n00b: do I need an oil change

U235 · 01-24-2011, 08:35 PM

I just bought a 2008 M3 Sedan 6spd. It has only 8500 miles. I read the manual about checking the oil/service levels, and I think it's wanting an oil change.

When I start it up, I don't get any indicator, but if I toggle through the service menu (non-idrive), all of the service things have dates in 2012 and 10-20k mls left in orange. I assume this means when it needs service or in how many miles it needs service.

The oil one turns red and just says 08/2010. There is no miles countdown, and unlike the other menus, the little oil can symbol. The car hasn't been driven much since it went on the market. With only 8,500 miles, it seems like perhaps the oil time counter went expired in August.

Am I reading this right? If so, I'll get it down to the dealer ASAP to get taken care of.

brizzom · 01-24-2011, 10:40 PM

I'm not sure if you need one yet, but a lot of people get an oil change in between the recommended 15k mile intervals. Definitely couldn't hurt to get one.

U235 · 01-25-2011, 08:50 AM

Thanks, my SA said if it's red it needs service. Also, when I start the car, the 'service' thing comes up in red. Should get it in there today. I think the oil has just expired past it's date since the 1,200 mile service was moons ago.

Georgeair · 01-25-2011, 09:40 AM

Congrats on finding a low-mile car!

U235 · 01-25-2011, 02:38 PM

Thanks, dealer serviced it and said everything checks out, they even had a foreman drive it to double check. The car reported it needed an oil change and air filter, which they knocked out in just under 2 hours.

shendrick · 02-02-2011, 03:06 PM

Good catch on the air filter. This is a little known fact. The manual says to change the air filter whenever you change the oil. Most dealers won't do this especially if the oil change is based on time not miles. So either good for you or your dealer.

Kenny@VS · 02-02-2011, 03:22 PM

I would for sure get a oil change between 15K. It might seem excessive but i change my oil every 3k to 4k. Because I work on BMW motors every day, I can tell who changes their oil in the 15k range and who changes their oil more often. Keep your oil clean and use 10-60 to keep the vanos in tip-top shape.

E90///M3` · 02-02-2011, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kris@VS

I would for sure get a oil change between 15K. It might seem excessive but i change my oil every 3k to 4k. Because I work on BMW motors every day, I can tell who changes their oil in the 15k range and who changes their oil more often. Keep your oil clean and use 10-60 to keep the vanos in tip-top shape.

good advice... i probably do every 5kmiles... all freeway but cause of the supercharger i try to go at earlier intervals than the normal BMW recommendation

01-24-2011, 08:35 PM	#1
U235 23 BMW X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered 599 Rep 655 Posts Drives: 23 X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Pole* Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	n00b: do I need an oil change I just bought a 2008 M3 Sedan 6spd. It has only 8500 miles. I read the manual about checking the oil/service levels, and I think it's wanting an oil change. When I start it up, I don't get any indicator, but if I toggle through the service menu (non-idrive), all of the service things have dates in 2012 and 10-20k mls left in orange. I assume this means when it needs service or in how many miles it needs service. The oil one turns red and just says 08/2010. There is no miles countdown, and unlike the other menus, the little oil can symbol. The car hasn't been driven much since it went on the market. With only 8,500 miles, it seems like perhaps the oil time counter went expired in August. Am I reading this right? If so, I'll get it down to the dealer ASAP to get taken care of.
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01-24-2011, 10:40 PM	#2
brizzom Second Lieutenant 5 Rep 205 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure if you need one yet, but a lot of people get an oil change in between the recommended 15k mile intervals. Definitely couldn't hurt to get one.
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01-25-2011, 08:50 AM	#3
U235 23 BMW X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered 599 Rep 655 Posts Drives: 23 X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Pole* Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks, my SA said if it's red it needs service. Also, when I start the car, the 'service' thing comes up in red. Should get it in there today. I think the oil has just expired past it's date since the 1,200 mile service was moons ago.
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01-25-2011, 09:40 AM	#4
Georgeair Captain 80 Rep 803 Posts Drives: '08 Melbourne E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Madison, MS iTrader: (2)	Congrats on finding a low-mile car! __________________ Objects in mirror are slower than they appear.
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01-25-2011, 02:38 PM	#5
U235 23 BMW X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Polestar Engineered 599 Rep 655 Posts Drives: 23 X7 M60i, 22 Volvo V60 Pole* Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	Thanks, dealer serviced it and said everything checks out, they even had a foreman drive it to double check. The car reported it needed an oil change and air filter, which they knocked out in just under 2 hours.
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02-02-2011, 03:06 PM	#6
shendrick Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 255 Posts Drives: 08 e90 M3, 05 e46 zhp, 07 X3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Near Boston MA iTrader: (0)	Good catch on the air filter. This is a little known fact. The manual says to change the air filter whenever you change the oil. Most dealers won't do this especially if the oil change is based on time not miles. So either good for you or your dealer.
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02-02-2011, 03:22 PM	#7
Kenny@VS Private 11 Rep 63 Posts Drives: White E92 M3 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Schaumburg iTrader: (0)	I would for sure get a oil change between 15K. It might seem excessive but i change my oil every 3k to 4k. Because I work on BMW motors every day, I can tell who changes their oil in the 15k range and who changes their oil more often. Keep your oil clean and use 10-60 to keep the vanos in tip-top shape.
	Appreciate 0 Quote