Why change oil more often than recommended intervals?

[Thik]

Poresche, MB and BMW all have oil change intervals at around 15,000 miles. Why are people changing at 5,000, 7,000 or 10,000 miles?

I'm sure the engineers who designed these engines know what they're doing when they recommend the oil change intervals.

Outside of the enthusiasts' community, 90% of the Porsche, MB and BMW drivers probably follow the intervals recommended by the manufacturer, but we don't see engines siezing left and right.

i haven't seen a Blackstone report that says someone has left the oil in their car for too long and should shorten their interval. Nor have I heard of engine failures because the recommended intervals were too long.

Are people wasting money by changing the oil more frequently than recommended?

[Gumulri]

because I love my car and paid off out of warranty also want to keep it for 10 more years.

[1MOREMOD]

Because those intervals are set by the company to get the car thru the warranty period without blowing up. They aren't trying to make your car last 200k miles that would cost them money in terms of not buying another. I do shorter intervals on my x5d because I tow my car with it. I do shorter intervals on my car because it's track only and gets beat on.

[aussiem3]

Originally Posted by Thik

Are people wasting money by changing the oil more frequently than recommended?

May be, including me

[Helmsman]

Keep the engine oil fresh in my S65 is one rare thing I love "wasting" money on!

In my book 15k miles is too long for any engine and close to crazy in a high rev performance one like this.

Also would never buy a car with this interval in the service book myself and count on that whatever spent on oil change will be a good investment the day I sell...

[///M Power-Belgium]

OP after reading your question...Sorry man..But I think you saw nothing on here .

[Merlin_83]

Originally Posted by Gumulri

because I love my car and paid off out of warranty also want to keep it for 10 more years.

THIS !

+1

[TomHudson]

Because it's an environmental sell that these cars don't need oil changes as often (ha ha)

It is to get through the warranty period and that's that. All these engines have some blow by - frequent oil changes is good for the engine period.

Why do we decide of all the things to save money on, people pick oil change intervals on an M3? Might as well put coopers on it too, you wouldn't wan to waste money on TIRES..

[omniphil]

Keep in mind that oil lubricates better as it ages (To a point), so for those people who like to change their oil because it makes them feel better are not doing your engine any favors. Your just adding wear by the extra dry starts right after fresh oil is put in.

"Fresh" oil isn't necessarily better oil.

[Helmsman]

Phil, far from an oil expert but surely that one must be a myth...

[ycb]

I just changed my oil after 7000km.. and looking at the color.. I couldn't imagine having it in there for another 7000km.. daily summer car, never tracked, rarely driven like a //Man.
lol.

I heard, for example if an oil change interval on an North American M3 is 20,000km, that it would be 10,000 in Germany? Truth?

[Helmsman]

Recommended is 15k miles / 2400k km...

[///M Power-Belgium]

Originally Posted by omniphil

Keep in mind that oil lubricates better as it ages (To a point), so for those people who like to change their oil because it makes them feel better are not doing your engine any favors. Your just adding wear by the extra dry starts right after fresh oil is put in.

"Fresh" oil isn't necessarily better oil.

What are you smoking man ?

[Leonardo629]

Originally Posted by omniphil

Keep in mind that oil lubricates better as it ages (To a point), so for those people who like to change their oil because it makes them feel better are not doing your engine any favors. Your just adding wear by the extra dry starts right after fresh oil is put in.

"Fresh" oil isn't necessarily better oil.

It's probably true in the old days with dino juice that requires some mileage for the anti-wear pkg to "activate", but with the latest synthetic oil we use now, you can bet fresh oil is always better than used oil, provided the used oil is no longer serviceable.

Dry start is a concern for me, so I use M1 0W40, and I fill the oil filter housing with oil when I do my oil change.

[okusa]

Originally Posted by omniphil

Keep in mind that oil lubricates better as it ages (To a point), so for those people who like to change their oil because it makes them feel better are not doing your engine any favors. Your just adding wear by the extra dry starts right after fresh oil is put in.

"Fresh" oil isn't necessarily better oil.

This may just be. No, scratch that. This is definitely the most idiotic post in the history of M3 Post oil discussions.

From a web discussion (as I'm not oil expert, but clearly I am more informed that to make such a crazy post) "Yes, oil lubricates. However, it also helps cool the engine. As heat breaks down the oil over time it reduces it's capacity to absorb heat, making it more viscous, and ultimately volatile. Changing the oil makes sure the proper amount is in the engine, that it's at full lubricating and heat absorption abilities, and that it's clean."

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by okusa

This may just be. No, scratch that. This is definitely the most idiotic post in the history of M3 Post oil discussions.

From a web discussion (as I'm not oil expert, but clearly I am more informed that to make such a crazy post) "Yes, oil lubricates. However, it also helps cool the engine. As heat breaks down the oil over time it reduces it's capacity to absorb heat, making it more viscous, and ultimately volatile. Changing the oil makes sure the proper amount is in the engine, that it's at full lubricating and heat absorption abilities, and that it's clean."

I think the guy is thinking about the oil shearing, whereas it may protect on cold starts better after it shears then before it shears. However, it shears so quickly (50-100 miles) it is a moot point...still might not be a bad idea to take it easy for a couple days after a fresh change though.

[WhatsADSM]

Originally Posted by ycb

I just changed my oil after 7000km.. and looking at the color.. I couldn't imagine having it in there for another 7000km.. daily summer car, never tracked, rarely driven like a //Man.
lol.

I heard, for example if an oil change interval on an North American M3 is 20,000km, that it would be 10,000 in Germany? Truth?

FWIW
The color of oil says almost nothing about its condition.

[brownb_2]

good to see that everyone here seems to be smarter than BMW engineers

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by brownb_2

good to see that everyone here seems to be smarter than BMW engineers

Yes they have your cars longevity in mind past warranty.

[cenix]

omniphil also recommends we put straight unrefined petroleum tar in our motors and change in the next millenium because by then the oil will be slicker than a mudguppy swimming in hot vaseline.

[brownb_2]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

Yes they have your cars longevity in mind past warranty.

why would any car company do that, it would give the car a bad name and noone would buy it, knowing that the cars go bad

so youre saying that all the major manufacturers are doing this? audi Ferrari bmw rolls royce vw Lamborghini, none of them actually care about their cars after 3 years...

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by brownb_2

why would any car company do that, it would give the car a bad name and noone would buy it, knowing that the cars go bad

so youre saying that all the major manufacturers are doing this? audi Ferrari bmw rolls royce vw Lamborghini, none of them actually care about their cars after 3 years...

Less so yes. Makes most financial sense for bmw and similar who offer maintenance with new car.