BMW Oil change game

getty150 · #1 07-04-2021, 11:15 AM

Everyone (04,05 and 06) is at or a little under 5k mileage to date July 1st.
Oil change was done last Sept of 2020.
Because of the low mileage, oil appearance and almost no top offs...seeing that I'm on top of the BMW oil change game...AND with my bological internal "oil change" alert, I decided to not change the existing oil...But, to change the....oil filter! (Ive got plenty in stock)
Stroke of genius! HUh....?

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cn90 · #2 07-05-2021, 01:15 PM

Good question re low annual mileage...

My son's 2003 325i M54 car with 100K, he lives in San Jose CA, and only drives 2K a year. Most trips are 3-4 miles. Warm weather in California.
I elected to replace the Mahle oil filter once a yr, simply bc I don't know how long the oil filter lasts. Some ppl tell me the oil filter can last 2-3 yrs etc...

After one yr and 2K later, the oil "looks fine", still yellowish.
So I keep the oil.

Oil is a commodity and we take it for granted for years.

So for low annual mileage cars (2K-3K/yr), I replace the oil filter once a year and the oil once every 2 yrs (4K-6K or so)...

So far, no issues...

PS: Cold climate such as Minnesota, Iowa etc. is a bit different...

getty150 · #3 07-05-2021, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cn90

Good question re low annual mileage...

My son's 2003 325i M54 car with 100K, he lives in San Jose CA, and only drives 2K a year. Most trips are 3-4 miles. Warm weather in California.
I elected to replace the Mahle oil filter once a yr, simply bc I don't know how long the oil filter lasts. Some ppl tell me the oil filter can last 2-3 yrs etc...

After one yr and 2K later, the oil "looks fine", still yellowish.
So I keep the oil.

Oil is a commodity and we take it for granted for years.

So for low annual mileage cars (2K-3K/yr), I replace the oil filter once a year and the oil once every 2 yrs (4K-6K or so)...

So far, no issues...

PS: Cold climate such as Minnesota, Iowa etc. is a bit different...

Agreed totally! I wouldn't do this in cold climate...heck by time it gets chill here (GA) its time to change anyways.
I figured I got the filters and the car's are not burning oil... plus, not much ware on the synthetic oil stands to reason "let it ride"...

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getty150 · #4 10-14-2021, 08:31 AM

What's pictured are oil samples from 3 different m54 engines. Important to note this oil has not been changed in13 mos.to date on each car (e83) 04,05 and 06 years.
For that year period no car is over 6800miles...can you find the cleanest of the oil pictured?
Do you think it's time for an oil change?
If not, how much longer for the next oil change?
Finally, what brand and type oil is it?

.

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5w40 Castrol euro changed out at 7k

80stech · #5 10-14-2021, 09:15 AM

I use the oil change indicator and change filter every second oil change. It's more important to use a good filter with the o-ring on the bottom (like the Mahle) so that it doesn't crush. A filter is done for sure when the pleats have ripped no matter how few miles.

getty150 · #6 10-14-2021, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 80stech

I use the oil change indicator and change filter every second oil change. It's more important to use a good filter with the o-ring on the bottom (like the Mahle) so that it doesn't crush. A filter is done for sure when the pleats have ripped no matter how few miles.

I never had one or seen one.... ripped pleate.

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getty150 · #7 11-08-2021, 10:41 AM

Anyone here try Valvoline euro 5w40?

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Henn28 · #8 07-28-2022, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by getty150

Anyone here try Valvoline euro 5w40?

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I’m on my second fill of Valvoline 5w40 in 6 mos. I changed the break in oil at 1000 and now have a few thousand miles on the second batch. I’ll probably do one more change soon just in case it was still making any break-in particulates for a while longer after the first change. No problems so far with the Valvoline…seems like good stuff. Although I’m not an oil expert and will usually grab whatever major brand full synth is on sale when the time comes for my cars.

No intention of re-igniting any oil wars! This board is a breath of fresh air with those types of issues which so motivate folks on other boards.

I did get a blackstone analysis done on the first batch, and think I’m going to keep at it. Really just for my own curiosity to see how a new motor wears, assuming the 20 year old car lasts long enough around it to develop trends. The first analysis came back with no coolant in the oil (my main concern after my overheat issue) and slightly elevated levels of other materials, which Blackstone indicated was normal for a new motor. The Valvoline looked fine they said, which makes sense because it only had 1000 miles on it. Although it did get hot, so I guess that says something good about the oil.

getty150 · #9 12-12-2021, 07:36 AM

Just did the oil change for two m54b30 its been a year they hit a little over 7k in that span.
Moving from Euro Castrol 5w30 (experience was fine really needed to change at about 6k)
Now I'm using Euro 5w40
Quaker State and Valvoline...the engines love it! Again this year shooting for a year or 7.5k whichever comes first...monitoring the oils staying power.

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getty150 · #10 12-23-2021, 03:28 AM

Right now maybe too early, but I must confess...

I'm really impressed with the Quaker State euro 5w40!
Was an excellent choice...M54 loves it, feelslike a new ride , a new machine!

Valvoline panning out just fine, I suspect it will have more staying power.

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