Dealer wants $135 for an oil change

DrGP · 04-09-2007, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brett

I don't understand why you guys are all changing your oil at 5k?

BMWs are suppose to be changed every 15k? What benefit is there to changing it earlier? I can't imagine it is that significant.

-Brett

Not true, most dealers wont' change the oil until the service indicator says so. My dealer told me you could request one at 1 yr interval if indicator has not come on. Others have posted that their dealers refused the 1 yr oil change. If it were up to me, (and it is even though I lease), I would change oil at 5K and every 7.5k thereafter. I would not stretch it longer than 10K . 5k with synthetic oil is OK, but IMHO, overkill. Original Mobil 1 was touted as a 25k oil. I wouldn't ever do 25k with any oil .

msimon18 · 04-09-2007, 10:19 PM

BMW oil change frequency is 15K miles or once a year. If you have less than the 15K miles at the end of the first year they will change it but NOT reset the maintenance indicator. When you cross the 15K take it back in and they will change it again and then reset the indicator.

I actually had it done TWICE in the first year - at 5K and then again at 9K and took it back again at 15K. I now have 27K on the car after 3 years and they have changed the oil 5 times. NO CHARGE !!

I also had them change the wiper blades each tine and again ... NO CHARGE !!

Revlis · 04-09-2007, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THE JEDI

Well Brett I say let em pay.....I aint gonna pay for anything thats free

Good For you, Now do something useful, find a purpose somewhere...

I enjoyed changing the oil, getting to know the car a little more, and the peace of mind is worthwhile. The sludgy garbage I drained out at 250 miles was shocking.

No, it's a well engineered high quality car, it deserves proper treatment, Not treatment according to lawyers and accountants.

It's Foolish to expect BMW recommend changing the oil every 5k let alone every 3k while they are handing out "free Service". Bullshit, it would cost them a fortune and they know it.

E90330iS · 04-09-2007, 11:00 PM

Wow that's a lot $100+ for an oil change. If I DIY do I have to get a jack? Thanks!

Revlis · 04-09-2007, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90330iS

Wow that's a lot $100+ for an oil change. If I DIY do I have to get a jack? Thanks!

You'll need ramps probably, Jack maybe but not all alone. Ramps are probably the easiest and safest.

wj4 · 04-09-2007, 11:13 PM

I changed the oil on my 335i at 1200 miles. The lady who wrote me up was wondering why I want to change the oil so soon. I said I wanted to be safe. I paid around $100 for it.

teknochild · 04-09-2007, 11:15 PM

seriously, its the easiest change ever, the bolts not in some stupid place, the filters right there

the biggest trouble i had was getting the old o rings off, and the most effort involved was pouring the oil in (felt like that was the longest part)

by the way i changed after 1500 miles, the sample kit got here today and im sending it out tommarow for analysis, if anyones oil is going to be degraded after 1500 miles its mine (see my posts about 14.7 mpg average and 12k miles on my CSB for an oil chnage after 1500 miles)

TTG · 04-09-2007, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

I enjoyed changing the oil, getting to know the car a little more, and the peace of mind is worthwhile. The sludgy garbage I drained out at 250 miles was shocking.

Your oil was really that sludgy after 250 miles? I got 900 on mine and I wasn't planning on changing it until 1500.... I might hit 1500 by Sep which is the 1 year interval for me..... Go ED

KevinC · 04-09-2007, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revlis

Actually When I took my Bro 540 in to a Jiffy lube they told me upfront that it would be a little more because of the oil and filter cartridge are pretty specific.

You're lucky if they even change the damn filter. Search YouTube for "Jiffy Lube" and watch the story about the blatant fraud in the LA area.

The only thing "pretty specific" is that they know if you're driving a Bimmer, that you have deep pockets and expect to pay more for shit, so they ladle it on. You're also lucky if they don't slap some crummy Pennzoil 30-weight in there for your "synthetic" big bucks.

My stealership charges an incredibly low $69.95 for a proper BMW synthetic oil & filter change, will provide a loaner if desired, and are open half-day on Saturdays and will change while-u-wait with an appointment. At that price no reason to do it myself.

Hunter399 · 04-09-2007, 11:19 PM

I bought the filter and oil online

went down to my trusty gas station

they did a great job all for 15 dollars!

teknochild · 04-09-2007, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KevinC

My stealership charges an incredibly low $69.95 for a proper BMW synthetic oil & filter change, will provide a loaner if desired, and are open half-day on Saturdays and will change while-u-wait with an appointment. At that price no reason to do it myself.

jesus you can barely buy the filter and oil for that!! i wonder if my dealers that cheap, it would be worth the extra 20 bucks to bring it to them and play grand turismo on their waiting room while they changed it

Revlis · 04-09-2007, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TTG

Your oil was really that sludgy after 250 miles? I got 900 on mine and I wasn't planning on changing it until 1500.... I might hit 1500 by Sep which is the 1 year interval for me..... Go ED

Sludgy wasn't the right term, no not sludgy, but remarkably black and full of crud! I was pretty surprised as well. So NO not sludgy but black.

iatacs19 · 04-09-2007, 11:38 PM

Where is CanukLion when you need him?

Impressive 3 · 04-09-2007, 11:46 PM

dont ever go to jiffy lube! just pay the money and get it done at bmw. Thats what i would do

tadders · 04-10-2007, 12:02 AM

So each time I read about this I get more and more surprised by the attitudes. I know this is a much loved and debated topic and I should probably post this reply elsewhere, but I guess I gotta get it out and here it is.

Firstly, the service interval hasnt been set so BMW can save money on maintenance. Anyone that has been around these cars for any length of time would know that the service interval has been around the 10-15K mark for at least 10 years. BMW has only been 'including' maintenance for the last 3-4 that I know of.

Not only are these cars well engineered, which I think no-one disputes, but they are also rigoursly tested to ensure that they are capable of having a long life and thus where the maintenance schedule comes from. I appreciate there are problems, but most if not all are more likely production issues and could not be avoided by over zealous maintenance.

I moved from Europe a few years ago and the concept of a 3K mile 'service' amazed me - this does not happen in the UK where I am from. You take your car in either when it asks to be taken in or every year or every 10-15K miles. I still own a 99 Z3 in the UK, it has 15K miles on it. I bought it brand new, it has been to the dealership exactly when it asked to be. So far it has had 2 oil changes, 2 brake fliud changes and 4 new tires. Thats it! Since the car doesnt get used much now I spend most of my time out of the country, I took it into the local BMW dealer recently to get her checked out. Came back with a free car wash and vaccuum, nothing required. Bear in mind, if some are to be believed this is when they could have charged me for the incredibly bad way I have treated my car because I am 20 oil changes short.

I honestly believe that American car manufacturers/car oil companies have conditioned you all into believing that every engine needs this ridiculous schedule they have set forth for you. I have no doubt that the big engines that are predominent in many american cars may require it, maybe not even those anymore, but in the past. It still amazes me how BMW can get 215+HP out of a 2.5 liter engine, yet my wifes amercian SUV has a 4.6 V8 with 300BHP?

You have accepted that these guys can make a awesome car, why cant you accept that they know them better than you?

I apologize if I have offended anyone with this post, that was not my intention at all. I guess I have read about this stuff so many times something needed to come out.

Summary, I will be taking my car into the dealership for maintenance as it asks me to do so. No sooner, no later. I trust their schedules, plus my experience tells me this is OK. This will be 3 series number 4, BMW number 12.

AGIO_330i · 04-10-2007, 12:12 AM

If you plan on keeping the car longer than the warranty then maybe change it more often. If you like to track, cruise to meets, you just really like driving, then you may want to change it more often.

If you only plan on keeping the car 3 to 5 years, and you just use the car for work, etc, then the scheduled maintenance is fine for you. The new BMW engines have really good oil filtration systems, and if anything goes wrong, the car will be under warranty. Just keep it topped off; well lubricated.

But I suspect everyone on a forum such as e90post.com is much more of a car enthusiast than the regular BMW owner. Both you and your engine will enjoy a refreshing oil and filter change at more often intervals. If you wanna be a DIY baller, then change the drain bolt everytime also.

So when you ask this forum, "should I change my oil more often?" The correct answer for you is: "yes."

BMW synthetic oil is by Castro. And most feel Mobil 1 is even better.

And don't forget about your transmission fluid. Since you are down there, just change it at the same time.

Revlis · 04-10-2007, 12:15 AM

Umm, OK?

But you've made a great many assumptions about backgrounds and "american cars, blah blah blah...

My background is sportbikes, Made in Japan BTW, they have similar High HP high precision all alloy motors. Plain and simple, they run cleaner, stronger, better with fresh synthetic. Fair enough they share the oil with the tranny, but regardless you find that the oil breaks down pretty rapidly.

BMW has provided the maximum interval... there is no good reason to run your oil this long and it's not in your motors best interest to do so...

Besides, changing more often doesn't cost YOU anything, Certainly doesn't HURT anything and it's worth every penny in my peace of mind....

So why are you worried about?

Take you're "amazement" down the street...

AGIO_330i · 04-10-2007, 12:24 AM

I dunno in Seattle, but most Socal dealers will not change it for free unless the service indicator is on. Which is after like 16,000 miles. So when we want to change it more often, we have to purchase everything. Unless you know some great scam for free often oil changes, haha.

Barry626 · 04-10-2007, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by magmd

This is what BMW of San Diego charged me when I got the first oil change done at 10K miles.

Filter : $12.08
Synthetic oil: $4.05/quart x 7 ($34.65)
Labor $25.43
Waste fee: $1.43
Tax: $3.43

Total: $77.22 --- 45 minutes for oil change and free car wash

Hope this helps.

At least your dealer is honest as mine is too.
I had mine changed @ 3400 miles & I paid $76.00 tax included.

lyndon_h · 04-10-2007, 07:22 AM

Change it yourself. I dont change very many people.

BMW_drei · 04-10-2007, 07:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

I think you might haev missed one...

742 · 04-10-2007, 07:42 AM

Letting Jiffy Lube touch this car is like going to a butcher shop for surgery.

As for oil changes, this does get beaten to death. However, IMO, the lower quality gas in the United States (sulphur, ethanol), our habit of making short trips and lower quality oils (ACEA vs API) make a more conservative approach to oil change intervals at least justifiable. As for the BMW oil from the dealers, before anyone jumps on me take a moment to read the back and see where it is made.

In the end it is risk management. I run my cars past 7 years and 100,000 miles, and view a conservative maintenance schedule as cheap insurance. I have also seen sludged engines and thrown rods, and both make a lasting impression. But if I leased or got rid of my cars in less than 5 years I would take a different approach.

04-09-2007, 10:19 PM	#24
msimon18 Retired 19 Rep 868 Posts Drives: Z4 s30i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: The Villages, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 1965 Isetta 300 [0.00] 2004 1/5 Scale M3 GTR [10.00]	BMW oil change frequency is 15K miles or once a year. If you have less than the 15K miles at the end of the first year they will change it but NOT reset the maintenance indicator. When you cross the 15K take it back in and they will change it again and then reset the indicator. I actually had it done TWICE in the first year - at 5K and then again at 9K and took it back again at 15K. I now have 27K on the car after 3 years and they have changed the oil 5 times. NO CHARGE !! I also had them change the wiper blades each tine and again ... NO CHARGE !! __________________ M3 GTR - 1/5 scale - 4.2 HP w/ Collari hydraulic brakes - would you believe ~80 MPH on straightaway !!
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04-09-2007, 11:00 PM	#26
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Wow that's a lot $100+ for an oil change. If I DIY do I have to get a jack? Thanks! __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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04-09-2007, 11:13 PM	#28
wj4 Major General 335 Rep 7,719 Posts Drives: E90 manual 335i Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Burbank, CA iTrader: (8)	I changed the oil on my 335i at 1200 miles. The lady who wrote me up was wondering why I want to change the oil so soon. I said I wanted to be safe. I paid around $100 for it.
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04-09-2007, 11:15 PM	#29
teknochild Your resident 4um troll 123 Rep 2,020 Posts Drives: 335 coupe Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: fl iTrader: (0)	seriously, its the easiest change ever, the bolts not in some stupid place, the filters right there the biggest trouble i had was getting the old o rings off, and the most effort involved was pouring the oil in (felt like that was the longest part) by the way i changed after 1500 miles, the sample kit got here today and im sending it out tommarow for analysis, if anyones oil is going to be degraded after 1500 miles its mine (see my posts about 14.7 mpg average and 12k miles on my CSB for an oil chnage after 1500 miles) __________________ RAWRrrrr
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04-09-2007, 11:19 PM	#32
Hunter399 Major General 323 Rep 8,091 Posts Drives: F90M5 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (33)	I bought the filter and oil online went down to my trusty gas station they did a great job all for 15 dollars!
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04-09-2007, 11:38 PM	#35
iatacs19 Major General 459 Rep 5,319 Posts Drives: 2016 SO M4 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Washington, DC iTrader: (8)	Where is CanukLion when you need him?
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04-09-2007, 11:46 PM	#36
Impressive 3 New Member 3 Rep 23 Posts Drives: E92 coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: East Coast 3 iTrader: (0)	dont ever go to jiffy lube! just pay the money and get it done at bmw. Thats what i would do
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04-10-2007, 12:02 AM	#37
tadders Private 4 Rep 75 Posts Drives: Ordered: 335i Convertible Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Chandler, AZ iTrader: (0)	So each time I read about this I get more and more surprised by the attitudes. I know this is a much loved and debated topic and I should probably post this reply elsewhere, but I guess I gotta get it out and here it is. Firstly, the service interval hasnt been set so BMW can save money on maintenance. Anyone that has been around these cars for any length of time would know that the service interval has been around the 10-15K mark for at least 10 years. BMW has only been 'including' maintenance for the last 3-4 that I know of. Not only are these cars well engineered, which I think no-one disputes, but they are also rigoursly tested to ensure that they are capable of having a long life and thus where the maintenance schedule comes from. I appreciate there are problems, but most if not all are more likely production issues and could not be avoided by over zealous maintenance. I moved from Europe a few years ago and the concept of a 3K mile 'service' amazed me - this does not happen in the UK where I am from. You take your car in either when it asks to be taken in or every year or every 10-15K miles. I still own a 99 Z3 in the UK, it has 15K miles on it. I bought it brand new, it has been to the dealership exactly when it asked to be. So far it has had 2 oil changes, 2 brake fliud changes and 4 new tires. Thats it! Since the car doesnt get used much now I spend most of my time out of the country, I took it into the local BMW dealer recently to get her checked out. Came back with a free car wash and vaccuum, nothing required. Bear in mind, if some are to be believed this is when they could have charged me for the incredibly bad way I have treated my car because I am 20 oil changes short. I honestly believe that American car manufacturers/car oil companies have conditioned you all into believing that every engine needs this ridiculous schedule they have set forth for you. I have no doubt that the big engines that are predominent in many american cars may require it, maybe not even those anymore, but in the past. It still amazes me how BMW can get 215+HP out of a 2.5 liter engine, yet my wifes amercian SUV has a 4.6 V8 with 300BHP? You have accepted that these guys can make a awesome car, why cant you accept that they know them better than you? I apologize if I have offended anyone with this post, that was not my intention at all. I guess I have read about this stuff so many times something needed to come out. Summary, I will be taking my car into the dealership for maintenance as it asks me to do so. No sooner, no later. I trust their schedules, plus my experience tells me this is OK. This will be 3 series number 4, BMW number 12. __________________ Arrived: E93 335 Space Gray/Coral red/Gray Poplar > ZCW > ZPP > ZSP > STEP > CA > PDC > HD > iPOD Ordered:3/29 - Production complete:4/19 - At port:4/21 - Aboard Carmen:4/27 - Docked in LA:5/21 - Delivered 6/9
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04-10-2007, 12:12 AM	#38
AGIO_330i Private 4 Rep 96 Posts Drives: '06 330i Jet Black Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Orange County, SoCal iTrader: (1)	If you plan on keeping the car longer than the warranty then maybe change it more often. If you like to track, cruise to meets, you just really like driving, then you may want to change it more often. If you only plan on keeping the car 3 to 5 years, and you just use the car for work, etc, then the scheduled maintenance is fine for you. The new BMW engines have really good oil filtration systems, and if anything goes wrong, the car will be under warranty. Just keep it topped off; well lubricated. But I suspect everyone on a forum such as e90post.com is much more of a car enthusiast than the regular BMW owner. Both you and your engine will enjoy a refreshing oil and filter change at more often intervals. If you wanna be a DIY baller, then change the drain bolt everytime also. So when you ask this forum, "should I change my oil more often?" The correct answer for you is: "yes." BMW synthetic oil is by Castro. And most feel Mobil 1 is even better. And don't forget about your transmission fluid. Since you are down there, just change it at the same time.
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04-10-2007, 12:15 AM	#39
Revlis Now With 33% MORE Sarcasm Free! 157 Rep 3,462 Posts Drives: M4 i3 X3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Phoenix AZ iTrader: (0)	Umm, OK? But you've made a great many assumptions about backgrounds and "american cars, blah blah blah... My background is sportbikes, Made in Japan BTW, they have similar High HP high precision all alloy motors. Plain and simple, they run cleaner, stronger, better with fresh synthetic. Fair enough they share the oil with the tranny, but regardless you find that the oil breaks down pretty rapidly. BMW has provided the maximum interval... there is no good reason to run your oil this long and it's not in your motors best interest to do so... Besides, changing more often doesn't cost YOU anything, Certainly doesn't HURT anything and it's worth every penny in my peace of mind.... So why are you worried about? Take you're "amazement" down the street... __________________ A BMW is Just a Car, it doesn't make you smart, handsome, clever, better, cool, or wealthy.
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04-10-2007, 12:24 AM	#40
AGIO_330i Private 4 Rep 96 Posts Drives: '06 330i Jet Black Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Orange County, SoCal iTrader: (1)	I dunno in Seattle, but most Socal dealers will not change it for free unless the service indicator is on. Which is after like 16,000 miles. So when we want to change it more often, we have to purchase everything. Unless you know some great scam for free often oil changes, haha.
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04-10-2007, 07:22 AM	#42
lyndon_h Lieutenant Colonel 40 Rep 1,917 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Madagascar iTrader: (2)	Change it yourself. I dont change very many people.
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04-10-2007, 07:42 AM	#44
742 Major 13 Rep 1,187 Posts Drives: E90 325i; F10 528i; 2002tii Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: PA iTrader: (0)	Letting Jiffy Lube touch this car is like going to a butcher shop for surgery. As for oil changes, this does get beaten to death. However, IMO, the lower quality gas in the United States (sulphur, ethanol), our habit of making short trips and lower quality oils (ACEA vs API) make a more conservative approach to oil change intervals at least justifiable. As for the BMW oil from the dealers, before anyone jumps on me take a moment to read the back and see where it is made. In the end it is risk management. I run my cars past 7 years and 100,000 miles, and view a conservative maintenance schedule as cheap insurance. I have also seen sludged engines and thrown rods, and both make a lasting impression. But if I leased or got rid of my cars in less than 5 years I would take a different approach.
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