oil change question!

audi2bmw1 · 09-23-2008, 12:22 PM

are you guys listening to the dealer when they say the first oil change is 15k? thats a little crazy to me as i always change every 3k no matter what.. also is the oil from the factory the syn or conventional? i know to break in engines usually you use conventional for about 500 or so miles then do another oil change 1k later then you can use syn oil thoughts?

Crowley · 09-23-2008, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audi2bmw1

are you guys listening to the dealer when they say the first oil change is 15k? thats a little crazy to me as i always change every 3k no matter what.. also is the oil from the factory the syn or conventional? i know to break in engines usually you use conventional for about 500 or so miles then do another oil change 1k later then you can use syn oil thoughts?

I have done 2 oil changes so far (4.4k miles so far on my car). I'm not sure, but I think it is synthetic oil from the factory but I'm not sure .. maybe someone else will chime in ..

Crowley

wrh3 · 09-23-2008, 01:00 PM

BMWs currently come filled with synthetic fluids.

The M cars get a change of oil/manual transmission fluid/differential fluid at 1200 miles.....I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't do the same for a non-M car at the same time themselves since it's not covered under the free maintenance. My 335i will be getting a transmission/differential fluid change every 25k miles and the oil will get changed in between the free BMW service visits so that the oil is changed every 7500 miles.

May be overkill but I plan to keep my cars for a while, oil analysis should confirm or deny my change schedule.....

Coach · 09-23-2008, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audi2bmw1

are you guys listening to the dealer when they say the first oil change is 15k? thats a little crazy to me as i always change every 3k no matter what.. also is the oil from the factory the syn or conventional? i know to break in engines usually you use conventional for about 500 or so miles then do another oil change 1k later then you can use syn oil thoughts?

There has been a ton of discussions on this topic. General consensus is to perform a break in change between 1000-1500mi. and every 7500 there after. A 3000 mile oil changes are not really needed anymore.

Crowley · 09-23-2008, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach

There has been a ton of discussions on this topic. General consensus is to perform a break in change between 1000-1500mi. and every 7500 there after. A 3000 mile oil changes are not really needed anymore.

But should be noted ... changing oil every 3k will not hurt your car

Crowley

Coach · 09-23-2008, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crowley

But should be noted ... changing oil every 3k will not hurt your car

Crowley

But is wasteful and not needed.

gio · 09-23-2008, 04:05 PM

I plan on doing oil changes every 5k. I'm almost up to the first 5k now.

My135 · 09-23-2008, 04:19 PM

I think 5K oil change make most sense since it is much easier to remember:-):-):-)

scrapiron7 · 09-23-2008, 04:26 PM

Why would BMW recommend 15k change intervals if they weren't safe? I don't think they'd recommend something that could be harmful and cause claims out of their own pocket.

I agree oil changes aren't needed at 3K any more.Oil has come a long ways since the 60s.

aarong_m3 · 09-23-2008, 04:50 PM

I've done 15k oil changes in my past BMWs: 1993 325i(152k miles), 2002 325i(84k miles) and even my 2002 M3(82k miles)(sorry i have 2 mortgages). They still ran like champs without any problems. And now we bought the 135i, we just did the break in oil service at 1800 miles and plan on doing it at 15k miles.

My135 · 09-23-2008, 04:53 PM

I guess that one of the big reason that BMW recommended 15K oil change is for marketing. They want to project a low maintenance cost vehical image instead of high maintenance cost car since every one was complainting how much to maintain a BMW. It is a no brainer that the oil filter will get much dirtier for a 15K versus 5K oil change interval even the sythentic oil will last for 15K.

sam480 · 09-23-2008, 08:16 PM

Manufacturers recommended oil change at certain interval, because an integral part of the an automobile design is to determine when the vehicle will go out of service. So if you plan to keep your vehicle longer, do more frequent preventative maintenance.

audi2bmw1 · 09-23-2008, 09:25 PM

yup i just wanted options from the masses lol i planned on doing an after brake in change anyhow thanks guys i love how the oil filter is right there on top...its kinda strange but i like it

esscolab · 09-24-2008, 04:56 AM

Just done mine, used the synthetic stuff... 0W30 which is what BMW UK use.

Dr_Jones · 09-24-2008, 06:35 PM

i did mine two weeks ago at 3500.

Watch out....it GUSHES.

Nothing like hot oil everywhere. Next time i will leave the cap on the engine.

nobbyv · 09-25-2008, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by My135

It is a no brainer that the oil filter will get much dirtier for a 15K versus 5K oil change interval even the sythentic oil will last for 15K.

Who cares how dirty the filter is? The filter is designed to remove crap from the oil. If its getting dirty, its doing its job. The larger question is what condition the oil itself is in after 15k. Its a bit too soon to say definitively for this particular car, but anaysis by Blackstone labs of the N54 in other cars has shown that 15k on a full synthetic is perfectly fine.

M3_Dust · 09-30-2008, 12:53 PM

anyone got a DIY for the oil change yet?

M3_Dust · 09-30-2008, 01:28 PM

nvm, just found it in the other section

09-23-2008, 12:22 PM	#1
audi2bmw1 Lieutenant 21 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 09 montego 135i/acura vigor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: IN iTrader: (0)	oil change question! are you guys listening to the dealer when they say the first oil change is 15k? thats a little crazy to me as i always change every 3k no matter what.. also is the oil from the factory the syn or conventional? i know to break in engines usually you use conventional for about 500 or so miles then do another oil change 1k later then you can use syn oil thoughts? __________________ 09 135i montego blue 6speed..RR catch can,CDV,DCI intakes,stett charge pipe and tial bov, the above mods are not installed on my car, i just want to seem cool Devils own water/meth dealer-PM me for info former car/ 2001 audi TT ~290bhp :w00t:
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-23-2008, 01:00 PM	#3
wrh3 Car Guy 31 Rep 796 Posts Drives: 2005 MCS, 2013 Corvette 427 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ATL, GA iTrader: (10)	BMWs currently come filled with synthetic fluids. The M cars get a change of oil/manual transmission fluid/differential fluid at 1200 miles.....I'm not sure why anyone wouldn't do the same for a non-M car at the same time themselves since it's not covered under the free maintenance. My 335i will be getting a transmission/differential fluid change every 25k miles and the oil will get changed in between the free BMW service visits so that the oil is changed every 7500 miles. May be overkill but I plan to keep my cars for a while, oil analysis should confirm or deny my change schedule..... __________________ Bill- 2005 Mini Cooper S, 2013 Corvette 427 www.billswebspace.com/bmwindex BMW CCA Member # 389948
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 04:05 PM	#7
gio Captain 50 Rep 628 Posts Drives: Join Date: Apr 2008 iTrader: (0)	I plan on doing oil changes every 5k. I'm almost up to the first 5k now. __________________ Waiting on a 2015 M235
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 04:19 PM	#8
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	I think 5K oil change make most sense since it is much easier to remember:-):-):-) __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 04:26 PM	#9
scrapiron7 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 38 Posts Drives: Join Date: Sep 2008 iTrader: (0)	Why would BMW recommend 15k change intervals if they weren't safe? I don't think they'd recommend something that could be harmful and cause claims out of their own pocket. I agree oil changes aren't needed at 3K any more.Oil has come a long ways since the 60s.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 04:50 PM	#10
aarong_m3 First Lieutenant 20 Rep 338 Posts Drives: 2006 BMW M5 / 1974 BMW 2002 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Union City, CA - Norcal iTrader: (3)	I've done 15k oil changes in my past BMWs: 1993 325i(152k miles), 2002 325i(84k miles) and even my 2002 M3(82k miles)(sorry i have 2 mortgages). They still ran like champs without any problems. And now we bought the 135i, we just did the break in oil service at 1800 miles and plan on doing it at 15k miles. __________________ 2006 BMW M5 7spd SMG/SIlverstone : 2008 BMW 135i SGM/JB2/BMS(SOLD 1/2010) : 1974 BMW 2oo2(5spd w/ 3.91LSD) : 2002 BMW M3(AW/6spd) Sold 8/07 : 2002 BMW 325i(SGM) Sold 12/07 : 1993 BMW 325i Sold 8/04
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 04:53 PM	#11
My135 Lieutenant Colonel 85 Rep 1,609 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2008 iTrader: (0)	I guess that one of the big reason that BMW recommended 15K oil change is for marketing. They want to project a low maintenance cost vehical image instead of high maintenance cost car since every one was complainting how much to maintain a BMW. It is a no brainer that the oil filter will get much dirtier for a 15K versus 5K oil change interval even the sythentic oil will last for 15K. __________________ 7/08 135 Coupe, Crimson Red, 6 SP, Sport, Taupe Lette/Aluminum. Performance Mods: JB4 on Map 5, BMS DP Fix V3, Injen polished intake, AR Catless DP, Maddad resonated mid-pipes, aFe exhaust polished tips, ST Suspension Coil Over and Hotchkis front sway bar. Others: BMS OCC, BT Scanner, Mud Flap. Next Mods: AA Front Strut Brace.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 08:16 PM	#12
sam480 New Member 0 Rep 14 Posts Drives: slow Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: phoenix, az iTrader: (0)	Manufacturers recommended oil change at certain interval, because an integral part of the an automobile design is to determine when the vehicle will go out of service. So if you plan to keep your vehicle longer, do more frequent preventative maintenance.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-23-2008, 09:25 PM	#13
audi2bmw1 Lieutenant 21 Rep 513 Posts Drives: 09 montego 135i/acura vigor Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: IN iTrader: (0)	yup i just wanted options from the masses lol i planned on doing an after brake in change anyhow thanks guys i love how the oil filter is right there on top...its kinda strange but i like it __________________ 09 135i montego blue 6speed..RR catch can,CDV,DCI intakes,stett charge pipe and tial bov, the above mods are not installed on my car, i just want to seem cool Devils own water/meth dealer-PM me for info former car/ 2001 audi TT ~290bhp :w00t:
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2008, 04:56 AM	#14
esscolab Brigadeer 73 Rep 728 Posts Drives: Black 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Colchester - UK iTrader: (0)	Just done mine, used the synthetic stuff... 0W30 which is what BMW UK use. __________________ Eibach Sports springs, Evole Remap, Quafe LSD, AR Downpipes, Forge FMIC, Hart'ge Quads, BMS Intake.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-24-2008, 06:35 PM	#15
Dr_Jones Major 70 Rep 1,027 Posts Drives: Join Date: May 2008 iTrader: (0)	A gusher i did mine two weeks ago at 3500. Watch out....it GUSHES. Nothing like hot oil everywhere. Next time i will leave the cap on the engine.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2008, 12:53 PM	#17
M3_Dust Michelin Man 387 Rep 740 Posts Drives: F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on forums iTrader: (0)	anyone got a DIY for the oil change yet?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-30-2008, 01:28 PM	#18
M3_Dust Michelin Man 387 Rep 740 Posts Drives: F10 535i M Sport Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: on forums iTrader: (0)	nvm, just found it in the other section
	Appreciate 0 Quote