2011 X5 35i Service Indicator over 20K -- really???
 

I'm planning on taking my 2011 35i on a 4K trip next month. It currently has almost 13K miles on it.

Check the service internal for the oil change and it says 8000 miles or 5/2012. That would put the oil at almost 21000 miles. (Bought the X5 6/3/2010)

I had the oil changed at 7500 (10/28/2010), but I do not remember the service guys resetting the indicator.

Has BMW really extended the interval out this far? I'm trying to figure out if I should pay for a change before the trip. 21000 seems like a really long interval.

Well, it isn't really a 21k interval (in miles). You had it done at 8k, so it is a 13k interval. That seems to be about right, given the 15k baseline that they work up or down from depending on oil condition and driving habits.

I haven't heard of new models starting off at a 21k interval, at least in miles.

In the past I've done the same thing and the service indicator remained the same. Under this theory, if I change the oil each 7500 miles, BMW will never have to pay for an oil change and other 15K service will be delayed (like changing the in cabin filter). That doesn't make any sense.

That's why BMW says the service indicator should not be reset for unscheduled oil changes. It sounds like the mechanic made a mistake and reset it.

Talked to the service manager at the dealership today. He said they did not reset the service indicator. When they changed the oil at 7800 miles, the X5 computer reported it wanted another 13000 miles before the first change.

He said the current 35i averages a first change around 18K and my 21K isn't that far out of normal.

I'm having a hard time believing that.

thats so weird, I would get a change from the dealership..ask them to goodwill it.

done it a million times between scheduled oil changes!

Now officially confirmed by a service manager at one dealership, and a service advisor that I really trust at another.

The 2011 X5 35i is coming in at around 20K for the first oil change. It is considered normal.

Amazing!

while we're on this topic, what exactly is a low-mileage oil service? Do they change it along with the filter or what?

Oil and filter only, no other inspections or checks, usually done at half the expected interval that the service lights/condition-based-service indicator calls for. Based on the premise that cars shouldn't run as long between oil changes as manufacturers recommend.

Good to know. I haven't seen reports of them being that high (in km equivalents).