[onth]

For all my previous cars, my dealer always told me that I needed to bring my call in after 1000 miles. However, when I bought my 328xi, nobody in the dealership tell me anything about it. BTW, I dont really want to buy my car from this dealership anyway, but I have no choice.

So, my question is, do I need to bring my car in for service after 1200 miles? or I only need to bring it in after when I reach 1 year or 10,000 miles?

Thanks.

[sykno]

15,000 miles /1 year is what they say but iono if thats good ....sounds like bullshit but yep.. call ur dealer and ask

[Mk23]

Keep the RPMs below 4k and don't go over 100mph for the first 1200 miles. Take it in for an oil change at 1200. May be something else to do at 1200...cant remember, anyone help me out on this?

[John 070]

Long story short, if a person owns the car, I would recommend changing the oil after 1200 and before 2000.

It's a funny thing, but I think my SA dummied it down and gave me the low down.

There's truly nothing necessary, and if it's a lease, no reason to service anything that's not required by the lease.

Now, with that being said, he said if it were a purchase, and his car, he would change the oil between 1000-2000 miles, maybe 1200 to 1600. It's probably not necessary, and a practice that goes back to the old days, but why not (as he put it) spend $70 for the peace of mind (that's how much he charged me, $70)? The M cars have stickers under the hood to replace the oil at 1200--common sense says just because it has a M badge, it doesn't really need a change when another vehicle with an i badge needs on at 15000.

[DrGP]

Originally Posted by Mk335i

Keep the RPMs below 4k and don't go over 100mph for the first 1200 miles. Take it in for an oil change at 1200. May be something else to do at 1200...cant remember, anyone help me out on this?

Here's my OPINION, based on research and 40 yrs of driving experience. The problem today with break in confusion and oil change intervals is that Synthetic oil is extremely good at preventing wear.(which is needed during the initial running of the engine but is bad for the engine after that period) Secondly, most German built engines do not have cast iron cylinder walls that are mechanically cross hatched. With the exception of the N54 engine found in the 335i and other BMWs (which DO have cylinder liners that are mechanically cross hatched) , most new engines are aluminum/magnesium alloy with the cylinder walls made of Alusil. Alusil contains a high silicon content that is then acid etched to give it "irregulatories" in the surface to break (wear) in. Alusil engines take much longer to break in because the surface is harder. THE 335! DOES NOT HAVE ALUSIL CYLINDERS

I do not believe that the engines are broken in at the factory even if they are run on some machine. I also believe if you baby the engine and follow the manufactures recommendation, you insure that you will not have an initial engine failure(which all manufactures do not want). But you do risK having a persistent oil consumption issue which the manufactures will almost never have to rectify due to there their EXTREMELY liberal definitions of "excessive oil consumption".> This standard usually "allows "the consumption of 1 qt/100 miles as being with in normal standards. (Not MY standard).

The reality USED TO BE that with non synthetic oil , which had a usable life of 3000 miles, you would change the oil at 1000-1500 miles to get out any metal, particles and put in fresh oil. Today's factory synthetic oil is hardly spent at 5000 miles. Virtually brand new at 1500 miles , BUT still contains small metal particles not filtered by the oil filter. Is it bad to let in those unfiltered particles. Probably not, but its not good either,

The best way to break in the car (which NOBODY, including myself, does) would be to drain the factory synthetic oil immediately after delivery, Replace it with a high quality non synthetic oil. Drive the car aggressively .WOTS to redline 2-3 times a day , none back to back, no drag race type runs, AND always follow WOT with engine braking. After 1000 miles, change filter and put in synthetic oil. If you were smart , you would have saved the factory oil you drained out.

Bottom line is that if you keep the initial factory oil in for more than 5k, you do risk having engine wear after significant mileage has accumulated. BMW bets that the car will no longer be under warranty at that point. So their real concern is that you don't blow up the engine in the early stages. Thus they use synthetic oil and recommend an easy break in technique. It all about the money involved in replacing an engine during the warranty period.

BTW, I lease and changed out the factory oil AND FILTER at 4k miles.

[StoneCold]

FYI..........
Break-in period
Moving parts need breaking-in time to adjust to
each other. Please follow the instructions below
in order to achieve the optimal service life and
economy of operation for your vehicle.
Engine and differential
Always obey all official speed limits.
Up to 1,200miles/2,000km
Drive at varying engine and road speeds, but do
not exceed an engine speed of 4,500 rpm or a
road speed of 100mph/160km/h.
Avoid full-throttle operation and use of the
transmission's kick-down mode.
After driving 1,200miles/2,000 km
Engine and vehicle speeds can be gradually
increased.
Following part replacement
The same break-in procedures should be
observed if any of the components mentioned
above have to be renewed in the course of the
vehicle's operating life.

[onth]

Thanks guys!

so, as a conclusion, not only the M but 328xi too needs to bring the car in for break-in service after 1200 miles, right?

[BMWFM]

No.

Manual says no need. Dealer says no need. Trust the BMW designers. Instructions for break-in have been posted by StoneCold and do not include oil change - unless you have an M3.

In Europe, I have never changed my oil before a year. Most European cars do not require this.
The frequent oil change is a scheme designed by US and Asian manufacturers/car industry to get you to spend more on the dealership and come more often, legacy from history. Big waste of $ and time + damage to the environment. I am at 10k+ and have not change the oil yet - will go with BMW recommendation.

OK, OK, I know I am exagerating a bit... But seriously, why not trust BMW?


FM

[bsd107]

Originally Posted by BMWFM

OK, OK, I know I am exagerating a bit... But seriously, why not trust BMW?FM

Because the same year (Model Year 99 on most models) that BMW started recommending 15,000 miles for the first oil change instead of 7,500 miles was the same year that BMW started paying for the first two years of service.

M cars still had a 1,200 mile first service (as I believe they do now) as those owners won't tolerate it and for the huge premium you pay for a M-car, BMW can afford to throw in an additional oil and filter change....

I agree that BMW's analysis is based on a cost-risk reduction analysis covering the warranty period. I don't lease, and the warranty period does not cover the ownership period for me.....

[methodtim]

Oil change frequencies are the car forum version of the never ending story. I swear, I've been on one car forum or another for the last 10 years and this subject gets discussed to death with no real resolution. Everyone has their own version of the "fail proof" method and the two sides (every 5 - 7k, no exceptions! vs. just follow what the manufacturer says) have been battling it out for time immemorial.

As for me, I've done both. When I had older cars in my teens and early twenties (we're talking 80's era Volvo's, Toyota's, etc.), there was really no choice but to do the 5k interval oil change. My truck has an on-board maintenance computer which supposedly determines maintenance based on driving conditions, but always seems to recommend an oil change around 7k, which I've followed. I've never had an engine failure on any of my cars (although ALL the electronics crapped out on the Volvo, but hey, that's to be expected, right? ). I've decided to follow the computer with my latest car, a Mini Cooper I bought in May, but I have to admit that the 15k interval makes me a tad nervous. I've also searched and searched and read and read, and even asked some car "experts" that I know in person about what to do about oil changes when my 335i arrives. There are different answers EVERYWHERE and from EVERYONE.

One good thing you can do is e-mail Mike Miller. He's the BMW CCA Roundel Magazine Technical Editor and, if I'm not mistaken, writes the technical Q&A for Bimmer Magazine as well. He has written a break-in guide and is happy to share it with people who e-mail him. He just asks that the guide itself not be posted on the Net. You can contact him at techtalk@roundel.org. I e-mailed him a few weeks ago and got a reply within minutes with the a break-in guide doc and a maintenance doc attached.

Based on what I've read in those docs and the information from this forum, I think I'm going to go with a 1200 mile oil change for my 335i (which I'll pay for myself) and then, from there, maybe follow the regular, computer mandated cycle. I'm still not sure what to do about the regular intervals since I plan on keeping the car for a long time (well past warranty, wish me luck).

[bsd107]

Originally Posted by methodtim

Based on what I've read in those docs and the information from this forum, I think I'm going to go with a 1200 mile oil change for my 335i (which I'll pay for myself) and then, from there, maybe follow the regular, computer mandated cycle. I'm still not sure what to do about the regular intervals since I plan on keeping the car for a long time (well past warranty, wish me luck).

I'm not quite sure what to do either with my 335i on the way. I'll probably do what I did with my E39, which is exactly what you propose, but I'd also get an oil and filter change halfway between the ~15,000 mile intervals that the car's computer would mandate.

[Carfreak9922]

nice

[rob72]

I did the oil change when the car told me to get the oil changed, which was at something like 32.000km (~20k miles). My second service was around 68.000km (more then 42k miles).

But for a diesel that is pretty normal.

[Mk23]

Regardless of what some people think, I am playing it safe with my car and getting oil changed and filter at 1200 miles 2000 miles and 5000 miles.

[richardew]

I've always done an early oil change on my new cars after the break in period, and will do the same with my 335. I'll hit 1200 miles about 1 1/2 hours into my road trip later this morning. It's amazing that the sales people (Porsche also) will state that no break in is necessary, that it's done in the factory.I broke in my '96 911 by the book (about the same as the 335) and change the oil every 10-15k. I'm at 240,000 miles (no rebuild yet) now and burn a qt. every 5-7500 miles. Hope the BMW is the same.

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by richardew

I've always done an early oil change on my new cars after the break in period, and will do the same with my 335. I'll hit 1200 miles about 1 1/2 hours into my road trip later this morning. It's amazing that the sales people (Porsche also) will state that no break in is necessary, that it's done in the factory.I broke in my '96 911 by the book (about the same as the 335) and change the oil every 10-15k. I'm at 240,000 miles (no rebuild yet) now and burn a qt. every 5-7500 miles. Hope the BMW is the same.

+1

Dealers just don't care, I was told the same BS as most of you, that a break-in is not needed. Just read the manual...

[John 070]

This is another one of those threads that has a high amount of misinformation per reply which yields high bang for misinformation buck.

What are we talking about? $70 to $130. If it gives peace of mind and you own the car, so be it, spend say $100 and be done with it, i.e. change the oil at 1200 mi. It's probably not necessary, but $100 isn't the end of the world.

If leased, don't do anything until the dealership or car says something is needed. What peace of mind do you get by spending money on someone else's vehicle, especially if that $100 didn't do anything at all? It's an unnecessary expense, spend it elsewhere.

[methodtim]

Originally Posted by John 070

This is another one of those threads that has a high amount of misinformation per reply which yields high bang for misinformation buck.

What are we talking about? $70 to $130. If it gives peace of mind and you own the car, so be it, spend say $100 and be done with it, i.e. change the oil at 1200 mi. It's probably not necessary, but $100 isn't the end of the world.

If leased, don't do anything until the dealership or car says something is needed. What peace of mind do you get by spending money on someone else's vehicle, especially if that $100 didn't do anything at all? It's an unnecessary expense, spend it elsewhere.

I just read the thread through again and I don't see any misinformation. I see two sides of a longstanding debate on oil changes. I agree with your point that $70-$100 for peace of mind isn't the end of the world; however, I can see the other side's point too - which basically boils down to RTFM.

[BMWFM]

On guy on Bimmerfest is just running a poll on this topic.


http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=308659


FM

[Roth517]

Originally Posted by Mk335i

Regardless of what some people think, I am playing it safe with my car and getting oil changed and filter at 1200 miles 2000 miles and 5000 miles.

Why? What a waste of money and oil... This isn't 1950. I just got mine last Thursday and have done a few WOT runs and have otherwise just driven nice and easy. The car will be fine. And I'm not gonna bother to change the oil until the car tells me.

[simp0man]

The car will tell you when the maintenance light comes on.

[Mk23]

Originally Posted by simp0man

The car will tell you when the maintenance light comes on.

The car also tells you in that book thing that has information about the car.