Several posts have referenced the specified oil change interval as 15K miles. The sales guy told my mom that when she bought her E90 325i.

Actually he said once per year or every 15k miles, but that's an aside.

When she first tried to schedule the oil change at 12 months the dealer (Tom Bush in Jax. FL) said she didn't need it yet becasue the oil service indicator wasn't showing it was needed.

Now shes had the car 17 months, over 15,000 miles, and its still on original oil. The dealer still doesn't want to do an oil change becasue the sevice indicator is not showing an oil change is needed.

The BMWUSA website says that BMW covers necessary maintenance "as indicated by the "service level indicator." It doesn't even cover specified intervals.

Has anyone else had dealerships not wanting to cover an oil change at least once a year. At this rate, who knows how long the car would drive on original oil. I'd just feel sorry for the next out-of-warranty owner.

Several posts have referenced the specified oil change interval as 15K miles. The sales guy told my mom that when she bought her E90 325i.

Actually he said once per year or every 15k miles, but that's an aside.

When she first tried to schedule the oil change at 12 months the dealer (Tom Bush in Jax. FL) said she didn't need it yet becasue the oil service indicator wasn't showing it was needed.

Now shes had the car 17 months, over 15,000 miles, and its still on original oil. The dealer still doesn't want to do an oil change becasue the sevice indicator is not showing an oil change is needed.

The BMWUSA website says that BMW covers necessary maintenance "as indicated by the "service level indicator." It doesn't even cover specified intervals.

Has anyone else had dealerships not wanting to cover an oil change at least once a year. At this rate, who knows how long the car would drive on original oil. I'd just feel sorry for the next out-of-warranty owner.


I get the feeling that oil/car technology has been taking quantum leaps and teh rest of the world, especially self-proclaimed old school car experts, aren't really keeping up.... resistance to change.

I'd be lying if I said I knew anything about the new all-aluminum engine parts or fully-syn oil, but at some point you need to put some trust in the engineers that made the car.

yeah they won't do the oil change anytime soon. Just keep filling it up if its burning oil at all. My car has 80k miles and they always say "it doesn't need it" I change it myself when I feel like its been FOREVER since I last changed it. I think my car has only had 2 or 3 oil changes ever

I get the feeling that oil/car technology has been taking quantum leaps and teh rest of the world, especially self-proclaimed old school car experts, aren't really keeping up.... resistance to change.

I'd be lying if I said I knew anything about the new all-aluminum engine parts or fully-syn oil, but at some point you need to put some trust in the engineers that made the car.


Wait you trust the engineers about maintenance, but NOT about performance?


Anyway, the car has onboard sensors, I'd go with what they say, if it really bothers you you can always change the oil earlier yourself.

Just wait until you start paying for oil changs. Once you hit 50K miles, the oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles! :)

You can get a warranty oil and filter change if it's gone longer than 12 months without a service. 1 mile or 14,999 (even though CBS doesn't go by actual mileage).. it doesn't matter. Take it to another dealer. Make sure you mention this bulletin.


SI B 00 04 01

SUBJECT
Low Mileage (Annual) Oil Services, Additional (Customer Pay) Oil Services

MODEL
All

SITUATION
A limited number of BMW owners accumulate very low mileage on their BMWs annually, in some situations insufficient for the Service Interval Indicator System to call for an Oil Service or Inspection. However, all BMWs should have an engine oil change at a minimum of once a year, regardless of whether synthetic or petroleum-based oil is used. Additionally, some owners prefer to change their oil more frequently than as called for by the Service Interval Indicator System.

We would like to clarify the issue of when you should perform an oil service on a BMW vehicle, what the BMW Maintenance Program (if applicable) will cover, and how this impacts the maintenance called for by the Service Interval Indicator System.

Typical Example: M/Y 2000 323iA in service 12 months, current mileage 8,299, mileage to next service (as indicated on Service Indicator Display) 6,701.

Action to be Taken – Perform oil service (check and adjust tire pressures while the oil is draining), update/stamp the Service and Warranty Information Statement, BUT DO NOT RE-SET THE SERVICE INDICATOR SYSTEM. Note Maintenance Claim (if vehicle is covered by the BMW Maintenance Program) "Perform Low-Mileage Annual Oil Service as per Service and Warranty Information Statement and S.I.B. 00-04-01", using labor operation 11 99 000 - 4 FRUs (oil service only, no microfilter replacement) and the following special Defect Code as applicable:

Low Mileage Annual Oil Service (Full Maintenance):
85 99 00 87 MP

Low Mileage Annual Oil Service (Scheduled Maintenance)
85 99 00 87 SP

What Will Happen – If the driving pattern remains constant, the Service Interval Indicator System should call for an Oil Service within the next 12 months/6,701 miles, at which time the center should perform the oil service (including oil filter replacement), update/stamp Service and Warranty Information Statement, RE-SET THE SERVICE INDICATOR SYSTEM, and note the Maintenance Claim (if vehicle covered by the BMW Maintenance Program) "Perform Oil Service as per Service Interval Indicator System".

Continue this schedule going forward, unless the usage pattern of the vehicle changes and the "low mileage annual oil service" is no longer required.

Note: If it is anticipated that the Annual Oil Service is occurring within 60 days of the time when the Service Indicator System would call for an Oil Service or Inspection, then the upcoming service should be performed and the Service Indicator System reset.

In situations where the customer requests more frequent oil services (at their own expense) than as called for by the Service Interval Indicator System, the same logic applies – do not reset the Service Indicator System until the maintenance is performed that is called for by the System. This is especially critical for vehicles still covered by the BMW Maintenance Program.

Please direct any questions or concerns regarding the above to your Market Team.

When I had my oil sensor acting up and showing that I need to add quart, since it was at minimum, I went to the dealer and they said only scheduled ones are covered. They told me if I needed to add oil at any time other than scheduled intervals, or fill up windshield washer fluid or other fluids I have to pay for it. It's kinda misleading when they say Free Maintenance. :shifty

I would report this idiotic dealer to BMWNA. Your engine may or may not be fine. I bet it has a good amount of sludge building. Take off your oil cap and look for reddish thick goo around the gasket, and just inside the hole. That's sludge and probably pretty thick by now.

Per the owner's manual, oil should be changed once a year regardless of mileage. Somebody gave you misinformation or may not have realized it has been over a year. 12 months or per CBS data, whichever comes first. I apologize if somebody in my dealership misinformed you.

Why did you have to awake this 1 1/2 year old thread from the dead. This issue had been beaten to death since then. I'll put it back to sleep. RIP.