I can't believe BMW would flush their loyal Customers down the toilet for profit. The funniest part is there are some, so called experts, that don't see it as a serious problem. Talk about blind sheep! Read these posts.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/showthread.php?t=177375

Koz

I love how people think that keeping oil in your car in excess of 10k is good!

Its not the oil that goes bad but the additaves in the oil that protect your engine. They don't last forever! Geeze. And here I was uncomfortable with 5k oil changes. Those guys really are.. well, special? LOL maybe thats BMWs pitch.. Engine breaks down which causes you to buy another Bimmer cause you just LOVED the driving experience!!

That is very bad. Shame on BMW.

Regardless, I change my oil ever 3 months even if god says no!


:D

The funny thing is, BMW's are not having engine failures until 200-300 miles or more. I think the oil is irrelevant.

The trannys, cooling systems, electrical, etc. are what goes out.

Whether you change at 5k or 15k miles, your car will run a long long time.

Although I recommend 5k intervals.

Wow, changing oil at 19k miles?! I can't say even despite recommendations that I would ever wait that long...

BMW exchanges reliability for profit? Huh? How exactly do you figure BMW would profit from telling customers to blow their engines up during the warranty period?

BMW exchanges reliability for profit? Huh? How exactly do you figure BMW would profit from telling customers to blow their engines up during the warranty period?

That's what I was thinking. I didn't see anything in that thread that suggests that BMW is flushing their loyal customers down the toilet for profit. Maybe the guy's oil service life indicator wasn't functioning correctly. Or maybe the guy's lying. Who knows.

Koz, I wouldn't jump to sensationalistic conclusions based upon one person's post on an internet message board.

Koz,

This thread has nothing to do with the 2nd gen IS; please put auto related threads that don't pertain to Lexus in the Car Chat forum.


Members, I expect this thread to stay civil and on topic please.

BMW exchanges reliability for profit? Huh? How exactly do you figure BMW would profit from telling customers to blow their engines up during the warranty period?

Lets see, BMW offers 3 years free maintenance, including oil changes. So knowing that the engine will last at least 100K miles and only paying for 1 oil change. Seems obvious. BMW must think that everyone is stupid!

Koz

Folks let's not start a BMW bashing thread. Lexus is not perfect either as indicated by the numerous threads with various lexus issues.

BMW uses computers to determine your driving habits for oil change intervals.

Some folks get an oil change every 7k miles, some will be longer. However, everyone gets a free oil change at least once per year. The free maintenance program is for 4 yr/50k miles (not 3 years).

Please avoid posting some other board's posts as this is nothing more than here say anyway.

This owner obviously went over what BMW recommends for oil changes.. Also, BMW's are equipped with an onboard computer to inform you of how many miles you have left for an oil change..The numbers will vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on how it is driven.. Also, Bmw are filled with Castrol Syntec Euro 0w-30 from the factory. This oil is black in color when new, and not the conventional yellow. I know because I own a new BMW.. That oil has a very different standard that other synthetics, and can last up to 15k between changes... I plan on changing mine when the computer tells me.

After reading the entire thread, it would seem BMW recommend changing the oil at one year intervals regardless of mileage.

Also, I don't see anything wrong with following the BMW recommended intervals, nor do I see anything with the poster's analysis that suggests the engine is in jeopardy of immediate failure, especially when compared to some of the other analyses posted with less mileage but including the same break-in wear components. Had he told Blackstone he'd gone 7500 miles, the comments would have been quite different.

People get way too freaked out about oil.

A poster on the bimmer forum said it. Since BMW covers the scheduled maintenance, the less service intervals= the less $$$$ absorbed by BMW, which means more money for BMW.

If they didn't offer this scheduled maintenance I wonder would BMW wait 1 year or 2 years (E90) to recommend an oil change, since you are spending your money. I am sure it would be down to the usual 5 or 7k recommendation.

I don't care what a computer says, I am not waiting 15k or 20k miles to change my oil. Especially if driven hard.

Bottom line, I am not accusing BMW of saving money. The guy though does have a point with his oil analysis.

If they didn't offer this scheduled maintenance I wonder would BMW wait 1 year or 2 years (E90) to recommend an oil change, since you are spending your money. I am sure it would be down to the usual 5 or 7k recommendation.
As far as I'm concerned, the answer is yes. They would probably switch to dino oil too, and drop the change interval to 5000 miles.

I don't care what a computer says, I am not waiting 15k or 20k miles to change my oil. Especially if driven hard.
Same here. When I owned an E46, I would change at 7500 on my own, and then let the dealer do the 15K service. It's pretty cheap insurance.

A poster on the bimmer forum said it. Since BMW covers the scheduled maintenance, the less service intervals= the less $$$$ absorbed by BMW, which means more money for BMW.

If they didn't offer this scheduled maintenance I wonder would BMW wait 1 year or 2 years (E90) to recommend an oil change, since you are spending your money. I am sure it would be down to the usual 5 or 7k recommendation.

I don't care what a computer says, I am not waiting 15k or 20k miles to change my oil. Especially if driven hard.

Bottom line, I am not accusing BMW of saving money. The guy though does have a point with his oil analysis.Funny thing is, if a BMW owner goes in before their scheduled oil change, they have to pay $150 for the unscheduled oil change..I will wait lol... The scheduled maintainence does include wiper blade change, rotors, brake pads, oil, tire rotation, and a loaner.

Funny thing is, if a BMW owner goes in before their scheduled oil change, they have to pay $150 for the unscheduled oil change..I will wait lol... The scheduled maintainence does include wiper blade change, rotors, brake pads, oil, tire rotation, and a loaner.

Price must've gone up. 3 years ago, it was $75, if memory serves me right.

Funny thing is, if a BMW owner goes in before their scheduled oil change, they have to pay $150 for the unscheduled oil change..I will wait lol... The scheduled maintainence does include wiper blade change, rotors, brake pads, oil, tire rotation, and a loaner.


It's about $100 or something like that for my Audi's if I did the same. The computers are usually pretty accurate in determining when you should take your car in for it's scheduled maintenance. I've followed the computer scheduled maintenance for my A6 for over 20k miles and I haven't had a problem.

You folks do realize Porsche does not have free maintenance and recommends the 15k oil interval.

I don't think this is about saving a buck. More about wasting oil. I suspect most consumers do not want to get an oil change every 12 weeks. Loan car or not, they have better things to do.

You folks do realize Porsche does not have free maintenance and recommends the 15k oil interval.

I don't think this is about saving a buck. More about wasting oil. I suspect most consumers do not want to get an oil change every 12 weeks. Loan car or not, they have better things to do.

I think Porsche and BMW's engines have larger oil capacities plus they have recommended synthetic oil only. Maybe these are the difference.

However, Porsche and some BMW models are also known for burning oil. You may need to add a quart of oil every 2000 miles to the Porsche and about 5~6K miles to the non-M BMW depends on the driving habit. I guess if you put in some fresh oil into the engine from time to time when the oil level gets a little low then it is another good way to lengthen the time line between oil change.

Funny thing is, if a BMW owner goes in before their scheduled oil change, they have to pay $150 for the unscheduled oil change..I will wait lol... The scheduled maintainence does include wiper blade change, rotors, brake pads, oil, tire rotation, and a loaner.

Lexus charged me $90 for oil change also, and that's excluding putting the oil cap back to where it belongs, plus they want me to wait at the lounge instead of giving me a loaner. I am taking the RX to my buddy at the Toyota dealer for service in the future.

I love how people think that keeping oil in your car in excess of 10k is good!

Its not the oil that goes bad but the additaves in the oil that protect your engine. They don't last forever! Geeze. And here I was uncomfortable with 5k oil changes. Those guys really are.. well, special? LOL maybe thats BMWs pitch.. Engine breaks down which causes you to buy another Bimmer cause you just LOVED the driving experience!!

I know what mean. My friend's 325i changes his oil at around 8k miles and the last time I changed it there was only about 1/2 quart :eek2: left. Apparently, his oil just burns off, he uses Mobil 1 too.

I know what mean. My friend's 325i changes his oil at around 8k miles and the last time I changed it there was only about 1/2 quart :eek2: left. Apparently, his oil just burns off, he uses Mobil 1 too.


I call BS on this one. 1/2 a quart left? Yeah right. No car would run on 2 quarts much left 1/2 a quart. :egads:

I change synthetic in my GS430 every 2,500 miles, and dino in my LS400 every 2,000 miles. I don't care how long oik can last, it still gets dirty. I don't take the to stealerships, I take them to a local shop, so oil change are cheap.

I know what mean. My friend's 325i changes his oil at around 8k miles and the last time I changed it there was only about 1/2 quart :eek2: left. Apparently, his oil just burns off, he uses Mobil 1 too.

What year is your friend's 325i? Because from E46 and on it seems like if the oil level is about 1.5 qt down it's going to trigger the "check engine oil" light on the dash. I said 1.5 qt because I will check the dip stick immediately when the light is on, and at that time it's just a little under the "E" mark. After pouring a qt back into it then it's going to bring it back to 3/4 between the "E" mark and the "F" mark.

I call BS on this one. 1/2 a quart left? Yeah right. No car would run on 2 quarts much left 1/2 a quart. :egads:

Ha... I have heard story about a Civic or Honda travelling on the interstate and the driver keep driving when the check engine light came on. After 120 miles when he stopped for gas he opened the hood and saw the oil filter is gone and there's no engine oil left in the engine. I will take it with a grain of salt. :p

Ha... I have heard story about a Civic or Honda travelling on the interstate and the driver keep driving when the check engine light came on. After 120 miles when he stopped for gas he opened the hood and saw the oil filter is gone and there's no engine oil left in the engine. I will take it with a grain of salt. :p

The oil light on most car comes on when the car is down about a quart.

The car still has plenty of oil to drive hundreds of miles.

I suspect the Civic had the oil light on for months. And the engine would blow up way before the oil was all gone.

The oil light on most car comes on when the car is down about a quart.

The car still has plenty of oil to drive hundreds of miles.

I suspect the Civic had the oil light on for months. And the engine would blow up way before the oil was all gone.

If the car really had no oil filter I'd say he lost all the oil within a couple of miles of that 120 miles traveled. I don't see how you can retain any oil without an oil filter for 120 miles much less for months.

If the car really had no oil filter I'd say he lost all the oil within a couple of miles of that 120 miles traveled. I don't see how you can retain any oil without an oil filter for 120 miles much less for months.

I think the poster was kidding? If there is no filter you have a big hole.

Are we all three agreeing? :uh:

I think the poster was kidding? If there is no filter you have a big hole.

Are we all three agreeing? :uh:

Did you read my last sentence in that post?

I think the poster was kidding? If there is no filter you have a big hole.

Are we all three agreeing? :uh:

We are in agreement. Although I think the OP stated he read the story on the internet. The story may or may not be true though. I will say that just out of high school my friend drove his Gran Prix to the point where when we drained the oil only 0.5 quarts came out. The reason why he asked for help was because his car would only go about 20 MPH up hill when flooring it. No oil was detected on the dip stick. We did the oil change and was shocked:eek2: The car actually ran fine after we changed and filled the oil.

We are in agreement. Although I think the OP stated he read the story on the internet. The story may or may not be true though. I will say that just out of high school my friend drove his Gran Prix to the point where when we drained the oil only 0.5 quarts came out. The reason why he asked for help was because his car would only go about 20 MPH up hill when flooring it. No oil was detected on the dip stick. We did the oil change and was shocked:eek2: The car actually ran fine after we changed and filled the oil.

Incredible. :eek2: MY neighbor who is an attorney has a friend that is also an attorney. His friend bought a new Audi and never checked the oil, ignored the light and blew up the engine at about 25k miles. :egads: Says he was to busy with court and his divorce to deal with cars.

No worries though. Audi is fixing the A6 right up for the tiny sum of $13k. :eek2:

This forum is getting worse by the day.

FWIW, my unscheduled oil change cost is $90 CAD. BMW will pay for an oil change after one year regardless of the mileage. I just did my complementary after break in oil change. I will post my oil analysis if anyone cares.

I know what mean. My friend's 325i changes his oil at around 8k miles and the last time I changed it there was only about 1/2 quart :eek2: left. Apparently, his oil just burns off, he uses Mobil 1 too.

I'll let you guys in on a little tip here about oil levels and usage...something a lot of people don't realize.
Some engines may not APPEAR to be using oil when in fact they do. If you take mostly short trips at colder temperatures and never get the engine really hot for long periods, the moisture level building up in the oil brings the fluid level up a little on the dipstick and offsets somewhat the oil that the engine IS using. So, when you look at the dipstick ( cold, or after giving the oil a few minutes to drain, of course ), the fluid level may still be at or near the full mark when in fact the engine may have actually used some oil and the actual amount of oil remaining may not be that high...it is the moisture in the oil giving a falsely high reading on the dipstick.
That is why, when you are crusing on the Interstates at high speed for many miles or otherwise driving aggressively, in a way to really heat up our engine, you will notice that the oil level drops quickly, and the engine then APPEARS to burn a lot of oil off quickly, when, in reality, all that is happening is that the moisture is being evaporated by the heat, and what you are looking at is the ACTUAL oil level.

That is one ( among many ) reasons why you should change your oil more often with mostly short trips....the moisture stays in the oil more often and doesn't get vaporized out as much by the engine heat that builds up with longer trips. That, of course, dilutes the oil and lessens its effectiveness in lubricating.

I call BS on this one. 1/2 a quart left? Yeah right. No car would run on 2 quarts much left 1/2 a quart. :egads:

Why not? I've seen cars run on zero oil - it doesn't run for more then a few minutes but it still runs.

I might have exaggerated on the 1/2 quart but it was definitely less then one quart, that's a lot considering the 325 takes some in the range of 6-8 qts (I can't remember) I dumped the old oil back into one of the Mobil 1 bottles and it didn't even fill up one.


What year is your friend's 325i? Because from E46 and on it seems like if the oil level is about 1.5 qt down it's going to trigger the "check engine oil" light on the dash. I said 1.5 qt because I will check the dip stick immediately when the light is on, and at that time it's just a little under the "E" mark. After pouring a qt back into it then it's going to bring it back to 3/4 between the "E" mark and the "F" mark.


It's an`03 325i, his oil light (i.e. dumb, dumb light) came on - that's why he changed the oil. :egads:

This forum is getting worse by the day.

:uh: :uh:

..............

Why not? I've seen cars run on zero oil - it doesn't more then a few minutes but it still runs.

I might have exaggerated on the 1/2 quart but it was definitely less then one quart, that's a lot considering the 325 takes some in the range of 6-8 qts (I can't remember) I dumped the old oil back into one of the Mobil 1 bottles and it didn't even fill up one.





It's an`03 325i, his oil light (i.e. dumb, dumb light) came on - that's why he changed the oil. :egads:

Car engines will seize up without oil, that is a known fact.

Also, the idiot light will come on when you are half a quart low on oil.

Car engines will seize up without oil, that is a known fact.

Also, the idiot light will come on when you are half a quart low on oil.


Yes, I agree that's why I stated...
Why not? I've seen cars run on zero oil - it doesn't run for more then a few minutes but it still runs

Now if you need me to be more clear about it, then: ...the engine will stop working.

Yes, I agree that's why I stated...

He must have ignored that light for months then....

He must have ignored that light for months then....

He did. He commutes daily from LA to San Diego.:thumbdn:

Car engines will seize up without oil, that is a known fact.


Not if you take the car to the Max, with Z-max.

gonna have problems if someone thinks they can run a 335 on 15k intervals, turbos are even harder on the oil than N/A

gonna have problems if someone thinks they can run a 335 on 15k intervals, turbos are even harder on the oil than N/A

I guess we will just have to wait and see when the cars start asking for oil then.

Why not? I've seen cars run on zero oil - it doesn't run for more then a few minutes but it still runs.


There is a sensor in the oil pan to detect if there is no oil, the engine will automatically shut off if this occurs. This prevents an engine seize if there is a major oil leak.

The lesson we learned today is, never buy a used BMW where the factory maintence was done per the book. Need to get an owner with detailed oil changed at half recommended.

BTW back when I was a kid and doing my first oil change on our 1990 Accord I ran the engine with no oil in it for a few minutes before I realized it had no oil in it! Luckily it had Mobil 1 Synthetic in it before I drained it (back then when it was the good 100% real synthetic stuff). So that commercial where they run the engines on Castrol Syntec after draining the oil, actually did hold some truth. Car was fine.