Why wouldn't you just go with whatever intervals the manufacturer recommends for each engine/driving conditions??

They engineered, built and provide the warranty on the engine...

 

I also worried about the 10,000 interval MB recommended for my V12.. My SA insists that the 10,000 mile replacement is fine using current synthetic oils.... 10,000 miles is what is recommended in the manual... and as pointed out increasing numbers of cars are warranted with this replacement interval in mind...

Perhaps a more frequent oil change is increasingly a feel good/comfort factor or legacy of less efficient engine and oil combinations? Is there any real empirical evidence that more cars are suffering engine problems because owners are following their manufacturers 10,000 mile directions?

Chris

 

How many quarts does your V12 hold, but I've also learned many German car owners change their oil at the half way point of whatever the manufacture recommends, including some owners who lease, considering that an engine/powertrain is 60/70% of the car value you would want to keep it running clean.

I get my oil analyzed with Black Stone and they have never told me to exceed 5500 miles, I only ever run 5000 miles, and thats with German Castrol Synthetic

 

Why are European maintenance schedules made so differently It seems ridiculous.

 

Are we talking apples and apples here, Andy, or oranges?

In the U.S., oil change intervals are referred to in miles. In much of the rest of the world, kilometers. So 10 "K", in Europe, if measured in "kilometers", would be around 5800 "miles" in the U.S. (1 kilometer is about 5/8 of a mile).

 

That must expain the confusion. There's no way a manufacturer would set it at 10,000 MILE intervals.

 

I change the oil on my Bimmers according to the on board computer on each. On the Lexus & Rav4, I change them every 6k based on the oil used (Amsoil).. The oil is still clean even after 6k On the Bimmers, computer monitors the condition of the oil based on various parameters including age & how the vehicle is driven. Based on the various parameters, the service indicator will flash prior to the 15k required interval.. The dealer has yet to reset the computer on the 335 & x3 & they will not do so unless the car indicates "service required.. To date, I had 2 oil changes on the X3 & one change the 335 based on BMW's annual oil change requirement. Both vehicles are under 15k on the clock & utilize German Castrol.. So far so good..