Approach to oil changes - Page 3 - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

thegunguy · 3rd August 2007, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2duff

Every 4 - 6 K.
BTW, I took mine in yesterday for a few updattes, and the Service Rep told me that I was not due for an oil change for another 4K.
I told her to do it anyway - she came back with, "You will be paying for this, I assume?"
NOW, how can I get by this one?

I may be watching too many X-Files re-runs, but I believe the extension of the oil changes and service intervals has more to do with BMW's move to full service coverage during the warranty period as opposed to advancements in oils and additives. As they now cover more regular maintenance stuff, including wear items, under the warranty, the cost of service that they account for has risen. As such, they have pushed out the service intervals to compensate. In the end, they get to advertise on how much they cover compared to other manufacturers. To most consumers, it sounds like a great advantage. To those of us "in the know", it's easy to see the trade-off.

I use a great independent shop for my out-of-warranty work, and I would advise anyone to find such a shop in addition to the roundel adorned service center, even if you're still covered under warranty. Typically, they're hourly rates are lower. So, you can save some cash if you want to do basic service in between the BMW specified intervals. It is also my experience that the mechanics at the BMW service center are often a little "green" for my taste (fair amount of turnover). My independent garage has had two BMW master techs for twenty years...there's little that they haven't seen.

Dukecat · 3rd August 2007, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2duff

Every 4 - 6 K.
BTW, I took mine in yesterday for a few updattes, and the Service Rep told me that I was not due for an oil change for another 4K.
I told her to do it anyway - she came back with, "You will be paying for this, I assume?"
NOW, how can I get by this one?

The only two options I am aware of for a covered oil change are: Go when the service indicator tells you it's time, or every 12 months. If you haven't hit the service indicator mark you are entitled to a free "low mileage oil change."

Depending on when you bought your car, it may be closer to every 11 months. I bought mine at the end of August last year and my SA said I could come in anytime during that calendar month.

2duff · 3rd August 2007, 20:25

Thank you to ALL those that responded. I DO think that I am a little wiser now.
BTW, when we take our cars in for routine service, HOW MANY TEST MILES should we expect?
I have heard a great deal of "HORROR STORIES" about some dealers that like to take these cars for some extended JOY RIDES.
This dealer is not on my HIGH LIST (probably because I did not purchase the car there, BUT I HAVE purchased quite a few before this one), and can clearly see HOW customers that purchase/lease from there are treated - LIKE ROYALTY, and those who did NOT purchase from them - ME - LIKE DIRT!! and they didn't even ask if I needed a LOANER CAR for TWO DAYS while it was being serviced!!!!
I was a little miffed about that, but thought I had better keep my mouth shut, for fear a JOY RIDE just might turn out to be a "TIRE BURNER".
ANY COMMENTS, as to the length of acutal ROAD TESTING is greatly appreciated.
Duff

ALTANertive · 3rd August 2007, 21:36

If it's just an oil change, no more than 1 or 2 miles.

erikmoeser · 3rd August 2007, 21:42

I hate to say this, but if you have a different philosophy as to oil changes based on whether you are leasing or owning the beast, then you are not showing proper respect for the car. I understand the "economics", but doing something hurtful to the car just because you won't own the problem later seems....well.... Maybe next time you buy a pre owned car it will come back to haunt you. I even put premium fuel in a rental if it is specified. I don't suppose too many people do. Just the way I feel.

NickyBlack · 6th August 2007, 01:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmayzurk

No, Blackstone Labs: http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

They'll send you sample containers upon request; you collect a little bit of oil in the container during an oil change and mail it off to them. A PDF report shows up in your email a few days later.

-Jeff

Although i would probably never do this it's still pretty cool. Kind of like a blood test. haha

ParkerF · 6th August 2007, 20:39

Additional oil changes are a waste of time and money. 1) it just does not need it...BMW engineers know far more about the M5's oil change needs than your local oil jockey at Zippy Lube trying to sell you on the need for 3000 mile oil changes to help pay for his Miller time and 2) few people will own their M5 long enough for it to matter anyway...the engine would last 100,000+ miles if you didn't even change to oil once...so save your money and skip a carbon credit on that extra oil change

andrewsherman · 6th August 2007, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by erikmoeser

I hate to say this, but if you have a different philosophy as to oil changes based on whether you are leasing or owning the beast, then you are not showing proper respect for the car. I understand the "economics", but doing something hurtful to the car just because you won't own the problem later seems....well.... Maybe next time you buy a pre owned car it will come back to haunt you. I even put premium fuel in a rental if it is specified. I don't suppose too many people do. Just the way I feel.

I disagree. If I were leasing, I would follow BMW's service recommendations to the letter. Nothing more, nothing less. Why should I do more than they are calling for (and more than they are willing to include in scheduled maintenance) to protect their investment? You put premium fuel in the rental if it "calls for it". As a lesee, I would do oil changes when the car "called for it", but certainly not sooner. Would you do an interim oil change on a rental as well if you felt the manufacturer's interval was too long?

This has nothing to do with respect for the car. BMW sets the parameters for service and they own the back end risk of the car. I am not suggestion ignoring service for that reason, but I wouldn't go beyond the call of duty.

Now, for that very reason, I would not buy a BMW off lease as I would not be happy with the service history. But that is just me.

Groovdog · 7th August 2007, 00:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParkerF

Additional oil changes are a waste of time and money. 1) it just does not need it...BMW engineers know far more about the M5's oil change needs than your local oil jockey at Zippy Lube trying to sell you on the need for 3000 mile oil changes to help pay for his Miller time and 2) few people will own their M5 long enough for it to matter anyway...the engine would last 100,000+ miles if you didn't even change to oil once...so save your money and skip a carbon credit on that extra oil change

You ignore that BMW has an incentive to keep maintenance costs down so I would bet its a finance geek setting the interval based upon a rec from an engineer. As a former OEM finance geek I can say this

I personally am going to split the gap (about 8K in my instance) at my expense although I could probably get away without doing it (mostly highway with modest traffic).

FSAEracer03 · 7th August 2007, 06:19

BMW and Porsche are getting ridiculous with their oil change interval recommendation. Porsche for a while now has differentiated between oil changes with filter from ones WITHOUT filter change! Add that to the 15k mile intervals, and I question their legitimacy.

It doesn't take an engineer to see the difference in viscosity and lubricity between fresh oil and 3k mile old oil. A rep from one of the major oil companies said in reference to Porsche's intervals "we didn't endorse that or recommend it" in effect (I don't have a source at this time for that, sorry).