X5 BMW Service Recommendation Changes?

[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...