Dealer never did an inital oil change on my CPO

[adrocky]

I purchased a Certified Pre-Owned 2007 4.8i in January of 2011. At the time, I went through and looked through all the service menus on I-drive, and noticed that my next oil change was due in Feb 2012 or at 14,000 miles, which seemed right. Since my purchase, I have driven 10k miles. A few weeks ago, I got an an oil warning light, so I scheduled an oil change (well in advance of BMW's recommended maintenance interval of 12 months or 15000 miles).

However when I checked the warning indication more carefully, I discovered that the warning light actually indicated the oil level was at the minimum level, and not that an oil change was due. I thought this was odd since I had only owned the car for nine months – how could it be so low with no signs of oil leaks?

So at my service appointment the next day, I told my service advisor about the warning light. Upon looking up the service records with the key fob, he noted that there had not been an oil change since Feb of 2010, meaning no oil change was done as part of the CPO process. This means I have driven my car without an oil change for nearly 20 months. As you can imagine, I am worried about any long term damage to the engine which may result in shortened engine life. At the very least, I would think another one to two oil changes at shortened intervals would be required to "flush" out the system due to having old, dirty engine oil circulating for an extended period of time. To their credit, they did not charge me for the oil change, which I appreciated.

What would you guys do?

[Lubehead]

Don't know that you could do anything, but an oil sample taken at that service interval would have been a helpful. I wouldn't obsess over it, but I would not be too concerned, any ramifications may not be apparent, if at all.

[motordavid]

The oil indication being at min/low is not a reason to get excited; BMW will tell you that the consumption for that mileage is all within their 'spec' eg your '10k miles', plus whatever oil consumption previous to your buying that 'thoroughly certified and checked out CPO' car...so that isn't/shouldn't be a real concern at this point.

CPO, for many buyers, is a slightly false sense of security, and typical dealer disingenuousness to slap that CPO label on a car that has had a wash, bad wax and garners a few more grand on the lot, imo.

There are literally millions of web pages on 'oil intervals', and forums devoted to the endless arm wrestle. And, while that '20 months' is a long time, it is only ~10K+ miles, and I wouldn't lose any sleep over that either.

If you feel the need, do another hot/short time change soon afterwards, and go drive the car and enjoy it.

I don't see any other recourse for your concern.
My 50Cts.
GL, mD

[ard]

1. CPO does NOT 'require' an oil change. However the CPO procedure DOES requrie they do any indicated maintenance. Here is a question: Was the oil supposed to be changed at the time of CPO? By BMWs estimation, not yours. In other words does BMWs records show a lapse in maintenance?

2. If no, you have no recourse.

3. If yes, the dealer has exposed you to a potential claim that you failed to maintain the car and the warranty is void.

They won't do a damn thing for you though.

Now, sounds like you are at 20 months and 13k miles? Should be OK. Personally I think that is too many miles, but BMW is OK with it. I also think they've stretched the interval to two years.

Just change it, move on. And check you oil level.

A

[JCL]

No issues at all running 13,000 miles in slightly less than 2 years. If you had exceeded the manufacturer's recommended interval, then you could worry. But you are under it, so no additional oil changes required, you are on schedule. I run all of my recent BMWs that long. No oil consumption, no faster wear, no sludge.

[Xtony]

No big deal. Now, if you feel like you want to treat the engine right from now on, I would do an oil change halfway through the indicated mileage (7,500 miles or so). I do the ones in between myself and let the dealer do the ones "required" by the car's service indicator.

[XXX555]

Originally Posted by Xtony

No big deal. Now, if you feel like you want to treat the engine right from now on, I would do an oil change halfway through the indicated mileage (7,500 miles or so). I do the ones in between myself and let the dealer do the ones "required" by the car's service indicator.

I had my dealer replace my oil half way too. They had screwed something else up on the previous service and gave me a "courtsey" oil/filter change.

Of course, they screwed up the oil change and had oil dripping in my garage afterward. Said they crimped the washer on the drain plug. Kept dripping oil after they replaced the washer and then replaced the drain plug and been ok since. 3 service appointsment/drop off's later.

Massive pain in my ass incompetence. I won't change more than is necessary or do anything potentially optional as its their screw up waiting to happen...

[Xtony]

Originally Posted by XXX555

I had my dealer replace my oil half way too. They had screwed something else up on the previous service and gave me a "courtsey" oil/filter change.

Of course, they screwed up the oil change and had oil dripping in my garage afterward. Said they crimped the washer on the drain plug. Kept dripping oil after they replaced the washer and then replaced the drain plug and been ok since. 3 service appointsment/drop off's later.

Massive pain in my ass incompetence. I won't change more than is necessary or do anything potentially optional as its their screw up waiting to happen...

Which is why I replace it myself.

[XXX555]

If you want it done right do it yourself. If you have no time or mechanical ability then let the dealer screw it up.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Xtony

Which is why I replace it myself.

^Yup.

I can change my oil about 2 hours FASTER than going to the dealership. (In terms of MY time; driving, waiting, getting into a loaner, shuttle, whatever.)