's the only way to really know - otherwise you are just guessing.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Clifton

+1,000

It's the only way to really know - otherwise you are just guessing.

I'm not even going to start on this again. LOL.

[Clifton]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

I'm not even going to start on this again. LOL.

That's smart. LOL.

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by Clifton

That's smart. LOL.

I'm thinking Jiffy Lube must own Blackstone Labs. As people have stopped drinking the Kool Aid about 3,000 mile oil changes, Jiffy Lube has figured a new way to brainwash people out their $20.

[Glim]

I enjoy putting "oil" into my "engine" at somewhat "regular" intervals.

It makes the car "go"


This has been an important maintenance bulletin not (yet) sponsored by BMW Canada.