When To Change The Synthetic Oil?

[AIO]

I asked a dealer about this unbelievable synthetic-oil-change-per-15,000 miles (25,000 km) thing. He said that I gotta change the oil every 15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 18 months. Whichever comes first. He added that even 0W-30 synthetic oil does crystalize over a long period of time.

[storme]

i change mine once every 6 mnths.........but i love my car,,,and despite what ppl say about oils etc etc,,,,you really CANT chabge it enough!!
my display says 14000 miles left,,i will still change it in june 2005

[Bear]

I have a 1988 750il and use Mobil-1, 15W50. I change the oil once a year or every 15,000 miles, however, I do change the filter every 5,000 miles.

[peterkulesza]

crystalize???? used

any liquid hydrocarbons are unlikely to produce crystals. your dealer may have used some special crystals before advizing cutomers....

the intervals mentioned are fine i think. 18 months is pushing it, cos even synthetics DO oxidize in time. once per year perhaps is better.

[peterkulesza]

VERY pretty car btw.

[AIO]

Originally posted by peterkulesza@Jan 29 2005, 09:23 PM
crystalize????
any liquid hydrocarbons are unlikely to produce crystals. your dealer may have used some special crystals before advizing cutomers....

the intervals mentioned are fine i think. 18 months is pushing it, cos even synthetics DO oxidize in time. once per year perhaps is better.
VERY pretty car btw.

[snapback]282084[/snapback]

Thank you very much.
I think I'll have the oil changed at least once a year. Thanks for the advice.

[EnvyM3]

Originally posted by AIO+Jan 30 2005, 03:20 AM--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(AIO @ Jan 30 2005, 03:20 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'><!--QuoteBegin-peterkulesza@Jan 29 2005, 09:23 PM
crystalize????
any liquid hydrocarbons are unlikely to produce crystals. your dealer may have used some special crystals before advizing cutomers....

the intervals mentioned are fine i think. 18 months is pushing it, cos even synthetics DO oxidize in time. once per year perhaps is better.
VERY pretty car btw.

[snapback]282084[/snapback]

Thank you very much.
I think I'll have the oil changed at least once a year. Thanks for the advice.

[snapback]282289[/snapback]

[/b][/quote]
I only change mine every 15K and haven't had any problems yet. I drive it pretty hard too.

[WNY]

I have a 2003 325i and had only driven 10000 miles in my first 16 months. I asked my dealer about the oil change interval and they informed me that BMW had a policy of providing oil changes at a 12 month time if the milage was below the normal interval. My dealer changed my oil and installed new wiper blades free of charge. Just my 2cents worth on the subject.

[HawFlake]

Originally posted by AIO@Jan 29 2005, 02:05 PM
I asked a dealer about this unbelievable synthetic-oil-change-per-15,000 miles (25,000 km) thing. He said that I gotta change the oil every 15,000 miles (25,000 km) or 18 months. Whichever comes first. He added that even 0W-30 synthetic oil does crystalize over a long period of time.

[snapback]281818[/snapback]

The 3,000 miles or 3 months quota has always been a way the dealers and the Jiffy-Lubes of the world trying to squeeze more money out of the consumers, unless you are drag-racing all day with your bimmer, there is no reason to change it more often than what's prescribed.
I doubt BMW would be dumb enough to try to save a few bucks on oil change and let the engine burn out and eat all those warranty costs.

[AIO]

Originally posted by WNY@Jan 31 2005, 01:21 PM
I have a 2003 325i and had only driven 10000 miles in my first 16 months. I asked my dealer about the oil change interval and they informed me that BMW had a policy of providing oil changes at a 12 month time if the milage was below the normal interval. My dealer changed my oil and installed new wiper blades free of charge. Just my 2cents worth on the subject.

[snapback]283239[/snapback]

Thanks, WYN! 12 months it is then.

[BMWLotAttendant]

Originally posted by HawFlake@Jan 31 2005, 03:57 PM
The 3,000 miles or 3 months quota has always been a way the dealers.....

[snapback]283393[/snapback]

Thats what I've heard from our technicans.

[leescot]

Sorry, guys I am a new owner of a Bimmer, just a quick question for experienced you, I got a 3er and just reached 2000 Km, I wonder if I should have an engine oil change now or just wait until it gets to 25000 Km. the manual says first oil change at 2000 Km, but the dealer told me to wait until 25000 Km, please advise! I really thank you for your help!

[woobiee]

i do it every 5000-8000 miles or under a year for synth...im cautious

[peterkulesza]

AIO:

u be ok with 5 to 8k. just do it once a year.

can you stop including your car's picture???

it is soooo pretty it is making me insanely jelous. and i thought my silver gray metallic was nice..... now i cannot sleep at nite and i am reading the bloody bmw forums.

peter

[AIO]

Originally posted by peterkulesza@Feb 3 2005, 10:39 PM
AIO:

u be ok with 5 to 8k. just do it once a year.

can you stop including your car's picture???

it is soooo pretty it is making me insanely jelous. and i thought my silver gray metallic was nice..... now i cannot sleep at nite and i am reading the bloody bmw forums.

peter

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Hey, silver gray metallic is very nice, too. It looks awesome, no need for you to be jealous at all.

Yep, I think a full service/inspection once a year is fair enough. Thanks to BMW engineers and synthetic oil manufacturers for making this possible. I'm not the kind who likes to spend time in a car service.