[scollins]

I did my first oil change last week, and had the shop take an oil sample for me to send to Blackstone Labs for analysis. I got the email today with the results:



Looks like almost everyone else's results, with high wear metals. I'll do another sample at 10,000 miles and see how it changes.

I also had the TBN test done (extra $10), and it appears that I could have extended the change interval a little, since the TBN was at 3.0.

Anyway, thought I'd share. I'm not a chemist or chemical engineer, so I can't really comment too much on the results and what they signify, so I'll take Blackstone's word on it.

[sparkyg]

Thx for the info. Interesting details. Good to see a new post.

Well done.

[NM_BMW]

Can you tell me the process of blackstone? Like what kind of container did you put it in? Did you mail it to them? How much did it cost? etc... I never heard or have seen this done before.

[zenmaster]

Compare with oil report after 9795 mi.

[scollins]

Originally Posted by Humtek

Can you tell me the process of blackstone? Like what kind of container did you put it in? Did you mail it to them? How much did it cost? etc... I never heard or have seen this done before.

Easy, go HERE, fill in the details, wait for the kit to arrive and follow the directions. I had an independent shop do the oil change, and they knew about the process of taking a sample.

Once the sample was collected, I dropped it in the mail. Total cost was $35. That is $22.50 for the basic test, $10 for the TBN test and $2.50 for shipping.

[itsbrokeagain]

so does this mean you can run 6-7k at least on one oil change and the oil still be ok?

[scollins]

Originally Posted by itsbrokeagain

so does this mean you can run 6-7k at least on one oil change and the oil still be ok?

Quite possibly, maybe even 10,000 miles. Blackstone recommended another 5,000 interval, and if the TBN stays up, they'll probably say an increased interval is probably OK. It would probably take 20,000 miles at least to figure out the "optimum" interval.

But in any case, I think the BMW recommended 15,000 mile interval is far too optimistic. 10,000 miles at the most, and even sooner if you drive the car hard.

I should have also mentioned, I think the hottest I've ever gotten the oil is about 255......

[NM_BMW]

Originally Posted by scollins

Easy, go HERE, fill in the details, wait for the kit to arrive and follow the directions. I had an independent shop do the oil change, and they knew about the process of taking a sample.

Once the sample was collected, I dropped it in the mail. Total cost was $35. That is $22.50 for the basic test, $10 for the TBN test and $2.50 for shipping.

Awesome! I'm gonna have to try this out.

[freedisk00]

Thanks for the great information, I just ordered my free kit. I have a 2008 bmw 335i and after these results, I'm thinking its a great idea to get a 1500 oil change. What do you guys' think?

[Former_Boosted_IS]

That is what I want to know. Does this say change the oil earlier than 5400 miles? Was this your first oil change?

[scollins]

Originally Posted by Former_Boosted_IS

That is what I want to know. Does this say change the oil earlier than 5400 miles? Was this your first oil change?

First oil change. The results don't really say to change it sooner, but they say the converse either. Based on the TBN result, the oil has reserve acid-fighting capacity, so it could have gone longer before the change.

Of course, changing the oil sooner gets the remaining contaminants out sooner (the wear metals, etc.) A break-in oil change around 1200 to 2000 miles is probably cheap insurance, it certainly can't hurt anything (except your wallet.)

All I know is the BMW recommended 15,000 mile interval is ludicrous, especially with a turbo engine.