Oil changes

Not only is it a good idea, your BMW dealer will do it on their dime if you are still under warranty (I'm assuming you are in the U.S.). Tom K.

I would. If you leave oil around, even if you aren't running, the oil will slowly become acidic. After a year, you probably want to change it.

I'm not sure if this is still as serious an issue with the modern synthetic oils, but I'd still do it anyway just in case. But then again, I change my oil every 3,000 miles anyway.

--scott

Are you really changing "modern synthetic oil" every 3,000 miles? That a bit premature and frankly, a waste. Even if you do NYC bumper to bumper traffic, a good "modern synthetic oil" should last at least

5,000 miles. For most people 7500 to 10,000 is about right, especially if most of their mileage is on the highway.

If you are really concern about your oil, then change it every 7500 miles or so and change the FILTER more frequently, like every 3,000.

Personally, I still use dino oil in my 90 535i, 5 spd with 118K miles. I change my oil and filter ever 3500 to 4,000 miles, but need to add a quart or so every 2500. Good Luck!

I'd be happy to put a few k on that car for you ...

I don't really need to go anywhere, but there is a certain attraction to putting the top down and going for a ride just because there is pavement in front of the car.

I'll do it for free (after you buy the gas, of course) and then you could get the oil changed on a regular schedule. You could buy new tires before they rot and fall off too. Don't thank me, just drop the car at my house.

I am. 260,000 miles on the first car, 480,000 miles on the second, both original engines. They look all shiny and clean inside when I pull the valve covers.

It's entirely possible that I am wasting money by changing oil more frequently than necessary. But I'd rather be safe than sorry. Without regular oil analyses, it's hard to really know.

This makes sense also, but to be honest it's just as easy to do the full change as to change the filter.

The real question is how much dissolved combustion byproducts are in there when you change the oil, I suppose.

--scott

I will have to call the dealer. I don't think it is an issue with synthetic but who knows.

For less than $40, I do a Mobil-1, Mann filter change on my low mileage 2002 325CI once a year. It gives me peace of mind.

BMW recommends changing the oil when so indicated by the service light OR once a year.

R / John

I have a Toyota Supra that also gets only a few k-miles per year. I change oil each Spring.

It not the oil that deteriorates so much as the amount of water that accumulates in the sump when starting from cold.

this is something that people don't consider - that is the effect of condensation. One only has to look at the inside of a windscreen (windshield) on a cold day and watch it mist up or look at a pan of cold water being heated on the hop - the condensation running down the outside (metal pans mostly).

Think of the pistons - alloy and cold then consider the heat on the top and thing about the water droplets dripping into the oil and if enough finding their way to the sump pan. One day - if enough water is there the oil pump will pick up water instead of oil and water is not a very good lubricant unless you have nylon bearings!

Just a thought -------------------- or you could simply take it for a 50 mile drive once in a while to evaporate the water before they get to turn the oil a slimy chocolate milk shake colour and constancy - usually referred to over here as oil mayonnaise. In the 1960s and 70 Vauxhall (UK GM) had to make mods to the small 1200cc engine by fitting a deflector that shielded the valve cover from the cooling fan. It stopped the mayo forming but often it was fitted too late to prevent damage.

Hugh

I wouldn't trust the dealer. These are the folks who claim transmission fluid is good for the life of the car, after all.

--scott

Much as I'd like to you can't blame the dealer for that. BMW sets the maintenance issues.

I'm with Dave on this one. Lifetime fluids is a spec of the maker, not the dealer.

Be leery of the spec if you want, but don't blame the dealer for it.

snipped-for-privacy@davenoise.co.uk...

Its interesting that BMW never spec fluid changes "lifetime" until it started offering *FREE* maintenance. For example, BMW coolant has basically been the same for the last 20 years. In the US, BMW coolant is Vavoline Zerex G-48. For my 1990 535i, the owners manual says change every couple of years. Now, with the same fluid, its every 4 years for some cars or even lifetime for others. Same thing with brake fluid.

Nevertheless, the lifetime fluid is a result of the general public not wanting to spend money on their car and expecting the car to run

100,000 miles "maintenance free."

I read this all the time. It is interesting that a person cannot buy Zerex G-48 anywhere in the US.

The only source I know of for Valvoline Zerex G-48 is at either a BMW, Mini or Saab dealers. If you go to a Saab dealer, like I did, its substantially cheaper by about 1/2 the price, just make sure you get the blue, not orange stuff. Good Luck!

That only holds good if BMW only sold cars in the US. Other countries didn't get 'free' maintenance at the same time. And I'd guess BMW make a bigger profit per car in most other countries too.

You have to consider whether a fluid will deteriorate or not. Coolant doesn't get contaminated with anything in a sealed system - unlike brake fluid which absorbs moisture from the air.

Don't think any car runs for 100,000 miles without some maintenance. Sure it's reduced from what it once was - but do you really want to go back to greasing things every 1000 miles? Nor did cars last as long in those days anyway.