[GBX]

How many of you got an oil change after break-in? I'm used to doing this on my cars to flush out metal shavings from the new motor, etc, but BMW is still saying to wait until 15K. My car is leased so i guess i'm not too concerned with longevity. Thoughts?

[oc24]

I have the same question. I was going to do it, until BMW is getting crazy with the software.

[scottp999]

Lot of threads on this. Many people change the oil themselves between 500 and 1200 miles. I did mine around 600 if I am remembering correctly. The oil change could not be any easier. Just drive the car up on Rhino ramps in your driveway, the oil filter is right in front, up top, in the engine bay. Takes 30 minutes to do the whole thing.

See the DIY thread in the DIY section: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44590. I will not be taking my car to the BMW dealership unless something major is wrong with it.

Whether you take better care of the car since it is a lease is up to you. Mine was a purchase, and I'm going to do as much of the maintenance that I can figure out.

[AJerman]

I think it's extremely intelligent to do a break in oil change around 500 miles. Honestly, most of the metal that was going to shave off would have done it within 100 miles even, but 500 is a good number. Running to 15k on ANY oil change, let alone the first break in oil change, is completely ridiculous if you ask me. I have 6xx miles right now and will probably head to my roommate's shop this weekend for an oil change and a CDV swap. (FIRST MOD! )

[StarrDlux]

you might void your warranty by changing your oil prematurely. it is possible the initial oil is designed to break in your motor properly. It is possible they run your motor at the factory and break it in for you? i sure as heck hope they test the motor really well before sending it over on a boat.

inquiring minds would like to know.

how much oil does the car hold (with oil cooler and filter). i'm guessing ALOT.

[ZJP]

I would listen to BMW and wait until 15k. Who knows the car better then the manufacturer who built it?

[vegasspeed]

I got it done only because I upgraded my oil cooler. They had to replace the oil since they pulled it out. I was going to get it done either way.

[TRICKE90]

It's cheap insurance. I did it to my e90 325i, and I just did to my e92 335i (1800 miles). It sure won't hurt anything and I have peace of mind. I have done this to all my vehicles why would my BMW be any different?

[Amir87]

Originally Posted by TRICKE90

It's cheap insurance. I did it to my e90 325i, and I just did to my e92 335i (1800 miles). It sure won't hurt anything and I have peace of mind. I have done this to all my vehicles why would my BMW be any different?

+1

I did my first oil change at 1,000 miles.

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by StarrDlux

you might void your warranty by changing your oil prematurely. it is possible the initial oil is designed to break in your motor properly. It is possible they run your motor at the factory and break it in for you? i sure as heck hope they test the motor really well before sending it over on a boat.

inquiring minds would like to know.

how much oil does the car hold (with oil cooler and filter). i'm guessing ALOT.

This is not true for the N54. However, it has been like this with the e46 M3. No idea about the current M3. IMO a break-in oil-change is mandatory for every new engine, as the engineer's decision. BMW tells you a commercial story. The car holds 6.5 litres.

[StarrDlux]

so 6.5 litres is necessary plus filter and gasket? bmw oil only

[BmwFanFL]

I was told there are additives in the initial oil that need to run in the engine. Based on that, I changed the oil at 2000 miles, giving the mystery additives time to work.

I think the engine will run fine to 75-100K with 15K oil changes. I'd have to believe beyond that, you are shortening the failure curves somewhat. I plan changes every 6000 or so, regardless of how long I'll own the car -- I just can't do the 15k thing.....

[wadgras44]

I did it at 5,000 and 10,000 and each time the shop indicated that the oil was not pretty

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by StarrDlux

so 6.5 litres is necessary plus filter and gasket? bmw oil only

+1. Just buy the filter. You get the o-ring and a copper ? washer implicit. I use BMW oil only, just to avoid issues.

[AJerman]

Originally Posted by StarrDlux

you might void your warranty by changing your oil prematurely. it is possible the initial oil is designed to break in your motor properly. It is possible they run your motor at the factory and break it in for you? i sure as heck hope they test the motor really well before sending it over on a boat.

inquiring minds would like to know.

how much oil does the car hold (with oil cooler and filter). i'm guessing ALOT.

You are NOT going to get your warranty voided for changing the oil too much or early. The E9x doesn't have break in oil, so there's no difference in what you pour out the first time and what you put back in, except it's cleaner.

[David 12]

I am leasing mine and did the first oil change myself at 10k miles. If I had purchased the car, I would have changed it sooner for sure.

Honestly, though, the oil did not look good!

[FastLane]

1) You are definitely not going to void your warranty
2) Its a very good idea to change your oil early (JUST REMEMBER TO USE FULL SYN)
3) Your (or at least my) stealership wont change the oil until 15k mi unless I paid
3.1) I told them ok, so when I bring it back with metal shards all over the engine you are going to fix it right?
3.2) They performed oil change free of charge.

[longodj]

I changed my oil at 3k, 7.5k and unfortunately waited for the stealership to change it at somewhere around 17.5k. I thought I'd get to the dealership earlier...more like 13k but I didn't, although since I did my own oil changes in the earlier stages I think it was fine.

Definitely do a break in change between 3k and 5k. You don't want metal shards stuck in your engine. That's just bad.

[jeho]

Is it too early to do oil change at 800KM...

the first 500KM i kept it under 4000rpm...
now i've been driving it harder to 5000rpm and boosting from time to time...

Im thinking there would be a good amount of metal shaving and time for an oil change ?

[e.n335]

I broke-in my car and at 2000 km I changed oil. You can do the oil-change at 500 km AND 2000 km as well .

[jeho]

that is my plan haha...

did you find much metal shavings at 2000km?

how many km did u full throttle it

[e.n335]

Originally Posted by jho86

that is my plan haha...

did you find much metal shavings at 2000km?

how many km did u full throttle it

I did no oil analyses.

Just a few during late break-in before the oil-change. I full throttle my car at least every weekend. During the week, driving to / from work I can't drive WOT in Zurich downtown - well, most of the time . The car is great !!!