Oil change interval for a barely driven car

[Basir]

Hi folks,

Yes, there are 100 threads on oil change interval. But everyone talks about mileage and not the time.

For a multitude of reasons, I drive my M3 only around 1000-2000 km per year in a span of 1-2 months. The rest of the time, it is stored. (It is started and moved around)

Should I stick to the 2 year interval the dealer is telling me, or do it every year anyways?

I changed it at the end of last season (around 11 months ago) and have driven it around 2000 km since, and I'm taking it to the dealer for other work. I'm wondering if I should change the oil because it's been a year.

Car has 50,000km, and has been changed only on schedule (the KM limit or 2 years) by previous owners.

Anyone know what's so special about this oil that the dealer and the car computer says 2 years is fine?

[roastbeef]

I'd go with an annual change. Once a year.

[joe6mt]

What (RoastBeef) he said. Once a year.

[kyrix1st]

Since your prev. owners neglected, every 6 months with hard pull in between to blow off moisture from the powertrain components.

[Basir]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Since your prev. owners neglected, every 6 months with hard pull in between to blow off moisture from the powertrain components.

How is following the recommended intervals considered neglect?

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by Basir

How is following the recommended intervals considered neglect?

2 year or 25,000km were intervals when BMW was ambitious to push "efficient dynamics", which was never going to work. Since mid 2010, they rescinded on that and cut the recommended intervals to half; 1 year or 7000 miles.
Oils have gotten better in terms of extended OCI since 2008 yet there is precisely ZERO oil that can withstand 25,000km of screaming V8, so your engine is likely gunked up (check the oil filter housing or oil cap for signs).
Therefore, the only way to properly clean this is do more frequent oil changes.

I personally change 2-3k miles, 6 months on all my cars. Oil analysis reports suggest that this is the correct interval for my spirted driving (high rpm, high load, high lateral G).

[Basir]

My M3 is a 2013, which is after your 2010 change date. So they should be on the new 1 year interval? But my dealer and the car computer still says 2 years. Again, time interval is my concern because KM are less than 3000KM per year.

Anyways, I was more looking for confirmation or reasoning on the 2 years, because I don't believe it myself. I'll get it done when I go in for the "brake fluid service" that's due.

[Ximian]

2 years for oil changes is fine. I wouldn't turn on the car and move it around unless you're going to let it get completely up to temperature at speed.

[Ervin87]

It really depends on the environment and how the car is stored. It is recommended that the oil be changed on an annual basis, when the mileage is low.

[Helmsman]

2k - 4kkm in 2 years? I'd stick to every second year mate, time doesn't wear on the oil.

[Basir]

I did it anyways. Dealer gave me a "deal" at $215 CAD + tax lol

Thanks for the input, folks

[RealBerusch]

I have a few cars that get very low miles put on them each year. I change the oil annually in these cars but not the filters. The most wear put on the motor is that first start after the oil change before the pump has a good prime. I do the filter every other year.

[bmwm3fanatic]

Originally Posted by Basir

Hi folks,

Yes, there are 100 threads on oil change interval. But everyone talks about mileage and not the time.

For a multitude of reasons, I drive my M3 only around 1000-2000 km per year in a span of 1-2 months. The rest of the time, it is stored. (It is started and moved around)

Should I stick to the 2 year interval the dealer is telling me, or do it every year anyways?

I changed it at the end of last season (around 11 months ago) and have driven it around 2000 km since, and I'm taking it to the dealer for other work. I'm wondering if I should change the oil because it's been a year.

Car has 50,000km, and has been changed only on schedule (the KM limit or 2 years) by previous owners.

Anyone know what's so special about this oil that the dealer and the car computer says 2 years is fine?

Like most other that have commented - I recommend doing annual oil changes. I've had quite a few cars that have barely gotten driven and sat a lot in storage (more so the classic bmws I've owned), however regardless, it's been good practice to continue doing annual oil changes. I also don't recommend starting it up and moving it around unless you give it a chance to drive around and get up to full temp like a few others on here have commented. Cheers.

[Basir]

Originally Posted by bmwm3fanatic

Like most other that have commented - I recommend doing annual oil changes. I've had quite a few cars that have barely gotten driven and sat a lot in storage (more so the classic bmws I've owned), however regardless, it's been good practice to continue doing annual oil changes. I also don't recommend starting it up and moving it around unless you give it a chance to drive around and get up to full temp like a few others on here have commented. Cheers.

Thanks for your insight! The storage place it stays at starts it every month and bring it to temp, but doesn't move it. Should you not do that if its being brought fully to temp?

[meko]

In an ideal world you'd want to take the car out on a proper drive so ALL fluids, seals, and gaskets get up to operating temperature. At least 15-20 minutes of driving. Also a good time to run the A/C so that gets used.

While running the car without moving it is better than nothing it's still not REALLY getting hot like a proper drive would do. Every 4-6 weeks but again whatever you can do.

[Redd]

Originally Posted by Basir

Thanks for your insight! The storage place it stays at starts it every month and bring it to temp, but doesn't move it. Should you not do that if its being brought fully to temp?

This is worse for the car if anything. Unless they bring the oil temps up to over 100degC, its not doing anything to burn off the water in the oil. There's a lot of paranoia around oil change intervals on here, and justifiably so (rb's anyone?). 2 years is fine with a good synthetic oil (the stuff you should be using in an M3 in the first place). There is no need to start the car. If you're worried about the battery going flat, put it on a tender. When you do take the car out for a drive, make sure to get the oil nice and hot to burn of the water content. Enjoy the car!

[sterile stork]

Local dealership that has been maintaining my '13 since new (currently crested 17k) has the vehicle on their annual oil change interval. Thankfully their corporate parent was offering a 3-oil change for $200 promotion that has got me covered for the next couple and at a great rate! Regardless I'm aligned to an annual change interval and would be inclined to maintain that schedule for any future E9x that I add to the garage