[bmwbear2011]

I previously owned a Land Rover LR3 and I brought it in every 3500 - 7000 miles for an oil change.

BMW Service advisor said 15,000 or when my Oil Change light alerts me.

Is this correct? Just want to make sure.

[MassBimmer]

Yes although it's not definitely 15k...can be longer or shorter depending on how you drive

The maintenance intervals are every 1 year or when the engine calls for it (avg of 15k miles)

[1QuikWS6]

And if you want it to last much past the warranty - then you should pay to have the oil changed in between the factory intervals.

Good thing is to register yourself to get a copy of 'Fast Times' it's the newsletter from Bavarian AutoSport - guy that writes in it called 'Bavarian Otto' has an 'old school' maintenance program specifically for BMW's of all years to follow that will make you a lot happier once that factory warranty runs out. All you have to do is email him and he sends it to you...

He also has a blog with a searchable knowledge base at blog.BavAuto.com

[akack79]

Originally Posted by bmwbear2011

I previously owned a Land Rover LR3 and I brought it in every 3500 - 7000 miles for an oil change.

BMW Service advisor said 15,000 or when my Oil Change light alerts me.

Is this correct? Just want to make sure.

Your SA is correct. However, you can opt to change it more frequently on your dime.

[fdriller9]

If you plan on keep your car past 100K, you should make more frequent changes.

I change mine every 5K miles.

[SCMike]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

Yes although it's not definitely 15k...can be longer or shorter depending on how you drive

The maintenance intervals are every 1 year or when the engine calls for it (avg of 15k miles)

I thought that in their infinite wisdom, BMW just did away with the 1 year interval, and now the "low mileage" free service is only done at a two (2) year interval?

[ultimate]

Originally Posted by SCMike

I thought that in their infinite wisdom, BMW just did away with the 1 year interval, and now the "low mileage" free service is only done at a two (2) year interval?

yes. i just had mine recently changed and the next interval date is set for 2012.

[dcat151]

I change mine every 7500 miles. Last time I changed it and reset the interval it said the next change was due in 18,000 miles, which is a lot longer interval than I am comfortable with.

[Alexander]

: search:s earch:se arch

[HTRules]

Originally Posted by ultimate

yes. i just had mine recently changed and the next interval date is set for 2012.

For the low-mileage driver you can still get your oil changed once a year on BMW's dime; just had it done last March.

For higher mileage drivers it's whenever the computer says you need oil service, which is plus or minus 15k depending on how you drive.

Rick

[ENINTY]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

And if you want it to last much past the warranty - then you should pay to have the oil changed in between the factory intervals.

Good thing is to register yourself to get a copy of 'Fast Times' it's the newsletter from Bavarian AutoSport - guy that writes in it called 'Bavarian Otto' has an 'old school' maintenance program specifically for BMW's of all years to follow that will make you a lot happier once that factory warranty runs out. All you have to do is email him and he sends it to you...

He also has a blog with a searchable knowledge base at blog.BavAuto.com

So, I'm 76,000 miles past the warranty and have changed my oil according to the CBS schedule (about every 17,000 miles). My engine runs just as good as new, gets the same gas mileage, and burns a quart of oil about every 17,000 miles. 'Splain that.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by bmwbear2011

I previously owned a Land Rover LR3 and I brought it in every 3500 - 7000 miles for an oil change.

BMW Service advisor said 15,000 or when my Oil Change light alerts me.

Is this correct? Just want to make sure.

You're not guaranteed to hit 15k miles as the CBS doesn't count down mile for mile. The long OCI is for the most part due to the type of oil required for the car. The oil is designed to go long. With that said, many people do a 7,500 mile change. There really is zero reason to do a 3k mile OCI unless of course you like to burn $20 bills. More does not equal better in this case.

[jaguar36]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

So, I'm 76,000 miles past the warranty and have changed my oil according to the CBS schedule (about every 17,000 miles). My engine runs just as good as new, gets the same gas mileage, and burns a quart of oil about every 17,000 miles. 'Splain that.

+1

I ran my old E46 to 140k miles doing oil changes whenever the CBS said to (about every 15k), and the engine ran like new when I sold it. Lots of older mechanics love to change the oil every 3-5k, just like they did on their 1967 Chevy. Oils have changed and engines have drastically changed since then, and so should the oil change intervals.

Regardless this topic has been beaten to death, if you're really concerned, pull a sample every couple thousand miles and get it analyzed. It'll be cheaper than changing the oil, and you'll get some real data as opposed to the opinions of people who don't fully understand the physics and chemistry of it.