BMW's Optimistic Oil Change Interval
 

I have 10K on the E70. I had the oil changed at 3K and the dealer didn't reset the computer to indicate a change at my request. Today I checked the computer and it says the oil needs to be changed in another 9K miles. 19K before an oil change??? I called the dealer and they said an annual oil change is a free service, so I made an appointment. I thought they did away with the free annual change, but apparently not!

Yup, annual free 'low mileage' oil change is still covered by warranty

BMW have gone to great lengths to state in manuals and warranty publications that it is now two years for low mileage free services. Having said that, it does (and always did) depend on your dealer's interpretation.

My dealer goes 14 months for a low-mileage service, which appears to be their own policy since BMW hasn't ever published 14 months AFAIK. If your dealer will do it after a year, then great, take them up on it.

Shhhhhhhh - or else the Boston dealers will hear you - still giving the 'freebies' here.

Wonder how they still get reimbursed by the mothership for this work if its not policy?

My dealer does 12 month annual oil change in van, it is even listed on the delivery paper

Our dealer still does 12 months and we typically do 6-7K on the wifes car. I personally wouldn't go beyond a year even if I had to pay for the change.

Well, they did the low mileage change at no charge. Got the X5 washed and complimentary coffee. What more could you ask for?

An //M Cafe off the showroom, with panini, espresso, and wireless access; a movie lounge; and a silver Z8 in the showroom to consider as a new toy. All dealers should be like this.

Glad you got it done.

rufusdedog, was the oil change at 3k free of charge also?

19k miles til you change your oil seems kinda ridiculous, even if they are using synthetic oil. On my e36 m3 when I did my own maintainance I would change the oil and filter every 6k miles or 3-4 months, and this was using sythetic oils.

You really have to wonder, whether BMW's oil change interval would be diffrent if they went the route of Audi and stopped offering free 4 year maintainance. Who knows tho maybe BMW branded oil and filters are special or something:dunno:

Ne mechanics or oil experts want to chime in on the effects a 19k mile oil change interval has on engine longevity?

No

Did you have an oil related engine failure? Likely not. However, it isn't a logical conclusion that therefore following the manufacturer's instructions will cause an oil related engine failure.

No, they wouldn't change, since free oil changes don't apply in some other countries, and those countries get the same extended oil change interval. The oil and filter are not special, just standard SL/SM API ratings, full synthetic, plus an oversize sump that holds twice the oil (and thus twice the dirt) of many other engines of similar displacement.

Many of us have opinions, and most of us divide into two diametrically opposed camps. It is either OK, or it is disrespectful to the machinery. Take your pick ;) The real problem is that none of us have a list of engine failures to point at to prove our cases. At that point, we divide into three camps: those who believe that it is still OK; those that believe that the impending oil-related failures will show up at high mileage sometime in the future; and those who don't know, but figure that early oil changes are cheap insurance.

There are innumerable threads on this and other boards on this issue. Search will show you a list of them. It is unlikely that anything said here will change the opinion of those whose minds are made up, but it is always interesting to reflect.