Oil change between service visits

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by woodranch

Is it a waste to do an oil change between scheduled services on my 03 4.6 or is the synthetic oil used nowadays that good.What do some of you do?

yes, it's a waste.

[sprocket1200]

jcl,

i recently brought in an '04 x5 and am searching for the documentation on coolant service. i have read that in '04 coolant was a 'lifetime' fluid (not covered under service agreement), but you say it is NOT lifetime (BMW recommends changing it). Do you have a service manual that would confirm this for me? I would like it covered if possible.

Anyone else have '04 service documentation they can share?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Cory

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by sprocket1200

jcl,

i recently brought in an '04 x5 and am searching for the documentation on coolant service. i have read that in '04 coolant was a 'lifetime' fluid (not covered under service agreement), but you say it is NOT lifetime (BMW recommends changing it). Do you have a service manual that would confirm this for me? I would like it covered if possible.

Anyone else have '04 service documentation they can share?

Thanks in advance for your help,

Cory

Mines an '04 and it says lifetime for coolant (FWIW) in the manual. However, during the last service at the dealership they changed the coolant also.........just to confuse the issue even more.

[Hallatauer]

Personally I change the oil every 7500k whether BMW likes it or not. The ease is that both my X5 and Z4 are 3.0l engines. Same filter, same amount of oil. I get the oil and filter at the dealer, they give BMWCCA members 10% off on parts so that helps a bit. It's easy to do and gives me peace of mind since I tend to keep cars along time. I love going years without a car payment! JMHO

[primetime]

Wow, I'm changing mine every 5000 or so. Maybe i'm changing it too often?

[Boston X5 4.4]

Originally Posted by primetime

Wow, I'm changing mine every 5000 or so. Maybe i'm changing it too often?

Yes, waste of money and oil.

This topic has been flogged to death over the years on every car forum ......so to each their own.

[sprocket1200]

i just follow the SI lights. our 323IC has 193,000 kms (120,000 miles) and runs like a dream.

i have finally decided to break down and change the rear diff fluid...

[fast4d]

I don't like our x5 so I only change the oil based on the service light. but I do change the filter every 8k of when half the green service dots are gone. I only use mobil one, amsoil or german castrol.

I think the rest of the car will disintergrate before any oil related problems.

[BimmerDude]

That's kinda harsh Fast4d. How many miles and why do you feel that way? I'm just curious to see. I'm not trying to bust your chops, just seriously curious.

[fast4d]

x5 is the wife's vehicle. I wanted a 540 touring. we have a family of three. 540 would be better driving and better MPG.

front suspension is clunking again. I replaced everything at 80k. who knows when the trans will go. power steering has been acting up. little to low assist at low speeds.

we have 110k on the 4.4 x5