[nozydog]

Any opinions on additional oil changes, particularly just after the run in period? Obviously BMW recommend the first oil change at the first service interval around 18,000 miles! Seems quite a long period, especially as running in a brand new engine will result in many metallic particles being present! I've read varying opinions on this, some say it's a good idea, others saying it's not necessary at all, if it was BMW would schedule it! Thoughts and opinions please!

[John in VA]

While oils & engines have improved in the past decades, I don't like to go longer than 7500 miles between changes with synthetic oil. I have not sent out for an oil analysis, but I'm comfortable with that interval.

[spuntyb]

Is it 18000 miles now? My f31 was 10000 to the first change and I was sweating bullets. First car I ever leased, and I did all my own oil changes on my other cars every 4-5000k. Based on everything I had read, I decided to just go with it, and I'm sure it will work it fine.

[bavarianride]

To OP, just do an intermediate one, e.g. 9k miles for 18k miles OCI. The gasoline in UK/Europe has less sulfur content than US gasoline, so 18k-mile OCI may not be too bad.

[Billfitz]

The interval in the US is 10,000 miles or 1 year. 18,000 miles seems a bit much. I never approach 10,000 miles in a year, so a yearly change is what I do, but I change the filter at the 6 month interval. It's a simple 5 minute job and costs the price of lunch.

[ErkanTR16]

10,000 Miles or 1 Year as stated above.

[nozydog]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

The interval in the US is 10,000 miles or 1 year. 18,000 miles seems a bit much. I never approach 10,000 miles in a year, so a yearly change is what I do, but I change the filter at the 6 month interval. It's a simple 5 minute job and costs the price of lunch.

I did think of doing just that! I only do around 8,000 a year so what you say sounds a pretty good idea!

[fuelairsparktiming]

I do not really know if my opinion is correct. anyway, I feel if you are driving even a lil bit spirited; you should consider closer intervals. I thing 8k would be a safe zone for those who dual use their daily drivers. thats just my opinion.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Normal driving where the fully oil heats up would go with 10K or once a year. Lots of short trips where the oil does not make it over 200*F would shorten the time/mileage

[revone]

I'm in a similar situation to the OP, I probably do less than 8000 miles a year, but I'll be taking mine in for a service within the next week or so. I also am of the opinion that post run-in there should be an oil change. I've got just under 3000 miles on mine, and a longish road trip planned for the end of April so between now and then I'll get an oil and filter change. The service indicator still doesn't think a service is due until April 2018, but I'll be getting it serviced every 12 months.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by nozydog

Any opinions on additional oil changes, particularly just after the run in period? Obviously BMW recommend the first oil change at the first service interval around 18,000 miles! Seems quite a long period, especially as running in a brand new engine will result in many metallic particles being present! I've read varying opinions on this, some say it's a good idea, others saying it's not necessary at all, if it was BMW would schedule it! Thoughts and opinions please!

I note the replies so far, are from the other side of the pond, not surprised at the comments as historically oil changes are much more frequent.

Over here in Europe and our particular UK service intervals, CBS has been extending over the years. 2-years or CBS countdown (to around 20,000 miles) has been the norm for 10-years or so.

Anything other than the BMW line, is a personal choice. Many users won't bother with interim changes, as the car is on a lease, and even if purchased is not likely to be in the same ownership to mileage when issues would develop.

If we do keep our cars and extend the warranty, and change the oil more frequently, why are we doing it? We feel better if the engine has new oil more often? Belt and braces to save issues, even under warranties? Intend to keep and drive the vehicle over 100,000 miles, without extending the warranty?

I personally have changed the oil in my N55 engine at a year, at about 8,000 miles (interim change), simply because I drive lower annual mileage and feel better having clean oil in it. May run a bit better, a little cleaner, less carbon deposits, but being under extended warranty if there were issues, BMW would be covering it anyway. So it is a belt and braces approach.

I don't intend to keep the car past 80,000 miles, so wouldn't expect problems even at 2-year (~16,000 miles) oil change intervals.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by revone

I'm in a similar situation to the OP, I probably do less than 8000 miles a year, but I'll be taking mine in for a service within the next week or so. I also am of the opinion that post run-in there should be an oil change. I've got just under 3000 miles on mine, and a longish road trip planned for the end of April so between now and then I'll get an oil and filter change. The service indicator still doesn't think a service is due until April 2018, but I'll be getting it serviced every 12 months.

Is this because you feel the oil needs changing? I know we used to think that way when manufacturing tolerances were lower. Often bedding in did produce a lot of debris.

I recall having a VW and wanting to change the oil at 5,000 miles from new. The dealer had a VW bulletin stating not to change until the 10,000 mile service interval. They were using a 'bed-in' oil, to assist a proper bed-in and prevent future oil burning.

There is comment available that fully synthetic oils can be changed too soon, and can affect how an engine beds in and performs.

If anything, it can be the oil filter that is the weak link in a new engine. Changing the filter, without the oil, is one way of thinking.

[RoundelM3]

I used to do interim changes (7500 miles) when I was driving more (commuting to work, taking trips, etc.), but after starting to work at home and now in retirement, it's an annual thing. Mostly short trips now, which isn't great for the oil, but I try to make sure it gets up to temp and get rid of any moisture that may have collected.

[jd_perspective]

just saying my car needed its first oil change service after about 6K miles. I just went by the indicator. It tells me to go in about every 6-7K since I've had it. Maybe I'm just rough on it?

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by exl_ent_v6

just saying my car needed its first oil change service after about 6K miles. I just went by the indicator. It tells me to go in about every 6-7K since I've had it. Maybe I'm just rough on it?

Mine is 6k intervals now too, fwiw. I'm definitely rough on it.

[Slickz]

My F30 is every 10,000 miles or once a year. I have always gone with the BMW service intervals and see no reason to change the oil more frequently unless you were regularly driving the car hard/on track.

[bimmer456]

The CBS may recommend shorter intervals based on environmental conditions and driving style. Mine is recommending at around 8k miles. My current mileage is at 13k and it says 1.7k miles or 11/2017.

[anotheran]

MY14+ F30s are coded for every 10K miles (or 15K km). I had my first oil change at a little less than 5K miles and the filter looked fine in tan color and didn't lose its shape at all.

Next year I'll just do it annually or 10K miles (whichever comes first). For the older F30s... i wouldn't wait 15K miles.

[insanecoder]

Some of us put in an interim oil change if under warranty esp if you drive it hard.
So free oil changes at 10,000mi.. put in an interim change at 5,000 in between
If yer out of service warranty 7500mi is the furthest I'd go before a change

[lo_xyooj]

I'm at ~5k miles since end of September. When I go in for april check up i'm going to ask. I noticed my idrive states 9k miles even though I've driven 5k miles. Is that normal???

[paul e]

I changed the oil at my cost at 1800 miles, break in is 1400. I don't like keeping oil in a new motor after break in mileage is reached. They did NOT reset the service indicator at my request, the oil was then changed at one year and the indicator shows another year before another change, fine with me.

[Spiderm0n]

As a new F30 owner I'm curious... isn't the timing chain issue potentially avoided by by supplemental oil changes? Are there any other proactive ways to try to avoid it?