[gmoney]

Hi guys... in advance I thank you for your help.

I have an '08 335 Coupe and an '08 4.8 X5, with 3500 and 2500 miles respectively. I've had both for about six months ( I know, I know, I need to drive them more )

But my question is: when do I need to get service done? I know that the dealer won't do anything until their set intervals, but is there anything I need/should to?

Thanks!

[742]

Originally Posted by gmoney

Hi guys... in advance I thank you for your help.

I have an '08 335 Coupe and an '08 4.8 X5, with 3500 and 2500 miles respectively. I've had both for about six months ( I know, I know, I need to drive them more )

But my question is: when do I need to get service done? I know that the dealer won't do anything until their set intervals, but is there anything I need/should to?

Thanks!

How long to do yoou plan to keep the cars? What is your operating enviroment? What would additional service cost you (DIY, independent, dealer)?

[gmoney]

Well I'm not sure how long I plan to keep them, but I think that at the very least I should do an oil change on both of them. However the dealer, of course, won't do it yet.

Do you think it's time I do it, and what kind of oil do I use as well as filter?

[742]

There are many threads on this.

There appear to be two schools of thought. "Trust the system" is one, and just do what BMW calls for. The other is to do an extra oil/filter change between the required ones (7500 miles, more or less). Longer term you also have debate about transmission and diff fluid changes.

As for where, the most direct approach is to get the oil and filter from the dealer.

[gmoney]

Thanks for the reply... In the past I've always been a fan of Mobil1 synthetic motor oil. Would that be okay for these cars?

[number335]

I'm looking to get my oil change at 3,000 miles. Here's where I plan to take my car in. It may be close to where you live. Looks like their oil changes are around $90-$100. I'm not sure how much the local dealers charge but this price seemed reasonable.
http://www.roninautowerks.com/index.html

[742]

Originally Posted by gmoney

Thanks for the reply... In the past I've always been a fan of Mobil1 synthetic motor oil. Would that be okay for these cars?

Mobil 1 0W-40 is BMW LL01 approved. The American 5W-30 is not.

However the dealer is going to be using the BMW oil on their changes, so why not stick to that at least until the warranty is run out? The price should be about the same, and you are probably going to the dealer's parts department for the filter anyway.

[gmoney]

Originally Posted by number335

I'm looking to get my oil change at 3,000 miles. Here's where I plan to take my car in. It may be close to where you live. Looks like their oil changes are around $90-$100. I'm not sure how much the local dealers charge but this price seemed reasonable.
http://www.roninautowerks.com/index.html

Thanks, now the above post mentioned what kind of oil is and ins't BMW approved. In this link you provided, it states they use this kind of oil: Up to 8 ltr. ELF solaris lsx 5W-3

Is that acceptable?

[gmoney]

Originally Posted by 742

Mobil 1 0W-40 is BMW LL01 approved. The American 5W-30 is not.

However the dealer is going to be using the BMW oil on their changes, so why not stick to that at least until the warranty is run out? The price should be about the same, and you are probably going to the dealer's parts department for the filter anyway.

Thanks... in the past I was so used having the dealer (of other manufacturers) use junk oil, or so I thought, so I always did my own oil change. From your experience, they use good synthetic at the BMW dealers?

[number335]

Originally Posted by gmoney

Thanks, now the above post mentioned what kind of oil is and ins't BMW approved. In this link you provided, it states they use this kind of oil: Up to 8 ltr. ELF solaris lsx 5W-3

Is that acceptable?

This is a BMW approved motor oil.

Elf Solaris LSX 5W30 Synthetic Engine oil 1 Liter
Very high performance lubricant using ELF synthetic technology, intended for lubricating all Gasoline and Diesel car engines. Specially formulated to ensure compatibility with post-treatment systems.

ACEA 2004 : C3 (04)
API : SM/CF

MB : 229.31/229.51
BMW LONGLIFE 04
VW 502.00/505.00/505.01
http://www.lubadmin.com/upload/produ...ang_1/5815.pdf

[742]

Originally Posted by gmoney

Thanks... in the past I was so used having the dealer (of other manufacturers) use junk oil, or so I thought, so I always did my own oil change. From your experience, they use good synthetic at the BMW dealers?

My experiance, limited to me, myslef and I, is that BMW dealers will use the BMW branded oil. It is hard to imagine any BMW dealership using anything else.

What the BMW oil is in the North American Market is not clear, but it does produce reaonsable oil analysis results.

[mnkybiznes]

In looking at the oil cap it plainly says Castrol synthetic ......... asked the dealer parts man and was told that the BMW oil they sell is Castrol relabeled as BMW .......

BMW parts guy swears by this oil and has switched ALL of his vehicles to the Castrol/BMW brand of oil with excellent results .....eg. less oil consumption, oil leaks have "nearly" stopped. Even uses it in his riding mower.

[gmoney]

Originally Posted by mnkybiznes

In looking at the oil cap it plainly says Castrol synthetic ......... asked the dealer parts man and was told that the BMW oil they sell is Castrol relabeled as BMW .......

BMW parts guy swears by this oil and has switched ALL of his vehicles to the Castrol/BMW brand of oil with excellent results .....eg. less oil consumption, oil leaks have "nearly" stopped. Even uses it in his riding mower.

Thank you sir.. that, along with everyone else's comments, helps a lot!