Oil filter question...

[ekimv65]

I am a big fan of doing my own work on my cars, but when I spoke with my BMW service manager, the price is $90.00 for a complete oil change, for the $10.00 ($69.00 + shipping) I wont even get out the ramps!

It is as cheap as it gets to just schedule an appointment! JMO

[FCBuff]

Originally Posted by ekimv65

I am a big fan of doing my own work on my cars, but when I spoke with my BMW service manager, the price is $90.00 for a complete oil change, for the $10.00 ($69.00 + shipping) I wont even get out the ramps!

It is as cheap as it gets to just schedule an appointment! JMO

Question is do you trust the dealer? What oil are they using? When I purchased my X5 CPO last spring, they (the stealer) changed the oil/filter etc for it to be offered as CPO. I changed everything out again myself soon after purchase because I don't trust them. Guess what I found? My filter had obviously NOT been changed. The fins on the media were all splayed apart and frayed, looking very worn and very used. It had seen at least a 15,000 mile interval by the previous owner maybe more, who knows, and if I had not changed it out, could have had to withstand another 15,000 miles. By the looks of it, I believe it would have very likely failed.

Ask yourself why the dealer would offer a change at $90.00? They are cutting corners somewhere most likely. Add the price of oil/qt + filter. Add in cost of Labor and iIt doesn't add up. It may be a loss leader with the intent to get you in the door and then charge up for some other service. Dealers are about one thing, and that is making money off of us, the customer. Most people who do there own oil changes do so because they know it was done right, and in the process usually save $$$. Everybody has to find their own comfort zone.

A quick search will show at a minimum 4 approved oils for use. You do not have to stick with the BMW 5W-30 (castrol), but it is good oil.

I believe (as do many others) that you should definately stick with OEM for the filter. The oil is a different story. You have choices. Just change it at teh 1/2 interval or 7,500 miles.

Castrol 0w-30, mobil 1 0w-40, penzoil platinum 5w-30 are 3 that will work and can be found on sale.

[Junster]

Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 and Mann filter!

[FCBuff]

Originally Posted by Junster

Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 and Mann filter!

Mobil 1 5w-30 is generally considered to be a weak example in that weight range, A better choice is Mobil 1 0w-40. It is a much better oil and it shears down to close to a 30 weight.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Junster

Mobil 1 Synthetic 5w-30 and Mann filter!

You have seen the comments already on Mobil 5W-30. I am interested in why you would choose a Mann filter, given the lack of any real performance documentation. Do you get them cheap?

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by JCL

You have seen the comments already on Mobil 5W-30. I am interested in why you would choose a Mann filter, given the lack of any real performance documentation. Do you get them cheap?

I Haven't heard anything bad about Mann or Mahle, been using them on all my cars for 15 years (Audi and BMW). Replaced the valve cover gasket on a couple of cars and no abnormal wear on lifters or cam so I assume Mann/Mahle does it's job. Also all my Audi friends using them and recomend them, these are people with bigger turbo and mods and I never seen an engine failure due to oil filter (timing belt snap, WP etc only among my circle friends).

[Junster]

so why would the manual recommend 5w-30 on x5 and other bmws while MBs amd Porches 0W-40. So really is a preference. I use 5w-30 on my bimmer and 0w-40 ony MBs and Porsche!

[JCL]

5W30 is the preferred weight, all things being equal, but if you do choose to use Mobil 1 then the Mobil 0W-40 is preferred over the Mobil 5W-30 due to its performance. Another way to say it is that Mobil 5W-30 isn't a very good oil. It isn't about the weight in that case, but rather the quality of the oil.

[FSETH]

I have used nothing but Mann filters in my e36 for years. It has over 320,000 miles on it and the engine is as strong and smooth as can be with no internal work or repairs. I trust them at this point. I use Mann for my oil, air and microfilters. The only exception is the oil filter in the X5, where I use an OE filter.

[HPIA4v2]

Originally Posted by FSETH

I have used nothing but Mann filters in my e36 for years. It has over 320,000 miles on it and the engine is as strong and smooth as can be with no internal work or repairs. I trust them at this point. I use Mann for my oil, air and microfilters. The only exception is the oil filter in the X5, where I use an OE filter.

FSETH, any reason why you don;t use Mann/Mahle on your X5? BTW, who the mfg for OEM (most BMW parts are outsourced anyway, i.e. BMW is not making all their parts, even Toyota accelerator that defective is used in GM cars as well for example and that part was made in IN)