23,700km - 14,500miles: 1st oil change
tedmacwpg
03-06-2006, 03:31 PM
I`m driving a 2005 325xi, and just took it in for it`s first oil change at the 23,700km/14,500mile mark, as directed by the computer.
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around such a huge oil change interval, synthetic oil or not. I drove the car for over a year before that first change. The dealer assures me that it`s nothing to worry about, but as someone who used to change the oil about every 8,000km/5,000miles on my previous car (turbo Subaru, granted), it irks me. Any comments from anyone?
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around such a huge oil change interval, synthetic oil or not. I drove the car for over a year before that first change. The dealer assures me that it`s nothing to worry about, but as someone who used to change the oil about every 8,000km/5,000miles on my previous car (turbo Subaru, granted), it irks me. Any comments from anyone?
daniel 61
03-06-2006, 05:46 PM
I`m driving a 2005 325xi, and just took it in for it`s first oil change at the 23,700km/14,500mile mark, as directed by the computer.
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around such a huge oil change interval, synthetic oil or not. I drove the car for over a year before that first change. The dealer assures me that it`s nothing to worry about, but as someone who used to change the oil about every 8,000km/5,000miles on my previous car (turbo Subaru, granted), it irks me. Any comments from anyone?
Well, I can assure you, that BMW oil, which dealership uses is an oil blended for them by Castrol and it is "long life" oil european formula so called in Europe Castrol TXT Softec.If you can read German, you can go to Castrol Switzerland internet site and you will find that Castrol Softec 5w/30 or SLX Longtec 0w/30 can go as far as 35000km/22000miles.Remember this is oil company statment not BMW or its dealerships, so no conspiracy theory can be applyed in this case, let say to "kill"your engine sooner...
I still have a hard time wrapping my head around such a huge oil change interval, synthetic oil or not. I drove the car for over a year before that first change. The dealer assures me that it`s nothing to worry about, but as someone who used to change the oil about every 8,000km/5,000miles on my previous car (turbo Subaru, granted), it irks me. Any comments from anyone?
Well, I can assure you, that BMW oil, which dealership uses is an oil blended for them by Castrol and it is "long life" oil european formula so called in Europe Castrol TXT Softec.If you can read German, you can go to Castrol Switzerland internet site and you will find that Castrol Softec 5w/30 or SLX Longtec 0w/30 can go as far as 35000km/22000miles.Remember this is oil company statment not BMW or its dealerships, so no conspiracy theory can be applyed in this case, let say to "kill"your engine sooner...
Bear
03-07-2006, 01:07 PM
Well, I had until recently a 1988 750il and I changed the oil (MOBIL-1) annually or every 15000 miles (whichever came first). I did cheat and change the filer every 5000 miles, but it was top mounted in a cannister so I lost no oil. I checked with the tech folks at MOBIL on my oil change regimine and they so no problem (they did recommend CYA one follow the auto manufacurers recommendations until out of warranty). At 140,000 miles she was still running fine and used no oil.
daniel 61
03-07-2006, 10:48 PM
Well, I had until recently a 1988 750il and I changed the oil (MOBIL-1) annually or every 15000 miles (whichever came first). I did cheat and change the filer every 5000 miles, but it was top mounted in a cannister so I lost no oil. I checked with the tech folks at MOBIL on my oil change regimine and they so no problem (they did recommend CYA one follow the auto manufacurers recommendations until out of warranty). At 140,000 miles she was still running fine and used no oil.
Right on !
Right on !
Celsdogg
03-08-2006, 09:01 AM
to keep your mind at ease. . .
the main reason that synthetic can last so long is because it has shorter carbon chains than natural oil. thus, it is less likely to break down. but becasuse of this, the oil is really runny.
bimmer are well engineered machines, so the oil works well since it wont leak everywhere and the tolerances between components are very tight.
so no worries ;)
i change my oil every 3k tho, but i have an older bimmer :)
the main reason that synthetic can last so long is because it has shorter carbon chains than natural oil. thus, it is less likely to break down. but becasuse of this, the oil is really runny.
bimmer are well engineered machines, so the oil works well since it wont leak everywhere and the tolerances between components are very tight.
so no worries ;)
i change my oil every 3k tho, but i have an older bimmer :)
tedmacwpg
03-09-2006, 10:10 AM
Thanks for your replies -- nice to get another opinion or two on this...
Ted
Ted
Reevus77
05-12-2006, 04:26 PM
The bmw computer system also monitors the way you drive (highway miles, hard acceleration, as well as extended idling) to determine how soon the oil change must take place. If you beat the shit out of your car it could have been only 7k after initial purchase that it would have told you to change the oil.
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