Why you need to change your oil often!!!!

BMW and 15000 miles:lol:
4 oil changes and everything is great
For those that are seeing engine wear metals consider this report!

GPWER wrote

BMW and 15000 miles:lol:
4 oil changes and everything is great
For those that are seeing engine wear metals consider this report!

You change your oil ever 4k miles? Wow!

When I get my new M3, I was considering every 7.5k miles, would that be often enough?

I knew from seeing other peoples oil reports this engine beats up oil badly. You can see from the report 1500 miles after 1200 mile service oil was out of spec. I am going to try 5000 miles next and determine after analysis if that's sufficient. Take guessing out of it and do analysis and change the oil more often at the start and after break in you will be happier.

Seems like blackstone typically suggests changing the oil in the M3 every 6-7k miles.

Many reports here if you want to compare. http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=310230&highlight=blackstone

Very nice report!

Is there a "Blackstone" type, oil-analysis company in SoCal ...or do I send them a sample?

Track Rat you missed the point, oil was out of spec 1500 miles after 1200 mile oil change. I am extending intervals slowly. This report shows the need for additional change with low miles and consider buying a car with dealer services only, no need to discuss ratings or testing, the answer is right in front of your nose. I do track my car 2-3 times on a change. Good luck with less changes, save a few bucks:lol:

I always do 4k oil changes.

I'm sure you guys already know this, but it depends a lot on the type of driving that the car is doing. Isn't it better to err on the side of caution? It's just an oil change.

Graeme

agreed, every 5k, but I don't baby her and next year want to hit at least 10 track days ( hit 7 this year), don't know why you wouldn't:thumsup:

How much does an oil service cost in a dealer?

nice thread man...15,000 miles per oil change is ridiculous

BUMP

Have a little over 4k miles on mine now and this thread has influenced me...

I will change the oil at the 5k mark and keep changing at intervals of 5k. I think that should be a good practice for people who buy new ones:

Initial at 1200 mile service
5k
10k
15k
etc...

Good thread!

Too many novices and uninformed opinions here. As Trackrat said, read the oil analyses in his link. Also, read some other forums' UOA threads. 15k miles is not a problem for most engines and conditions. Diesel VWs are going 20k miles when the proper oil is used.
Track days and heat beat up the Castrol TWS with regard to viscosity, however, it only breaks down to the level of a 50 weight and then stays there.

There will never be a clear-cut answer on this subject since it depends HOW and WHERE you drive. Having said that, no way I'd wait 15K miles with my driving conditions and where I live, but I don't have to worry about mileage since I end up putting around 5K a year, when I have to do it anyway. By the way, you have to worry more about depleted additives than viscosity. And if you recycle your oil, no harm to the environment, especially with fully synthetic oil. Have a good one gang.

I do the 7.5k routine. I think that's a reasonable compromise between BMW's recommendation and fanatical. I usually sell by cars by 60k and the engine should still be in really good shape then. BMW has made the intermediate changes harder without a dipstick orifice for my MityVac.

7 Should be the normal besides wtf BMW or any other thing says.

Tracking should be more , obviously...
If your granny shifting and not taking it past 5k I can see the possibility of 10k.

never 15k

TrackRat wrote

People don't want to be confused with facts when they have their mind made up. Denial has never changed reality. Oil is a religion for many folks. Don't forget the conspiracy theory either. That's important. The car makers are out to screw their customers...

Track Rat I do believe the TWS can go 15000 miles, not with my style of driving though, however this motor is tight at run in and beats the oil up bad. My purpose in posting this was for people to make their own informed opinions. Having seen many oil analysis reports on here you can clearly see that there is concern over the hi lead levels(Bearing Wear) If people would do 1 additional oil change at around 5000 miles they can take piece of mind knowing that the oil longevity will increase significantly. Lastly I will continue to extend intervals until analysis suggests otherwise based on filtration and oil specs. Clearly my last two oil changes were unnecessary, just piece of mind. Thanks for taking the time to comment on this subject as we all want the very best for our cars that we love.

OOPS I forgot to ask. TrackRat Do you have a M3 or driven one? What model and how many miles on it? Do you own or lease? How often do you change your oil? With the driving on the track and or race that your screen name implies, how often is the oil changed in that vehicle? Just curious.