[G33]

any1 did the oil change themselves? if so how??!?!?!

[trick50]

Originally Posted by sinnet112

1.5K miles

+1 I did my first at 1500 second at 7500 third at 15000 (on them). I basically pay for one they pay for the next...so I do it every 7500 miles

[Inspired]

Originally Posted by G33

any1 did the oil change themselves? if so how??!?!?!

+1 i am planning to do this also if oil change get too costy.

[ArmyBimmerDude]

My first was at 1500, then 7500. Prob do the next one at 15k

[faze335i]

Originally Posted by Rips335iCoupe

When motor oil isn't changed often enough, varnish deposits and sludge begin to form inside the engine. If the oil is neglected long enough, it will eventually turn into goo and ruin the engine.

"Oil sludging" has become a serious problem in recent years for a number of reasons. One is that more new car buyers lease their vehicles rather than purchase them. Because they know they're only going to keep the vehicle for two, three or four years, they tend to forget important things like changing the oil and filter. They figure the next owner can pay the price for their neglect. But all too often, the oil doesn't go the distance and their engine is gunked up or ruined before the lease expires.

Aggravating the situation are consumer misconceptions about how often the oil needs to be changed. In recent years, many vehicle manufacturers have extended their recommended oil change intervals to reduce maintenance costs for the vehicle owner - and have run into trouble. The Center for Auto Safety (www.autosafety.org) has logged more than a thousand complaints about oil sludging problems from motorists who thought they were following the service intervals recommended in their owner's manuals, but ended up with a crankcase full of sludge.

Extended oil change intervals of 7,500 or 10,000 miles or more are based on ideal operating conditions, not the type of short-trip, stop-and-go driving that is typical for many motorists. Worse yet, some vehicles have no scheduled oil change interval and use an "oil change reminder light" to signal the driver when an oil change is needed. Unfortunately, the reminder light may not come on until 12,000 miles or more in some vehicles - and even then the driver may ignore it.

Oil life depends on many factors including driving conditions (speed, load, idle time, etc.), environmental factors (temperature, humidity, airborne dirt) and engine wear. As a general rule, most experts still recommend changing the oil and filter every 3,000 miles or six months, whichever comes first. Why? Because this provides the best all-round protection for the average driver.

Most drivers should actually follow a "severe" service maintenance schedule (3,000-mile oil changes) rather than a "normal" service schedule to protect their engines. Severe service is when most trips are less than four miles (10 miles when the temperature is below freezing), prolonged driving at high speed during hot weather, idling for extended periods of time (20 minutes or more), towing a trailer and/or driving in dusty or heavily polluted areas.

Some engines, such as diesels, suffer more blowby than others and typically require more frequent oil and filter changes. For most passenger car and light truck diesels, the oil should be changed every 3,000 miles without exception - especially in turbo diesels.

Turbocharged gasoline engines also require more frequent oil changes because of the high temperatures inside the turbo that can oxidize oil. A 3,000-mile oil change interval is also recommended for all turbocharged gasoline engines.

When the oil remains in the crankcase too long, the additives that enable it to lubricate and protect the engine become depleted. The oil wears out and no longer has the same viscosity range it had when it was new. It also gets dirtier and dirtier as moisture, acids, soot and wear particles accumulate. The filter can only remove so much, and eventually plugs up allowing unfiltered oil to reach the bearings. Once this occurs, wear skyrockets and the engine is headed for disaster.

WOW you have answer just about all the things I wanted to ask about break in period to change the oil for new vehicle AWESOME!!!!!

[Blk07335i]

2500 and 10,000 just last week. Changed it myself.

[RIP-A4]

2k but I haven't had one since and now I'm at 10k

[Blue92]

First change at 2,400 - 2nd at 8,300. Next is the BMW "freebie" at 15,000 then will stick to 5,000 intervals. My changes are with BMW filters and Mobil1 0-40w.

[double35]

Doing my first one now at 4k.

For those of you who asked about how, there are instructions in the other DIY area.

[momscardadgetstodrive]

Now have about 9400.. probably do it again. For the cost (do it your self), 62$, it's worth it. Wish I would have done at 1200 for piece of mind. Regardless of arguments, if you own the car, why not incur and extra 62 or 120 bucks a year to ensure it lasts? The same argument (logic) exists for running 91 vs. 87 octane. Depending on how much you drive, it works out between 90 and 140 bucks a year.... seems low costs compared to sticker price! and cost of tires you go through

ps. For the DIY'ers, when you go to jack the car up...you'll read some threads on the best way to do it...then go buy ramps. There is another thread in here on jack-stand points... read it, waste your time, then buy some ramps from Aut-zon- (I think the good ones are Rhino)

[Das M]

I'm at 6700 or so and I am going to get a change before my trip back to South Carolina this May just because. I had fully intended on going to 15k, but with a long road trip I just want the car to be in good shape.

[jnizzle]

Should the oil filter be changed every time the oil is?

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by jnizzle

Should the oil filter be changed every time the oil is?

Absolutely.

[mdmaxxx]

just got my first oil changed at 14,250..... engine feels smoother now. shouldve join this forum earlier, i wouldve got oil chnage sooner

[double35]

I thought the smoother engine posts were BS before I changed mine at 4k miles. All the throttle jerkiness is gone since the first oil change. It's been great.

[BMW///Motorsport]

Some guy in the service dep. (not my SA who is gone for the time being) at the dealer told me today that the 15,000 mile oil change is subjective. He claims that the computer adapts to your particular use of the car (stop-go short drives & harder usage, versus more optimum conditions) and depending on your car the oil change light could come on as early as 8,000 miles and as late and 19,000. It is a dynamic system that constantly rechecks the status of your service needs... Is that true or is he full of it. It didn't sound very convincing IMO.

[mmm def]

Originally Posted by BMW///Motorsport

Some guy in the service dep. (not my SA who is gone for the time being) at the dealer told me today that the 15,000 mile oil change is subjective. He claims that the computer adapts to your particular use of the car (stop-go short drives & harder usage, versus more optimum conditions) and depending on your car the oil change light could come on as early as 8,000 miles and as late and 19,000. It is a dynamic system that constantly rechecks the status of your service needs... Is that true or is he full of it. It didn't sound very convincing IMO.

Well my car said my service was due at 15,000 miles before I changed my oil at 5k. After I changed my oil, guess what the car said? 15,000 miles. I think the car does adapt to your driving style, but doesn't know if you have fresh or dirty oil in it.

[Tommy420]

Originally Posted by BMW///Motorsport

Some guy in the service dep. (not my SA who is gone for the time being) at the dealer told me today that the 15,000 mile oil change is subjective. He claims that the computer adapts to your particular use of the car (stop-go short drives & harder usage, versus more optimum conditions) and depending on your car the oil change light could come on as early as 8,000 miles and as late and 19,000. It is a dynamic system that constantly rechecks the status of your service needs... Is that true or is he full of it. It didn't sound very convincing IMO.

I was told the same thing. I currently have 4500 miles and was planning on changing the oil at 13,000...but now I guess I'll do it around 5000. Should I be worried about anything since I didn't get the oil changed at 1500?

[Herms]

leased. I added more oil early on, but just had the first change at 15k. had to complain too since the car still thinks I have 3000+ miles before I need one, but since it had been over a year since I bought the car, they covered it.

[NovaBimmer]

I can't believe people are arguing over an $80 oil change when they drive $45k+ machines...this is a no-brainer...It's a safer bet to do the change around 5-7k

[BMW///Motorsport]

just had mine at 4900 miles

[japac1]

I think I missed something: I am just under 15,000 miles and about 5 weeks from owning the car 1 year. I thought you get an oil change at 15,000...SA says only at one year anniversary, regardless of miles. Everyone here posts about 15,000 mile service, so just making sure.