Service Manager

[outpost22]

My keys to the new car weren't "initialized", so took it to the Service Manager and he took care of it (so the seats would be programmed to adjust to the 2 keys).

While there, I asked him: "Should I really wait 15,000 or so miles to do an oil change?"
He advised that if you are going to keep your car a long time that he would change it every 7500 miles, even if I had to pay for it as an "extra" service. He too was skeptical of the "factory interval". He also suggested a once a year wheel alignment.

Anybody else ask their Service Advisors about this?

 

[Bryan330i]

I asked the same question and the service guy acted like I was an idiot and proceeded to tell me how different BMW's are from other cars and older cars. He said there is no risk from things like metal with BMW engines. He said that I could go 7,500 miles due to the dirty and dusty environment where we live. But he actually laughed when I suggested changing more often than recommended.

I guess I don’t care so much because mine is leased. But if I decide to buy it out I would certainly want the oil changed more than every 15,000 miles.

 

[MrElussive]

Bryan, since your car is leased, you should probably stick to the 15,000 mile schedule. If you owned the car, then changing it every 7,500 miles would be a good idea. Either way, you guys are lucky, I have to bring my car in every 3,750 miles for an oil change and it is not free.

 

[outpost22]

Bryan, since your car is leased, you should probably stick to the 15,000 mile schedule. If you owned the car, then changing it every 7,500 miles would be a good idea. Either way, you guys are lucky, I have to bring my car in every 3,750 miles for an oil change and it is not free.

That Infinity looked like a very nice car. I wanted to test one and really look at it, but the closest dealer to us is a 5 hour round trip to California or a 10 hour round trip to Portland. Either way, I couldn't justify buying one in case it had a problem due to servicing issues. Heck, I could of bought my fathers Lexus 430, but the servicing issues were the same. So far I'm happy with the BMW decision

 

[donmbmw]

I guess I'm just an old fashioned guy but I think even 7500 miles between oil changes is way too long. I know that these synthetic oils don't break down, but they are as subject to contamination as any thing else. Dirty oil is dirty oil period. As far as metal not being a problem with BMW's.... well are they made out of plastic? Is BMW claiming that their quality control is so superior that there are no metal shavings, or factory dust in them when installed? I think its pretty well established that the quality of the three series has gone down a notch in recent years. That being said, I test drove the infinity G35 and was really impressed with the power, but there was nothing like the beemer for an ideal blend of power, and stability. The G35 chasis isn't up to to the power output it just doesn't have the solid feel of my 330i.

 

[MrElussive]

Yeah, I think the BMW has a lighter, more athletic feel to it (meaning a more aggressive turn-in). But I have to say, once you're in the turn, I truly believe that the G35 Coupe holds its ground extremely well and stays very flat throughout the turn.
donwbmw, did you drive the G35 Coupe or the Sedan? Because the Coupe has a significantly stiffer suspension setup and the bigger 18" wheels that hold hte road better.

As for the oil change issue, personally if I owned a BMW, I would change the oil every 5,000 miles. I know it is expensive and more hastle to change every 5,000 miles, but I drive my car really hard very often and I feel the only way to keep the car in good shape is to always make sure to warm the car up properly and to keep the oil very clean.