I have put about 1,000,000 mi (not a missprint, 1,500,000 kms) on 7 BMWs since 1971 and have used M1 at 20,000kms intervals and no oil related engine problems. However, most of those kms were (are) on highways, not much city stuff. I shall use the same intervals for this 2005 545 also, with either the 0W40 M1 or the 0W30 Castrol.
Salut, Bob P.

 

You can find the Castrol Edge 0W30 at AdvancedAuto as well. I bought it for the E60 in Clearwater, FL and for the E38 in Indianapolis during their two for one promotion. Good deal at $4.50/qt.

 

If you change your oil every 15,000 miles...in the long term...it won't be an oil related item that kills the car. It will be some other combination of items whose repair costs exceed the value/desire of keeping the car...computer, radiator, alternator, drive shaft, transmission, brake issues, exhaust, etc....or the most likely item...someone crashes into you and totals the car. With modern engines and synthetic oils...the engine is not the weak link...it's everything else.

Having said that...I had '90 325i that went 225K miles...got hit and totalled. Had a '95 525i that went 256K miles...got hit and totalled). Currently have a '08 535i (out of warranty), '09 328i, and a '10 528i.. On all of those...I change(ed) or plan to change the oil at 10,000 intervals...NEVER any hint of an engine issue.

 

There are plenty of examples of people following the BMW condition based service, using BMW synthetic oil and ending up with excessive sludge at 50K miles.

I would guess that you do a fair amount of highway driving. In addition to miles driven each driver should also focus on driving habits in order to decide when to change oil. If a driver's driving habits change (generally commute distance) they should reexamine their drain intervals.

Oil does not age (oxidize) based on miles, but rather hours of operation, with oil life further shortened by other conditions such as short trips, stop and go, fuel blow-by and coolant in the oil.

The person who commutes an hour at 60mph average operates the engine for 250 hours in 15,000 miles. The person who commutes in stop and go traffic at 10mph average operates the engine for 1500 hours in 15,000 miles. The oil will have long been worn out (heavily oxidized with nearly all additives used up and heavily acidic) in stop and go conditions after 1500 hours of operation.

If I err, it is on the side of caution and change my M1 0W-40 every 5K miles. My objective is to drain when there are still plenty of additives left in oil and the pH is alkaline in order to be easy on engine gaskets, which are already a weak point on the 545i.

 

That's when having a slight oil consumption condition is a plus. making up 1/2 litre every 5000 kms, in essence, replenishes the additive package.

Salut, bob P.

 

Going that long (10K+) between oil changes I would suggest running BG Engine Purge every 30k miles and BG 44K fuel injector cleaner to remove any buildup or deposits.

A combustion engine is a beast, and can remain "functional" for a very long time. But that doesn't mean it's running at an optimal state. Horsepower loss in a combustion engine is a known fact that occurs over time because of carbon deposits on the valves and rings and general wear leading to a loss in compression.

 

Interesting read guys, as a new owner of a 2088 535i Sport, I was set on taking it to my local BMW dealership, thinking they were thorough and on top of doing the job right, I mean, come on, it is an oil change.

I take my Xterra to Jiffy Lube and have had no problems ever with the quality of work and am using a synthetic blend. I am the kind of guy who can change my own oil and have mechanical skills, I just choose to pay to have it done now rather than get under a car and get dirty.

Guess I will have to research the quality of work of BMW Northwest before I schedule oil changes there.

Also, what oil do you guys suggest? I am sure I will get many answers, but at least it will give me a starting point! Thanks all.

 

I'm not interested to read through this. I read the title and part of the first paragraph.Spending $80 to change your oil, when it would cost you $50 and 15 min of your time may be worth it. everyone is different and everyone's circumstances are different. So OP only you can answer your own question.

 

Point me to an example of an oil related engine failure or even malfunction on a 50K car where the oil was changed at 15,000 instead of 5,000. In fact, I'd bet a new BMW would run just fine to 50K miles without the oil ever being changed...assuming it was kept topped off as necessary.

 

Although I do change mine every 7500mi. I agree with the above after taking one apart. I just found out that the E39 which I used to own and drive is now at 334K mi. and guess what? I changed transmission fluid in it once at around 75K mi. with OE fluid. So perhaps the "lifetime" fluid story has some validity to it. I would have never expected this.... but as i get older and wiser, there are many things which we are "conditioned" to believe aren't possible or true but in fact are very true. To each his own opinion.