Free Scheduled Maintenance / Oil Changes-
08-12-2009, 09:21 AM
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My Ride: 2004 Silver BMW 525i, loaded w/o Nav
2007 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer, loaded w/o Nav
We bought a 2004 E60 about 3 months ago. We were told the oil change done was with regular oil meeting BMW specifications, however, we were also told for optimal performance, BMW recommends a full synthetic oil be used.
Questions:
1.) Is that true (The car didn't come with an owner's manual, and I don't want to pay $75 for one).
2.) Is a 2004 E60 still covered by BMW's free scheduled maintenance plan? (My buddy said his 7 had that for 3/36K, but was extended by BMW to 5/100K).
3.) Is it true that you only have to change the oil every 15,000 as the car data computer suggests?
4.) Is it a FULL synthetic oil, or a blend? THe only car I knew of that a full synthetic was preferred, is the Acura RL.
Questions:
1.) Is that true (The car didn't come with an owner's manual, and I don't want to pay $75 for one).
2.) Is a 2004 E60 still covered by BMW's free scheduled maintenance plan? (My buddy said his 7 had that for 3/36K, but was extended by BMW to 5/100K).
3.) Is it true that you only have to change the oil every 15,000 as the car data computer suggests?
4.) Is it a FULL synthetic oil, or a blend? THe only car I knew of that a full synthetic was preferred, is the Acura RL.
08-12-2009, 09:22 AM
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1) Yes - BMW's branded oil is full synthetic
2) 4 years / 50K miles for maintenance, so your time is up unless there is a maintenance contract on the car
3) No - IMO you should change at 7-8K, but it's up to you
4) Full Synthetic
2) 4 years / 50K miles for maintenance, so your time is up unless there is a maintenance contract on the car
3) No - IMO you should change at 7-8K, but it's up to you
4) Full Synthetic
08-12-2009, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by cokeefe' post='973799' date='Aug 12 2009, 01:22 PM
2) 4 years / 50K miles for maintenance, so your time is up unless there is a maintenance contract on the car
08-12-2009, 09:34 AM
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castrol syntec. all synthetic oils are the same. just get the recommended viscosity. I mean 5w30 is good for all season use. U can use mobil 1 if u want but if u want a piece of mind, use castrol syntec. Oil is oil.
08-12-2009, 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by brabusw209amg' post='973828' date='Aug 12 2009, 01:34 PM
castrol syntec. all synthetic oils are the same. just get the recommended viscosity. I mean 5w30 is good for all season use. U can use mobil 1 if u want but if u want a piece of mind, use castrol syntec. Oil is oil.
I dunno John. For our cars, you should get the European formula. There are a few threads about this.
08-12-2009, 09:37 AM
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The car didn't come with an owner's manual, and I don't want to pay $75 for one.
08-12-2009, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by theXman' post='973836' date='Aug 12 2009, 12:36 PM
I dunno John. For our cars, you should get the European formula. There are a few threads about this.
Only the Castrol European 0w-30 is BMW approved.
Other Castrol Syntecs are Group III based oil - fake synthetic (not as good as real synthetic like European formula synthetic)
08-12-2009, 10:49 AM
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This may be common knowledge, but if you don't drive enough miles in a year to "trigger" the "Oil Change Service" light....BMW will change it one year after the previous change.
08-12-2009, 10:53 AM
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o yeah....oops. 0w30. castrol syntec 0w30 is the same thing tho. I just buy the bmw one anyway. it's only a couple more dollars per quart. So it doesnt matter. Peace of mind is important!!
08-12-2009, 11:04 AM
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[/quote]
I believe CPO is a warranty that kicks-in after the 4yr/50k expires, to protect you against defects in materials or workmanship for a wide range of vehicle components. This is not maintenance related.
"The Certified Pre-Owned BMW Warranty protects you against defects in materials or workmanship for a wide range of vehicle components. The Warranty is administered by BMW of North America, LLC, ensuring that covered repairs are performed by BMW-trained technicians using only genuine BMW replacement parts. And, since this is a BMW-backed program, you won't have to wait for a third-party adjuster to decide whether your repair is covered, Your BMW center can make the determination right on the spot.
Although the Certified Pre-Owned BMW Limited Warranty is extremely comprehensive, it is not an extension of the original 4-year/50,000 mile New BMW Vehicle Limited Warranty. The Certified Pre-Owned BMW Limited Warranty takes over when the BMW New Vehicle Limited Warranty expires, and the coverage it provides is somewhat different from the new car warranty."
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/CPO...ty/Default.aspx