Oil (miles Or Bmw Computer)

[pwarren]

what should you go by?? Do you guys trust the computer to tell you when you need an oil change. I have just hit 4K on non syn oil 15/40.. My computer still has three of the five green bars left. Has anyone had a sample checked when going by the computer???

[Live_the_Curves]

don't follow the stupid computer, for me it recommeded oil changes every 30000 kms. I use kms, every 10 k I put sythetic.

[phathaway]

I know in the owners manual it recomends oil changes every 10,000 miles. I would not recomend judging when to change the oil by the gauge alone. I change my oil every 5000 just to be safe.

[moe19x]

jsut a quick question, ive got a 98 328i how often do i need to change the oil when i use synthetic?? ive driven close to 4000miles since last oil change which i used mobile one and only one green bar is missing

[Furious]

preferably i go with miles , with an older car its even more important. i usually change around 5000 miles with synthetic, mind you im very car crazy and i could be a bit overboard, if i were to suggest id go with every 5000k with conventional oil and every 7-9 with synthetic.

[fredo328]

Originally posted by moe19x@Apr 21 2005, 07:46 PM
jsut a quick question, ive got a 98 328i how often do i need to change the oil when i use synthetic?? ive driven close to 4000miles since last oil change which i used mobile one and only one green bar is missing

[snapback]336251[/snapback]

My 98 328 goes 10,000 with Mobile1 0W40, change out the filter at 5,000. I recently changed out my valve cover gasket and it looked very clean in there. I do 90% hi-way driving. If I did mostly city driving I would change more often, depends on your driving conditions and if you use synthetic or not

[tomctx]

Originally posted by pwarren@Apr 21 2005, 06:37 PM
what should you go by?? Do you guys trust the computer to tell you when you need an oil change. I have just hit 4K on non syn oil 15/40.. My computer still has three of the five green bars left. Has anyone had a sample checked when going by the computer???

[snapback]336180[/snapback]

The standard answer is "It's your car, whatever feels comfortable to you". BMW designed and tested the computer and the engine. They also had to warranty the same. Seems like they would know what it would take. However, I haven't met anyone who changes according to the bars, including me. I change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles. Some change it sooner, some later.

Bottom line: "whatever feels comfortable".

[4evrwyntr]

I use synthetic only, filter and oil every 5k. The manual makes that 10k suggestion for conventional, right?
Anyway, when it comes to protecting your engine from wear, imo more is better. I'm sure you can go 12-15k on synthetic, but doesn't mean you should.
I'd just change it either every 3k to 5k depending on type of oil. Better to be safe than sorry.

[moe19x]

My 98 328 goes 10,000 with Mobile1 0W40, change out the filter at 5,000. I recently changed out my valve cover gasket and it looked very clean in there. I do 90% hi-way driving. If I did mostly city driving I would change more often, depends on your driving conditions and if you use synthetic or not

[snapback]336321[/snapback]

same with me, i mostly do highway driving 80% i use mobile 1 5w30, im here in ontario, i cant seem to find mobile 1 0w40. or does it make any difference?

[RedbeautyIS]

I put 187000 miles on a 1996 328is only changing the oil when the computer said to and the car never saw anything but synthetic oil. When I wrecked the car at that high mileage it ran like a top, did not burn or use any oil and had no leaks. I trust the computer.

[Rooz]

I change my oil every 3000 miles

[ADS328]

Consumer Reports conducted a test some time ago of oils and oil change intervals and found no real difference/improvement between changes at 5K, 7,500 and 10K, and no real difference between real oil and synthetic.

According to a technical article posted at Pelican Parts, most synthetic oils can go 25K miles before breaking down.

I also checked with my local BMW specialist, who said 7,500 miles is fine. So go by the computer -- the BMW engineers have forgotten more about engine design and maintainance than we'll ever know.

So if you really want to spend money, go ahead and change your oil every 3500 or 5000 miles. Otherwise, go with the factory recommendation :P

[fredo328]

Originally posted by ADS328@Apr 24 2005, 02:55 PM
.............According to a technical article posted at Pelican Parts, most synthetic oils can go 25K miles before breaking down.
........... :P

[snapback]337237[/snapback]

Good article, interesting info. I use Pelican Parts diys all the time and never noticed this one.

[alexlikh87]

me personally, i would change it every 3000K, 4000K tops if you want your car to last. I guess it also depends on how you drive, but I'd change it 3000-4000K, an oil change is much cheaper than a new engine. Oil change is really one area you should never try to save on.

[DetroitFolly]

Even the oil companies now agree that 3,000 miles is no longer required. They say 5,000 miles is more realistic, and synthetic producers are now guaranteeing 15,000 miles between changes.

My question is this: I just bought a 1999 323 with 72 thousand miles. I have no idea what kind of oil the previous owner used. Can I now start using synthetic? I have heard some arguments that it might leak if It gets switched this late in the car's life.

I am a firm believer in synthetic oil...I got 230K out of my 1981 Chevy Citation using that stuff. Mobil 1 all the way. Besides, the more synthetic we all use, the more real oil available for refining into gasoline.