New BMW - Oil change every 15,000 miles!

Yes but it depends on the size of the motor. A caddilac 3.2 v6 holds six quarts of oil, a bmw 3.2 holds 6.5....



A BMW 318 holds about the same as a Ford Zetec 2.0 (also a DOHC design).



A Mustang DOHC 4.6 v8 motor holds a similar amount as a BMW 4.4/4.6 DOHC v8.
 
Interesting thread. I just puchased a new VW and the manual recommends oil changes every 15,000 Km. (about 9,500 miles)



I just can't get it into my head that this is OK....I think I'll stick with my 5,000 km (3,000 mile) routine. With the extreme weather we have and the amount of short trip driving we do, I would feel much better about more frequent changes.
 
I've wondered myself about the 'long' oil change intervals on the new cars. I've always been a 3-5k miles type of person.



I can't imagine that BMW, Audi, Mercedes, etc. haven't put the research into this matter, prior to making the recommendations. Considering that they are aware of US laws and class-action suits, I'm certain that they have reems of documentation confirming that the recommended intervals are okay.



The real reason for the extended service intervals, of course, is to save them money. All of the German manufacturers are 'Free Service for the first XXXXX miles'. They probably went to less frequent changes with higher quality (synthetic) oil, in order to reduce the number of trips to the service department, for each individual car - reducing the strain on the dealers service departments.



Because I was a little nervous with the long interval in my car (13.5k for first change), I did research on several forums (MBWorld, BenzWorld, BenzForum, VWVortex, Club B5, etc.). Several people reported having sent oil samples for evaluation after the 'long' interval.



In every case, the analysis showed that the oil was still performing as it should, and there was no observation of excessive wear.



Although I am still uneasy with the extended intervals, considering that most German manufacturers are now recommending Mobil1 + long interval, and the oil analysis results show no problems, I'm getting used to them.
 
This is interesting. I've had many autos over the years and have always gotten the oil changed after the first 1000 miles and then every 3000 miles thereafter. Last year I leased a Volvo S80, the manual calls for oil changes every 7500 miles. I asked my dealer, I posted threads on a couple of volvo forums and the reply was to stick to the 7500 mile interval. It seems strange to me, but was told that oils have been improved over the last few years. News to me.
 
Thanks again guys. I appreciate the replies. I'll check back in a year with you folks over this!!! We'll see if there are any issues. If so, hey, its under warranty! But, I'm sure things will be fine. It'll just take some getting used to.



After all, it "ain't" my car!
 
Quote: A lot of this boils down to the oil companies marketing efforts in the US that have told us for so many years that oil needs to be changed every 3k miles. In Europe, many of the newer cars run extended drain intervals, using the latest oil technologies, and run the oil for 30,000km to 50,000kms. In the US it's unheard of but we will be seeing more of it as time passes. There is a significant foundation for this movement: Less new oil is sold and less oil needs to be recylced. It's just a very different mentality than found here in the USofA. And they tend to keep their cars for many years where the average American trades every 3 - 4 years when they grow bored with their current ride.



I'd always advocate sticking to the recommendations listed in the Owner's Manual and perhaps run a few analyses as suggested above. It can provide all sorts of info about the workings of your engine that you would never know otherwise.



~One man’s opinion~

‘m in agreement with tom p



I usually change oil (synthetic) at 5,000 miles although the OM says every 7,500





Experience unshared; is knowledge wasted…/



~ justadumbarchitect * so i question everything *
 
Just curious as I have never done it. Where do you all send your oil to be analyzed? How much does it cost and what kind of turnaround are you seeing?



Thanks
 
I had been purchasing sampling kits from an AMSOIL rep for approx. $15 each. I think they are a bit more now.



resource



and



resource



I have used both services and have had fuel samples tested by avlube...that's real eye-opening as well.
 
As an owner of one of those “air� cooled Porsche engines, I will tell you I have discussed this topic with many people. In addition to the approximate 14 quarts of oil the car holds (actually you can only get out about 10.5 because of the oil coolers in front and the tank in the back) the car also has two oil filters. I do my own oil changes but with two oil filters ($20 total) and 10.5 quarts of Mobil 1 it cost close to $70 with a couple of “o� rings and such assuming you get the oil on sale for $4/quart. Needless to say this a hot topic among Porsche owners because Porsche also recommends 15k miles.



It is true that oil technology has greatly improved. Additionally, engine technology and cleaner burning gasoline has improved also. However, according to many in the “know� a driving force behind the extended service intervals is the concept of an environmentally friendly “green� vehicle. It seems that various governments determine how much a car pollutes by also including things such as used oil filters, spark plugs, used oil, etc. in addition to the emissions. The more fluids and filters are changed the more total “pollution� the car is producing. By extending the service intervals the manufacturers are essentially making their vehicles more environmentally friendly in the eyes of some environmentalist. Additionally, the car manufacturers have gotten so use to people getting new vehicles so often that the idea of having to make it last for 200k miles seems excessive and expensive. The perception that the cost of ownership is less by requiring less services is also a great marketing ploy for the manufacturers.



Since the majority of these type of changes have taken place in the last 10 years, the jury still seems to be out whether these extended service intervals are detrimental to the durability of the vehicles. With so many variables such the varying levels of stop and go traffic, differing ambient temperatures during operation, warm up vs. no warm up, viscosity of oil used, driving habits, fuel quality, etc. getting a good data for the over all effect is going to be difficult.



There are numerous reports of filters and/or rubber seals on filters degrading prior to expiration of the interval (local MB and BMW techs have reported it is quite common). I consider oil changes cheap insurance to catastrophic and expensive valve jobs and upper end rebuilds. I am 3-5k mileage changer with full synthetic oil. Am I throwing a few dollars away each time and not maximizing my mileage? Probably but I feel good about it.
 
Well, you don't really have to wait 15K miles for an oil change. Just look at the service indicator on the instrument cluster, as the green lights go out, there will be a "oil service" light that comes on. Doesn't have to go out every 15K miles, more like 10K miles.
 
SuperBuick said:
???????????????





Now, there IS a car that holds not just twice, but perhaps three times as much engine oil as most cars. The oil-cooled porsche 911s (up until they became water cooled with the introduction of the 996). "Oil cooled?" you say?? That's right. Air cooled 911s are, in fact, oil cooled. Generally a 3.x litre porsche "air cooled" flat six holds about 12 litres of oil. The "radiators" on these engines are the oil coolers - the large capacity existing to ensure a supply of cooled oil is available at all times to lubricate and cool the moving parts within the porsche engine.



-Tom
Click to expand...



Thanks Tom, I just learned something.
 
Changing oil at 3000 miles has been unecessary for at least 30 years.



I have run several turbo charged sports cars for way over 100,000 miles without a single engine repair. In each case, I just followed the manufacturers recommendations. I believe that the intervals on these cars was over 7,500 miles.



My 2002 Vette comes with Mobil 1 installed and the interval is also 15,000 miles or one year, whichever is first. That is very conservative as the Mobil 1 is probably good for 25,000 miles.
 
FlyNavy said:
Changing oil at 3000 miles has been unecessary for at least 30 years.



I have run several turbo charged sports cars for way over 100,000 miles without a single engine repair. In each case, I just followed the manufacturers recommendations. I believe that the intervals on these cars was over 7,500 miles.



My 2002 Vette comes with Mobil 1 installed and the interval is also 15,000 miles or one year, whichever is first. That is very conservative as the Mobil 1 is probably good for 25,000 miles.
Click to expand...



mobil 1 can do 15000 easy, heck, its done 18000 on a 99 ls1 camaro. As for 25000, unless your using a bypass filter system, I would not run the oil that far. If anything, the best oil for 25000 miles is amsoils asl 5w30, 10w30, series 2000 0w30, and series 3000 5w30. All the oils just mentioned are better if you want longer drains, but if your going to stick with factory, then stick with mobil 1.
 
For all interested parties, this is an excellent technical website on oil and oil analysis. The site has a huge database of user submitted oil analysis data as well. There are tons of strange little facts I have learned from this site. Such as:



Changing your oil to early/often is worse than letting it go to the recommended interval as oils see an increase in viscosity and protective properties after some use.



And as we all knew already, the 3000 mile oil change rule is a Jiffy Lube and Oil company ploy to part us from our money. The data from the oil analysis database backs this up, even with dino oil.



Have fun reading, I spent 2 hours when I found it.



http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum;f=1;DaysPrune=1000
 
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