znod

I am going to go with the 4 years "free" service--doing what BMW recommends. I imagine BMW has thought things out pretty carefully on a cost/benefit basis given its certified cars program--with includes additional miles/years of warranty. In this regard, BMW's service program provides "insurance" against engine problems across many vehicles all at once--including the autos that get certified. An individual who plans to keep his/her car beyond 4 years might want to try to do what is optimal. I am not sure what that is. Many say change the earlier of 3K miles or 1 year. But, I think that rule can be safely modified. How much, and on which dimension (or both)? Who knows? Definitely not me.

Mr 5er

Has anyone given any thought to the engine sludge build up???? Changing oil at around 7500 miles can't hurt and besides, hopefully, it will keep the sludge down to a minium therefore insuring longer engine life.

znod

Well, as I was getting at above, I am sure that BMW has thought about all important factors and has decided on the strategy that it thinks is optimal corporate-wise. And, in this regard, an individual keeping his/her car for more than 4 years might want to take another tact. I won't keep my car that long; so I am doing what BMW provides for "free." I feel confident that my car still will make a great certified car or sell-to-individual car in 3 or 4 years.

stream

Well, as I was getting at above, I am sure that BMW has thought about all important factors and has decided on the strategy that it thinks is optimal corporate-wise. And, in this regard, an individual keeping his/her car for more than 4 years might want to take another tact. I won't keep my car that long; so I am doing what BMW provides for "free." I feel confident that my car still will make a great certified car or sell-to-individual car in 3 or 4 years.
[/quote]

If you're only planning to keep your car for as long as the warranty period, then by all means only change the oil as often as BMW will pay for it. I never know how long I'll keep a car (I've gone anywhere from 10 years to 4 months!!!), so I always decide to change it more often. With synthetics, I change after the break in period (2K - 3K miles) and then once in between the BMW recommended intervals (I pay and tell them to not reset the service indicator), and then when the service indicator says to. So basically, after the break in period, I pay every 7,500 miles and BMW pays every 7,500 miles. A small price to pay for peace of mind.

znod

Well, as I was getting at above, I am sure that BMW has thought about all important factors and has decided on the strategy that it thinks is optimal corporate-wise. And, in this regard, an individual keeping his/her car for more than 4 years might want to take another tact. I won't keep my car that long; so I am doing what BMW provides for "free." I feel confident that my car still will make a great certified car or sell-to-individual car in 3 or 4 years.
[/quote]

If you're only planning to keep your car for as long as the warranty period, then by all means only change the oil as often as BMW will pay for it. I never know how long I'll keep a car (I've gone anywhere from 10 years to 4 months!!!), so I always decide to change it more often. With synthetics, I change after the break in period (2K - 3K miles) and then once in between the BMW recommended intervals (I pay and tell them to not reset the service indicator), and then when the service indicator says to. So basically, after the break in period, I pay every 7,500 miles and BMW pays every 7,500 miles. A small price to pay for peace of mind.
[/quote]Your plan sounds like a good/reasonable compromise between the earlier of 3K mi. or 1 yr. and what BMW says for one uncertain about the length of ownership.

EBMCS03

Yup well said... basically pulled the words out of my mouth. If you keep the car for only 4 years then who cares... just change when BMW says so. If you plan to keep it 10 years then do the in between changes. ~7-8K

lcc014

Just changed the oil @ 10k miles (2nd oil change) because I want to the keep for more than 10 years

EBMCS03

Information purpose only: Comparison of the oil at 1200miles and new. Oil after break in at 1200 miles has traces of engine particles and gasoline smell. *shrugs*

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