[taratorko]

Guys,

Would you recommend to follow the 15k miles oil change interval when it's out of warranty? It seems a bit too much to me, it seems like BMW was trying to save on their free maintenance, no?

thanks.

[darkphantom]

Even with their 15k oil change, I still get it every 7.5k miles....which I should really reduce to every 5k miles...but w/e

[742]

A search will find many threads on this subject, all of which turned into heated debates.

There are two major schools of thought; to follow the BMW system or to cut in in half (oil changes at 7500 miles). In any case you should be using oils with BMW LongLife 01 approval. Commonly these are oil from the dealer, Castrol Syntec 0W-30 or Mobil 1 0W-40. NOT Castrol or Mobil 1 5W-30.

Also consider the other fluids. Transmission, differential and coolant.

[MrChessy]

Eneos 0w50

[ECSTuning]

We have oil service kits available here on the website:

http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...aign=postreply

[noro]

Under or over warranty I change my oil at 10K intervals, and plan on doing it all the way to 300,000 miles. By this time I am sure the car will be a rust bucket but the engine will run as smooth as it did on day 1.

[Firefly6]

I would change it more frequently - it can only help.

And if you don't rack up a lot of miles, I would do it once a year.

[taratorko]

Thanks guys, I'll probably settle at 7 - 7.5

[blue2fire]

I get it done every 3,000 miles. I was assured it was best for the car (not necessarily for my wallet)

[ChrisTKHarris]

DIY and do it every 7500 miles and use either BMW OEM 5w30 or Mobil1 0W40. An LL-01 ACEA3 oil is what you need.

[smartys]

Originally Posted by Cleopatra

Guys,

Would you recommend to follow the 15k miles oil change interval when it's out of warranty? It seems a bit too much to me, it seems like BMW was trying to save on their free maintenance, no?

thanks.

+1,

I do my oil changes every 6000km or so........

EFF what BMW says.......

[GregL]

Originally Posted by Firefly6

I would change it more frequently - it can only help.

And if you don't rack up a lot of miles, I would do it once a year.

+1 I only do the equivalent of about 8000 miles a year, so annually works quite well for me.

[noro]

Originally Posted by blue2fire

I get it done every 3,000 miles. I was assured it was best for the car (not necessarily for my wallet)

Whoever assured you of that is a mean mean person.

[bobr2001]

i will stay with my 2.5K interval as always since i was told that was the best. i only use the best oil like quaker state or penzoil which are very american and ive used since the 60s. ive also been told to not use synthetic since its not real oil

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by Cleopatra

Guys,

Would you recommend to follow the 15k miles oil change interval when it's out of warranty? It seems a bit too much to me, it seems like BMW was trying to save on their free maintenance, no?

thanks.

So, what are you saying? That you've been using the BMW maintenance schedule of 15k since you've owned it and now want to change? Or did you buy it used? Did the PO change it at 15K? How many miles are in it now? Is it out of warranty now because of date or miles? Or is it still in warranty?

The first years of its life are the important years. But going to a shorter schedule is still a good idea, imho.

fwiw, I change at 7.5k despite mfg's suggestions.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by bobr2001

i will stay with my 2.5K interval as always since i was told that was the best. i only use the best oil like quaker state or penzoil which are very american and ive used since the 60s. ive also been told to not use synthetic since its not real oil

It's all about additives. Not synthetic as not being "real." Dino oil is fine if you get the good stuff rather than Pennzoil or Quaker State.

For Dino oil, use stuff like Kendall Racing Oil which is no longer made or Brad Penn which is available and comes from the same pool in PA that Kendall came from.
http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

[noro]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

It's all about additives. Not synthetic as not being "real." Dino oil is fine if you get the good stuff rather than Pennzoil or Quaker State.

For Dino oil, use stuff like Kendall Racing Oil which is no longer made or Brad Penn which is available and comes from the same pool in PA that Kendall came from.
http://www.lnengineering.com/oil.html

I think you are taking is post more seriously than he was intending.

[toymaker]

Check out Castrol 0W30 Made in Germany a.k.a. European Formula
BMW approved and it is heavy 30 weight.

[MrDummy]

I personally trust the cars diagnostic system, I mean synthetic does go up to 25k miles in some studies, depending on climate and driving conditions.

But I dont race mine or drive it to hard so I will see when I get flagged for a change, It just had one b4 I bought it used.

[blue2fire]

Originally Posted by bobr2001

i will stay with my 2.5K interval as always since i was told that was the best. i only use the best oil like quaker state or penzoil which are very american and ive used since the 60s. ive also been told to not use synthetic since its not real oil

I don't think my BMW Dealer charges me what he does and then uses anything other than the Manufacturer Recommendation. I know it isn't strictly necessary (it isn't an Evo/STi) but i don't mind.

[Kilgore Trout]

Originally Posted by MrDummy

I personally trust the cars diagnostic system, I mean synthetic does go up to 25k miles in some studies, depending on climate and driving conditions.

But I dont race mine or drive it to hard so I will see when I get flagged for a change, It just had one b4 I bought it used.

Contrary to urban myth there is no "diagnostic system" in the BMW with regard to oil. That is, there is no sensor that tells you when the oil is bad. The oil change indicators simply reflects the amount of fuel you've burned. When you've burned a certain amount, roughly equivalent to 15,000 miles, it tells you to get an oil change.

[taratorko]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

So, what are you saying? That you've been using the BMW maintenance schedule of 15k since you've owned it and now want to change? Or did you buy it used? Did the PO change it at 15K? How many miles are in it now? Is it out of warranty now because of date or miles? Or is it still in warranty?

The first years of its life are the important years. But going to a shorter schedule is still a good idea, imho.

fwiw, I change at 7.5k despite mfg's suggestions.

I got it used at 54k miles. I have a copy of the service record, and the oil was changed 3 times - at 15, 30 and 45k roughly.

How about the other fluids (as someone mentioned earlier). Transmission, differential and coolant have never been changed. What schedule would you recommend? The record only shows brakes fluid changed at 45k-ish.

Thanks.