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      09-24-2010, 04:06 AM   #1
Rosaymaan
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1900 miles... oil change question

I've done some searching and it seems that despite BMW's recomended 15,000 mile oil change... people reccomend doing an initial change around 1,200 and then changes varying from 3-7,500 mile intervals.

I'm now at about 1900 miles and I'm pissed as all hell I didn't know I should have changed at 1,200. Will the extra 700 miles make a difference? Is it too late/is the potential damage already done or will I be ok if I change it now... tks!

Also, what else should I be changing (im not too hard on the car, but I want to make sure I don't miss any of these tidbits going forward). Thanks again for the help

-Matt
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      09-24-2010, 04:14 AM   #2
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No one really can tell you the answer. Probably only BMW really knows. Has anyone run two engines side by side one with a early oil change and the other with a long drain interval(OCI) - then done a tear down and see whats worn? Noop.

Just get your oil changed soon. The sooner the better - I'd say. But there are a lot of people who have gone with BMW long OCI. For me... I think it depends on how long you intend to keep your car. I will keep mine for a long time. I have 15K miles on mine and I have already changed the oil five times! Two times at very early/low miles.
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      09-24-2010, 07:11 AM   #3
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The 1200 mile change comes from the older BMW recommendations - the ones from before regularly scheduled maintenance became "free". I knew about it but was on a trip when I hit 1200 miles so I changed it when I got home. I am confident I did not hurt my engine. I did 2 oil changes before my first (and possibly only) free one. I ordered an oil change kit from Tischer and did it myself. I also recommend getting the filter wrench from Bavarian but you can do it with large channel locks and a microfiber or something to minimize damage.

It seems like you want to get the old school maintenance instructions from Mike Miller who writes a maintenance column for the Roundel. If you google Mike you should get to it. If you have trouble, post or pm me and I'll look up his email address. He has replied to me with 24 hours each time. Mike's copyright does not allow posting or I would just give it to you here. He doesn't want people posting them and then he makes a change and people think they have up-to-date information. If you have a manual transmission I believe you may want to consider changing that fluid and the rear end soon. I did those but not as soon as Mike recommends (or BMW used to recommend).

Fluid change intervals are deliberately conservative because the vast majority of us do not want to pay for analysis of our oil so we can know when we really need to change it. And by the time you see signals it needs changed in the analysis you have not helped your engine. The early changes are on the theory that there are little metal particles in the oil you are getting rid of. I didn't see any but they may still have been there. But even BMW's oil change interval (15,000 miles) is supposed to protect against damage. So unless your vehicle saw severe duty, you are still quite conservative with an early oil change. At least that is the way I look at it.

Jim
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      09-24-2010, 07:32 AM   #4
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I just crossed 10k on the factory oil and the car runs fine. 700 miles is nothing, although I was JUST about to cross the 1yr mark when BMW pulled the rug out from under that nice perk. I guess I'll buy a kit and change it myself one of these days.

BMW says 15k is fine and they built the car...
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      09-24-2010, 11:49 AM   #5
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will any good garage change the opil for me if i buy bmw spec oil? or should i venture to do this myself? i don't have any jack stands or anything.... thoughts?
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      09-24-2010, 12:59 PM   #6
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You could always pay BMW to do it but it will cost you like $150-200. That being said, most garages are capable and so long as you're using a premium synthetic oil you'll be fine. I was a quart low and they told me to just pick up some Mobil1 and add it.
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      09-24-2010, 02:03 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingOfJericho View Post
You could always pay BMW to do it but it will cost you like $150-200. That being said, most garages are capable and so long as you're using a premium synthetic oil you'll be fine. I was a quart low and they told me to just pick up some Mobil1 and add it.
Cost $80 at my BMW dealer. I get the oil changed every 6 months...I pay for one, they pay for one. You have no hurt anything by going 1900 miles.
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      09-24-2010, 02:13 PM   #8
Rosaymaan
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Ok, I have a great relationship with my dealer so I'm gonna have them take care of it for me. While its there shoudl i have the other fluids changed? What else needs to be taken care of? I have an MT. Also, how much more will the other fluids cost? Thanks!
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      09-24-2010, 02:38 PM   #9
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The only person who will be able to answer that question will be your dealer. We've already seen the wide range that they charge for oil around the country so just give them a ring.
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      09-24-2010, 04:09 PM   #10
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I'm actually more interested in what other fluids should be changed?

Also, on a scale of 1-10, how difficult is changing all the various fluids? I'm now thingking i should do this myself, that way I can change it as often as I like. Thanks!
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      09-25-2010, 09:03 AM   #11
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Follow the manual. At 2 years, change your Brake Fluid. You can go a long time on the others.
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      12-17-2010, 01:56 PM   #12
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I am almost at 1000 miles on my 128i, and have been questioning the oil change at 1200 miles myself. Came to the conclusion that its worth the $80 bucks to have the dealer change the oil and not worry about it rather than to worry about whether to do it or not.
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