A year and a half ago I became a BMW owner for the first time purchasing a pre-owned 2000 E39.
My first heart attack nearly came the first time it was due for service and I took it to the local BMW dealership. The cost for an oil change in my opinion was way over inflated.
I since then started taking it to a local mechanic that was recommended to me by a friend who gets his Mercedes serviced there.
It's been a little over a year that I have been taking the car to the local mechanic and overall I am pretty pleased, or at least I was until now.
Two weeks ago I dropped it off after hours to have it serviced the next day. The next morning the mechanic called me and asked me if I wanted synthetic oil. I found this odd, while I don't know much about the mechanics of the car, there is a placard underneath the hood that clearly states the type of oil to be used ONLY. And it does state synthetic oil!
I got the bill and the total for the oil change was $60+ and this to me would explain why the BMW dealer charges $98.00.
I looked back at all the previous bills and noticed the oil changes were $24 and to me that says they DID NOT use the proper oil!!!!
What is the consequences for using the wrong type of oil? The previous invoices did not state what type they used but I am guessing 10W30 or close to it.
Could this have damaged my engine or will I see some long term affects? If so, how do I approach the shop owner about this? They seem to be friendly and honest mechanics but it's clearly evident they don't know much about BMW's.
Jeff