BMW Service Interval Question

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Mark_Walk

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Sep 19, 2011
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Danville, KY
I bought a CPO 11' 328i with 27,300 miles a few months ago.

In reading the owners manual, the condition based service interval display shows miles/date to next service.

For my car the oil was change right before I purchased it....March 2013. Right after purchase the display said next oil change due in 15,000 miles or by March 2015. I have now driven the car 4,000 miles and it still says next oil change in 15,000 miles or by March 2015. Why isn't it counting down?

I have a stash of GC and will do changes at home between the free ones but don't understand why it's not counting down. I even wonder if the dealership rest it when the car was brought in to finish up a few due bill items (touch up a scratched wheel) to prolong the free change.
 
The interval is condition-based, so the interval may shorten or increase depending on your driving conditions. I think 15k is the default # that it starts with, and is subject to change. Some have reported the intervals to be as long as 20,000 miles.

However, it has been advised that a 7-10k interval is more reasonable if you intend to keep the car for as long as possible.

http://edgemotorworks.com/wordpress/e90-93-2005-2012-3-series-including-m/
 
our 35d which has a 10k OCI normally seems to take forever to come off of 10k but then drops faster once it gets down to 7k or so. Regardless, I change ours at 5k.
 
It's an intelligent OLM so you might see the date/mileage change from time to time. If your driving style is not aggressive, and you do a lot of highway miles, the number might not change for a while.

On my E90, the date of next service is briefly displayed on the DIC (small LCD between the gauges) when the car is started.

If you're worried the display is wrong, go to the service department and ask an SA for a "key read". They can tell you precisely when your next service will be (according to your usage).
 
The car does see almost exclusively highway miles. It's the wife's daily driver and she works about 30 miles from home. Car basically gets up to full temp and runs at 60mph each way. Guess that's why it is staying on 15,000.
 
Highway is easy use, I wouldn't expect it to count down.

I would use the same oil as the dealer if doing intermediate changes.

My dealer gives me one free change a year if the olm doesn't say it's due.
 
I still don't think the 15k intervals are appropriate -- I plan to do intermediate changes at the halfway mark, FWIW.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
I still don't think the 15k intervals are appropriate -- I plan to do intermediate changes at the halfway mark, FWIW.
x2.many of these engines are sludge bombs due to lack of oil changes imo.
 
Yea, dealer here said I can have one free a year no matter what the OLM says. As said above, got some GC ready to go in. I'll probably do one soon at around 5,000. Found it at a few local AutoZones for $3 / qt.
 
Originally Posted By: Mark_Walk
What's hard is finding a filter for under $15!!


NAPA is usually your best bet.
 
I bought a NAPA Gold there yesterday.....$15 and change.
I assume a rubber strap filter wrench would work fine to change the filter.

Also, seeing conflicting info on how much oil this thing holds.
Anywhere from 6.5 to 7.3 qts.
 
I believe it's just under 7 quarts for that motor. Generally speaking (and YMMV), German vehicles go something like this:

1. Pour in the oil, less about 1/2 qt
2. Run the engine for a few minutes
3. Turn off the engine
4. Wait a few minutes
5. Check the oil
6. Top off until level reads just under maximum line


Does your car have a dipstick, or is it just an electronic indicator?
 
Check the owner's manual -- it should have the steps to change the oil (including capacity), though I suspect it's something similar to what I wrote above.
 
Originally Posted By: dparm
Originally Posted By: Mark_Walk
What's hard is finding a filter for under $15!!


NAPA is usually your best bet.
or the dealer.
 
K
Originally Posted By: Mark_Walk
I bought a NAPA Gold there yesterday.....$15 and change.
I assume a rubber strap filter wrench would work fine to change the filter.

Also, seeing conflicting info on how much oil this thing holds.
Anywhere from 6.5 to 7.3 qts.


Wouldn't use a rubber strap. It will work but I suspect it's why people get a leak from the housing (where it's attached the block).
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Mark_Walk
What's hard is finding a filter for under $15!!

I see OEM Mann filter for your car (816X) on Amazon for $10.68.
 
Amazon is a very good source for Mann Filters.

The BMW OLM has always been like that, it loves to hold the default setting for quite some time but after some driving it should go down suddenly.

In my car it was really weird sometimes . . . I once had 8K Kilometers left according to the OLM then the next day i drove for 15 miles on the highway with "DS" Mode on and when i got home it dropped to 7K. Then the next day i babied the car and it jumped back to 8K.
I even saw it once go down from 7K to 5K because i drove in "DS" Mode for 2 days on the highway and after that i went back to grandma mode for a week and it jumped back to 7K.

Keep in mind that when i drive in "DS" Mode i dont push or redline the car, i just drive normaly and it usually holds the revs at around 2.5K - 3.5K
 
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