Now, I've gotten about 3000 miles on it, and from what I've been> reading, I should change the oil in my car every 3000 miles. The car> manual says nothing about it.

I bought my very first car, a BMW 6 Convertible. I love it.>

Now, I've gotten about 3000 miles on it, and from what I've been> reading, I should change the oil in my car every 3000 miles. The car> manual says nothing about it.>

And there's also an Oil sensor with iDrive that tells me if the car> needs new Oil. The oil sensor hasn't gone on.>

So... do I change the oil in my car? Or do I wait til the sensor goes> on? It's not like I'm trying to save a few bucks on oil, I just want> to do what's right for my car. Thanks!>

I bought my very first car, a BMW 6 Convertible. I love it.>

Now, I've gotten about 3000 miles on it, and from what I've been> reading, I should change the oil in my car every 3000 miles. The car> manual says nothing about it.>

And there's also an Oil sensor with iDrive that tells me if the car> needs new Oil. The oil sensor hasn't gone on.>

So... do I change the oil in my car? Or do I wait til the sensor goes> on? It's not like I'm trying to save a few bucks on oil, I just want> to do what's right for my car. Thanks!>

Did they make 6 Series 50 years ago? 'Cause that when I last remember 3000> mile oil changes.>

-- > *Husbands should come with instructions>

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.u­k London SW> To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Second, doesn't BMW take care of that for you under the warranty program? I> thought that BMW did all of the routine maintenance under the warranty. The> idea being that BMW wouldn't take on costly maintenance if it didn't have> to, therefore they must know that there isn't any maintenance required.> Basically, they know that the oil lasts a long time and they don't need to> change it, so they offer to change it free every time it is needed.>

Third, the car keeps track of your driving habits and what the car is asked> to do, and it uses this information to determine when to change the oil. The> system works pretty well, and it is safe to trust it. Don't worry, be happy.

DAS

You know that is not true.> I guess American bashing is just too much fun to resist...>

-Fred W

I'm thinking the once-a-year or every 15K mile OCI might be OK if good> quality synthetic oil is used, although a lot depends on one's driving> patterns. I'd probably go ahead and do it every 7.5K like John, but that's> just because I'm an oil freak. I change the oil on my A4 1.8TQ every 5K

For an interesting read, see the "Synthetic Oil Life Study":>

http://neptune.spac­ebears.com/cars/stor­ies/oil-life.html

Granted, it's only one data point, but the highlights from this site> are:>

* A simple filter change and associated top-off oil goes a long way> towards extending oil life (it's the top-off oil that helps the > most).

* Engine wear appears to decrease with oil age. There's some evidence> that frequent oil changes increases engine wear, although it's > unclear> (to me) if the increased wear is actually significant.

-- > *Women like silent men; they think they're listening.>

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.u­k London SW> To e-mail, change noise into sound.

Why? Do a search on synthetic oil.>

Or - have a sample of your oil analysed at 7500 miles. And again at> 15,000, or whatever. If it's showing problems, then you're right.> Otherwise you're simply throwing away money.>

Why? Do a search on synthetic oil.>

Or - have a sample of your oil analysed at 7500 miles. And again at> 15,000, or whatever. If it's showing problems, then you're right.> Otherwise you're simply throwing away money.>

-- > *Women like silent men; they think they're listening.>

Dave Plowman dave@davenoise.co.u­k London SW> To e-mail, change noise into sound.

and top up the oil at that previously mentioned time frame.>

As I said, YMMV,> -Fred W

To have an analysis done would probably cost as much as just doing the > oil change (yourself).

Thanks Pete. Yeah, Dave set me straight on this analysis stuff. Sounds > like a reasonable plan.>

-Fred W

Hello.>

I bought my very first car, a BMW 6 Convertible. I love it.>

Now, I've gotten about 3000 miles on it, and from what I've been>reading, I should change the oil in my car every 3000 miles. The car>manual says nothing about it.>

Hey Fred - you might want to check your computer's clock, as your last 4 > posts are dated 4/13 & today is still 4/9 (last time I looked.>

Tom >

Not sure if anyone agrees with me, but that's what I would do.>

[...]

This marque had previously recommended a change at 1500 km/900 miles,> something also included in the service booklet.

This requirement had continued with this brand long after others had> dropped it, so I was really surprised and a touch concerned. However,> having spoken to an old-school service technician at the dealer's, I> accepted it. Even he said that he had reluctantly come to accept the> new ruling, that the engine does not need it.

Change oil if it makes you happy and saves you a psychiatric bill.> Otherwise it's a waste of money and time.

DAS

You only need the analysis done once - to satisfy you the oil is still ok> at the change point.>

"Malt_Hound">

You only need to do the UOA once, maybe twice (once at 7.5K and then at > 15K) to see if changing oil at such an interval is not doing harm to > your engine. Once you establish that, you don't need to do more analyses.>

Regards,>

Pete>