oil change after break-in?

[MPBK]

what's the consensus here on changing the oil after the 1200 miles break-in?
Is that obsolete practice?

I realize it doesn't hurt to do it.
I'd do it if I had a dipstick hole to suck the oil from with my pump.
But lifting the car up, going under and getting all dirty isn't a simple proposition fir a pair of old eyes that can't see anything closer than 12 inches from nose, particularly if it won't make a difference in the long run.

[ken1137]

Hey buddy...I would since the purpose of break-in is to seat the piston rings to the cylinder walls. It is a physical wear process so there is a decent amount of debris. This would not be required if the tolerances of both were held to 5000 Angstroms, or 0.5 ums. You may also want to add a magnetic drain plug. Dackelone reviewed the UUC drain plug.

[Vigilante375]

I changed mine around 2k miles and always do my own oil changes. Because I didn't have the time to do it at 1,200 miles. I would have it changed just in case there is any small amounts of metal floating around there from anything. I would advise you doing it.

But if you want to wait until the car tells you then that's fine, since BMW says it's fine to wait until 15k miles......

[bayer]

I have always done a 1000 to 1500 mile oil change on a new car. Cheap insurance, highly recommended it.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by MPBK

what's the consensus here on changing the oil after the 1200 miles break-in?
Is that obsolete practice?...

I changed my oil(& filter!) four times(!!) before the "first" bmw service at 15K miles. Oil is cheap engines are not!

IF you think I am too OCD... think again. Have a look at Wolfe 's excelent fluid change DIY. Now granted he has a 128i and I have a 135i, but look at all that blue gunk caught in the oil filter! And have a look further in that thread for my UUC magnetic oil drain plug. Just LOOK at all the metal shavings that were in my engine!

DIY: manual transmission and diff fluid change
http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showt...oil+change+diy


IF your gonna keep your car past the warranty period - I would change the oil sooner than BMW says too. I would also change the trans and diff fluids too. IF you are gonna trade in or turn in the car after the lease is over, than just run it - and let BMW do thier "lifetime" fluid deal. I'm not buying into that logic though. heck I think most people changed thier lawn mowers oil more than on thier BMW! lol


Dack

[bayer]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

I think most people changed thier lawn mowers oil more than on thier BMW! lol


Dack

I know people who do!!

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by Delrin

I know people who do!!

...I'm the type who runs full synthetic oil in my lawn mower!

[zkeeper]

I'm a shufflin' also and HATE trying to read fine print now...HATE it!! Did I mention that??...so I can say this with full immunity: if you and I can afford the 1er, then we can afford to drive it over to the dealer and have the oil changed out: "at Customer request and expense." Getting break-in oil out of there no matter how good the engines are, is just good sense and great cheap insurance. Leaving it in, for any swarf to mix around, well, I do not need that. I sleep better...and how I like that idea, LOL...go get it changed, and you will have a great afternoon when its done.

[MPBK]

Well, here's the kicker.
In my previous BMW, I had the dealer change the oil after break in.
I had the car for over 120K miles. It ran perfectly fine, except that it burned oil.
And I've also always changed oil and filter at mid point in the recommended interval.
None of that prevented it from burning about 1 quart of oil per 1000 miles.
I believe other factors are at play here. Some engine burn oil while others don't.
Frequent oil changes could be just noise in the equation.
I've heard that the tolerances nowadays are such that "shavings" don't happen anymore.
Yes, Dakel, I saw your magnet pictures. I wouldn't call that shavings. More like a few metal atoms loose in the oil. :lmao:

On second thought... I think I'll do it just for the peace of mind and sleep better at night, as recommended.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

...I'm the type who runs full synthetic oil in my lawn mower!

Does it runs smooth?

[MPBK]

Originally Posted by Delrin

I know people who do!!

Originally Posted by Dackelone

...I'm the type who runs full synthetic oil in my lawn mower!

Oh noes!!!
I forgot to break in my lawn mower.
That was 20 years ago.
That said, it's a Honda, so it may have something to do with it.