Going to change the oil, where are the jacking pts and oil drain?

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by JCL

So, has anybody had an engine failure from using an API-SM oil, and subsequently had BMW deny warranty? I would be surprised. And if there aren't examples, is it a real concern for someone doing an additional intermediate oil change?

I guess I tend to take the simple approach to these things:

(1) Is there any downside to using BMW brand oil for all oil changes while the warranty is in effect?

(2) Is there any upside to using non-BMW Brand oil while the warranty is in effect?

Based on my answers, I go with using BMW-branded and approved oils while the vehicle is under warranty -- why go looking for trouble?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Penguin

I guess I tend to take the simple approach to these things:

(1) Is there any downside to using BMW brand oil for all oil changes while the warranty is in effect?

(2) Is there any upside to using non-BMW Brand oil while the warranty is in effect?

Based on my answers, I go with using BMW-branded and approved oils while the vehicle is under warranty -- why go looking for trouble?

I don't think there is a downside, aside from having to drive to the BMW dealer. So the only upside was convenience.

I haven't done additional (intermediate) oil changes since I had my X5, as it was used in stop and go traffic. I used BMW oil if convenient, Castrol 5w-30 if not.

Took my 535 in today for an oil service called for by the CBS lights. First one was at 22,000 km. This one was being indicated at 45,000 km last summer, but then I pretty much stopped driving the car around September. It sat for most of the last six months. It called for a service at 38,000, so that was 16,000 km instead of 24,000, just based on the changed use (short trips, and not many of those). Since the CBS was tracking it downwards, I never got around to doing an extra oil change on this one.

[Penguin]

Originally Posted by JCL

I don't think there is a downside, aside from having to drive to the BMW dealer. So the only upside was convenience.

Yeah, I always buy my oil and filter for the next intermediate change when I take my vehicle in for a dealer oil change to avoid an extra trip.

For whatever reason, my dealer's parts department has reasonable prices for the oil and filter.