I just spoke with my stealership service rep regarding my first oil change.

I only have 7,950 miles on my 328i and the oil change indicator shows that it is due to be changed at 10,000 miles. In two weeks I will have had the car for one year.

The rep said that after one year a customer can have the oil changed under warranty and without charge REGARDLESS of the mileage.

So for those of you who are concerned about running the oil to whatever the service indicator shows, and are coming up on your purchase anniversary, you can get the oil changed under warranty without waiting until the service indicated mileage.

This is good news for me as I want to drop the break-in oil before the 10k indicated.

Just a little information I wanted to pass along. :)

Ya man oil change for my 330Ci runs me $280 bucks. Absolutely insane. I should enroll myself in auto school and save the money.

Auto school to change the oil? All you need are some rhino ramps, a socket set, and a pan to drain the oil into. I have changed my own oil in all of my BMWs (including the 335), they are actually much easier than most other cars because the filters are usually easily accessible.

Ya man oil change for my 330Ci runs me $280 bucks. Absolutely insane. I should enroll myself in auto school and save the money.

THAT IS FOR AN OIL SERVICE. NOT THE SAME AS AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. CALL YOUR DEALER AND ASK FOR A PRICE ON JUST OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. AT MY DEALER (ALSO THE ONE I WORK AT) WE WOULD ONLY CHARGE YOU 107.00 PLUS TAX FOR YOUR CAR......




P.S. - THIS IS NOT NEW NEWS....... EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS....... NOT ONLY WERE YOU TOLD WHEN YOU BOUGHT THE CAR (OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN) IT'S BEEN COVERED A MILLIONS TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.

BUT THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP. :)

Thanks for the reminder on this. I was thinking about it the other day because my 1 year anniversary of purchase comes up next week. I have 12500 miles on the car and it is still saying 15000 for the 1st service.

Pretty much general knowledge for a BMW owner. Except of course for those who never ask about things like service or warranty or options when they buy their car.

THAT IS FOR AN OIL SERVICE. NOT THE SAME AS AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. CALL YOUR DEALER AND ASK FOR A PRICE ON JUST OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. AT MY DEALER (ALSO THE ONE I WORK AT) WE WOULD ONLY CHARGE YOU 107.00 PLUS TAX FOR YOUR CAR......




P.S. - THIS IS NOT NEW NEWS....... EVERYONE SHOULD KNOW THIS....... NOT ONLY WERE YOU TOLD WHEN YOU BOUGHT THE CAR (OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN) IT'S BEEN COVERED A MILLIONS TIMES IN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS.

BUT THANKS FOR THE HEADS UP. :)

I was never told when I purchased the car that I could have it changed at one year, irrespective of the mileage. Only that the car would tell me when it was due to be changed.

Also, I don't remember anyone mentioning the one year "courtesy" oil change in the "oil change interval" posts.

Is that what you are referring to as having been covered a million times? :)

Pretty much general knowledge for a BMW owner. Except of course for those who never ask about things like service or warranty or options when they buy their car.

How do you justify an insulting reply like that Mr. Arrogance? :nono So this makes me some kind of uninformed twit.

I asked many questions about my warranty, services to be provided by BMW, options, you name it. I spent thirty minutes with the salesman going over all of the car's features and operation before leaving the lot.

I was never informed about a one year oil change in lieu of the car telling me when it was scheduled for a change.

This is NOT necessarily general BMW buyer knowledge and does not indicate a lack of inquiry on the part of the owner.

I was never told when I purchased the car that I could have it changed at one year, irrespective of the mileage. Only that the car would tell me when it was due to be changed.

Also, I don't remember anyone mentioning the one year "courtesy" oil change in the "oil change interval" posts.

Is that what you are referring to as having been covered a million times? :)

This has been their policy for years now. Unfortunately it sounds like you have a mediocre to crappy dealership to work with. When you pick up a car at my local dealer they spend so much time with you going over everything that you almost feel like wanting to leave. They introduce you to everyone, give you time with the SA's if you want to ask questions, make sure you set everything the way you want and go through every option of the vehicle with you from how to remove and replace the gas cap to showing you jack points.

Thanks for the reminder on this. I was thinking about it the other day because my 1 year anniversary of purchase comes up next week. I have 12500 miles on the car and it is still saying 15000 for the 1st service.

Funny, mine was saying get oil change at 10,000 miles, then I turned over 9,500 ish, and now it says oil change at 9,000. I wouldn't think it would go down after I already pass the mark. I am not worried though since I changed mine already in between anyway.

Here are a few of the gazillion posts discussing the oil change interval (15k or 1 year):

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=910090
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=894442
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=864255
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=818692
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=805167
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798684
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=704620

I Am Not Trying To Start Anything. It Just Sucks For Everyone That Useless Posts Pop Up Like This All The Time.

Mostly It's People Not Using The Search Button. It's Nothing Personal. Everyone Does It From Time To Time.

And As Stated Above, Yes, It Was Voered A Million Times.

Here are a few of the gazillion posts discussing the oil change interval (15k or 1 year):

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=910090
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=894442
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=864255
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=818692
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=805167
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=798684
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=704620

i missed those posts and didn't know @ the one year deal. but let it not be said that i am an uninformed (or formerly uninformed) owner! :lol

btw, i only counted around 900,000 posts, not a million. :)

thanks for the links mr. yakan.

I Am Not Trying To Start Anything. It Just Sucks For Everyone That Useless Posts Pop Up Like This All The Time.

Mostly It's People Not Using The Search Button. It's Nothing Personal. Everyone Does It From Time To Time.

And As Stated Above, Yes, It Was Voered A Million Times.

I am not getting bent out of shape either. I simply thought that a quick post of this information would be helpful to others as I was not aware of a previous discussion.

Yes, a search could've helped but what harm is there in making a post like this?

If forum users are not interested in the topic then simply don't bother reading it.

I prefer that people post their knowledge and give me the opportunity to benefit from it even if it is accidentally redundant.

Okay, enough said, thanks very much for your responses. :)

I prefer that people post their knowledge and give me the opportunity to benefit from it even if it is accidentally redundant.

ONLY UNIMFORMED PEOPLE THINK THAT WAY.

:-P

P.s. - It Should Also State In Your Owners Manual This Same Information. Did You Read That?

In addition to all of the back and forth above -- this thread brings up a question that every new E9x owner has had pop into his/her brain. I think it might be appropriate to ask the mods to create an FYI section of this forum. Especially within the E9x community, there is a niche that has gone unfilled. Even repeat BMW buyers have encountered a world of new Techno gizmos and user-interface elimination that can lead to confusion in this car (I had an E36, and while many thigns are the same, some thigns are new).

As a new owner, it would be AWESOME if when you logged into this forum, you were presented with a be -all - and - end - all of E9x knowledge that every driver needs. I am not talking about creating a directory of complaints about chipping trim or squeaky rear view mirrors. I mean something that has info on the things all new 3 series owners need to know. Potentially, this could help eliminate needless threads, and make new members feel VERY welcome.

I will start
Every E9x 3 series owner should know that:
1. You can request an oil change at an interval of one year, even if you have less than 15,000 miles and your car says it is not warrnted. (also there is a differwence between a $200 oil service and a $80 oil change)

2. Your selection switch for your sideview mirrors MUST be on the driver's side mirror if you want your reverse tilt down feautre to work on the passnger side mirror.

3. Your paint is the softest paint ever used on an automobile. You must be UBER-careful to not ruin it immediately upon delivery (kind of a facetious post, not necessarily included in the "real" list)

Does anyone know if this means the first oil change only? Or can I have the car under factory and service warranty, and get my oil change done after one year? Example... My last oil change done may 07, so can I go in May 08, regardless if the 15k have gone by?

Does anyone know if this means the first oil change only? Or can I have the car under factory and service warranty, and get my oil change done after one year? Example... My last oil change done may 07, so can I go in May 08, regardless if the 15k have gone by?

yes.

I Think An Fyi Is A Damn Great Idea.

New Users Using The Search Button Is A Good One, Too

;)

But Yes, This Is A Very Good Idea.

In addition to all of the back and forth above -- this thread brings up a question that every new E9x owner has had pop into his/her brain. I think it might be appropriate to ask the mods to create an FYI section of this forum. Especially within the E9x community, there is a niche that has gone unfilled. Even repeat BMW buyers have encountered a world of new Techno gizmos and user-interface elimination that can lead to confusion in this car (I had an E36, and while many thigns are the same, some thigns are new).

I am willing to "sticky" a post that summarizes new e9x owner FAQs provided it just consists of facts not opinions. Everyone can contribute, but for it to be useful to newcomers and existing members/owners alike, it has to void of inaccuracies, conflicting info, or speculation.
I suggest someone write up a nice startup post and I can work with all members to polish the thread as we go and then park it when it garners wide spread approval of accuracy and unbias. Note that this will mean I will have to edit/delete posts in that thread so as to make it consistent, easy to follow, and free from bickering.
Let's see if there is anyone who volunteers to start such an initiative. Just post a new thread called "e9x owner's FAQ" or the like and we'll take it from there.

In addition to all of the back and forth above -- this thread brings up a question that every new E9x owner has had pop into his/her brain. I think it might be appropriate to ask the mods to create an FYI section of this forum. Especially within the E9x community, there is a niche that has gone unfilled. Even repeat BMW buyers have encountered a world of new Techno gizmos and user-interface elimination that can lead to confusion in this car (I had an E36, and while many thigns are the same, some thigns are new).

As a new owner, it would be AWESOME if when you logged into this forum, you were presented with a be -all - and - end - all of E9x knowledge that every driver needs. I am not talking about creating a directory of complaints about chipping trim or squeaky rear view mirrors. I mean something that has info on the things all new 3 series owners need to know. Potentially, this could help eliminate needless threads, and make new members feel VERY welcome.

I will start
Every E9x 3 series owner should know that:
1. You can request an oil change at an interval of one year, even if you have less than 15,000 miles and your car says it is not warrnted. (also there is a differwence between a $200 oil service and a $80 oil change)

2. Your selection switch for your sideview mirrors MUST be on the driver's side mirror if you want your reverse tilt down feautre to work on the passnger side mirror.

3. Your paint is the softest paint ever used on an automobile. You must be UBER-careful to not ruin it immediately upon delivery (kind of a facetious post, not necessarily included in the "real" list)

#3 isn't true, your paint is actually hard. Old paint had lead (soft) material in it and was easier to keep clean :)

How do you justify an insulting reply like that Mr. Arrogance? :nono So this makes me some kind of uninformed twit.

I asked many questions about my warranty, services to be provided by BMW, options, you name it. I spent thirty minutes with the salesman going over all of the car's features and operation before leaving the lot.

I was never informed about a one year oil change in lieu of the car telling me when it was scheduled for a change.

This is NOT necessarily general BMW buyer knowledge and does not indicate a lack of inquiry on the part of the owner.

My highlighted portion explains everything - your salesman is not going to show you the car, he's already sold it. back to my point about your dealership. At mine we have 3 guys who do nothing but deliver the car to you and show you everything, they aren't sales, aren't service, just delivery - it makes a huge difference.

My highlighted portion explains everything - your salesman is not going to show you the car, he's already sold it. back to my point about your dealership. At mine we have 3 guys who do nothing but deliver the car to you and show you everything, they aren't sales, aren't service, just delivery - it makes a huge difference.

My experience at the dealer when I picked up my 335 was the same as UFOGUY, about 30 minutes and it was with the SA. It sounds like you have have an EXCEPTIONAL dealership, and I would guess this is NOT the norm.

Regardless of that, I find it a lot less offensive to see duplicate posts on a forum than to see members attacking each other. Courtesy it seems has become another casualty of our modern world. Just my .02.

THAT IS FOR AN OIL SERVICE. NOT THE SAME AS AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. CALL YOUR DEALER AND ASK FOR A PRICE ON JUST OIL AND FILTER CHANGE. AT MY DEALER (ALSO THE ONE I WORK AT) WE WOULD ONLY CHARGE YOU 107.00 PLUS TAX FOR YOUR CAR......

$107 for an oil and filter change and $280 for the oil service? What's the difference? Do you throw in a hooker for the $280?

For the free oil changes that BMW provides with all new cars, what are their restrictions? I like to have my oil changes every 5000 miles. Will they let me do this? Or do I need to wait until my service light comes on? If so, then I guess I'll be doing it myself in between the dealer changes.

This topic of "if you change your oil everyday" has been discussed. You can do what you want to your car regarding service.

$107 for an oil and filter change and $280 for the oil service? What's the difference? Do you throw in a hooker for the $280?


That's just funny, could it be true?

For the free oil changes that BMW provides with all new cars, what are their restrictions? I like to have my oil changes every 5000 miles. Will they let me do this? Or do I need to wait until my service light comes on? If so, then I guess I'll be doing it myself in between the dealer changes.

No, because you don't need to change your oil that often, unless your driving hard enough to warrant it, and if you are, the car will tell you.

Anybody have inside info on what the criteria are? I'd really like to take a look at the technical data if available sometime used to calculate time to service / check engine light, etc., or even what the onboard computer stores.

For instance, does it record every time that I forget the engine is on and release the clutch in first gear and parking brake on? (very rarely happens now, but quiet engine + radio + very pretty girl in passenger seat distracting me = embarrassment.)

Ummm, oil changes should be covered under Ultimate Service - and tell your service advisor that you're going on a long trip (and you'll be over the mileage before you return) and they should take care of it for you.

I am willing to "sticky" a post...it has to void of inaccuracies, conflicting info, or speculation.

A thread like this has no place on bimmerforums.com :)

It should also be void of information that is readily available in the owner's manual.

For the free oil changes that BMW provides with all new cars, what are their restrictions? I like to have my oil changes every 5000 miles. Will they let me do this? Or do I need to wait until my service light comes on? If so, then I guess I'll be doing it myself in between the dealer changes.

YES, YOU CAN DO IT. BUT YOU WILL PAY FOR IT. BMW WILL NOT PAY FOR UN NEEDED OIL CHANGES

Ummm, oil changes should be covered under Ultimate Service - and tell your service advisor that you're going on a long trip (and you'll be over the mileage before you return) and they should take care of it for you.

THAT MIGHT WORK ONCE OR TWICE. WILL NOT WORK EVERY TIME YOU WANT YOUR OIL CHANGED BEFORE THE RECOMMENDED TIME.

$107 for an oil and filter change and $280 for the oil service? What's the difference? Do you throw in a hooker for the $280?

THE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE IS JUST THAT, AND NOTHING MORE.

THE OIL SERVICE ALS INCLUDED REPLACING THE CABIN MICROFILTER, AS WELL AS A COURTESY INSPECTION.

A thread like this has no place on bimmerforums.com :)

It should also be void of information that is readily available in the owner's manual.
A lot of people are looking for some info before they receive their car. Others may have lost their manuals or be somewhere they don't have access to them. And some things are not very clear in the manual anyway. Then there is the group that doesn't believe in RTFM. For all, we are here to help :D.
It's also a lot easier to search a forum then to flip through pages, alas not many people use the search button either. We'll see how it goes.

THE OIL AND FILTER CHANGE IS JUST THAT, AND NOTHING MORE.

THE OIL SERVICE ALS INCLUDED REPLACING THE CABIN MICROFILTER, AS WELL AS A COURTESY INSPECTION.
For E90s, the oil service and oil/filter change are pretty much the same. An oil service (and every other maintenance service) includes a standard scope/CBS reset. The microfilter has its own interval, based on the condition based service system.

There about as many people in this forum who use it to act snotty as there are people who ask a question that may have been asked before. Even still, that's not a good enough excuse to be rude. Probably makes some here feel important for a whopping 10 seconds or less.

You need a hobby Myrakan!

You need a hobby Myrakan!
I have many and this is one of them, what's your point? :confused

For E90s, the oil service and oil/filter change are pretty much the same. An oil service (and every other maintenance service) includes a standard scope/CBS reset. The microfilter has its own interval, based on the condition based service system.

An oil/filter change does NOT include resetting any lights, nor does it include a standard scope. Which is what we both stated.

An oil/filter change is not a "SERVICE" and does not include these things. It is nothing more than an oil/filter change.

So can you explain what you mean by "pretty much" the same? Because they are NOT the same nore CLOSE to being the same. This is why the price difference.......

so can you please go further in detail about what you are trying to disprove?

;)

Don't know if anyone has pointed out the obvious but the 15k or one year oil change is more of a BMW factory maintenance thing and not warranty. What I mean is that BMW's maintenance program pays for the oil change for four years (once a year) or every 15k miles up to 50k miles whichever comes first.
As far as BMw is concerned you can change the oil every 5 miles but you then pay for it.

My 2 cents on the different oil change prices is that every dealer charges different rates for the SAME service. I have seen some dealers charge almost triple what others charge. This is up to each individual dealership so be wise and call around.

BMW's maintenance program pays for the oil change for four years (once a year) or every 15k miles up to 50k miles whichever comes first.

That is not correct info. it's not every 15K miles. It's condition based. This means the mileage will be different for everyone.

My 2 cents on the different oil change prices is that every dealer charges different rates for the SAME service. I have seen some dealers charge almost triple what others charge. This is up to each individual dealership so be wise and call around.

I didn't see where this was being questioned, but this is common knowldge.