The oil thread
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From: Netherlands
My Ride: [i][b][u]Since 19 august 2004[/u][/b][/i]: [color=red][b]530i[/b] High Executive[/color], Silvergray with beige interior, Popular wood, Servotronic, Sportssuspension, electric foldable and dimmed mirrors, dimmed interior mirror, pappelmaser braun wood, cupholders, styling 123 18" wheels, Logic 7, Steptronic, alarm class 3, electric sunscreen in the rear and suncreens for sidewindows, Comfort seats, heated seats, Xenon with headlightwashers, Adaptive corner lights ALC, Advanced airconditioning, lightpackage, Nav Pro, 6 cd changer, side airbags rearseats, bluetooth siemens S55, chrome kidneys, gearlever with wood, voice recognition retrofit, front windshield with green band.
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I've read a lot about the 1000 miles oil change (also on e46fanatics) that a lot of US owners get from their dealer. In Holland my dealer says it's not necesary because todays oil is very good and doesn't need changing until the car says so.
In another post iceman stated that these engines are so good that they don't need running in. Does this also mean an oil change before the car asks for it is a waste of money??
In another post iceman stated that these engines are so good that they don't need running in. Does this also mean an oil change before the car asks for it is a waste of money??
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It's not a waste of money IMHO.
The engines doesn't need the break-in, but it's better to do so. The same for the oil. I think it wont hurt, so why not doing it? It's the same debate with the Shell V-Power over here in Germany, 100 octane... Does the car NEEDS it ? NO! But it's not doing harm to the car and some ppl say it is better, so why risking it?
The engines doesn't need the break-in, but it's better to do so. The same for the oil. I think it wont hurt, so why not doing it? It's the same debate with the Shell V-Power over here in Germany, 100 octane... Does the car NEEDS it ? NO! But it's not doing harm to the car and some ppl say it is better, so why risking it?
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From: Netherlands
My Ride: [i][b][u]Since 19 august 2004[/u][/b][/i]: [color=red][b]530i[/b] High Executive[/color], Silvergray with beige interior, Popular wood, Servotronic, Sportssuspension, electric foldable and dimmed mirrors, dimmed interior mirror, pappelmaser braun wood, cupholders, styling 123 18" wheels, Logic 7, Steptronic, alarm class 3, electric sunscreen in the rear and suncreens for sidewindows, Comfort seats, heated seats, Xenon with headlightwashers, Adaptive corner lights ALC, Advanced airconditioning, lightpackage, Nav Pro, 6 cd changer, side airbags rearseats, bluetooth siemens S55, chrome kidneys, gearlever with wood, voice recognition retrofit, front windshield with green band.
Waiting for trunkopener button from Hobi :)
Originally Posted by Iceman' date='Aug 12 2004, 03:56 PM
It's not a waste of money IMHO.
The engines doesn't need the break-in, but it's better to do so. The same for the oil. I think it wont hurt, so why not doing it? It's the same debate with the Shell V-Power over here in Germany, 100 octane... Does the car NEEDS it ? NO! But it's not doing harm to the car and some ppl say it is better, so why risking it?
The engines doesn't need the break-in, but it's better to do so. The same for the oil. I think it wont hurt, so why not doing it? It's the same debate with the Shell V-Power over here in Germany, 100 octane... Does the car NEEDS it ? NO! But it's not doing harm to the car and some ppl say it is better, so why risking it?
Btw I always use V-Power. Unfortunately we only have 98 octane
I was with our smart brabus in germany a few months ago and used the 100 octane gas to try.... WOW!!!!! The little car thought it was a ferrari or something hehehhe.. It was really a lot faster to 60 mph then normal..
I hope we ever get the 100 octane fuel in holland...
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I agree. Since I bought this car and plan on keeping for a long time, I did change my oil at 3,000 miles and probably do it again before the service indicator goes off. While modern synthetic oils are very good, I am taking a more cautious approach. If I were just leasing and would be giving the car back in 3 years, I'd probably wait for the scheduled service.
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From: Frederick Maryland
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If you really care about it - definitely do the oil change at 1000 miles or so. Otherwise, of course, you can just follow the mfg's recommendations and wait. Remember though, BMW would have to pay for an extra oil change if they recommended it.
Anyone who has worked on engines (yes, even the newest) will tell you that the 'break-in' oil will have suspended metal particles due to the break-in. That's what break-in is, the wearing down of the microscopic irregularities in the cylinder wall and piston ring. These particles make their way into the oil. They've gotten really good at machining and casting these days, but they're not perfect.
Anyone who has worked on engines (yes, even the newest) will tell you that the 'break-in' oil will have suspended metal particles due to the break-in. That's what break-in is, the wearing down of the microscopic irregularities in the cylinder wall and piston ring. These particles make their way into the oil. They've gotten really good at machining and casting these days, but they're not perfect.
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From: Netherlands
My Ride: [i][b][u]Since 19 august 2004[/u][/b][/i]: [color=red][b]530i[/b] High Executive[/color], Silvergray with beige interior, Popular wood, Servotronic, Sportssuspension, electric foldable and dimmed mirrors, dimmed interior mirror, pappelmaser braun wood, cupholders, styling 123 18" wheels, Logic 7, Steptronic, alarm class 3, electric sunscreen in the rear and suncreens for sidewindows, Comfort seats, heated seats, Xenon with headlightwashers, Adaptive corner lights ALC, Advanced airconditioning, lightpackage, Nav Pro, 6 cd changer, side airbags rearseats, bluetooth siemens S55, chrome kidneys, gearlever with wood, voice recognition retrofit, front windshield with green band.
Waiting for trunkopener button from Hobi :)
Originally Posted by wolverine' date='Aug 12 2004, 06:00 PM
If you really care about it - definitely do the oil change at 1000 miles or so. Otherwise, of course, you can just follow the mfg's recommendations and wait. Remember though, BMW would have to pay for an extra oil change if they recommended it.