[aus_ogi]

Recently I came across a post on the forums suggesting bm world wide had shifted min oil change intervals back to 15000km.

I took delivery of my f20 back in June which was just before the pot im referring to.

Have any f series owners had their 15000km service completed recently? Was the oil change done?

Ogi

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by aus_ogi

Have any f series owners had their 15000km service completed recently? Was the oil change done?

There is no 15000 km service. The car wants the first service after approximately 30 000 km.

[Madgambler]

Just had my first Oil Service done early, 18k miles. All from new since March : )

The only thing the car asked for in that time was 1L of oil about 2 weeks ago - which prompted me to ask for the service in the first place.

Everything else all green in the tech report - even tyres (6mm left), much to my surprise!

[kook]

As per my previous cars, M3 and Clio Sport, I'll be dumping my oil every 7,500-10,000 kms. Have a look at the engine internals if you want to see what changing the oil every 30,000kms does, you just get sludge and deposits buildup. The M3's recommended change was 25,000kms (15,000 miles). We had a thread going on M3 forum about this with pictures of the internals of engines with different oil change times. All those people who dumped their oil every 7,500 miles (12,000kms) or so had the cleanest engines with the least or zero sludge deposits. Also the actual colour of the metals inside the engine stayed closest to the original colour with regular changes. All the engines who'd had longer oil had turned golden brown.
This is just my opinion, people can do what they like, but I think changing it at 30,000kms is just plain nuts. Personally, if you are an enthusiast (and you probably wouldn't be on this forum unless you are) I highly recommend changing your oil every 10,000-12,500 kms. You no doubt drive your car a bit harder so it needs a little more love.
Maybe something to take out of this also, in the 40,000kms that I owned my M3 not once did it ever need any oil topped up, not ever, not one single drop. And I used to open its lungs in a big way every single day...

Heres one of the many threads about this...

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=287715

And the thread about BMWs own oil change intervals policy change.

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=450777

http://www.m3forum.net/m3forum/showthread.php?t=450786

Good read if you want to see how little some people can care about their car..

http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=512706

[PS2K]

I would recommend first oil / filter change at 7 500 km for preventative maintenance reasons. Should set you back between $300 - $350 from your local dealer.

[aus_ogi]

Thanks for the replies gents and the interesting read. It helps confirm my own belief that 30k is too long without oil change. At min I'll be doing 15k changes.

My issue is that I have the complimentary servicing so will need to get alignment with the service dept. and make sure they still do the mandatory oil changes at 30k intervals even though the car will not be asking for it.

What sometimes frustrates me is when you move the car on, generally, the buyer doesn't appreciate the extra care you have put into the car.

[kook]

Just do what I'll be doing, getting the oil filters & correct oil and doing the change myself. As with my previous cars I just put a scrawl in the service book for my own record. When the car next went to service/inspection, BMW would put their own stamp on. Although you may get a higher price at sale time, I really only do the extra changes for healthy engine internals and my own peace of mind.

[PS2K]

Good N55 DIY Oil Change guide here - http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=595783

[johnnydad]

My CBS menu is saying I should have a Vehicle Inspection at 15000km/12 months but no oil service is required until 29000km/2years.

I will swap the oil and filter at 15000km anyway.

[kaitan]

Originally Posted by aus_ogi

Thanks for the replies gents and the interesting read. It helps confirm my own belief that 30k is too long without oil change. At min I'll be doing 15k changes.

My issue is that I have the complimentary servicing so will need to get alignment with the service dept. and make sure they still do the mandatory oil changes at 30k intervals even though the car will not be asking for it.

What sometimes frustrates me is when you move the car on, generally, the buyer doesn't appreciate the extra care you have put into the car.

What you can do is go and get the oil change very 7500km since your interval is roughly about 15000 so halved it. Then everytime when you get to your 7500 service if you want get BMW to service the oil but not to reset the oil change and do not stamp the book cause then it will look odd on the servicing book. Thats what I did, I change my oil every 10k as my interval is about 20k for every oil change. So when you sell the car if the buyer thinks that the car is not kep well you then can show the receipt of the service interval but tell them that you didnt want to stamp on the book coz it looks funny. You know what I mean? If the buyer does not believe you then you can show him on BMW dealer log history on system.

[pron]

Originally Posted by kook

As per my previous cars, M3 and Clio Sport, I'll be dumping my oil every 7,500-10,000 kms.
http://brentroad.com/message_topic.aspx?topic=512706

What is the engine oil capacity on F20 125i?

Found one site that say 5.8 liter - is that right?
I plan to change oil as I think as you that 30.000 is to long.

[kook]

I haven't got to do mine yet, only 1,600 kms on the clock. I found this info though, says 5 litres

http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp

Double click your selections and eventually it tells you what you need. Think I'll be going with the 0W-40. Underneath the oil they recommends it says service refill capacity 5 litres.

[pron]

Originally Posted by kook

I haven't got to do mine yet, only 1,600 kms on the clock. I found this info though, says 5 litres

http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp

Double click your selections and eventually it tells you what you need. Think I'll be going with the 0W-40. Underneath the oil they recommends it says service refill capacity 5 litres.

Strange, but it's difficult to know what's right. Here they say 5,8 litres.

[RichardF]

I have had my 116d now for 7 weeks and covered 1200mls and intend changing the oil and filter this weekend and 7500 mile intervals thereafter. I appreciate that engineering is much finer these days and hence do not require the old "run-in" procedure; also that oils have greatly progressed. Nonetheless, I cannot believe that there are no metal particles moving about the internals of the engine (notwithstanding the oil filter's work). I consider these extended engine oil change intervals much the same as "sealed for life" items such as automatic gearboxes, etc. and will be looking into changing the auto box fluid in the future, just like I did with my old X-Type over a 10 year period.
Richard
Southampton
2013 BMW 116d SE Auto

[kook]

Originally Posted by pron

Strange, but it's difficult to know what's right. Here they say 5,8 litres.

Just go with 5 litres, check the dipstick and top up further from there if needed.

I fully agree with you Richard, you would only have to compare the oil from a 10,000km change with a 20,000 km change to see the difference. BMW themselves have knocked the service interval down from 30 to 20,000.

[ovekvam]

Originally Posted by kook

I fully agree with you Richard, you would only have to compare the oil from a 10,000km change with a 20,000 km change to see the difference. BMW themselves have knocked the service interval down from 30 to 20,000.

In Norway they seem to know nothing about this, so they still use 30 000.

[Ecytsai]

Originally Posted by kook

I haven't got to do mine yet, only 1,600 kms on the clock. I found this info though, says 5 litres

http://www.datateck.com.au/lube/castr_au/default.asp

Double click your selections and eventually it tells you what you need. Think I'll be going with the 0W-40. Underneath the oil they recommends it says service refill capacity 5 litres.

I'm thinking to do the first oil change when the car reach 3000km. I couldn't decide to go with 0w-40 or 5w-30. Do you know what does the factory use?

[pron]

Originally Posted by kook

Just go with 5 litres, check the dipstick and top up further from there if needed.

I fully agree with you Richard, you would only have to compare the oil from a 10,000km change with a 20,000 km change to see the difference. BMW themselves have knocked the service interval down from 30 to 20,000.

I called BMW today, and it is 5l when you change the filter on the F20 125i.

[RichardF]

I have just completed an engine oil and filter change (see my thread "Early Oil Change") at 1200 miles. I used the Castrol Edge 5W30 fully synthetic with specification BMW LL04.
5L in my engine only took it to the bottom of the dipstick; it eventually took 5.8L.
Richard
2013 F20 SE 116d Auto

[kook]

Thanks, very handy info for others. Especially since my car has no freakin dipstick!

Oil & Filter Change

125i - 5L
116d - 5.8L

[Callthecops]

Originally Posted by Ecytsai

I'm thinking to do the first oil change when the car reach 3000km. I couldn't decide to go with 0w-40 or 5w-30. Do you know what does the factory use?

The factory uses 0w-40 for my 118i.
0w-40 is perfect for new turbo engines that generate a lot of heat.
5w-30 is better suited for the BMW E89 with a petrol NA engine
Older engines prefer the thicker 5w30 to minimize leaks.

[BenArcher]

Originally Posted by Callthecops

The factory uses 0w-40 for my 118i.
0w-40 is perfect for new turbo engines that generate a lot of heat.
5w-30 is better suited for the BMW E89 with a petrol NA engine
Older engines prefer the thicker 5w30 to minimize leaks.

I think you may have some facts crossed. 5w-30 is only thicker when cold, it is thinner than 0W-40 at operating temperature. As such 5w-30 does not minimize leaks, instead it offers improvements to fuel consumption/power. Whilst 0W-40 provides better flow at start up and better engine protection at operating temp.

Really though outside of a lab you would struggle to tell the difference.