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JCL · #6 02-26-2007, 04:43 PM

BMW can't require you to use their oil, or use them for service, but having said that they can require you to meet their oil spec for continued warranty coverage of the powertrain. 8 quarts of synthetic long life oil that meets their rather detailed spec is just as cheap at the dealer as anywhere else, from my experience. Add an OEM oil filter, and you may as well just get the dealer to change it, it isn't much more than the cost of the oil and filter. Watch out for the difference between an oil change and an oil service at the dealer, as an "oil service" includes a lot of additional checks and has a higher price tag. Whether or not those checks are worthwhile at the 15,000 mile point, they definitely aren't worth it at a mid-way oil change.

I wouldn't go anywhere near a quicky/speedy/jiffy lube type place with a new vehicle under warranty. Spend the $80 or so at the dealer.

There is another point, that years back BMW used to recommend an annual oil change for low mileage vehicles. They then moved that to every two years in some owner's manuals. Not sure what yours says. There is an inconsistency between the recommended change interval, and what is covered by the maintenance plan. The maintenance plan specifically states that it only includes oil changes when the lights call for them. In years past, BMW had covered annual oil changes for low mileage vehicles, but only if the customer insisted, ie on an exception basis. Even then, some dealers wouldn't do it. My dealer will do a 14 month oil change, or at least they did on my current fleet of low-mileage vehicles. Some here have exploited the difference between the maintenance plan and the owner's manual, others have not been successful. It is worth asking your dealer if they will do a 12 month oil change if you haven't reached 15,000 miles or the green lights all out.

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