Say good bye to free annual oil changes unless you drive less than 6000 miles/year

[2010AW135i]

or more than 15,000 miles per year.

if you drive 6500 miles a year it will take you over 2 years to get your 1st oil change.

Thanks BMW! Sell cars with "4 years free maintanence, then change thier terms after the sale"



I currently have 5000 miles on my car and have had it less than a year. at the current rate of miles I'll have 6500 miles on it by my 1st year anniversary which makes it right in the middle of being able to get an oil change. So by the time i hit 15,000 miles it will be 2012. for my 1st oil change.

[TN_3]

For the average BMW driver, they will neither care nor complain about adjustments in the oil change interval...it is the well educated enthusiasts that get screwed. And there aren't enough of us to convince BMW to change their ways. It is really is a shame.

[2010AW135i]

yep, the people who actually care about their cars get stiffed. Gonna need to order some oil change kits sooner than I thought. I also will also be sketchy about buying a used low mileage bmw unsure of if the oil has been changed only once in its life.

[one 35i]

While I enjoy the car, it is this type of maneuver that gives me concern with BMW. In my small mind this was a part of the contract when I purchased the car and, at this point, they unilaterally change the terms in their favor. Not my understanding/belief of how to win over new customers. Oh well--------------------what do they care!

[GotM]

It does seem odd that they dont make this effective on future purchases. I will make sure the mid cycle oil changes go to a good indy mech versus the dealer.

[ennislaw]

I took delivery 25 Nov 09 via ED and I've accumulated about 4K miles since it's re-delivery via PCD in Jan 2010 and it's near the end of August already. I notice my instrument panel reflects a service call at Nov 2011, two years beyond the initial delivery date. I did spring for an extra break-in oil change and plan to have it changed again at 7500, but the "free" two year oil change is a bit cheesy. [Sorry about the poor quality shot, but it's a screen shot from a movie clip.]

pge

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by 2010AW135i

yep, the people who actually care about their cars get stiffed. Gonna need to order some oil change kits sooner than I thought. I also will also be sketchy about buying a used low mileage bmw unsure of if the oil has been changed only once in its life.

Actually if it has under 6.5k miles per year then it will get an annual oil change. So go for really low miles or average mils. The 7k per year cars are the ones in trouble.

[boostm3]

Originally Posted by nordique14

Actually if it has under 6.5k miles per year then it will get an annual oil change. So go for really low miles or average mils. The 7k per year cars are the ones in trouble.

Why < 6.5k miles? The TSB dated August 2010 above says, 'The vehicle must have been driven 6000 miles or less'. If this is their criteria, why do you suggest that its not really the 6k miles they say, but rather 6.5k miles that is the delimiter?

[AchtungF80]

Further proof we should not listen to the manufacturer on when oil changes are acceptable. Just because its in print in your instruction manual and/or free to you, paid by BMW, does not mean it is right for your car.

[MOCKBA]

I do not see problem here, you still can change oil any time, you need just pay for it and many places offer it for $60. I never buy a point that car has free maintenance, so when Benz quit the program I was happy, since I wasn’t anymore obligated by stupid computer when I need to do oil change and could do it anytime.

But sure 1 owners are cheap as it was stated in other thread, so it is the reason why it is so harmful for us.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by achtungE30

Further proof we should not listen to the manufacturer on when oil changes are acceptable. Just because its in print in your instruction manual and/or free to you, paid by BMW, does not mean it is right for your car.

+1.

How are you liking your R56 so far? I hope BMW allows MINI to uprade the new software that alleviates the torque steer. Thats my only gripe with that car.

[AchtungF80]

Originally Posted by BForbes

+1.

How are you liking your R56 so far? I hope BMW allows MINI to uprade the new software that alleviates the torque steer. Thats my only gripe with that car.

I'm digging it...a bit too small a car for me at times but the fun outweighs the practicality. Currently looking into stickier tires and anti-roll bars. If you're looking to buy one, PM me, I have an opinion I'd like to contribute to anyone looking to buy one before they buy.

Ironically, i'm at 5600mi on it so far and have NOT changed the oil. Might be doing that soon.

[NYC6]

Originally Posted by one 35i

While I enjoy the car, it is this type of maneuver that gives me concern with BMW. In my small mind this was a part of the contract when I purchased the car and, at this point, they unilaterally change the terms in their favor. Not my understanding/belief of how to win over new customers. Oh well--------------------what do they care!

I agree and I will remember this the next time its time to buy a new car. I'll wager it wont be a BMW. They broke a contract that I had with them and I wont forget it. In fact I will notify the BBB of this I think. Its plain wrong.

[Cuz5150]

Can't believe that BMW back pedaledShame Shame.(I bet $$'s someone will file a class action lawsuit and win big here)
I have an annual oil change coming up in 2 weeks. My current mileage is around 4500 miles.....I'm getting a free oil change, so for now, <bites lip>

[Novator]

I drive my 1er alot, almost 27k since picking her up in December 2008 and I paid for the break in oil change, let 12k go by and BMW changed it for me, then I paid for it after another 7k and by next weekened BMW will be paying for it, so I see no problem.

[RPM90]

Well, I call BULLSHIT BMW on this one.

So, let's see.
If there is 6k or less miles in 1 year, you get an oil change. So, it seems by their analysis, that if a year goes by and you've only driven 6k miles, then there is enough chemistry change in the oil to go ahead and change it.
What if you drive only 7k miles in 1 year?
Does BMW really expect me to believe that that oil is still "good" enough for me to keep driving it for another year and another 7k miles?

Whatever. I've been leasing for the past 3 cars, so BMW you can take the risk on this stupidity.

I will be filing a complaint with BMW NA and the BBB for breach of contract.
Other car makers like Audi and MB stopped with the "free" maintenance, but they also reduced the overall cost of the vehicle, BMW did not reduce the cost.
Thus, I PAID for the "free" maintenance when I leased my 135i originally.
I don't see this updated notice speaking of a refund of the original price.

Also, that is one stupid misleading comment by BMW to comment on synthetic oil being the reason why this change is occurring. BMW started using synthetic in all of their cars in 1999, not 2001. So that comment is BS.

One more thing, when I had my 2003 E46 and with my 135i, the dealer told me to come in ANY TIME if I needed to top off washer fluid or any other fluids per the "free maintenance". According to this bulletin even that has been stopped.
I never used the service anyway as I filled my own fluids, and BMW did it only during oil changes.
But still. I'm not at all happy that BMW can simply make this change and get away with it.
How about I change how much I really wanted to pay for the car? Let's see, I wanted another $1000 off the price. So, will BMW accept my new terms and accept a lower monthly payment? Ha! Yeah, right.

I hope all these engines sludge and BMW receives all the glory for it!
Sorry to those of you who didn't lease.

[nordique14]

Originally Posted by boostm3

Why < 6.5k miles? The TSB dated August 2010 above says, 'The vehicle must have been driven 6000 miles or less'. If this is their criteria, why do you suggest that its not really the 6k miles they say, but rather 6.5k miles that is the delimiter?

Sorry, 6k. poor reading comprehension skills on my part.

[NYC6]

RPM90 quote-"I hope all these engines sludge and BMW receives all the glory for it!
Sorry to those of you who didn't lease.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
I dont lease I buy and I take care of the cars I purchase. If BMW wont adhere to the contract they did with me I will do it out of pocket as I do changes in between their free ones anyway. My oil changes come every 4-5000 mile regardless of what they do gratis. I dont cut off my nose to spite my face.
Those I feel sorry for are the ones who purchase these leased cars 3-4 years from now from those leasees who dont give a shit about a car they never plan on owning.

[Tochenzo]

Looks like I'll be doing my own oil changes now...at least now I don't have to make a trip to the dealer as often.

[KingOfJericho]

I will have about 9,500-10,000 by my one year (9/30). Does this affect me in any way?

I seriously can not comprehend this lawyer-written robot letter.

[Tochenzo]

Does anyone know how much a BMW dealership generally charges for oil changes?

[Yes2m3cs]

Oil changes are about $125 at the dealer