1 yr Oil Change 1 Bar left! Dealer says NO - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Johnny D · 25th February 2003, 05:01

I went into the dealer exactly 1 yr after I bought my 02 M5 to have the oil changed. Since it still had a bar left on the dash, he showed me a memo that said he would change it for free but could NOT change the microfilters until the bars expired and would NOT reset them unless they had expired. He told me to come back within 60 days of the 12 mo period and he would change the oild and microfilters.

He also said they would replace my 30wt with 60wt as prescribed by BMW to reduce the oil consumption.

Does all of this sound right???

Vreracing · 25th February 2003, 05:15

On my wife's 740iL. It had about 10K miles and close to a year since the last oil change. They did, but charged me since the bars were not gone yet.

When I protested they told me that it they could not change under the 4 year service program until the bars indicated it needed a change.

I live in a very windy dusty environment. The head mechanic admitted that he wouldn't let that long go before oil changes.

Sound like we could debate for years over how often an oil change should be done. We'd never get a consistent reply.

There seems to be a great deal of emotionalism tied up in it and very little actual study.

Anita · 25th February 2003, 05:30

Johnny D,
See page 3 of your Service and Warranty Information book 2002, first column half way down, quote "All Models-Oil Service: Engine oil should be changed with the engine at operating temperature. Note: On all models chage oil at least once a year." Micro filters look like they are done when all the LEDs go out. My dealer oil change on 1/31/03 used 5W30 synth.
Anita

Terk · 25th February 2003, 05:44

Johnny,

I have the same problem with my '00 740 Sport. It has been well over 12 months since my last oil change and yet I still have at least one bar to go. My dealer indicated that they cannot do the oil change for free until the sevice lights indicate so. It seems to me that the rules are being more strictly enforced as my previous oil change was completed early with no contest from the dealer.

Regards,

T.

atomic80 · 25th February 2003, 05:45

At around 12,500 miles I was down to 1 green bar at the 1 year mark. I took the M5 to the dealership and my service advisor was only too happy to change the oil and filter for me but however she advised against resetting the service indicator. She cited that there were a number of other things that needed to be done and I would be best served by waiting until the yellow bar comes on. I agreed and now I'm at nearly 14,000 miles and the green bar is still in place. I contacted my SA again and she told me that I should be able to bring it in when I reached around 15,000 miles and she would change the oil again in addition to performing the other items. You should be able to get at least an oil/filter change. Have you tried asking another SA about this at your dealership to see what he/she thinks?

kwalls · 25th February 2003, 11:18

There seems to be similiar problems in getting oil changed here in Europe where it is not covered by any factory maintenance program. Most of the service miesters insist on doing things according to the number of lights illuminated.

Ken

Anita · 25th February 2003, 15:56

Johnny D,
I forgot to add that I also have gotten BMW NA involved when my dealership appears "confused" as to what maintenance they should be performing. First I call BMW NA at 1-800-831-1117 to make sure that what I understand should be done is indeed correct. They are typically pretty knowlegable about the basics and are usually up to date on things like what maintenace is being covered, type of oil, etc. Then I have BMW NA contact my service advisor or manager directly, whcih they have always been happy to do. Then the dealership has does the work, with no more problems. I also followed the advice atomic80's service advisor recommended as far as not resetting the service indicator at the 1 yr oil change. I hoping also to have everything done, including an oil chg when the service indicator shows it's time--I've got one green "square" left.
Anita

hornsch · 25th February 2003, 16:44

Anita, don't you change your oil every 3000?

I am going to change mine myself (is it hard) 1/year and then let BMW do it when the 'bars' indicate.

Digi · 25th February 2003, 17:06

The policy is to change the oil at 1 yr, or service light, whichever comes first. If oil is changed because of the 1 year requirement and service lights not reset, you get another free oil change and the other stuff is done when the service light comes on, even if you just got your oil changed 2 months ago because of the 1 year requirement. The service interval system would get completely off schedule if they reset it at these prelimary oil change intervals, as it monitors many more type of service other than oil.

jmott · 25th February 2003, 20:32

you guys need to beat on your cars harder

or more often =)

get rid of those green lights!