[MRM]

I have a 2011 535 and I'm sure I remember receiving the warranty package requiring synthetic oil at specific intervals. The oil change shop guy learned a hard lesson that you don't promise anything about someone else's product without the manufacturer's approval. He should have just referred the customer to BMW and told him to follow whatever they said.

The decision to take the risk and use dino oil makes no sense. It was a $50,000 car new, and is still worth $25,000. Why would the owner put his entire investment at risk for saving the price difference between dino and synthetic oil - a savings that was probably completely negated by shorter changing intervals?

Having said all of this, I can offer the oil shop guy some words of comfort. His shop insurance will cover the loss with no deductible to the car owner. His insurance will not increase significantly because of a claim of this size. We all make mistakes. This is what insurance is for.