BMW oil change intervals

[Decolliber]

There is little traffic on the BMW Pelican board.

For my 2002 530 BMW recommends annual oil change unless the service light comes on, which it apparently does after about 15K miles (triggered by fuel consumption). The previous owner of mine had the first oil change done at 15K, and second at 25K (only because a year had elapsed). I cannot imagine that such infrequent oil changes are good for the engine, even with synthetic oil. Does BMW do this just to make the car appear to be low maintenance?

[RANDY P]

Yes.

Most guys do it at 7500 - and use Mobil 1 0-40 and factory filters. Follow the light and chances are you'll end up sludged up.

0-40 Mobil 1 and BMW factory are the only two that are "LL" approved.

No one is sure what the factory BMW oil is, but there are reports it's not a true synthetic but hydrocracked - they can't legally call it Synthetic in Europe so they do it here.

rjp

[RickM]

You may want to pose the same question on Roadfly.

[Decolliber]

0w40?
I have been using Mobil 1 5w30. Even in an Iowa winter, the temperature does not go low enough to need 0 weight oil. And I think 40 weight would only be needed for cruising on European motorways at > 100 mph.

[RANDY P]

that works too. It's just Mobil 040 has the "LL" designation whereas 5-30 doesn't, and in Europe it's all 040 they package.

rjp

[Decolliber]

LL = ?

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by Decolliber
LL = ?

My guess it's "long life" -

I just did 8700 on Mobil 1 040 and I was still full between changes, no consumption, no obvious slime. I'm on factory BMW oil right now, it was cheaper by a few cents then I did my research..... Back to Mobil 1 next round.

I've heard of others that run by the factory guidelines and all of a sudden they have valvetrain noises and problems. some claim to have sludge built up by 10K on factory oil.

Just not worth the risk.

[cegerer]

My Porsche Cayenne had a 25,000 mile oil change interval. Mobil 1 only. I changed the oil per the factory recommendation. Put 77,000 miles on it (3 oil changes!). I checked the oil level frequently and never burned a drop of oil.

My new BMW M3 has a 15,000 mile interval with synthetic also (Castrol, I believe?). Anyway, BMW covers the cost of all oil changes and all maintenance for that matter, under the standard warranty. I doubt either of these manufacturers would recommend an oil change interval that would, in any way, harm the engine.

[RANDY P]

Originally posted by cegerer

My new BMW M3 has a 15,000 mile interval with synthetic also (Castrol, I believe?). Anyway, BMW covers the cost of all oil changes and all maintenance for that matter, under the standard warranty. I doubt either of these manufacturers would recommend an oil change interval that would, in any way, harm the engine.

You would think so, but it's been noted that this is an effort to lower oil usage, as well as reduce service costs, since they are now doing it "for free". Once your warranty is done, then that's it.

Can't speak for the 10-60 that M uses, but there are a few oil analysis that are floating around showing 530 factory oil being basically done around 10K.

There was that, and also claims that the factory filter comes apart sending media all over the place after awhile.

25K between oil changes, ouch. Imagine if they're wrong and buying one of those things used.

No thanks. Good way to justify buying another one though.

rjp

[KNS]

There seems to be quite a few new "long life" and extended interval synthetics coming out lately. I think the manufacturers are really pushing the oil companies to come out with an oil that will last that long and not break down. I couldn't imagine going 15k or even 20-25k without changing the oil, especially under super severe service.

[M.D. Holloway]

There is only one way to know for sure when to change your oil and that is with oil analysis. Some engines will do great even if the oil is 40K old, others need to be changed at 3K - Thing is, oil needs to be changed when it loses its properties (viscosity index, anti-wear, anti foaming et al) or becomes tainted (soot, particles, water even fuel). If you use good filters and keep an eye on the air filter, use a stout oil there is no reason why you can't get it to last many thousands. Check out the CTC Analytical site or Insight Services - both are really good labs.

[cegerer]

An oil change in the Cayenne was around $225 - and not covered under warranty! Anyway, these extended oil-change intervals have as much to do with the design of the oil system as the synthetic oil. It's not simply a matter of dumping some miracle oil into a conventional engine. It's all about filtration and keeping contaminants out of the oil. That means specially designed filtration and high oil capacity. Amsoil has been recommending 25,000 intervals for 30 years now - of course, that's with the provision that the filter gets changed regularly.

[gsxrken]

They could probably get you to 50k and out of warranty by putting coffee in your crankcase every 15K or so. But you own the car at 50,001 and now your overall bearing, cam and cylinder wall lifespan has been compromised. Same thing for the BS lifetime trans fluid- watch out.

[RANDY P]

On the subject of the magic BMW tranny fluid -

Anyone out there have any favorites besides Redline? The MT's use ATF. Factory fill is like $128.00 a bottle.

Thought about Royal Purple, but I'm afraid of all these little non - certified botique oils. I want something that's actually been tested and graded.

rjp

[M.D. Holloway]

Randy - there really is no certification for transmission oils. The API has a bug for engine oils but they address the bare minimums, as far as gear oil is concerned, the AGMA is the closest thing that would have any relevence. Royal Purple is better than Redlie of Mobile for several reasons, Certified Labs, Cehmsearch and Mantek as well as Lubra Systems put out 'botique' oils that are far better than the majors.