First oil change on 2011 135i ... when ??

[sacha101]

I was wondering if i should do my first «break-in oil change» ... i'm now at
11 000 kms ... I can read on my screen that maintenance should be done at 16 000 kms ... hmmmm....

[Tom K.]

It's up to you but there is no "break-in" change except for M models. BMW recommends (and will pay for) the change when called for by the CBS calculation. As this usually averages around 15,000 miles (25,000 kilometers) or one year, whichever comes first, many of us like to pay for one change between scheduled services. If you do this at a dealer, make sure you specify an "interim" oil/filter change only, not a complete oil service - it costs about $100 in the US. Also specify that they should not reset the computer countdown so that your next free change won't be delayed.

By the way, the 16,000 km on your dash or iDrive screen is the kms to the next scheduled change - so it would come when your odometer reads 27,000 kms.

Tom

[shodanusmc]

I go every 6 months, I pay for one, BMW pays for one each year. I know if BMW was not paying for the service, they would recommend every 4 months or 5000 miles.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

I know if BMW was not paying for the service, they would recommend every 4 months or 5000 miles.

And you know this because BMW has said so - or because you read it on the Internet?

Tom

[SiN55]

No, BMW recommend every 15.000km. But if you want you can do sonner like me. First on 5000km, and after that every 10.000km. I don't know about the car but I know that fresh oil is allways better that old one.

[Dackelone]

There is no such thing as changing one's oil too often. To my thinking the best oil is fresh oil!

I changed my oil first at 2.400 kms, then 5K kms, then every 6K to 8K after that. I do not believe in BMW no-maintence program. For me, it is worth it to pay a little bit extra for maintanence. Besides I always do my own oil changes but use a BMW oil filter and BMW approved oil. In your case you need to use a oil that carried a BMW LL-1 recomdation.


Dackel

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

And you know this because BMW has said so - or because you read it on the Internet?

Tom

Before they started paying for the once a year oil change, what was the schedule? Thanks for your smarta$$ reply.

I should have said I heard it directly from a BMW brass hat. How's that?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

Before they started paying for the once a year oil change, what was the schedule? Thanks for your smarta$$ reply.

I should have said I heard it directly from a BMW brass hat. How's that?

The schedule from at least 1996 to 1999 was every 7,500 miles on dino oil - and BMW was covering 36k miles/3 years free maintenance. The time interval was one year om the US (2 years outside North America, IIRC).

With the switch to synthetic in 1999, the mileage interval went to 15,000 (on average) and a few years later, the coverage was extended (along with the warranty) to 4 yrs/50k miles.

Again I'll ask - what was the source for your assertion that BMW would be recommending 5k mile oil changes?

Tom

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

The schedule from at least 1996 to 1999 was every 7,500 miles on dino oil - and BMW was covering 36k miles/3 years free maintenance. The time interval was one year om the US (2 years outside North America, IIRC).

With the switch to synthetic in 1999, the mileage interval went to 15,000 (on average) and a few years later, the coverage was extended (along with the warranty) to 4 yrs/50k miles.

Again I'll ask - what was the source for your assertion that BMW would be recommending 5k mile oil changes?

Tom

When you learn how to properly ask a qyestion, you can expect an answer. To the OP, if the car is leased, you can go with the current schedule. If it is yours, change it more often, or now. Simple!

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

When you learn how to properly ask a qyestion, you can expect an answer.

"Again I'll ask - what was the source for your assertion that BMW would be recommending 5k mile oil changes"

This is an improper way to ask a question?

If your statement is simply an opinion, why not say so? But if you are presenting it as fact...

Tom

[Guildenstern]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

When you learn how to properly ask a qyestion, you can expect an answer.

I gotta say, I really don't want to hear your answer.

[shodanusmc]

Originally Posted by Guildenstern

I gotta say, I really don't want to hear your answer.

And you will not. Sort of like then a person says that the tune is invisible and that BWM will never know!

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

And you will not. Sort of like then a person says that the tune is invisible and that BWM will never know!

Who is BWM?

Tom

[sacha101]

haha

[sacha101]

so every 10 000 kms is good ?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by sacha101

so every 10 000 kms is good ?

In Europe, the recommended interval is 30,000 kms, so why not pay for one around 12,000 kms and have BMW do your next one under the covered maintenance when the car calls for it.

Or if you won't be driving much more than 14~15,000 kms per year, wait and BMW will do one free change each year during the warranty/covered maintenance period. Check out your warranty/maintenance booklet for details on what will be paid for by BMW - in the US, it's complete maintenance for 4 years/50,000 miles.

Tom

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

In Europe, the recommended interval is 30,000 kms, so why not pay for one around 12,000 kms and have BMW do your next one under the covered maintenance when the car calls for it.

Or if you won't be driving much more than 14~15,000 kms per year, wait and BMW will do one free change each year during the warranty/covered maintenance period. Check out your warranty/maintenance booklet for details on what will be paid for by BMW - in the US, it's complete maintenance for 4 years/50,000 miles.

Tom

Tom - Over here in Europe BMW pays for nothing as far as services go. Even for us US spec car owners who bought thru MSC (military car sales) we have to pay for every service. And we only get a two year warranty (but we get the ballance whats left of the USA warraty (4years/50K miles) when we bring the car to the USA).

One liter of BMW oil sells for 23 euros (or more). Most dealer charge around 100 euros per hour. The oil filter sells for 12 euros. I know for my car the oil service cost 280 euros (oil, filter, labor and 19% sales tax). Btw - most Germans only drive 10K kms per year. So do you think they should wait three years to change their oil? I think at a minimum I would do bi-yearly oil changes. But most Germans tend to buy a new car every two years then put money into service or repairs.

I prefer to change my own oil. I use German Castrol in my car. And I prefer to change my oil frequently rather than go with BMW's long OCI's.


Dackel

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted by shodanusmc

I go every 6 months, I pay for one, BMW pays for one each year. I know if BMW was not paying for the service, they would recommend every 4 months or 5000 miles.

Is it absolutely true that BMW pays for one each year? I bought my car in July 10, doing PCD. My computer has always said 5/12 or 15k, it has not decreased...

These DI engines dilute the oil with fuel bad, so earlier changes ARE warranted. I did mine at about 1400, and it was pretty fuel-laden.

I'm about to do my next one, but if BMW will pay, then I'll let them.

[Tom K.]

Yes, after waffling a year or so ago on the policy, BMW confirmed that they will pay for the oil change yearly (if not called for by CBS) under covered maintenance. For some reason, the on board computer is pre-programmed by BMW for two year intervals, but check out your Warranty/Service manual as it should state a maximum of one year between changes.

Tom

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

In Europe, the recommended interval is 30,000 kms, so why not pay for one around 12,000 kms and have BMW do your next one under the covered maintenance when the car calls for it...

Tom

Hi Guys,

Today I went to visit my friendly BMW Zentrum. I went there to ask them about the trans and LSD/gear oil specs for 1M. I posted that eslewhere. But I also aked them about what is BMW recomendations for oil change intervals(OCI) for German customers.

My service guy (who I trust(!) and have known for many years now) told me that BMW AG says the minumin OCI is every 25K kms or every 24 months - which ever comes first! DAMM that is one hell of a locng OCI!!!! ofcourse my SA said he would change the oil more frequently IF it was his car! I said, yea... me too!

Oil costs a lot more over here than it does in the states. Oil is heavily taxed over here. For instance the BMW oil sold thru the dealers over here sells for 23 euros per liter! ($32 in USd per liter! times seven liters!!) and oil filter runs about 20 euros. Labor at the dealership/zentrum for a simple oil change is 60 euros. So that would be a total price of 241 euros or $340 in USd. Just some food for thought.

FYI... I have seen quite a few posts on the 1er forum saying they have paid anywhere from 240 to 360 euros for an "oil service" which would add an micro filter and small inspcection service. The pollen micro filter costs about 45 euros. Some dealers charge as much as 35 euros per liter for synthetic motor oil though.

Dackel

[zksi]

Originally Posted by sacha101

I was wondering if i should do my first «break-in oil change» ... i'm now at
11 000 kms ... I can read on my screen that maintenance should be done at 16 000 kms ... hmmmm....

I spoke to a service advisor who said the factory fill oil is a running in oil and ideal mileage to be changed is around 15.000 kms. I would be following his recommendation for sure.

[zksi]

Originally Posted by SiN55

No, BMW recommend every 15.000km. But if you want you can do sonner like me. First on 5000km, and after that every 10.000km. I don't know about the car but I know that fresh oil is allways better that old one.

if you change the oil too soon you may cause more engine wear even premature engine problems, fresh oil is good only when the old oil is no good anymore.