Damn BMW oil.

[Intel55]

OK, I just did my third oil change on my 2005 4.4. First was done around 9000 and I used Mobil 1 5-30. Second one was at the dealer (I was out of town) at around 19000 (5000 of that were pure highway miles, so I let her go longer and the oil was stil reasonable) and they used the BMW oil. Well, I just checked my oil at 24k and it was DIRTY, real black and down about 1 1/2 quarts. So I filled her back up with 9.5qt of M1 and she was happy again.

Just saying that those lil green lights are useless. I had 4/5 of the green lights, yet my oil was piss poor. The other two changes, my M1 oil was in much better shape (though it was with more hway driving).

Next up at 30k will be tranny fluid and diffs. This "lifetime" oil is BS imo.

I have put on 25K miles on my july build 2005 4.4, in just nine months
Zero problems, other than totally ignoring those lil green BS lights.

I would change the syn oil every 5-7k for normal driving and a lil longer if most is highway. Tranny every 30K.

that is all

[DINANM3]

The color of the oil really doesnt tell you much. And you definately cant tell the codition of the oil by just looking at it. Oil gets dirty and starts getting darker the first time you start it up.

[motordavid]

Hard to tell by color I think, though my
Vette's M1 looks quite golden even after
5K miles of hauling azz...

Whereas my HD's oil looks like fookin thin tar after only
a hundred miles.

We all know the lights are for the mkting/bean counter
gang, to cover that "free" maint. Though I suspect most
major brands of syn oil are really pretty good for 5-7+K
miles.

Give this link a good read; an exc oil tutorial by "withidl",
a very knowledgeable poster on oil, etc.
GL,md

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/m...ion-101-a.html

[DINANM3]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Hard to tell by color I think, though my
Vette's M1 looks quite golden even after
5K miles of hauling azz...

Whereas my HD's oil looks like fookin thin tar after only
a hundred miles.

We all know the lights are for the mkting/bean counter
gang, to cover that "free" maint. Though I suspect most
major brands of syn oil are really pretty good for 5-7+K
miles.

Give this link a good read; an exc oil tutorial by "withidl",
a very knowledgeable poster on oil, etc.
GL,md

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/m...ion-101-a.html

Yes and no. those green service lights have been in BMWs since before i could remember. Way before they started the free maintenance program. But they used to go out more often back then. They would last 3k to 5k. I do think its rediculous to got over 15k before oil changes. I go every 5k in my Mcars and every 10k in the X5

[Intel55]

I have always used the color as a guide, along with smelling it and rubbing some in my fingers. Whenever I have dark colored oil I have always found more debries in the filter than when it is a nice tan, so I change it. I would like to get one of those magnetic oil plugs as well, just have to find one for the BMW. I was just surprised that the BMW syn got so dirty so quickly. I should have taken pics b/c this thread is worthless with out them. Just change your oil every 5-7k

On all my Vettes the oil is usually a nice tan until the 7000kish mark and then I change it. I have found that when the syn starts to go, it goes fast and for me, the color change has been one of my markers. When I spray nitrous I change at 3k. On my old '98 Vette I spray 100 shot though until it hit 120,000 miles and then it was murdered by a rather large Waste Managment truck. That Vette was doing 12.10 in the qtr with 1.6 60' and the only mods were torque convertor, cai, underdive pulley and 3.42 gears (an a4).

[DINANM3]

Dont touch oil with your fingers. especially used oil. It is really really bad for you.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Intel55

I have always used the color as a guide, along with smelling it and rubbing some in my fingers.

Watch out if you ever get a diesel, as it will be black 10 minutes after a change. You can't judge by colour.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Intel55

I have always used the color as a guide, along with smelling it and rubbing some in my fingers.

You should go ahead and give it a taste as well....seal the deal.


It's not a bad idea to send oil for analysis; really gives you a good idea of what you can do with intervals as well as what's going on with the engine.

[///Bruce]

Once upon a time, I used to change my oil on my 95 Dinan SC M3 every 2,000 miles. Overkill? Probably. But, when I sold her at 98,500, I had NEVER had an engine problem with her. And, then came an extensive article in Roundel.

The author gave a very extensive and detailed explanation of regular vs. synthetic oil. He also explained that if you change your oil before a minimum of 5,000 miles, you actually do not give the protective additives a chance to work within your engine and help to protect it and help to extend the life of all rotating parts and pieces.

So, now I change my oil and filter every time I can divide my odometer reading by 5. I then use 5 gallon jugs ($5/each) to collect the oil and take them to a local O'Reilly shop for recycling. It's easy to do and I know the quality of the work since I do it and not an invisible face at a local stealership.

[crosvs]

is that sarcasm or is oil really bad for you?!