[C4maro]

Just a random question, because most say to change 6 months or each year regardless of mileage. At the same time people run their synthetics 10k miles(not n54) before a change.

Curious what the modern take is on synthetics and how long they can sit? Does oil degrade so much over time you'd rather run 8000 mile 6month oil over 5 year old 1500 mile oil from a garage kept vehicle.(edited)

[BSM n54iS]

Who's keeping oil they changed and only ran for 1500 miles in their garage for 5 years?

[C4maro]

Originally Posted by BdSM n54iS

Who's keeping oil they changed and only ran for 1500 miles in their garage for 5 years?

Lol, keeping it in the car's engine, should of clarified.

[neilvan]

I do 5-6k km or 1 year whichever comes first(and I prefer the Motul brand synthetics just personal and work experience). However in the cars that I store over the winter I do the oil change right before storage.

The age is due to dirt and moisture collection; Will the oil work? I'm sure it'll so its job but if you want to take car of your car and have it last forever then cleaner is better

[POBEP]

Hope this (oil) thread will not explode.

The synthetic oil shelf (sealed bottle) life is 5-6 years.
The BMW Longlife E-series factory age is 2 years (max).
It is best to change engine oil at or before 2 year mark regardless of mileage.
If you live in a very dry climate (e.g. Nevada desert) you may be able to stretch it past 2 year mark

I clock 6-7K/year on my E91 N52K, change oil every 2 years with BMW TPT LL01 and BMW filter.
Engine has 103,337mi as of this morning, solo owner.
It is clean inside and outside, absolutely zero issues.


NA gasoline engines can take factory schedule without issues.
Turbo gasoline may benefit from more aggressive schedule.
Turbo diesel is more sensitive to oil quality, mileage and intervals

[C4maro]

Originally Posted by POBEP

Hope this (oil) thread will not explode.

The synthetic oil shelf (sealed bottle) life is 5-6 years.
The BMW Longlife E-series factory age is 2 years (max).
It is best to change engine oil at or before 2 year mark regardless of mileage.
If you live in a very dry climate (e.g. Nevada desert) you may be able to stretch it past 2 year mark

I clock 6-7K/year on my E91 N52K, change oil every 2 years with BMW TPT LL04 and BMW filter.
Engine has 103,337mi as of this morning, solo owner.
It is clean inside and outside, absolutely zero issues.

So which oil is better quality, the oil in your e91 at say 1.5years in, or 5 year old with 1500 miles on it?

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by C4maro

So which oil is better quality, the oil in your e91 at say 1.5years in, or 5 year old with 1500 miles on it?

good question. The Blackstone labs would be best to answer this

However, 5 year old oil likely has additives at the point where they no longer can contribute effectively for engine operation

[C4maro]

Originally Posted by POBEP

good question. The Blackstone labs would be best to answer this

However, 5 year old oil likely has additives at the point where they no longer can contribute effectively for engine operation

Logically my brain says the high temp high stress situation in the engine would be a lot worse for the oil than it just sitting, but I'm probably not smart enough to really answer that.

[R3dLeader]

I'm curious about everyone's thoughts on transmission and diff oil aging.

[C4maro]

Originally Posted by R3dLeader

I'm curious about everyone's thoughts on transmission and diff oil aging.

I know they last longer being in a tightly sealed place.

[neilvan]

Originally Posted by C4maro

I know they last longer being in a tightly sealed place.

Depends on the oil but I disagree; Heat degrades oil but so does fluid shear. The main difference is that it doesnt get "dirty" so it can last a bit longer but lifetime fill is such a joke.

Trans and diffs technically arnt sealed as there will always be a vent or 2

[Chappers 71]

I just change the oil in my 35i (the cars always had Castrol Edge from new) when the e oil monitoring system asks me to. Currently on 124,500 miles, 72,500 during my eleven years of ownership & running 380bhp for around eight of those years.

[Hoody007]

Originally Posted by C4maro

Just a random question, because most say to change 6 months or each year regardless of mileage. At the same time people run their synthetics 10k miles(not n54) before a change.

Curious what the modern take is on synthetics and how long they can sit? Does oil degrade so much over time you'd rather run 8000 mile 6month oil over 5 year old 1500 mile oil from a garage kept vehicle.(edited)

Erm, who is recommending to change the oil every 6 months?
Hell, even Mercedes-Benz in the 80s recommended a 7500/1 year OCI, and that was on conventional oil.

Personally, 10,000/1 year is a good interval - this is synthetic oil after all.
A tuned car would probably be different, though...

[BSM n54iS]

Originally Posted by POBEP

Hope this (oil) thread will not explode.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by C4maro

Just a random question, because most say to change 6 months or each year regardless of mileage. At the same time people run their synthetics 10k miles(not n54) before a change.

Curious what the modern take is on synthetics and how long they can sit? Does oil degrade so much over time you'd rather run 8000 mile 6month oil over 5 year old 1500 mile oil from a garage kept vehicle.(edited)

For tuned N54's good to change oil annually or 7-8k miles, whichever comes first,

[C4maro]

Originally Posted by Saif2018

For tuned N54's good to change oil annually or 7-8k miles, whichever comes first,

I change mine every 5000 kilometers / 3000 miles, which is probably overkill.

The question is more specifically about sitting/lightly used 5yearish old oil vs high mileage newer oil.

I haven't driven the car much at all last few years and its been in the garage with about 1500miles driven in the last 5 years on the same oil. Which is frowned upon, yet people drive n54's up to 8-10k miles, which I feel like would be worse; that's what I'm wondering.

[Saif2018]

Originally Posted by C4maro

I change mine every 5000 kilometers / 3000 miles, which is probably overkill.

The question is more specifically about sitting/lightly used 5yearish old oil vs high mileage newer oil.

I haven't driven the car much at all last few years and its been in the garage with about 1500miles driven in the last 5 years on the same oil. Which is frowned upon, yet people drive n54's up to 8-10k miles, which I feel like would be worse; that's what I'm wondering.

I'd personally get the oil changed once every year minimum, regardless of mileage.

[Rule1977]

Originally Posted by Saif2018

I'd personally get the oil changed once every year minimum, regardless of mileage.

Yep. 100%

[Mustafa.e92]

Manufactures are pushing the hell out of the oil change intervals. New range rovers call for an oil change every year or every 36,000 kms whichever comes first. YUP 36,000. Not sure how far oil technology has come but I don't trust intervals that far in anyway shape or form unless it's leprechaun jizz. I don't know much about the topic but I'd rather take the old low kms oil. Theirs a nice video documentary by banks power and ams oil goes in depth about oil. Annoying videos but good info

[Ozzie335i]

Sheesh, it's a BMW for gosh sakes. Buy some fresh oil and put it in the car, along with a new oil filter.

[roadkillrob]

Originally Posted by Ozzie335i

Sheesh, it's a BMW for gosh sakes. Buy some fresh oil and put it in the car, along with a new oil filter.

This, wouldn't use either just spend 50 bucks and gets some new oil.

[feuer]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

This, wouldn't use either just spend 50 bucks and gets some new oil.

Exactly! Neither.