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08-14-2018, 09:21 PM | #1 |
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oil change dilemma
i got my 2010 128i from CarMax in January of this year (1/2018). When I got it at 53k miles, I checked under the oil cap and the oil was a lovely golden color. However, the oil change reminder when I first got the car said 8k miles away or 1/2019. I have put about 4k miles on the car since then, and the oil change reminder says 7k miles away?? Do I obey the 5k Oil change interval everyone lives by on here, or do I push the limit until I hit 60k miles (which is about 3k away, basically putting the engine oil to work for 7k miles)? Will I damage the engine if I wait until 60k? Only reason I am wary is because after all this time of driving the car it still says oil has 7k miles left in it? If I do push to 60k, I plan on obeying the 5k mile oil change from there on out so it is easy to remember.
EDIT: My commute is 15 minutes each way with some other trips factored in. Car sees spirited driving often as it is a BMW and I enjoy driving it like one. The current oil is a light brown color, leading me to believe the oil is still good (after the 5 months I have owned it). I will go for the 5k oil maintenance interval, but the question is can stretch my next oil change until 60k to do it so it will be a habitual practice (60k, 65k, 70k, etc.)?? This would essentially put 7k miles on enthusiastically-driven oil.
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08-14-2018, 10:40 PM | #2 |
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Forget what the CBS says. Change oil now and every 5, 6, 7 or 8K depending upon how you drive it. 5K for mostly short drives and 8K for mostly always longer high speed drives. Learn to do it yourself if possible.
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08-14-2018, 11:50 PM | #3 |
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I have taken my car into BMW for an oil change and had them tell me I didn't need one. I still like sticking to the 5, 6, 7 or 8K whatever scheduled. My old Jeep with 250K and a 4.0 inline 6 was still running strong when I sold her on to a teenager. I was changing the oil every 3K. It's super easy and inexpensive to do yourself or look for a BMW dealer coupon. I use Castrol 03101 EDGE 0W-40 A3/B4 Advanced Full Synthetic Motor Oil made in Belgium! BMW or Mann filters.
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08-15-2018, 12:19 AM | #4 |
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Thank you! I mainly commute for about 15 minutes each way with longer trips thrown in, and (although it is considered city driving) the roads here can get up to 75 and I rarely hit traffic. However, I do drive it spiritedly and sometimes straight up romp on the little thing, so I will change ASAP. I would do myself but I have no time/too lazy, but I do have an indy that I trust a lot.
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08-15-2018, 12:20 AM | #5 | |
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08-15-2018, 12:52 AM | #6 |
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Thanks to all who replied! I thought i could justify leaving my oil unchanged for 7k miles until 60k, but I was quickly put in the right place. I will change at 5k (57k miles for me) and just change the oil again at 60k. I really want the oil changes to be in the 60k, 65k, 70k pattern, so an extra oil change in there can't hurt. Rather be safe than sorry. I do feel stupid for asking, though Thanks to everyone who replied.
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08-15-2018, 11:01 AM | #7 | |
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Use a LL-01 approved oil and going ~7500 miles between changes should not be a problem. 5K is overkill for your engine (using a LL-01 oil) and you are throwing away good oil. You can always have Blackstone analyze your oil if you are worried. |
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08-15-2018, 01:51 PM | #8 |
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Hey fellow 128i SoCal-er!
Like you, my daily (spirited) commute to and from work is about 15 minutes through the streets. I typically change my oil once a year, approximately 5K-7K miles... Doing it yourself is a really simple task, the toughest thing is getting access to the drain plug (I use ramps).
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08-15-2018, 05:29 PM | #9 |
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I'm in the 5k mile OCI club. It's easy to remember (I'm old) and doesn't require much math (again, old, and also no so bright).
One thing I will add is that a Stahlbus valve is your friend unless you like painful contortions and having your hand soaked in waste oil a couple times a year.
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08-16-2018, 12:15 AM | #10 |
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Thanks again for your replies! Getting oil changed 60k (which would put 7k on oil) and then i will go with 5k oil change intervals. I have no doubt these oils can go 10k with highway, but temps hit past 110 here and I drive it very enthusiastically sometimes haha
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08-16-2018, 08:03 PM | #11 |
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The only thing I would add is I would not trust CarMax to use BMW approved oil - or even any synthetic oil. I don't think 7K miles will kill your engine but I think immediately changing the oil and filter on any new-to-you car is a good idea. I would be surprised if CarMax doesn't just dump in whatever they have a barrel of regardless of the vehicle make.
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08-16-2018, 10:46 PM | #12 | |
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08-18-2018, 04:24 PM | #13 | |
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Commuter- F10 528i N20 8AT Jatoba Black
Show- F10 550i M sport 8AT Alpine White: Airrex Bags, 20" Forgestar F14s, Meisterschaft Catback Around town- E60 528i N52, 6AT, Monaco Blue Weekend - 1997 BMW Z3 M52, 5spd, Dunkelgrun: 230k mi, Intrax Springs on Bilsteins, Style 68s staggered AutoX/track - 2012 F30 N20, 6MT BSM |
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08-18-2018, 04:25 PM | #14 |
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yes i wanted a CPO but this car was the only M sport manual i could find with low miles
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08-18-2018, 05:10 PM | #15 |
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Anytime I buy a used car, I change the oil two or three times in the first month.... just to flush out the engine. Oil is cheap(er) than internal engine parts.
IF you really only drive 15 miles to work... your engine is never warming up fully. I think you meant to say you also drive the car on longer trips(per week) - right? IF you only really drive 15 miles to your work... I'd be changing your oil every month! That's a sure fire recipe for sludge buildup. For me... I would rather change the engine oil too(more) often than what the CBS says. An oil change every 15K(or 10K now) is what BMW says. But they are in the business to sell you a new car every few years. I plan on keeping my 1er... so I go a little bit over board with oil changes. Oil changes are really the only "real" servicing that a modern BMW see's these days. Sure there are other minor things... but fresh oil is the best oil! Dackel
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08-19-2018, 03:30 AM | #16 | |
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08-20-2018, 10:34 AM | #17 | |
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I'd be much more inclined to change it now, use Castrol LL-01 so you know it's what should be in there and then go to 65k. |
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08-20-2018, 04:43 PM | #18 | |
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I would say one needs to drive for a longer time period (25 miles/25 minutes or more) to get things up fully. Fully meaning 220'F to 250'F on your oil temp gauge. Dackel
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08-21-2018, 03:42 AM | #20 | |
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I thought we were talking about guys who retrofitted a 135i kombi instrument panel to a 128i.
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IF you use an OBD-II dongle and an app(like Torque)... you should be able to monitor oil and coolant temps. Dack
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08-21-2018, 08:26 AM | #21 | ||
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08-21-2018, 01:17 PM | #22 |
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I think you may need to go to Scangauge. Mine on my truck would not show transmission temp until some recoding was done. Can be done online.
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