16k miles since oil change, dealer says I need 2k more?

[Vaaaan]

I took my car in for service this morning, my last service (which was also my first service, changed the oil myself before that) was May 2011 @ 24k miles, now I'm above 40k miles, and the service advisor is telling me I need to wait 2100 more miles before I can get a free oil change. I thought I was supposed to get a free oil change every 15,000 miles or every year whichever comes first. He was giving me some crap about different people driving their cars differently and requiring different intervals. I told him to change it anyway and I'll pay for it.

Should I be demanding it for free?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Vaaaan

I took my car in for service this morning, my last service (which was also my first service, changed the oil myself before that) was May 2011 @ 24k miles, now I'm above 40k miles, and the service advisor is telling me I need to wait 2100 more miles before I can get a free oil change. I thought I was supposed to get a free oil change every 15,000 miles or every year whichever comes first. He was giving me some crap about different people driving their cars differently and requiring different intervals. I told him to change it anyway and I'll pay for it.

Should I be demanding it for free?

Your dealer is correct - there is NO 15,000 mile oil change service.

Please see Condition Based Service in your owners manual and take a look at the mileage remaining through your iDrive or OBC.

Tom

[Vaaaan]

Originally Posted by Tom K.

Your dealer is correct - there is NO 15,000 mile oil change service.

Please see Condition Based Service in your owners manual and take a look at the mileage remaining through your iDrive or OBC.

Tom

Ok thank you. The thing that annoys me is that I'm above 40,000 miles and I've only gotten one free oil change from the dealer. That just doesn't seem fair, definitely not "Ultimate Service".

I've added a quart of oil since the last oil change, would that affect the CBS mileage remaining?

[JHOOPS2]

This is exactly why I started changing the oil myself on this car. Free or not, it just isn't worth the hassle of driving all the way to the dealership to find out that I have to pay for it anyhow.

[pinmagic]

Yeah, it's amazing - right after I bought my car, they suddenly decided that oil really doesn't need to be changed in a car very often. It's just wrong - they sold these cars promising a certain level of service, and then simply went, "oh, never mind."

[Vaaaan]

Lol... alright glad to hear I'm not alone. The service advisor was a total jerk so I was kind of hoping I could tell him off but I guess I'll just pay for it and be on my way. I told him not to reset the interval so I should at least be able to get a second free oil change before I hit 50,000 miles.

[jsublime]

You should know exactly when it's free - every 12 months or when the CBS says so. No need to go to the dealer to find out.

@Vaaan, understand your frustration. Next time just do what many of us do and DIY or pay for a change yourself after 6 months or approximate 7500 miles. Doesn't make much sense to have them change it and then change it again in two months. A dealer should never reset the CBS when you pay for an early change. When you have a "low mileage" change because 12 months is up, they also shouldn't reset the CBS - but YMMV with that one.

[shodanusmc]

I have an 09, and my car is at Motorwerks BMW getting my Annual free oil change! My 3rd one.

[JHOOPS2]

Originally Posted by jsublime

You should know exactly when it's free - every 12 months or when the CBS says so. No need to go to the dealer to find out.

@Vaaan, understand your frustration. Next time just do what many of us do and DIY or pay for a change yourself after 6 months or approximate 7500 miles. Doesn't make much sense to have them change it and then change it again in two months. A dealer should never reset the CBS when you pay for an early change. When you have a "low mileage" change because 12 months is up, they also shouldn't reset the CBS - but YMMV with that one.

I went 14 months with me changing it twice myself and they said that I did not qualify for a free oil change. So, I don't even deal with it anymore.

[1speedbike]

It SHOULD be free once a year, regardless of miles. I bought my car July 30, 2008, and every August up until now, I go to my dealership for my free annual oil change. It shouldn't have to do with miles... my dealership just does it as long as a year has passed since the last free one.

[JHOOPS2]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

It SHOULD be free once a year, regardless of miles. I bought my car July 30, 2008, and every August up until now, I go to my dealership for my free annual oil change. It shouldn't have to do with miles... my dealership just does it as long as a year has passed since the last free one.

That's my point. Mine was bought in 2010 and so far I have only been able to get one free OC.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by JHOOPS2

This is exactly why I started changing the oil myself on this car. Free or not, it just isn't worth the hassle of driving all the way to the dealership to find out that I have to pay for it anyhow.

+1.

[Vaaaan]

Well I should have had 2 free ones already but I think I screwed that up by changing the oil myself the first couple times and finally going in for service a year and 9 months after I took delivery. So then I can't get a second one until I hit the 2 year 9 months mark in May.

The service advisor was much nicer when I went to pick up the car. He told me my brakes were at 14k and 16k till service, but that it could changed based on how I drive, basically he told me to be hard on the brakes and I'll probably get free replacement before I hit 50k :P

[1speedbike]

Damn, I can't believe so many people are being bullied out of their free oil changes. That was always the one nice thing about the free maintenance (wipers, intake filter, etc are okay too I guess haha).

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=600996

^The oil changes should be free annually. If your dealership refuses, contact BMW NA and complain. They'll change their tune pretty soon.

[Tweeked SRT4]

I just got my first oil change at 12,940. I was -140 miles when I brought it in. It was either 12,800 or 4/2012 whichever came first is what was displayed on my dash.

[Tom K.]

My '08 128i with about 36k miles goes in next week for it's 4th free oil change in addition to the 2 for which I've paid about $80 each.

It's all about understanding how the CBS and/or yearly free changes work.

Tom

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

It SHOULD be free once a year, regardless of miles. I bought my car July 30, 2008, and every August up until now, I go to my dealership for my free annual oil change. It shouldn't have to do with miles... my dealership just does it as long as a year has passed since the last free one.

Same here. I got mine July 28, 2008. Free change august every year, 09, 2010, 2011. I drive less than 8000 miles a year.

Wondering if I am going to get the fourth change free? Since technically it will be after the 4 year warranty.

[1speedbike]

Originally Posted by dtwyim

Same here. I got mine July 28, 2008. Free change august every year, 09, 2010, 2011. I drive less than 8000 miles a year.

Wondering if I am going to get the fourth change free? Since technically it will be after the 4 year warranty.

Lol no way, unless your dealership really loves you! Or unless you extend the free maintenance. But don't worry, right in August or September you'll suddenly be due for spark plugs, brakes, and another oil change. That's what happened right after I passed 50K miles and decided not to extend my maintenance, just my warranty.

Very awesome that we picked up the cars within days of each other! Forgive me if you've posted about this (I'm really bad with usernames, I tend to remember unique avatars/user pics instead but lots of people have the ///M), but are you planning on keeping the car or extending the maintenance or warranty?

[dtwyim]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

Lol no way, unless your dealership really loves you! Or unless you extend the free maintenance. But don't worry, right in August or September you'll suddenly be due for spark plugs, brakes, and another oil change. That's what happened right after I passed 50K miles and decided not to extend my maintenance, just my warranty.

Very awesome that we picked up the cars within days of each other! Forgive me if you've posted about this (I'm really bad with usernames, I tend to remember unique avatars/user pics instead but lots of people have the ///M), but are you planning on keeping the car or extending the maintenance or warranty?

Definitely not extending the maintenance. Up here in Canada, brakes and wipers are not covered with basic maintenance. Unless you pay extra $$$. Might as well pay it when I need it.

I am leaning away from extended warranty. I think it is thru 3rd party as per my dealer. With my low mileage, 3 season car, and not driven hard all the time; I am hoping nothing major will pop up for another 2 to 3 years that I plan on keeping my 1.

What about you?

[Eddie135]

Originally Posted by dtwyim

Definitely not extending the maintenance. Up here in Canada, brakes and wipers are not covered with basic maintenance. Unless you pay extra $$$. Might as well pay it when I need it.

I am leaning away from extended warranty. I think it is thru 3rd party as per my dealer. With my low mileage, 3 season car, and not driven hard all the time; I am hoping nothing major will pop up for another 2 to 3 years that I plan on keeping my 1.

What about you?

What is covered in the free maintenence service? I am currently under the free annual 4 years service plan. Oil + oil filter, Micro filter, fuel filter, Brake fluid, diff oil, spark plugs?

Am I correct? Only brake rotors, brake pads and wiper blades not included.

[qcodec]

Originally Posted by Eddie135

What is covered in the free maintenence service? I am currently under the free annual 4 years service plan. Oil + oil filter, Micro filter, fuel filter, Brake fluid, diff oil, spark plugs?

Am I correct? Only brake rotors, brake pads and wiper blades not included.

Hmmmm I don't drive much my 1 so my dealer gave me annual service(annual engine oil change). It included oil + oil filter, micro filter, fuel filter, brake service, and wiper blades.

I'm sure brake pads and rotors service require more than 40,000 miles unless those show excessive wear. Not sure about spark plugs, I've read several posts in the forum, but it's so confusing and annoying.

[GotM]

I just had my 3rd free oil change too, should be no problem getting the 4th next march too. But, this is based on the low mileage annual service interval. Mine is on 09 w/18000 miles.