[Phoenix704]

As the title says, here is the 3rd oil analysis on my N20. I picked the car up with 7k on the odometer just under 2 years ago. The first change was after 7500 miles, I pushed it per the iDrive on change #2, then change 3 was right under 7,500.

At this point, I think I'm settling on 5-7.5k for oil changes. The local indy shop uses Ardeca 5W-40, which is BMW LL-01 certified. I'm pretty happy with how it looks, the only thing that's slightly concerning is the low TBN this time. Chances are it would be near 0 if I ran the full 10k. This is interesting because the last change the same oil, run longer but showed almost double the TBN remaining.

[fazi13]

Yes do every 7.5k miles. I did not and had bmw maintenance plan for 75k miles. My piston ring blew at 90k and the shop did an inspection it was likely due to long oil changes and heavy la stop n go. New engine I’ll be doing 7.5k miles. Also I haven’t heard of Ardeca but oem bmw uses pennzoil but recently now castrol. Project farm has an oil analysis where pennzoil won. So I buy pennzoil on sale at Walmart. They usually have a mail in rebate which makes the 5qt oil jug come out to like $2-4 lol. Then I bought my filter from FCP euro they offer lifetime replacements for free on all their parts including brakes and filters. I went oem instead of Mann (Mann is the oe supplier) but since free lifetime replacements I went oem anyway.

[jsouth]

My strategy (2013 328i base model) is 5k filter changes and topoff, with 10k oil changes. My Blackstone analysis shows that it is working well.

I have read previously that synthetic oils benefit from a half-quart or so top up in mid-life. This seems to support that idea.

[Phoenix704]

Originally Posted by jsouth

My strategy (2013 328i base model) is 5k filter changes and topoff, with 10k oil changes. My Blackstone analysis shows that it is working well.

I have read previously that synthetic oils benefit from a half-quart or so top up in mid-life. This seems to support that idea.

Interesting idea about the filter changes. I hadn't thought of that, but could see the merit.

[jsouth]

Originally Posted by Phoenix704

Interesting idea about the filter changes. I haven't done thought of that, but could see the merit.

It's less expensive and better for the environment (less used oil disposal). I have done it for years with five different vehicles using synthetic oil.

[DadzBmer_N2o]

Originally Posted by fazi13

Yes do every 7.5k miles. I did not and had bmw maintenance plan for 75k miles. My piston ring blew at 90k and the shop did an inspection it was likely due to long oil changes and heavy la stop n go. New engine I'll be doing 7.5k miles. Also I haven't heard of Ardeca but oem bmw uses pennzoil but recently now castrol. Project farm has an oil analysis where pennzoil won. So I buy pennzoil on sale at Walmart. They usually have a mail in rebate which makes the 5qt oil jug come out to like $2-4 lol. Then I bought my filter from FCP euro they offer lifetime replacements for free on all their parts including brakes and filters. I went oem instead of Mann (Mann is the oe supplier) but since free lifetime replacements I went oem anyway.

Actually i think the Amsoil off project farm beat Pennzoil in the overall testing but not by much and considering it cost more for Amsoil and if your doing shorter intervals, yes the Pennzoil is a better bargin..

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by Phoenix704

Interesting idea about the filter changes. I hadn't thought of that, but could see the merit.

Early filter changes wouldn’t do anything for low TBN though.