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      10-29-2012, 06:36 PM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jrob View Post
Just because the oil that comes out is dark doesn't mean it is breaking down. If you are really concerned about how your oil is performing, send a sample to Blackstone Labs to see what's in it and how well it is performing.

http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

That being said, I don't see the harm in a break-in oil change to be on the safe side, but I think that regular oil change intervals of anything less than ~7,500 are unnecessary and wasteful.
Well yes, clearly, if it's dark, that means it's doing it's job, it's just a mental, "Ok I changed out the initial engine oil" out thing. Can't explain it.
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      11-07-2012, 02:00 PM   #24
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15,000 miles and i'm still on original oil.
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      11-08-2012, 08:52 PM   #25
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No, there is nothing wrong with doing an early oil change.
Well, other than possibly throwing away good oil and money and time.
But then, it's your money and time.

The only real question is, why do it?
If it's for technical reasons, then you need to know or read up on the technical info before simply guessing at which mileage to change the oil and filter.
If it's for emotional reasons, then there is no need for any actual data, like an oil analysis for example.

For me, I changed the oil in my E46, A4, and 135i when the cars computer calculated that it's time to change the oil and filter, using the variety of sensor data and ECU algorithms. I'll be doing the same with my 335i Msport.

It may sound too cold and calculating to let the ECU make that decision, but it's been working just fine for BMW since the intro of the E46 nearly 15yrs ago. And yet, we haven't heard or been reading that those old E46's are prone to oil related failures, or excessive oil use with high mileage.
Seems BMW's engineers were correct on that one, even though we know they don't get everything right.
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      11-16-2012, 12:44 PM   #26
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I'm still waiting for my car to change the 'miles to service' from 14,000. It's been 2.5 months and 3,200 miles and she hasn't budged. Something is amiss methinks...
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      11-16-2012, 01:12 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mrcarcrazy View Post
BMW only cares that the car functions flawlessly til the end of warranty....after that it's not their problem. Think about it for a second.

Absolutely everything passes through a cost/benefit calculator. If cost> benefit, then x doesn't happen. If Benefit to BMW > Cost then x does happen.

Oil changes are a perfect example. Oil has improved, filters have improved, engines have improved....the years of 3k oil changes are gone. However how much you are willing to go over that is your choice. BMW says your car will be fine til the end of its warranty with 15k oil changes....So if not owning past warranty who cares? If you plan on keeping it past warranty then you should care and possibly think on your own vs. trusting other people.
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      11-19-2012, 08:54 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tdizzle
I'm still waiting for my car to change the 'miles to service' from 14,000. It's been 2.5 months and 3,200 miles and she hasn't budged. Something is amiss methinks...
Ur ok... I have 3k miles, changed oil once (at 1500), and it hasn't budged from 14k service... I suspect at 5k it'll change to 10k service due (intervals of 5k I assume)
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      11-25-2012, 10:12 PM   #29
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Frogman View Post
There's a really long in these forums about this topic.

Apparently BMW does not use break-in oil on these cars. I also did not want to keep my original oil for 15,000 miles.

I had the dealer do an out-of-cycle change at 4,000 (just before a long trip). I'll have the second change done on schedule at about 15,000. After that, I'll probably change it every 7,500.

It's a lot more expensive to change than other cars due to the synthetic oil requirement, but I plan on keeping this car for a long time, so I think it's worth it.
Correct. Only M Cars.
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      11-29-2012, 09:35 AM   #30
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BMWgasm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Naambezet View Post
Ofcourse, Americans just take the marketing talk for truth, so everyone there is concerned about changing oil. Only thing you guys do is wasting money and oil with that.
Yes, and all Dutch people wear wooden shoes, eat cheese, and smoke weed all the time.

I have never been one to go by the "every 3,000 miles" mantra- I always waited about 5-6K and with my Bimmers I adhere to the 15K and basically take it in when the car says so. That said, the best thing you can do for your car to make it last is change the oil regularly along with the other fluids as needed, and filters. Basic maintenance will make your car very happy and you also. I would rather spend a few dollars today then a few hundred later to fix a major issue.
What's wrong with eating cheese(sharp) n nothing wrong with "weed" at all...
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      12-06-2012, 01:41 AM   #31
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I am currently about to hit 13,000 miles on my ride, and my car is telling me I am not scheduled a oil change for another 3000 miles. Does that sound about right? 16,000 for my very first oil change?

Also, I had to add in 1 quart of oil 2 separate times already. One time I was driving to Vegas last June, and another time 6 months from then. A light came on telling me to add 1 quart oil, stopped off at a auto zone, grabbed oil added in and been good since.

Does seem awfully long but I guess if that's when its due, then I'll take it in then.
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      12-06-2012, 09:03 AM   #32
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Mine is the same, I'm at 13K with 3K left to go. Base interval is 15K. It's a condition based system, so it will indicate less miles if you drive it harder.

I haven't had to add any oil at all yet. It still reads full. I think the N55 engine uses more than the N20 based on posts here.

Also, if you are low on oil, the dealer will add it for you if you stop by. That's part of the 4 year maintenance that is included with the car.
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      12-29-2012, 11:29 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The X Men
If you drive about 7500 miles a year, the above schedule is about right. If you drive 15000 miles a year, that means you drive a lot of highway and highway miles are a lot easier on oil than city miles. The BMW free maintenance is for 12000 miles or 12 months and the high quality oil that BMW use should be fine for 12000 miles. Like many have said, the Europeans have been using the same oil and change schedules for years without any problem. Its only in the US, the land of the waste that we insist on changing our oil more often than necessary.
12 or 15k miles?
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      02-07-2013, 04:27 AM   #34
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bcl0328 View Post
15,000 miles and i'm still on original oil.
cringe
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      02-12-2013, 12:33 PM   #35
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http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/used-o...hat-is-normal/
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      02-12-2013, 03:13 PM   #36
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im at 14,800 and car says next service is in 1,400 miles! Think its calculating the 2 quarts that I have added in the past?
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      02-12-2013, 03:28 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
im at 14,800 and car says next service is in 1,400 miles! Think its calculating the 2 quarts that I have added in the past?
I'm at 15,100 and still have 1200 miles left. I have never added any oil, but I did have it changed at 4,500 without resetting the system.

I think the CBS logic in the car looks at how you drive your car and the condition of the oil. I remember someone saying that their CBS wanted the oil changed at 12,000 miles.
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      02-21-2013, 12:53 PM   #38
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Just had my oil changed out-of-cycle at 7500 miles. Just couldn't deal with going 15k for the first oil change, whether it's OK or not.

The SA tried to talk me out of it, saying there was no point, and he may be right. He also said the computer monitors your driving style to know when it's due.

Here's a potentially stupid question: I obviously didn't want the service reminder reset or it would go another 15,000 miles, defeating the purpose of the in-between oil change. Is there any way to know for sure that the oil was changed, other than watching it happen?

I dropped my car off for the day to get some software updates taken care of too. If the SA is totally convinced it doesn't need an oil change, I can imagine him saying they did it, when they didn't (I don't know him personally, so it's not a character judgement).
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      03-10-2013, 12:26 AM   #39
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Quote:
Originally Posted by c.cash View Post
Just had my oil changed out-of-cycle at 7500 miles. Just couldn't deal with going 15k for the first oil change, whether it's OK or not.

The SA tried to talk me out of it, saying there was no point, and he may be right. He also said the computer monitors your driving style to know when it's due.

Here's a potentially stupid question: I obviously didn't want the service reminder reset or it would go another 15,000 miles, defeating the purpose of the in-between oil change. Is there any way to know for sure that the oil was changed, other than watching it happen?

I dropped my car off for the day to get some software updates taken care of too. If the SA is totally convinced it doesn't need an oil change, I can imagine him saying they did it, when they didn't (I don't know him personally, so it's not a character judgement).
If you think the SA may be right that you don't need an in between change, then why do it?

Why doo you think the SA would try to talk you out of an added expense only to then take your money but not change your oil?
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      03-10-2013, 02:34 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RPM90 View Post
If you think the SA may be right that you don't need an in between change, then why do it?
I get why you're chiming in -- and not trying to be too confrontational -- but I'm not a mechanic, so whatever I think isn't going to make the decision right or wrong. I freely admit it was all about old school thinking and feeling comfortable, and I just wasn't comfortable going 15k with the original oil.

And I somewhat buy into the theory that BMW only care about the first 4 years or 50k that they're responsible for. It makes sense. Making a car that will last forever isn't in their best interest.

My question wasn't whether or not I should have the oil changed; it was: Since the computer wasn't reset, is there any way to guarantee the work was done other than watching it happen?

Last edited by c.cash; 03-12-2013 at 12:12 AM..
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      03-10-2013, 03:29 PM   #41
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
im at 14,800 and car says next service is in 1,400 miles! Think its calculating the 2 quarts that I have added in the past?
Yes, the next service interval is unique to your car, your oil, and your driving. I've seen the interval recommend changing the oil anywhere between 14,000 and 16,000 miles on my cars and my friends' car.

With that being said, it's still just an estimate.
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      03-12-2013, 10:14 AM   #42
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mahzari View Post
Yes, the next service interval is unique to your car, your oil, and your driving. I've seen the interval recommend changing the oil anywhere between 14,000 and 16,000 miles on my cars and my friends' car.

With that being said, it's still just an estimate.
I expected mine to be more frequent than the average since I drive really hard plus track once a month.
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      03-12-2013, 11:25 AM   #43
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Originally Posted by ric124 View Post
I expected mine to be more frequent than the average since I drive really hard plus track once a month.
It's interesting because hauling ass when a car is cold is worse for the engine and oil than a track day when the car is properly warmed up. At least, that is my experience. Between my brother and myself, our cars use less oil (my F30 has never needed a quart in 10,000 miles) when we take the time to warm them up and take them to redline frequently. It's also important to note that US F30 Sport Lines have an additional oil coolers not found in other markets.

Lastly, I doubt the car will ever tell you to bring it in much earlier than 15,000 miles considering BMW is footing the bill.
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      03-12-2013, 12:07 PM   #44
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I've always changed our N55 equipped vehicles at 7,500 and let the dealer do it at the 15k mark. Waste of money? Maybe. But I enjoy the quality time I get to spend with the vehicle and it's not really that much when I do the change myself. I enjoy it actually.

We are about to have our first N55 equipped vehicle, an X3, go past 40k miles. Thus I'll be doing the oil changes on my own dime from here on out. Anyone know what a dealer would charge just to reset the oil life parameter? I can see them wanting something crazy. Wish there was a way to manually do the reset myself.
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