Upcoming Service, Filter Question

[lt2mc]

Hey All, Just a quick question. My E70 3.0si (80K miles) is coming up for it's second oil change (by me), and I am thinking of only replacing the oil filter and lost oil. I recall hearing years ago that synthetic oil has a very long life as long as it is filtered properly. I still have 900 miles before the recommended change, and I am looking for feedback, pro or con for doing just an oil filter change. Any thoughts?

[gregg3gs]

Personal opinion change the oil ever 5 to 7.5K miles if you want this engine to last.

I change the oil in the 4.8 ever 7.5K.

[jfoj]

Agree, change the oil every 7500 miles. The BMW 15k mile change interval is totally crap IMHO. The problem is oil contamination. Many of these engines run too cool due to soft thermostats and/or are driven too short of a distance.

It takes 2 to 3 times longer to warm the oil up than the coolant. If the oil does not get fully warmed up the water and fuel contamination does not get cooked out of the oil.

Living in Colorado, I would assume you deal with cooler weather often. I also recommend starting out the Winter season with a fresh oil change so you have clean oil that can handle more contamination.

Fresh oil can be contaminated in as little as 1000-1500 miles if the engine is running too cool, not driving long enough to warm up the oil and the weather is cold.

As they say, oil is cheaper than steel!

[bmrboi2]

Every one of our vehicles is changed every 7500 miles. Getting the 2 coupes changed that often has proven difficult with BMW scheduled maintenance but overall the dealership goes through with it. The others (528 and X5) are done regardless out of my pocket.

[lt2mc]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I will plan for the full change. I like your idea jofj, about the pre-winter change. I will work the next change (after this one) into the "winterization service". This site makes owning these vehicles fun and tolerable.