Free oil change interval-30K?

[JonK]

My 2005 X5 has 25,500 miles on it. A month ago at 24,000 mi. I asked the dealer, Valencia BMW Jason Giambi (yes, there's relations his cousin), said no.

Now he says "IT IS THE DEALER'S GUIDELINE THAT YOU GET THE OIL CHANGE ONLY IF FIVE BARS ARE ALL SHOWING. SOME PEOPLE ARE KNOWN DRIVE THEIR BMW FOR 20-30K WITHOUT OIL CHANGE. HOWEVER YOU COULD PURCHASE OUR OIL CHANGE."

I was so pissed at him I hung up on him immedietly. I am thinking if there's many BMWs broken down after warranty expires it would be a great business for them, but it is even legal?

What is your opinion?

[Quicksilver]

The maintaince book is clear about this. "once a year". I overcame the light argument with the maintaince book. The first one is at 15K the second one is at 30K or one year which ever comes first. But in no way will i drive the X5 for 25 to 30 k miles and not change the oil. For me it's every 7500 without fail. And yes i pay for the extra ones myself. But i got a great independant who does great work. Since your X has 25.000 miles on it technically you still have another 5000 to go unless the lights are on or you have reached 2 years

Originally Posted by JonK

My 2005 X5 has 25,500 miles on it. A month ago at 24,000 mi. I asked the dealer, Valencia BMW Jason Giambi (yes, there's relations his cousin), said no.

Now he says "IT IS THE DEALER'S GUIDELINE THAT YOU GET THE OIL CHANGE ONLY IF FIVE BARS ARE ALL SHOWING. SOME PEOPLE ARE KNOWN DRIVE THEIR BMW FOR 20-30K WITHOUT OIL CHANGE. HOWEVER YOU COULD PURCHASE OUR OIL CHANGE."

I was so pissed at him I hung up on him immedietly. I am thinking if there's many BMWs broken down after warranty expires it would be a great business for them, but it is even legal?

What is your opinion?

[asawadude]

Here's the official disclaimer:

"* The BMW Maintenance Program covers all factory-recommended maintenance on all model year 2006 vehicles and newer vehicles, as determined by the Service Level Indicator, for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Exclusions from coverage: gasoline, gasoline additives, windshield washer additives, tires, wheels, wheel alignment, tire balancing and rotation. All work must be performed by an authorized BMW center. See the Service and Warranty Information booklet for more details and exclusions. "

The recommended interval is 15K, but so long as you're under the Maintanence Program, you're at the mercy of the lights.

25.5K is entirely too long IMHO. Did you get an oil change after break-in at 1200 miles?

[Quicksilver]

Technically that's correct but those light are tied to driving habits so that's why the maintaince manual says once a year and my dealer honored that time duration as a valid period without the lights and did the free oil service.

Originally Posted by asawadude

The recommended interval is 15K, but so long as you're under the Maintanence Program, you're at the mercy of the lights.

[JonK]

I did my oil change according to the documents at X5World at 8000 miles and the dealer changed it for me at 14500. That wasn't really complicated, I had to buy their filter kit and an extra large socket and a torque wrench.

For some reason, my car feels sluggish when I step on the gas. My guess is now my car runs on the dirty gas and needs transfusion.

According to Asawa's info. as the service rep. said BMW owners are supposed to run their car 30K without oil change? I feel this is ridiculous.

I am doing my oil change tomorrow, but I think that the disclaimer thing is real bad deal. They shouldn't be bother putting free maintenance.

[asawadude]

Originally Posted by Quicksilver

Technically that's correct but those light are tied to driving habits so that's why the maintaince manual says once a year and my dealer honored that time duration as a valid period without the lights and did the free oil service.

Problem #1: The Owner's Manual says two years, not one (see page from 2005 X5 manual below).

Problem #2: Some, but not all Service and Warranty Information book state the mandatory oil change interval is 1 year. Some don't state anything.

Problem #3: The less seasoned service advisors only understand the interval lights as the basis of an oil change.

Therefore, YMMV from dealership to dealership.

Jonk - print out the TSB mandating the annual oil change and take it Jason Giambi. Then tell him his cousin sucks too...

http://www.xoutpost.com/articles/x5/g...hange-tsb.html

What we should do is send your 25.5K old motor oil to the test lab to see how well the oil and your engine stood up through such a long interval.

[Wagner]

People need to keep in mind that filters and oils used now are FAR better then the ones used 10 years ago. This allows for longer durations between oil changes. While it use to be that you changed oil every 3K and filters every other oil change, better technology has increased those lifespans.

[gnehzekul]

but 25k miles better?

[Wagner]

Yes.

[Eurosport]

just remember it's same oil filters that were used when bmw recommended changing oil every 3k as well
15k is just another gimmick in their marketing brilliance to lower the owner and themselves cost of maintenance during warranty period, after warranty period is up, they don't care they want you to get a new car or spend $$$ to fix ;p
if you plan on keeping the car for awhile forget 15k forever