I made an appointment for an oil change at the dealer that arranged my European delivery several months ago . I'll have about 4,000 miles on the car. What else should I have done at the same time? Oil filter? Anything else? Thanks.

 

Nothing. You do not even need an oil change.

 

+1, maybe just to top up your wiper washer fluid......

 

Since you're getting the debris-laden oil out of the crankcase, you might as well change the oil filter at the same time. If the dealer's replacing your original oil with BMW/Castrol Synthetic or something similar, then you won't have to do it again for another 7500 miles, and then (since it looks like you're in the USA), you'll be able to wait for your first "free" oil-change from the dealer. You should ask the dealer not to reset the maintenance interval.

You might consider not going to the dealer, but rather to an independent repair shop with some demonstrated capability and interest in BMWs. You can find places like that here: http://www.bimrs.org/ You'll find that the prices of maintenance services are cheaper than at the dealer.

If you've leased the car and have no great interest in its mechanical longevity, then perhaps any extra maintenance which you'll do does not make any sense. BMWCCA Tech Guy Mike Miller says that most modern BMWs will last to 100,000 miles using the minimal maintenance system provided by BMWNA. Beyond that, he predicts replacement of transmissions, differentials, etc.

 

Thanks, GMan. I own the car, and therefore I want to treat it properly. I also have a 1990 Mercedes 300D 2.5 Turbo with 240,000 miles. I've changed the oil every 3,500 for the past 17 years. My previous car was a 1977 Mercedes 240 D with over 300,000 miles. Oil changed every 3,500 miles. I gave it away when I finally couldn't stand the body rust any longer. Needless to say, I'm a believer in frequent oil changes. I'll let the dealer's service department do the first change, and then consider using an independent shop for other intervening changes.

 

I can't believe you keep your cars so long, that's insane... trust me, the BMW will not last like a 1977 Mercedes. Cars aren't built like that any more. The electronics will collapse long before the engine, I wouldn't waste your time changing the oil unless the on board computer tells you to do so...!