[John 070]

One thing that caught my eye is the 335 needs plugs at 45k, whereas the 328 at 100k. Then there are inconsistencies, like 7/70k on the Cali. emissions system, but also a chart saying 15yr. on the 328?

Frankly, does an owner get 4 free oil changes? It seems like the 4/50 is designed so the maint expires either by time or mileage before you can get it. Drive a lot? You'll expire at 50k. Don't drive a lot? 4 years will pass before you can get it. Because the way I understand it, you can get a free oil change after 1 yr. has passed from delivery date regardless of mileage, or sooner if you hit 15k. I'm just going to roll up my sleeves and do the oil myself, it's only worth $91 at full retail anyway, so whether I get the 4th one or not, just consider it a $45 loss in parts and DIY!

[E90Fleet]

335i need plugs sooner because of the turbocharging

[STE92VE]

My dealer charges $130(includes tax) for the oil change if not scheduled. DIY is $54.10 total...Can you guess who's doing the oil change after break-in?

[bmw0perat0r]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

My dealer charges $130(includes tax) for the oil change if not scheduled. DIY is $54.10 total...Can you guess who's doing the oil change after break-in?

I'm torn between doing it every 5k miles (as I did on my e36 m3) and waiting till the computer tells me it needs the oil change. I'm reluctant b/c I grew up with 3k mile oil changes ...non synthetics, and I'm not that old. Seems these long periods between oil changes are reasonable when you look at the technology and reports after the fact.

I think i'm gonna let the dealer mess with it till the maint. program expires...then i'll do it my way.

[STE92VE]

Originally Posted by bmw0perat0r

I'm torn between doing it every 5k miles (as I did on my e36 m3) and waiting till the computer tells me it needs the oil change. I'm reluctant b/c I grew up with 3k mile oil changes ...non synthetics, and I'm not that old. Seems these long periods between oil changes are reasonable when you look at the technology and reports after the fact.

I think i'm gonna let the dealer mess with it till the maint. program expires...then i'll do it my way.

If you own your car and plan on keeping it for a while, why would you "neglect it" while it's under the program?

As mentioned elsewhere, it's not that the oil denigrates over time, it's the fact that the filter can only keep the oil clean to a point. I plan on doing first change @ 1500 and every 5000 after that myself and when it falls into the maint. program schedule, I'll take advantage of the freebie. I don't put that many miles a year on the car so I know that I'll at least be getting 4 oil changes on BMW.

[kpcoupe]

I want to change the oil every 300, but since its synthetic i have a felling it will last until 15000

[iatacs19]

Just change it once on your own between each free oil change and it should be ok, about every 7,500 miles. You pay for every other one.

[Roundelman]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

Just change it once on your own between each free oil change and it should be ok, about every 7,500 miles. You pay for every other one.

+1

[hotsand5]

I ended up changing mine myself at 6,000 miles. The oil still looked brand new!

[John 070]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

My dealer charges $130(includes tax) for the oil change if not scheduled. DIY is $54.10 total...Can you guess who's doing the oil change after break-in?

My friend in Stamford CT said the same thing, $125. But I asked for a discount on my break-in change, so they charged me $71, I could live with that! Next one will be the free 1 yr., and after that I'll be DIY......

[John 070]

Originally Posted by STE92VE

I don't put that many miles a year on the car so I know that I'll at least be getting 4 oil changes on BMW.

I'm in the same boat, I'll never meet the 15k rule, so I'll be waiting for the year to pass. But from what I can see, it's like a dental cleaning coverage, you must wait for the year. And we all know how that goes, say your're 3 wks. late each time. What I'm thinking is that we low mileagers cannot get the 4th change--the time will have expired. If we want to be literal about it, say I changed mine 12/2/08, 12/2/09, 12/2/10, 12/2/11. If I'm 1 day late, say I do it 12/3/08, that shifts everything over by 1 day, and so my 4th change can't be done until 12/3/11, 1 day after it expires...see what I mean? 1 day is not realistic, we could be weeks or months late when our mileage is low, so the 4th is spent imho. Can't get it.

[dan8131]

Can someone explain to me why oil changes are needed more often than BMW says they are? I saw a comment about the oil filter actually dictating the need for a change as it will become too "clogged" before the actual oil is too dirty.

As opposed to the many break-in strategy debate posts...it seems that the more frequent oil changes is pretty agreed upon strategy.

Are there any people out there that think BMW knows what they're doing and just sticks to the recommended oil change intervals (to be done for free under the service warranty)?

[STE92VE]

There has been evidence that even synthetics allow sludge to accumulate in the pan over an extended period of time. Don't forget, it may take some people 2 years to put 15,000 miles on the engine. Whereas the lubricating properties of synthetics are effective for many miles, I don't think it's prudent to keep all the other particles and whatnot in the oil, circulating in your engine for that time.

[STE92VE]

One more thing, given the fact that BMW covers maint. for the term of the warranty, that's probably a factor in determining those timelines. I bet if they didn't, they would suggest oil changes be performed @ 7500 miles for normal conditions and 5000 or less for extreme. Just my $.02

[Ryan 330i]

all the cars are different. the 335 needs a few extras that the non turbos dont.

[Hendrix1]

Can i get my oil changed at Jiffy Lube, or will they mess it up? Should I trust them?

[visor]

Originally Posted by Hendrix1

Can i get my oil changed at Jiffy Lube, or will they mess it up? Should I trust them?

Ummm... you can afford to own a BMW, please don't bring it to Jiffy Lube (unless it's a lease).

If they're not experienced, they'll probably reuse the crush washer and also forget to reinstall the plastic access panel!

[AndrewAZ]

Guys guys guys.. You can get your oil changed every year for free by BMW. I used to get the oil changed in my old M3 every 3,000 miles for free at the BMW dealer. As for the normal BMW cars you do it every year and you can find the bulletin posted somewhere on this site about yearly oil change for free if you drive less than 15k miles a year.

[just4kickz]

i didn't read the thread... but you get a free oil change during every service date... i'm guessing thats around 3 times. in addition, you get a free oil change every year?--i believe. i'm not sure. i had a free oilchange after my one year mark... and i'm going to get a free oil change during my first service date due sometime at the end of summer.

[dan8131]

Alright...let's get this straight once and for all.

Every normal maintenance service is FREE for 4yr/50k miles. So, assuming I drive 15k miles/year...I'll get my oil changed once per year and all the rest of the tune-ups, etc are covered as well.

So, assuming there are no major issues, and everything goes to plan...the entire time I'm under the 4 year 50k mile limit, I will never have to reach for my credit card?

[visor]

Originally Posted by dan8131

Alright...let's get this straight once and for all.

Every normal maintenance service is FREE for 4yr/50k miles. So, assuming I drive 15k miles/year...I'll get my oil changed once per year and all the rest of the tune-ups, etc are covered as well.

So, assuming there are no major issues, and everything goes to plan...the entire time I'm under the 4 year 50k mile limit, I will never have to reach for my credit card?

That is correct!
Isn't it great to own a BMW?!

[Potty_Pants]

if BMW tells you the sky is falling .... you believe them.

its been proven... Synthetic will last much longer then 5k miles... however the filter should be replaced at a maximum of 7500 miles.

personally I will be changing my oil around 1200 miles and every 5k.

you guys do whatcha like. google is your friend.


ppp