check out this video ............on oil changes

[electricalserv x5]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayguEDw3JJY
I know I always have treads about oil but it is sooooooo true.

[x5Alpine]

My 02 x5 had its oil changed every 10,000 miles all the way up to 117k when I bought it. I change it every 5,000 miles with pentosin high performance 5w-30.

[JCL]

In engineering design, safety factors are often 10 or 20 %. You could be extreme and go 50%. But to change the oil three times as often as it was designed for (ie 200% more) when using oils that are generations better than the API SJ oil that was originally called for, seems extreme. It is your money, but take a look at inspection pictures of a 100,000 mile engine maintained to spec, ie every 15,000 miles.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...intervals.html

No oil consumption or engine issues here, with experience of four BMW vehicles maintained similarly. The Z4 got early services based on low annual mileage.

[BMW_E53]

Hmmm that is interesting. I usually bring my vehicle in for service at the dealer every time the lights go down. My car is a family car, so it is mainly driven on the highway (very little city driving). Infact, my car usually sits in the garage for about two-three weeks without being driven. Would it be best to change the oil at 10,000 mile intervals or the BMW recommended 15,000 mile interval?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by BMW_E53

Hmmm that is interesting. I usually bring my vehicle in for service at the dealer every time the lights go down. My car is a family car, so it is mainly driven on the highway (very little city driving). Infact, my car usually sits in the garage for about two-three weeks without being driven. Would it be best to change the oil at 10,000 mile intervals or the BMW recommended 15,000 mile interval?

There isn't a right answer. It is your vehicle, so you have to decide. BMW designed it, and they told you how long they designed it to go between services.

If when you drive it you are going far enough to get it good and hot, thus burning off accumulated moisture, and you are doing primarily highway driving, then I see little reason to do additional oil services beyond what BMW specifies. If it has very low annual mileage and sits for extended periods, you may want to do an oil change every two years whether or not the lights have gone off. Two years is as long as I leave mine.

There isn't a downside to more frequent oil changes except additional cost and depletion of non-renewable resources. I just don't like seeing scare stories not founded in fact. Most of the businesses promoting more frequent oil changes are selling oil, filters, or service work. If you want to go to 10,000 miles, that is fine. I don't see a reason to do it sooner than that.

[StephenVA]

Oil services are always based on YOUR driving, weather conditions, dust level, hot cold cycles, length of trips, etc. I personally change my oil once a year (12-14 months) as total annual mileage is low and mostly short trips under 5-10 miles. My decision. Could the time intervals be longer? Cheap insurance in my view.

A potential solution to this question/tread might be Oil sample testing. As it is cheap and easy.

Blackstone labs in the US is a great option for low cost testing and insight into your BMW based on oil used, length of service left in the oil (additives). This service also provides great insight in to the engine condition. Especially useful for those who have just purchased a X5 and high mileage X5 examples where you would like to know more about what is going on internally.

Blackstone lab info:
Oil analysis is a quick, nondestructive way to gauge the health of an engine by looking at what's in the oil. People use oil analysis for different reasons: to see if there are any problems developing, to see if their oil is working well in the engine, and to see if they can run longer oil changes. Get started with your analysis by ordering a free test kit.

Blackstone Labs

While the sampling kit is free, the oil analysis costs $25.00.
Follow the link for more info....

Oh, and No I do not work there, I have only used the services and I have been happy with their customer service and feedback insight.

[BMW_E53]

Originally Posted by JCL

There isn't a right answer. It is your vehicle, so you have to decide. BMW designed it, and they told you how long they designed it to go between services.

If when you drive it you are going far enough to get it good and hot, thus burning off accumulated moisture, and you are doing primarily highway driving, then I see little reason to do additional oil services beyond what BMW specifies. If it has very low annual mileage and sits for extended periods, you may want to do an oil change every two years whether or not the lights have gone off. Two years is as long as I leave mine.

There isn't a downside to more frequent oil changes except additional cost and depletion of non-renewable resources. I just don't like seeing scare stories not founded in fact. Most of the businesses promoting more frequent oil changes are selling oil, filters, or service work. If you want to go to 10,000 miles, that is fine. I don't see a reason to do it sooner than that.

Thanks for the advice! Most of the trips I take with the X is about 100-200 miles of freeway driving. Because of this, most of the parts on my X are all original. Heck the front rotors I just replaced were original, as well as all four tires when I replaced them a year ago! Now what oil should I use when the time comes to change the oil? Do I continue to use the BMW/Castrol branded oil since it has always been to the dealer or can I use the Castrol Edge Extended Performance oil?

[JCL]

You can use any name brand API-SM or SN oil that isn't a BMW LL-04 spec. 5w-30 is a good choice.

I used the BMW oil from the dealer because it was the same price as other oils from the autoparts store, and I had to go to the dealer anyway to get an OE filter. Filter matters at least as much as oil, if not more so.

I am not up on the latest Castrol blends and technologies, but see little reason to pay more for marketing hype.

[Doru]

You can check this thread for some long interval oil changes too. Graphic content.....not shiny engines......

[BMW_E53]

Originally Posted by JCL

You can use any name brand API-SM or SN oil that isn't a BMW LL-04 spec. 5w-30 is a good choice.

I used the BMW oil from the dealer because it was the same price as other oils from the autoparts store, and I had to go to the dealer anyway to get an OE filter. Filter matters at least as much as oil, if not more so.

I am not up on the latest Castrol blends and technologies, but see little reason to pay more for marketing hype.

How much does it usually cost for BMW High Performance Full Synthetic Oil?
This site where I bought my brakes from has a full kit for $88.00 and free ground shipping. Is that a good deal? They also sell one quart for $7.20

getBMWparts.com - Exceptional Pricing | Unparalleled Service | Genuine BMW Parts

Hopefully the link directs you to the right page, it is supposed to show you the E53 accessory page.