[NiNeTyOne]

With the Audi S4 I could run a much larger than stock filter, which helped by increasing total filter area, captured more crap before the filter was fully contaminated and improved pressure over the 5k I usually ran the oil.

With the n52 the filter is tiny by comparison, with no real sensible way to upsize the filter, so I'm considering just replacing the filter at 3,000 miles and raising my oil change interval to 6,000 as the filter can readily be changed without changing the oil (a nice benefit of the BMW over the older Audi).

Is anyone else doing this?

[Efthreeoh]

IMO serious waste of money on a 3,000-mile filter change and a 6,000-mile OCI

[NiNeTyOne]

$10 for a filter is a waste of money?

My Blackstone reports indicate that after a year, which is about how long it takes me to drive 6000 miles, that there are signs of the oil beginning breaking down. Not broken down, but the early indication that it's time to change it. So I'm content to change a little before 6k.

I guess I'll change the filter Monday and have a look at the old filter to see what it looks like. Maybe I'll post a couple pics.

[mweisdorfer]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

With the Audi S4 I could run a much larger than stock filter, which helped by increasing total filter area, captured more crap before the filter was fully contaminated and improved pressure over the 5k I usually ran the oil.

With the n52 the filter is tiny by comparison, with no real sensible way to upsize the filter, so I'm considering just replacing the filter at 3,000 miles and raising my oil change interval to 6,000 as the filter can readily be changed without changing the oil (a nice benefit of the BMW over the older Audi).

Is anyone else doing this?

I go 16k intervals. I use Amsoil 5w-40 Euro full sap oil. In addition, I use Mann filters. I change them out at the 8k mark and then again, once I do the oil change. In addition, I will also use Amsoil's Engine Flush and run it for 15 min prior to the oil change.

I have 122k on my car and have not had a problem yet. I am a daily driver and do not track my car.

Just my 2 cents....

[Efthreeoh]

I have 299,600 on BMW's oil at an average now (down for 17,500) of about 14,000 mile OCIs. And nope it's not all highway miles; I sit in some of the heaviest traffic in the US for about 200 miles a week and drive very hard on some of the best roads in the mountains of Virginia every day. And I've never sent an oil sample in for analysis.

[PureE92]

I do 10k intervals and its fine.

[Efthreeoh]

The OE filters (MANN) easily withstand 17,000 mile oil changes.

[Denny347]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I have 299,600 on BMW's oil at an average now (down for 17,500) of about 14,000 mile OCIs. And nope it's not all highway miles; I sit in some of the heaviest traffic in the US for about 200 miles a week and drive very hard on some of the best roads in the mountains of Virginia every day. And I've never sent an oil sample in for analysis.

Holy hell, good for you.

[Miller335]

I do 5k OCI on my 335i and my Blackstone lab report was steller.
I posted it on bobtheoilguy forums and many people were impressed by the report.

[patents]

Originally Posted by NiNeTyOne

My Blackstone reports indicate that after a year, which is about how long it takes me to drive 6000 miles, that there are signs of the oil beginning breaking down.

You are supposed to change your oil and filter after 12 months regardless of mileage (or what the CBS says - it's programmed for two years, which is wrong).

I say there's no sense in changing the filter early. They are designed to last way longer than that. Just change your oil and filter every year, which is about 6k for you.

People debate this all day long, but my philosophy has always been to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. BMW says to follow the oil change indicator, and go a max of one year. So that's what I do. Even if it didn't tell me to change my oil until 15k, I would still trust it. If someone shows me proof that they followed BMW's recommendations and resulted in a failure or repair due to infrequent oil changes, I might be convinced otherwise.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by patents

You are supposed to change your oil and filter after 12 months regardless of mileage (or what the CBS says - it's programmed for two years, which is wrong).

I say there's no sense in changing the filter early. They are designed to last way longer than that. Just change your oil and filter every year, which is about 6k for you.

People debate this all day long, but my philosophy has always been to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. BMW says to follow the oil change indicator, and go a max of one year. So that's what I do. Even if it didn't tell me to change my oil until 15k, I would still trust it. If someone shows me proof that they followed BMW's recommendations and resulted in a failure or repair due to infrequent oil changes, I might be convinced otherwise.

I've shown proof you can follow the CBS... I drive it every day.

I can't argue with the OP's 6,000-mile OCI if that is his yearly mileage. That's about 7 weeks for me. LOL