335i sedan oil change intervals

[TwinTurbo335i]

I have read a lot of posts about oil changes. Some say change at breakin, some say oil changes at 7500 and some that say go with the maintenance program BMW gives you. I know my 335i has 2 sensors for oil. One is for oil level so it will tell me when I need more oil. The other is quality of oil. If the sensor says your oil is ok, is it really a bad thing to wait for the interval or when the sensor tells you?

[steve99m3]

I have little doubt that, with a well-running modern engine and a modern synthetic engine oil, 15K miles is reasonable.

Regardless, you do have to realize that BMW is investing $$$ into research and engineering. The business side weighs in, obviously. One thing BMW doesn't want is warranty claims, something highly unlikely to show in the first 50K miles due to lubrication issues except in severe cases. The other piece of this equation is the fact that BMW wants vehicles off-lease that they can resell and refinance as CPO. All of these factors, and many more, lead to this compromise.

I work in the lubricants industry (and have for over 16 years) and 15K is certainly do-able. ExxonMobil guarantees Mobil 1 for 15K miles.

I am interested in the oil sensor, though. I wonder just what it is checking to indicate that you need an oil change sooner? Viscosity? Particulates? Total base number?

[zimbim]

My wife drives a E350 sport and while talking to the department head at the service center a Mercedes, he told me he races bmws and owns a '03 330i. I asked him about the oil change schedule and he recommended to not change it until the 15,000 mile interval because BMW adds lubricant agents to the oil that assist in the break-in period. Changing the oil would deny the engine the time it needs with those agents. So in regard to my 335i, I'm going with the scheduled maintenance.

[TwinTurbo335i]

I think I am going to do that too

[Snowkone]

Good information to know zimbim! I was wondering as well and figured I wouldn't be at fault is something happened prior to following their maintenance schedules. Thx for info!

[SomeBMWGuy]

I have little doubt that, with a well-running modern engine and a modern synthetic engine oil, 15K miles is reasonable.

Regardless, you do have to realize that BMW is investing $$$ into research and engineering. The business side weighs in, obviously. One thing BMW doesn't want is warranty claims, something highly unlikely to show in the first 50K miles due to lubrication issues except in severe cases. The other piece of this equation is the fact that BMW wants vehicles off-lease that they can resell and refinance as CPO. All of these factors, and many more, lead to this compromise.

I work in the lubricants industry (and have for over 16 years) and 15K is certainly do-able. ExxonMobil guarantees Mobil 1 for 15K miles.

I am interested in the oil sensor, though. I wonder just what it is checking to indicate that you need an oil change sooner? Viscosity? Particulates? Total base number?

I am almost positive that it just measures the duty cycles of the injectors. I.e.- how much gas have they squirted. If you beat on the car and floor it then they will squirt more gas thereby making the counter go down.

If you just drive on the highway then they will squirt only a little gas thereby making the interval longer. Makes sense I guess.

[BMW335i]

My wife drives a E350 sport and while talking to the department head at the service center a Mercedes, he told me he races bmws and owns a '03 330i. I asked him about the oil change schedule and he recommended to not change it until the 15,000 mile interval because BMW adds lubricant agents to the oil that assist in the break-in period. Changing the oil would deny the engine the time it needs with those agents. So in regard to my 335i, I'm going with the scheduled maintenance.

I wouldn't take his word for it. Break-in pretty much ends around 1000 miles. The chances to seat your rings ended way back...at around 100. Changing the oil after break-in is the thing to do because think of all the microscopic pieces of metal that have been left over from day 1.

I am at 1070 miles now, scheduled oil change is for around 1200...the point where break-in is considered over, as per the manual.

[steve99m3]

FWIW, I will be doing an oil change on the car at 1200-1500 miles just to be on the safe side. Sure the car is under warranty, but I don't want to be driving a loaner for weeks or months IF something were to go south.

[Walked U]

I did hard break in. Changed my oil at 1200 miles. at 3000 miles ill change it again.

[330iMan]

For those of you who do have the oil changed early, who do you have do it? And no, I don't want to do it myself.

Do you take it to the dealer or an independent shop? I'm a little concerned about taking it into an indy since it's not the most common oil change out there (no dispstick, etc.). Who knows which fluncly is workingon my Bimmer.

I've got 600 miles on my 330i, and I'm trying to decide whether to get it changed early or wait for the scheduled maintenance.

[steve99m3]

I'll just change it myself.

[Walked U]

I take mine to a private shop that specializes in bmw's. Still cost like $80-120 an oil change. But its better than paying the $250 at the dealership.

Take it to a place that you know has a good rep and wont F your car up.

[Barry626]

I take mine to a private shop that specializes in bmw's. Still cost like $80-120 an oil change. But its better than paying the $250 at the dealership.

Take it to a place that you know has a good rep and wont F your car up.

What the hell dealer do u deal with?
BMW dealers charge no more than $80.00 for oil change.
I had my 335i Sedan changed yesterday @ 3400 miles for $77.00.

[E92!Dreier]

Barry 626 - I'd love to see your invoice
My dealership told me $285.00 for oil changes.

In my humble opinion, anyone who is changing the oil after less than 3000 original miles is not allowing enough time for BMW engineering to do its job. Not only are the factory added oil additives not given a chance to properly coat the internals of your engine, the reason BMW grants a 15,000 mile interval for oil changes in the first place is their confidence in the oil they have selected for your car. While certain topics are not even open for debate, such as the chassis code discrepancies that are so common on this forum, engine oil choice and change interval is always a topic that brings out the debators among us. If you drive like I do, maybe 7,500 mile intervals are reasonable. However, anything less than half of the factory recommended and engineered interval is for race cars and whackos only.

[PeterC4]

Barry 626 - I'd love to see your invoice
My dealership told me $285.00 for oil changes.

In my humble opinion, anyone who is changing the oil after less than 3000 original miles is not allowing enough time for BMW engineering to do its job. Not only are the factory added oil additives not given a chance to properly coat the internals of your engine, the reason BMW grants a 15,000 mile interval for oil changes in the first place is their confidence in the oil they have selected for your car. While certain topics are not even open for debate, such as the chassis code discrepancies that are so common on this forum, engine oil choice and change interval is always a topic that brings out the debators among us. If you drive like I do, maybe 7,500 mile intervals are reasonable. However, anything less than half of the factory recommended and engineered interval is for race cars and whackos only.

Has BMW or another manufacturer come out and specifically warned against premature oil replacement when new? They go to the trouble of warning about driving habits during the break-in periods, ensuring you drive with your seat belt, having airbag failure warning lights, why wouldn't they specifically warn against premature oil replacement? What are these special lubricants and additives they use initially? Can they be reapplied? I'd be interested if anyone can identify these special lubricants.

As to frequency of oil changes, my view is that today's lubricants and engines can probably go for much further periods between oil changes. It is likely a waste of money to change oil with high frequency for most drivers. I'd be interested to hear over views on this.

[aftp302]

Has BMW or another manufacturer come out and specifically warned against premature oil replacement when new? They go to the trouble of warning about driving habits during the break-in periods, ensuring you drive with your seat belt, having airbag failure warning lights, why wouldn't they specifically warn against premature oil replacement?

My guess is the answer to this is purely liability. In today's extremely litigious society, if they don't tell you to wear your seatbelt and make sure your airbags are working properly you could sue them (and unfortunately probably win) if you get into an accident and harm yourself by "following" their lack of warnings.

Since a lack of proper engine performance due to changing the original oil too soon is not likely to cause any personal harm AND is unlikely to cause engine failure during the warranty period, it's probably not the highest on their list of items to make sure are covered in the manual.

[Walked U]

What the hell dealer do u deal with?



Hahah a real one. Not sure which bmw dealership changes your oil for under $100, but sign me in.

[CokerRat]

That's outrageous... Have you ever asked them how they justify that kind of price?

[PeterC4]

If I'm not mistaken don't the new engines require synthetic oil and quite a bit of it....like 10 or 11 litres? I can't find the oil capacity in my manual. It would explain the expense.

[330iMan]

I think I'm leaning toward a happy medium instead of the two extremes of changing at 1k or 15k. I think I'll have the dealer do it at about 7500 miles.

[330iMan]

I bet those who lease worry about it less than those who buy. I mean if your turning the car in at 40 or 45k, why worry? I bought, so I worry about beyond the 50k warranty.

[steve99m3]

In my humble opinion, anyone who is changing the oil after less than 3000 original miles is not allowing enough time for BMW engineering to do its job. Not only are the factory added oil additives not given a chance to properly coat the internals of your engine, the reason BMW grants a 15,000 mile interval for oil changes in the first place is their confidence in the oil they have selected for your car.
I am willing to bet money that BMW is not adding anything special to the oil that is used in the car for initial delivery. I work in lubricants manufacturing and my company has supplied various companies with initial fill engine oil. It all comes down to pennies and whether or not the oil is considered good enough.

BMW did select and uses a high-quality synthetic engine oil, however. (European Castrol, which is different than the US Castrol oil.) Because of this, they can go with the 15K mile change interval without worrying about warranty claims caused by lubrication failures.

Again, I seriously doubt that the engine oil is anything other than widely available synthetic Castrol. Period.

[PeterC4]

I am willing to bet money that BMW is not adding anything special to the oil that is used in the car for initial delivery. I work in lubricants manufacturing and my company has supplied various companies with initial fill engine oil. It all comes down to pennies and whether or not the oil is considered good enough.

BMW did select and uses a high-quality synthetic engine oil, however. (European Castrol, which is different than the US Castrol oil.) Because of this, they can go with the 15K mile change interval without worrying about warranty claims caused by lubrication failures.

Again, I seriously doubt that the engine oil is anything other than widely available synthetic Castrol. Period.

Steve I think you're right, in fact I was told it was Castrol at the dealer and I saw the litres. But does anyone know just actually how much oil goes into these cars?? I think its a heck of a lot. Like 11 litres or so. I wouldn't worry about oil changes. If they have that much oil in there, and its a top quality synthetic, my bet is it will last.

[steve99m3]

From what I understand, the oil capacity is 7 quarts.

[PeterC4]

From what I understand, the oil capacity is 7 quarts.

Really? Hmmm....not what I heard. Anyone else have an idea? Quarts and Litres are kinda the same, so one of us is off.

[SomeBMWGuy]

The M54 engine cars took 7 or 8 quarts. I have no idea what the new ones take. Probably at least that.

[Barry626]

Barry 626 - I'd love to see your invoice
My dealership told me $285.00 for oil changes.

Your dealer should be locked up for stealing from customers!
Here's my proof for world to see a oil change is no big deal.
Those that said 7-8 qts. is on the $ as u can see here.

http://members.aol.com/barry657/private/img001.jpg

[Walked U]

Is that a bmw only dealership?

[stealth3er]

Definately not.
Is that a bmw only dealership?

[Barry626]

Definately not.

Sure the hell is!
John Holtz BMW!
Call the phone # if u still don't believe it!
One of the biggest dealers in the country!

[Barry626]

Is that a bmw only dealership?

Yes!

[Grant H]

At 7500 miles, before a long trip I decided to have the oil changed on my 06 325i. Think it was $90 at a dealership north of DC. Worth it I think.

[Mark335i]

Really? Hmmm....not what I heard. Anyone else have an idea? Quarts and Litres are kinda the same, so one of us is off.
Spec is 7 quarts. (6.6 litres)

[The HACK]

I know my 335i has 2 sensors for oil....The other is quality of oil.

There's no such thing. The interval is based on the amount of fuel consumed. Something like every 600 gallons of gasoline consumed is one oil change cycle.

Jesus don't you people ever do a search here before posting? :rolleyes

[Knightsport]

I've been wrenching on cars for a pretty good while now.

When he told me I wouldn't need an oil change this year I laughed.

Dino oil or Synthetic, metal particles from a newly built engine will accumulate somewhere.

Trust me, for a turbo car you do NOT want those particles going through the oil feed lines for the turbo's.

I will be making them change my oil at least every 5k miles if not 3k.

[aftp302]

I've been wrenching on cars for a pretty good while now.

When he told me I wouldn't need an oil change this year I laughed.

Dino oil or Synthetic, metal particles from a newly built engine will accumulate somewhere.

Trust me, for a turbo car you do NOT want those particles going through the oil feed lines for the turbo's.

I will be making them change my oil at least every 5k miles if not 3k.

I will probably be doing it every 7500 just because 15k makes me nervous. Good luck getting them to do it for free every 3-5k, don't think it's going to happen since the factory specifies 15k intervals.

Of course if it does, please let us all know the name of the dealer so we can use it for reference! :)