The US industry standards are API, and if you are using an SL oil, you are good. You can find an SM oil, but SL meets the BMW spec. The Euro standards are ACEA, and you want an A3 oil.

There is a lot of discussion about the BMW LL01 standard, but that isn't an industry standard IMO, it is a couple of proprietary BMW tests over and above the A3 standard. Not meeting it doesn't mean it is a lower quality oil, it more likely means that the oil manufacturer hasn't submitted the oil for testing, because they don't see the value in chasing the standards of each different vehicle manufacturer. The LL01 test isn't recognized by industry, so US Castrol won't likely have the stamp. No big deal. Having the stamp is fine, but the absence of it doesn't mean lower quality.

I trust this shop - they've worked on a large number of vehicles (not only BMW, but Mercedes and Volvo). They perform a great deal of oil service and see first hand the results of oil changes & filter failures. Do I trust this shop, you bet! And with oil service I'll always choose the side of being prudent and proactive in maintenance issues especially oil service.

To each his own, I really have no interest in promoting what an owner should or shouldn't do in regards to oil service. But I did say it was my .02 cents of an opinion and I felt it was important to mention the comment about filters because I think it's a valid concern.

I do my own oil changes. I figure at $60-80 a pop. depending (obviously)on the type of vehicle. Done 3 times or 3K intervals a year that equals to $180.00 to $240 using OE filters and Mobil 1. I can afford that .
I do not think I can afford a new engine if it seizes , plus the downtime, headache, making sure I dont get a Junkyard dog replacement engine for Simply neglecting to change the oil. Bmw's are not inexpensive, lets treat it with some love too. the engine oil is its life.

All this talk that newer oils can now withstand longer periods of interval changes is fine to all of you that believe that. It probably does, but in wont chnage my habit of doing it sooner than what the manufacturer calls for.

Someone if even mentioned it may do more harm than good if i do it that often (3k intervals)...... BALONEY

I'm no mechanic by any means. However, I guess I have to side somewhere on this issue for my cars. I've alway sided with the engineers, designers and techs etc of BMW. To me they are the only ones that KNOW what's appropriate for the automobiles they build.

I personally only know of two people with BMW's whos engines just blew - Both of them changed thier oil more often than prescribed by BMW. I don't know if changing the oil more often added to their problems or prolonged the problem from happening sooner. But what I do know is that sometimes engines just 'go out'. I also know that BMW says changing the oil to often is bad for the engine. I also know they have a lot more history, statistics and knowledge on what's good/bad for thier engines than anyone I know. Therefore, I stay with the intervals that BMW has set and have been very pleased with each of my rides.

These 2 people you know personally , would their cars happen to be stickshift?

I just hit a 100 K on the X with zero pbs (knock on wood) and I 've been following just the regular 15K oil change and so far so good.

A simple look at the timing of when exactly BMW changed their recommened service intervals tells a lot:

-Prior to BMW's 'free maintenance program', they said change your oil every 7500, change your diffy fluid every 30k, change your tranny fluid every 30k-60k depending on type, flush your coolant and brake fluid every few years, etc, etc.
-After implementation of BMW's 'free maintenance' program, they say change your oil every 15k, and never change any of the other fluid in the car, because now they are paying for it.

coincedence? I think not. :confused: These decisions are not driven by engineering, they are driven by marketing, with the engineer's input limited to 'yeah, most of the cars will make it thru the warranty period without grenading.'


Bottom line is, it costs $60-$80 to change the oil on an X5. If you do it twice as often as BMW says to, you will have four extra oil changes by the time your 'free maintenance' runs out. At the most, you've spent and extra $320 to drive your car 50k or 60k miles. After you've lost $20 grand on depreciation, not a big deal. And if you are leasing, you don't own it anyways, so its the next guys' problem.

Well thats fine on what you are saying. But I've asked about the tranny fluid since it says its a lifetime oil. My mechanic said we can change it at 100k. And all other diff. fluids and whatever else. But this is what is going on. As time goes on, technology changes and gets better and so do parts and fluids that manufactures use. This is very true and there shouldn't be any argument. I agree with changing oils more often, I do it anyway myself. Tranny fluid yes change it, I've been told at 100k. This is because changing the oil may cause some shock to the sensitive tranny now of days, etc... Either way you look at it, fluids have become a lot more durable versus 10-15 years ago. But engine oil has always been the most important fluid to any automobile. Bottom line is to just keep putting fresh oil in the engine. I've never heard of changing oils more often can hurt the engine. Put the right oil like Kendall's post says and you should be ok. Either way, to each his own... Thanks...

No, they were both automatics. Does that matter for oil? Like I said I'm no mechanic and have to determine who to trust on this stuff. I

Not they were automatics. Does transmission really matter for engine oil? I'm not a mechanic, but you have me curious.