2002 BMW 325Ci - 2 years without an oil change...

[Tommy2]

My friend has what he calls "his baby" a BMW 325Ci. He rarely drives this thing and it shows with only 3,000 km's on it. He takes it out about twice a month on the highway to strech its legs and thats about it. He bought this car brand new and has had this car for little over 2 years. I was shocked when he told me that he still hasn't changed the oil. I checked the oil for him and the color seemed "normal" but it was a liter low (car takes 6.5 liters). I also noticed the oil fill cap reads "Castrol Only" on it. So what do you say, Castrol Syntech 0w-30 "German" or the Syntech 5w-40 "Belgium" for this -rarely- driven BMW? Thank you.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

UOA, please.

 

[first5ny]

Your friend needs to drive the Bimmer more!! These cars are meant to be driven!! Sorry couldn't resist.

 

[kansaisubaru]

Why does he baby it that much? What's his normal ride? Kids at my university drive BMW 3 series as their daily driver. All status quo in my opinion.

 

[quadrun1]

Here in the United States, BMW will change your oil for you "gratis" once a year if you don't drive the mileage specified by the maintenance computer. Best oil for this engine? Undoubtedly, German Castrol 0W-30! See this analysis -- it's clearly superior to the Castrol 5W-30 used by BMW.

 

[SSDude]

Your friend has the Ultimate Sitting Machine.

 

[Cutehumor]

quote:

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Originally posted by Tommy2: My friend has what he calls "his baby" a BMW 325Ci. He rarely drives this thing and it shows with only 3,000 km's on it. He takes it out about twice a month on the highway to strech its legs and thats about it. He bought this car brand new and has had this car for little over 2 years. I was shocked when he told me that he still hasn't changed the oil. I checked the oil for him and the color seemed "normal" but it was a liter low (car takes 6.5 liters). I also noticed the oil fill cap reads "Castrol Only" on it. So what do you say, Castrol Syntech 0w-30 "German" or the Syntech 5w-40 "Belgium" for this -rarely- driven BMW? Thank you.

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3000km? isn't that 1000 miles? if so, he's letting the car rot. I thought I hardly drive with only 6k miles a year. just curious. what's his main ride?

 

[Quattro Pete]

quote:

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Originally posted by SSDude: Your friend has the Ultimate Sitting Machine.

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Seriously though, I think GC 0w-30 would do fine. What grade does the owner's manual recommend?

 

[Patman]

quote:

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3000km? isn't that 1000 miles?

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3000km is 1864 miles.

 

[Tommy2]

quote:

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Originally posted by quadrun1: Here in the United States, BMW will change your oil for you "gratis" once a year if you don't drive the mileage specified by the maintenance computer. Best oil for this engine? Undoubtedly, German Castrol 0W-30! See this analysis -- it's clearly superior to the Castrol 5W-30 used by BMW.

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Thanks quadrun1. I'll recommend the 0w-30 to him. As far as his "ultimate siting machine" goes....well you guessed it it sat this whole weekend. By the way, his regular car is a 2003 Suzuki Vitara 4-cyl. with only 10k km's on it.

 

[GROUCHO MARX]

Well, he's not giving the Arabs a lot of money for gas. I wish I could say the same.