X5 BMW Service Recommendation Changes?

[pete540]

Since you have a diesel, this does not apply, you still get annual oil changes.

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by pete540

Since you have a diesel, this does not apply, you still get annual oil changes.

Not according to my service manager. But that would make some sense with the DEF refill stuff. Can you elaborate or site some reference? thanx

[JCL]

Originally Posted by XXX555

Not according to my service manager. But that would make some sense with the DEF refill stuff. Can you elaborate or site some reference? thanx

The diesels do not appear to be going the same 15,000 mile (approximately) intervals as the gasoline engine models before a service is called for. Several posters report seeing the lights come on quite a bit sooner, in the 10,000 - 12,000 mile range IIRC.

If you do want to pursue it with your dealer, read the SIB that I posted in the link MD gave, above. It states that diesels are not covered by the new policy. There may be a different SIB that does apply to diesel models, I am not sure.

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by JCL

The diesels do not appear to be going the same 15,000 mile (approximately) intervals as the gasoline engine models before a service is called for. Several posters report seeing the lights come on quite a bit sooner, in the 10,000 - 12,000 mile range IIRC.

If you do want to pursue it with your dealer, read the SIB that I posted in the link MD gave, above. It states that diesels are not covered by the new policy. There may be a different SIB that does apply to diesel models, I am not sure.

Thanks for all of the info.

My suggestion was not BMW specific regarding recommendations to change your motor oil and filter more regularly will best maintain your engine. I have noted this for the past 40 years or so (when we paid for the oil/filter service).

Even with the advent of synthetic motor oil and better engine manufacturing tolerances, intervals have been extended but not to the 24 months BMW allows. Knowing that the bottom line is always the bottom line to large companies, BMW having to pay less (make more) for greater service intervals seems like quite the biased enticement for BMW's largest market.

While there may be an engine that is pristine in a photo utilizing BMW maintainence intervals, it does not prove or settle my concern that annual maintainence is better than 24 month oil/filter changes. I suggest that the cost benefit ratio of extended/ suggested interval replacement of oil/filter benefits BMW's pockets and not the vehicle owner (in the short term).

Perhaps someone will chime in with more specific mechanical experience or knowledge than I, but wonder what the oil manufacturors (how many times can I misspell that word) recommend for their product. Again, no bias there...

[JCL]

While BMW having to pay less (make more) for greater service intervals may sees like quite the biased enticement for BMW's largest market, if you as an owner then don't follow BMW's recommendations, but instead run 50% longer, and trade the car in, BMW has so little concern that they will turn around and warrant your engine for the full CPO term. The cost of failure of engines (both in repair costs and loss of reputation) in those cases would be far higher than the savings related to the owners who ask for annual oil changes. So, they have already put their money where their mouth is. On top of the warranty costs, BMW holds the lease residual values in many cases. They are the ones at risk. If engines started cratering, lease values would plummet.

I also don't believe you can ask an oil company for a recommendation on how much of their product you should buy. They were part of the 3000 mile change myth that went on for years. They are motivated to have you buy much more. You need to ask the engine manufacturers, as they are the ones who carry the risk. You can analyze the oil during its useful life, and see if it continues to exhibit the properties it needs, and whether it still has sufficient additives, but those tests have been done, and we know that the oil stands up, apart from those applications that can be judged to be severe service.

You mention synthetic oils and better manufacturing tolerances, but in my mind (mech eng here), what is more important is that the sump is twice the size of many others (giving literally twice the interval) and the engines are ultra low emissions, meaning that there are far fewer byproducts of combustion to contaminate the oil. Engines burning cleaner means the oil stays cleaner. You can filter out metallic particles, but you can't replace the additives that are lost to acids which contaminate the oil.

Let us know what your dealer says when you ask him if there is an SIB on annual oil changes that applies to your diesel.