Thread spinoff-oil change: how often?

General conversations about BMW E28s and the people who own them.
cddallara
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Thread spinoff-oil change: how often?

Post by cddallara »

Reading Rodney's thread and a few recent conversations with various petrol heads made me decide to post.

On an average, how often do you change the oil in your car(s)?
Do you go by time, mileage, si board? Combination of any?
Dino or synthetic?

I've read, and thru personal experience, the si board can lead to 12-15k mile intervals.

The average I have found seems to be 5-7k miles, trending toward synthetic or at least a blend. Time doesn't really factor into it much it seems.

Personally I've gone 4-7k, Dino. Oem filters wether Toyota or BMW.
Mike W.
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Post by Mike W. »

I go about 5K with an M30 on dino oil. The SI board targeted me at twice that or more which I thougth was completely out of line so I ignored it except to reset the light when it came on. On the M5x I'm putting more miles on now it's more like 7K with synthetic. Again, ignoring the SI, I really don't think it's a good idea to run that long. Oil may not wear out, but it does get dirty and on pre M5x cars I've noticed a tendancy to use no oil at all for the first 3K or so, then start using some so it would be half a quart or more down from full even though at 3K it was right at the top mark.

I may be doing more than necessary, or not, but my cars and engines last a long time under sometimes extreme conditions.
turbodan
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Post by turbodan »

M20 or M30 should get VR1 20w50 every 5k miles.
cvillebimmer
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Post by cvillebimmer »

Aside from the Honda Odyssey, all the SI recommendations are way too long IMHO. The Honda lights up around 5-6k, which I think is about right for that car running synthetic.

e38 740i - gets synthetic every 5-7k.
e31 850i - just switched to VR1 20w50 and will do every 3-4k
e32 735i - VR1 20w50 every 3-4k
Forester XT - Mobil 1 every 4-6k
Ford Ranger - roughly 2x/year
slammin_e28
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Post by slammin_e28 »

M30s are VR1 every 5k

The synthetic cars (e46 and Rover w/M52) get changed every 10k with Rotella T6.

No time, just mileage, unless I've let the car sit for like a year.
MicahO
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Post by MicahO »

The Tundra (5.7) calls for a change at 5K, which I think is too short (I run synthetic xW20 in that one), so I do it at ~7500. I've sent samples from that one to Blackstone and they recommended that I extend towards 8 or 8.5K.

The Oddy (2012) looks for about 15K, which I think is way too long. I change that one (also synthetic xW20) around 7500. The next change will be ~35000 so it should be broken in well. I'll send a sample to Blackstone to see how it's doing.

But we only care about the bimmers, right?!?!?

The M5 gets under 1000 miles per year, so I change that oil (VR-1) every summer, at some point, when it suits my afternoon.

The M54 in the ZHP I've changed at ~7500 miles all it's life. It conveniently used about a quart of oil in 7500 for the first 100K miles, then it suddenly started using about a quart per 2000. At 163K it still consumes oil at that ~quart/2000 mile rate, so I just top it off as needed.

Because I do a LOT of highway, the Service Indicator on the ZHP asks for an oil change about every 16K miles. That's WAY too long.....well, maybe not if I'm pouring in a quart every 2k? :laugh: That would mean 14 quarts in 16K miles, which is pretty much two oil changes in that same period..... Hmmm
Mike W.
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Post by Mike W. »

MicahO wrote:The M54 in the ZHP I've changed at ~7500 miles all it's life. It conveniently used about a quart of oil in 7500 for the first 100K miles, then it suddenly started using about a quart per 2000. At 163K it still consumes oil at that ~quart/2000 mile rate, so I just top it off as needed.

Because I do a LOT of highway, the Service Indicator on the ZHP asks for an oil change about every 16K miles. That's WAY too long.....well, maybe not if I'm pouring in a quart every 2k? :laugh: That would mean 14 quarts in 16K miles, which is pretty much two oil changes in that same period..... Hmmm
Really, it uses that much oil? I've heard about M54s and oil, but never first hand. My M52 regular and TU both use no oil at all that I can tell with 175K and 230K respectively.
turbodan
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Post by turbodan »

The B30 is a bit higher strung than the smaller displacement double VANOS motors. Slightly higher oil consumption is acceptable with the higher output. My 2.8TU is usually around a quart low after 15k miles, which is when it gets changed with the BMW 5w30 syn. Been running that schedule since 2009 with no increase in oil consumption or degredation in engine performance. Comes out looking golden brown.
vinceg101
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Post by vinceg101 »

Mike W. wrote:
MicahO wrote:The M54 in the ZHP I've changed at ~7500 miles all it's life. It conveniently used about a quart of oil in 7500 for the first 100K miles, then it suddenly started using about a quart per 2000. At 163K it still consumes oil at that ~quart/2000 mile rate, so I just top it off as needed.

Because I do a LOT of highway, the Service Indicator on the ZHP asks for an oil change about every 16K miles. That's WAY too long.....well, maybe not if I'm pouring in a quart every 2k? :laugh: That would mean 14 quarts in 16K miles, which is pretty much two oil changes in that same period..... Hmmm
Really, it uses that much oil? I've heard about M54s and oil, but never first hand. My M52 regular and TU both use no oil at all that I can tell with 175K and 230K respectively.
After driving the E39 530 for a year, my oil consumption is somewhat similar. I just rolled 140K over the weekend and am about to go out and check the oil level. There is some sort of oil weep/leak happening that I've yet to track down (you know the kind that leaves the whole bottom of the pan and supports coated in film of oil that leaves a few drips on the driveway every night?), so I don't know how much is leaking out and how much it's actually burning. But I've been steadily adding oil at a rate of 1 or .5 quart every other month which for me is +/-2K miles since I bought it exactly one year ago today.

For the record:
E28 M535i:(189K miles) VR-1 20W/50 once a year in July (road trip prep). The car is driven very little, so I've switched to a time interval.

E39 530i: (140K miles) 7500 miles, Amsoil 5W-40 Mid Saps Synthetic; with how little we drive our cars, this is going to be closer to once a year.

'99 CR-V: (100K miles) 7500 miles, Mobil 1 5W-30; this car is driven almost as little as the M535, so it will be done closer to a yearly interval as well.
Justin_FL
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Post by Justin_FL »

The M54B30 in mine needs a quart every 3000-4000 but does seep oil right now. Basically every 6 months with my commute, so by the time it needs another quart I'm generally due for an oil change around 8K. Probably early mileage-wise for a good synthetic but once a year is long enough, IMO. As far as the leaks now, no idea. Oil filter housing gasket, VANOS line, and valve cover replaced about 15K ago. It is leaving about a dime sized spot in the garage, which is about what it was doing before the oil filter housing gasket replacement. The current leak is more from the right/passenger side of the entire this time though. Seems crappy that BMW refuses to make better seals and gaskets after an engine is in production for over a decade...

As far as the E28s, once a year since mileage isn't a consideration on them as they barely get driven.
OcCoupe
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Post by OcCoupe »

Castrol 20/50 with a shot of ZDDP and a splash of tequila (for me) every 3,000 or every 6 months, I don't care which car it is or if the car was only driven 1,500 miles that year I change the oil*. For me it is another opportunity to get under the car to check and see how everything looks down there.



*Ok so I haven't changed the oil in the Coupe for almost 2 years; but that doesn't count since it doesn't have an engine. In before Kohler pointed this out!!!
Last edited by OcCoupe on Dec 31, 2013 5:39 PM, edited 1 time in total.
wkohler
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Post by wkohler »

Looks like 14 years on the 528i, 12 years on the M535i and 6 years on the B7 Turbo.

In all seriousness, the 528i recently had its first oil change (Valvoline VR-1 20w50). The B7 is coming due (Castrol TWS 10w60) after about 5k miles. I could go to 7k but time is the factor. The M535i will get VR-1 20w50 sometime in the next couple weeks I figure. Then there's the E34. I do about 7k between changes. Amsoil 5w30. I usually have to add a quart every 1500-2k miles. Kinda tired of that. I used to use Chevron Supreme oil in the M50TU changing every 4500-5k and it used about the same. That was cheaper.
jc72
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Post by jc72 »

With the M30 I do castrol gtx syntec(blend) 20w50 every 3k with a shot of zddp additive. It seems a lot of people go longer but I feel it's cheap insurance.
Cactus
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Post by Cactus »

My 528e gets a gallon of 15w40 dino Rotella and a quart of VR1 20w50 every 3-4k. M30s just get the VR1,

My Rotary gets whatever w-30 once a year. I would have thought that would be too thin, but I watch the oil pressure like a hawk, and it's always good. There's a fat oil cooler on it, and I don't think there's a thermostat, so it'll probably never overheat.
booker
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Post by booker »

My 6.0 superduty gets 15 qt of 15w40 rotella t every 7.5k or so. The 535i gets 20w50 of whatever once a year whether it needs it or not.
rmiddendorf
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Post by rmiddendorf »

1988 ///M5- 3000 miles or 2x a year, 20w-50 conventional name brand, Mann/Mahle/OEM filters only now. I'll probably switch to VR1 the next time its on sale.
1992 750iL- 3000 miles, 10w-30 conventional name brand, Mann/Mahle/OEM filters only now.
2006 330i- 7500 miles, 5w-40 Castrol SynPower, Mann/Mahle/OEM filters only now.
2008 Toyota RAV4- 5000 miles, 5w-20 conventional name brand on sale oil. Just not the lowest grade filter.
djazz
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Post by djazz »

If oil consumption makes you squeamish, stay away from an S62. I was going 1000-1500 miles per liter of Castrol TWS but I switched to Lubromoly GT1 and seems better for now. I've read that some oil use is an intentional design element in the S62. The M5 gets changed every April and October. Usually around 7k, but it's never been over 8k.

Truck(8.1L Vortec) gets Mobil 1 5/10W30 @ ~7500. The oil change indicator comes on at 15000. :roll:

I was using Castrol GTX High Mileage 20W50 in the M20s and M30s (Changes 3000-5000) but it sounds like VR1 is the go to dino oil now.

I'm not sure what my plan will be with the M52s. Maybe a quality blend on the light side since they'll be the commuter cars.

If you're in doubt and really worried over it get a Blackstone analysis and adjust until everything is dialed in.
a
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Post by a »

Store brand 20w 50 and some Harley weight oil that was getting closed out. The 528es get it changed annually, the Rat Twice so far. maybe 2500 mile OCI I use dino and STP filters. Modern oil, except for a lack of ZDDP, is so much better than any past oils. A cheap oil has to pass the same specs as the advertised brands. The only synthetic lube I use is Mobil 1 75 w 90 for the lsd 3.46. The cars are no longer used as commuters , just town use. The Rat has traveled to the Shell for its overdue sticker. Time is no longer a factor with latest stuff according to the BITOGers.. The days of 3K OCI every 3 months are long past. .
RondoAcapriccio
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Post by RondoAcapriccio »

turbodan wrote:M20 or M30 should get VR1 20w50 every 5k miles.
Thats what I put.
Zach716
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Post by Zach716 »

I change mine every 3 months, my ODO is broken so I can't go by mileage. I use GTX High Mileage 20 w 50.
MicahO
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Post by MicahO »

Mike W. wrote:
Really, it uses that much oil? I've heard about M54s and oil, but never first hand. My M52 regular and TU both use no oil at all that I can tell with 175K and 230K respectively.
Yup - and it's going into combustion somewhere along the way. The driveline is bone-dry everywhere, including the dreaded oil filter housing gasket. I just did the cooling system again (all parts, every 80K whether it needs it or not - let's face it, this is an M54), but no oil in there. I just replaced the oil level sensor (it died and with such a high burn-rate that's a must-have item), and no leaks bottom-side.

I mentioned that the change in consumption happened at 99K. Given the mileage I assumed the CCV system had a problem, as happens to these engines. Swapped everything, no change. But at least that job is out of the way.

Love that car.....
OR 6er
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Post by OR 6er »

Glad to hear our M54 isn't unusual. Wife's 325Ci goes through a quart of 0-40 Mobil 1 every 2,500. Only leak is a valve cover seep that just started in the last couple months. 128k and still running strong.

the 6 gets VR-1 every 3-4,000.
athayer187
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Post by athayer187 »

M30 gets ~7 quarts (oil cooler drained too) of M1 15w-50 every 3 track days in the summer.

M54 gets M1 0w-40 every 5k miles like clockwork, and has since new. Consumes <1 quart in 5k miles, at 184k this morning.
unt0uchable
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Post by unt0uchable »

E34 535i just got its first in my ownership a couple of weeks ago. 5 qts of 20w50 VR-1 and I think a WIX filter. I need to order some better filters on Amazon or something...

Wife's Saab with the GM LS2 has only had one oil change since we got it as well. Will do that every 4-5k with 7 quarts of M1 5w30 and probably just the extended AC Delco filters. Just checked the oil in it the other day and it doesn't seem to burn a noticeable amount in the 2500 miles since the oil change. That was exciting.
funfunfer
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Post by funfunfer »

S38B36 about every 6000 mi or before every HPDE, whichever comes first. I send it off to Blackhawk and have increased frequency as a result.
TWS 10W60 until last change when Motul 10W60 ester based. Sending Motul off to Blackhawk for baseline out of curiosity.
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