Early Oil Change on 35d?

[Destination: Moon]

Hi,

I am starting to rack up some miles on my Diesel. Was wondering what people here are doing regarding the first oil change? I am not inclined to go with the 10,000 mile (or thereabouts) that the computer has pre-determined. Audi tried to go a similar route when they included free service and they had problems with their engines later on when they were no longer under warrantee.

So, how and when do you do the first change ahead of schedule? Does anyone get their changes done by the quickie lube places?? Thanks!!

[Penguin]

How long do you plan to keep the vehicle? I assume it is not leased?


I myself always get the first oil change done around 2,000 miles or less. When the engine is breaking-in, you get a lot more crap in the oil.

[Destination: Moon]

Yeah, Purchased it and hope to keep as long as it stays reliable. So if you go to the dealer do you have to pay for the service?? I heard its like 150 bucks for an oil change

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Destination: Moon

Yeah, Purchased it and hope to keep as long as it stays reliable. So if you go to the dealer do you have to pay for the service?? I heard its like 150 bucks for an oil change

Stay away from those quickie lube places. If you don't want to take it
to the dealer, find a good mechanic that works on BMW's. I plan to have mine changed every 5,000 miles.

Craig

[Thunder22]

Originally Posted by Craig

I plan to have mine changed every 5,000 miles.

Craig

Why? The car has synthetic oil, are you driving in a lot of stop/go, in dusty/dirty environments, trailering anything? If not, you're wasting your money.

[jimsaq]

I periodically eyeballed the state of the oil in mine as best I could via the filler hole and couldn't see any visual cue to think I should do it outside the suggested regime. It was 31,000km's before the vehicle decided I needed the first service. engine purrs like a tiger

[Craig]

Originally Posted by gresch

Why? The car has synthetic oil, are you driving in a lot of stop/go, in dusty/dirty environments, trailering anything? If not, you're wasting your money.

Okay, I will let it go for one year, or when the computer says it needs to be changed.

Craig

[soldmystang]

a diesel engine's life blood is its oil ya'll. synthetic, dino i don't care; if your oil starts to break down you are Fubared.

the oil pressure runs the injectors. if the oil pressure drops you can do severe damage to the motor.

now i haven't done any research on these here fancy BMW'er diesels but obviously the engineers have determined their motor will run fine on synthetic oil. most diesels don't do so well on synthetic from the rumors i have heard. Ford Techs advise against synthetic in their diesels.

if the factory says 10k don't ever exceed that figure. given BMWs current extended service intervals i'd say 10k is a stretch.

and OP, stay far away from the Jiffy Lubes. i wouldn't let those guys change the cat box.

[soldmystang]

Originally Posted by jimsaq

I periodically eyeballed the state of the oil in mine as best I could via the filler hole and couldn't see any visual cue to think I should do it outside the suggested regime. It was 31,000km's before the vehicle decided I needed the first service. engine purrs like a tiger

without an actual oil analysis you are taking a big chance running the oil that long. especially in a diesel.

[Destination: Moon]

I think the interests of BMW Inc and long term owners are not exactly aligned owing to the free service included in the warrantee. BMW does not want to pay for any more changes than absolutely necessary. If your car gets past the 4 years (or the power train warrantee) then the owner bears the consequences. This is why I will not put 10,000 miles (never mind 31,000 km!) on an oil change..... Even Synthetic oil.

With regular oil on previous cars I went 5,000 miles after the first change at 1,500. Thinking of getting the first done at around 1,500 and then every 6 to 7 thousand, no matter what the BMW CPU has to say about it.