[helloelectro]

Tried asking this on the ole facebooks and answers ranged from "its oil" to "you spelled it wrong" lol. So I'll try here.

Wondering if it's really worth it. Have a B58 m240i and due for maintenance. Should I ask for something other than what they put in as standard? I'm ok paying a little more for better engine protection.

[zsalim240i]

hey there neighbor, the 2addicts community is far less "tool-ey" than the facebook one I've noticed.

I assume you're talking about oil changes?

I recently got an oil change done at DFW Bimmer in Euless. I spoke to the guy there about the differences in Liqui-Moly and the standard BMW oil. He said it shouldn't matter which one you use and he mentioned that the BMW synthetic costs him more than the Liqui-Moly.

After doing some research, I think I'm going to go with Liqui-Moly next time.

[Lucky13]

Been using Liqui-Moly in our 2013 E84 X1 28 for a couple years. That’s what my independent uses and he does just BMW, Mercedes and Porsche mostly.

[mecodoug]

I've had good luck with Liqui-Moly in 2 previous BMWs, and I will be using it for the M240 after the warranty is up, likely 5W30.

[helloelectro]

Originally Posted by mecodoug

I've had good luck with Liqui-Moly in 2 previous BMWs, and I will be using it for the M240 after the warranty is up, likely 5W30.

Do you know if BMW will use it if you ask? Or it's dealers choice when your still under maintenance plan?

[WolfGTI]

I never followed the dealer's maintenance from new nor use their oil. I changed oil @ 1200, then 2500, then 5000 - and every 5000 since.

[helloelectro]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

I never followed the dealer's maintenance from new nor use their oil. I changed oil @ 1200, then 2500, then 5000 - and every 5000 since.

Got you. I guess because my plan is free for 3 years I'd prefer use them.

[zsalim240i]

Originally Posted by WolfGTI

I never followed the dealer's maintenance from new nor use their oil. I changed oil @ 1200, then 2500, then 5000 - and every 5000 since.

Yeah i plan on doing mine every 5K, what kind are you running? Liqui Moly 5-30?

[Pray for Mojo]

Ideally you do the free maintenance oil change but halfway between those you do one on your own dime.

[morphomeman]

Does anyone have any hard evidence that changing oil at shorter intervals does anything besides cost money and add to the destruction of the environment?
Ditto for Moly. The drug Molly does have some empirically proven effects, but not on your car, and not for the better, but we are not talking about that.

[Pray for Mojo]

Unless you're dumping it down the storm drain I don't see how an additional few liters of oil recycling every year has a discernible impact on the environment. There's enough cases of rod bearings eating N55s, paying a bit for additional oil changes seems prudent. I think casting a new block and rotating assembly is probably worse for the environment.

[helloelectro]

Originally Posted by morphomeman

Does anyone have any hard evidence that changing oil at shorter intervals does anything besides cost money and add to the destruction of the environment?
Ditto for Moly. The drug Molly does have some empirically proven effects, but not on your car, and not for the better, but we are not talking about that.

https://www.redbull.com/gb-en/m25-illegal-raves

Who would have thunk it!!

I'm curious too about the benefits of more frequent intervals. Obviously it makes sense theoretically but is the need there for these newer cars? I'm running a B58. I drive aggressively so I'm not going to fit in the "standard" driver wear and tear spec.

I don't mind spending some extra money for peace of mind though if it's shown worth it.

[Pray for Mojo]

Modern synthetics are better than ever and should be fine for extended drain intervals. Where it starts to become an issue on DI engines is short tripping the car causing fuel dilution and condensation in colder climates. So long as you drive long enough to burn off all the contaminants it shouldn't be an issue. Previously BMW threw in the maintenance as part of the car purchase, so it made sense for them to extend the intervals as long as possible for financial reasons. Our B58 uses 0W-20 and is short tripped enough that I like to change it every 7,500km.

[dradernh]

I can't remember where I read it, but when asked in an article which oil he used the owner of Blackstone Labs said something to the effect of "Whatever's on sale."

[mcompact]

In my experience a 10,000 mile OCI is perfectly fine. My son's E90 has always used a 15,000 mile OCI using BMW TPT and it is running great at well past 100,000 miles. The GDI turbo in my old MS3 was said to be extremely hard on oil; multiple UOAs from Blackstone demonstrated that Mobil 1 5W-30 could be run for 10,000 miles and the TBN would still be >1.0. I'd perform a UOA at 7,500 miles and go from there.

[Unicorn123]

electro,

Lots of valid points here in your replies. This subject gets a lot of attention on this forum.

Regarding oil, if you want to save a few bucks, buy Castrol Edge Synthetic at Walmart. BMW certified and I just picked up 10 qts (two 5 qt jugs) for $45. Same LL-01 rating as Liqui Moly.

Regarding change intervals, I regularly get 200-300K miles out of my cars, even my dreaded Audi's, two of which were V6 bi-turbos. Never replaced a turbo or even cracked open the engine on them, one went 240K and the other 270K before being sold on to others. Those got 5K oil changes with Mobil 1 0W-40 (lived most of their lives in upstate NY). I am sticking with the 5K interval for my M235 using Castrol Edge 5W-40. Probably overkill given the vast improvements in lubrication technology over the past 10-15 years, but it works for me, based upon the empirical results I have experienced in the past, although I will admit I am not as anal about getting it done exactly at 5K. My trusty V6 Tundra gets 3K oil changes with conventional oil (5W-30 dino juice) and has 213K on it now and (lots of shorter trips). Engine is nearly broken in!

I drive about 20-25K / year (put 19K on the M235 in the past 10 months) and for the extra $50-$150 I spend on oil changes, which I do myself as a form of therapy, I figure it is worth the piece of mind. Another POV.

As an aside, drader's comment regarding oil is spot on, despite the apparent blase attitude of man he quotes, synthetic motor oils are really excellent. In the final analysis, as long as you change your oil regularly (caveat, with full synthetic) at a weight appropriate for the climate you reside in, you should be just fine.

[morphomeman]

The empirical question is whether changing oil at shorter intervals is BETTER for the car. In order to test that question, we would have to have two largish comparison sets of cars, one with the shorter change interval than the other, but otherwise treated pretty much the same. If someone can point me to such a test resulting in a statistically significant advantage for the shorter interval set, I will be happy to move to that.
Just having one person changes their oil at shorter intervals is no evidence. For all I know, Unicorn 123 is otherwise much more careful than other car owners, which I suspect he is. That is at least as likely to be the determining factor in the longevity of his vehicles.
As many have noted, modern true synthetic oils are much more robust than the motor oils of thirty years ago. They should last much longer.
And no, one person changing oil frequently will not destroy the planet, but many doing so will accelerate the destruction.

[Maynard]

It is wrong to suggest no evidence here, even if no large-scale study as you request; you are correct that there are many other factors that probably make more difference. There is quite a bit of evidence that oils break down and gain contamination steadily over time; slower breakdown for synthetics, but it is still happening. Also good evidence that these processes increase wear. The realistic question is how much this matters, and at what point it becomes worthwhile to replace w/ new. I go shorter, about 5k, b/c I don't spend that much for a change and it is cheap insurance. I also had the car 'ask' for a change at less than 10k several times after periods of harder driving (shortest was after about 5700), so even the factory understands that a rigid 10k schedule isn't appropriate.

[Winemaker2]

+1

Also, on another note when taking my F22 in for covered maintenance the dealer would not allow me to change the viscosity of the oil (0-20) whether I paid extra or not which seems odd when summer days can reach the century mark occasionally.

[overcoil]

Originally Posted by Winemaker2

+1

Also, on another note when taking my F22 in for covered maintenance the dealer would not allow me to change the viscosity of the oil (0-20) whether I paid extra or not which seems odd when summer days can reach the century mark occasionally.

Your dealer using 0W-20 or u want to use 0W-20 ?

[morphomeman]

If the maintenance is covered, the dealer will use the oil that is specified by the manufacturer. Not doing so risks voiding the warranty. Why do that?

[Winemaker2]

My dealer didn't say it would void the warranty but its the only oil they would put into the car during covered maintenance. The new recommended oil for the 230i is 0-20.

During the summer months I still like a higher viscosity and may have my indy use BMW approved 5-40 oil especially when Pennzoil recommends it. After all Pennzoil manufactures the BMW oil in North America.