First Service: When?
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 333
RE: First Service: When?
Filter is about $15 at the dealer; a 36mm shallow socket is handy for getting the filter canister off without scarring, and several companies make a drain tube with fitting to empty the canister before removal. You don't have to have these tools, though. A 1/8th or 9/64 dia. allen key or phillips will drain the canister, or you can just unscrew it and deal with the small mess.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,713
From: Cibolo, TX
RE: First Service: When?
Yeah, it is sitting directly under the small front underbelly cover. Very easy to get at, and it really doesn't require more than the 36mm socket to change, other than the correct oil and filter.
It is as easy as any other oil change, IMO.
Cheers!
It is as easy as any other oil change, IMO.
Cheers!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 150
From:
RE: First Service: When?
ORIGINAL: JohnS1
In USA we are oil change crazy compared to what people do in Europe....thats why the 10k intervals, but you still need to check oil level.
In USA we are oil change crazy compared to what people do in Europe....thats why the 10k intervals, but you still need to check oil level.
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 333
RE: First Service: When?
The service agenda of an auto manufacturer is often very different from that of an auto enthusiast. Manufacturers want to get their productsthrough the warranty period with the smallest expense to service and warranty departments, the least inconvenience to customers, and the highest satisfaction rating. Auto enthusiasts want to be sure that they're doing everything possible to keep their car at it's performance peak; to extend it's service life, and avoid preventable failures.
Rather than get into an extended rant and blog about this stuff, I'd suggest the following; visit a few independent BMW and Audi shops. Find the guys who see and tear down cars that have 75k - 100k miles on them - cars that have had timing belt failures or need resealing. Ask them what they think of the internal condition of short tripmotors on a factory service program, versus more conservative service intervals. Ask what they think of the lifetime synthetic transmission fills on Volvo and BMW cars the last 10 years. Then form your own opinions.
Rich, I'm sure your car will be just fine as long as you own it - butI don't want to be the guy who buys it with 80k on the clock.
Rather than get into an extended rant and blog about this stuff, I'd suggest the following; visit a few independent BMW and Audi shops. Find the guys who see and tear down cars that have 75k - 100k miles on them - cars that have had timing belt failures or need resealing. Ask them what they think of the internal condition of short tripmotors on a factory service program, versus more conservative service intervals. Ask what they think of the lifetime synthetic transmission fills on Volvo and BMW cars the last 10 years. Then form your own opinions.
Rich, I'm sure your car will be just fine as long as you own it - butI don't want to be the guy who buys it with 80k on the clock.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 486
From:
RE: First Service: When?
ORIGINAL: hesaputz
The service agenda of an auto manufacturer is often very different from that of an auto enthusiast. Manufacturers want to get their products through the warranty period with the smallest expense to service and warranty departments, the least inconvenience to customers, and the highest satisfaction rating. Auto enthusiasts want to be sure that they're doing everything possible to keep their car at it's performance peak; to extend it's service life, and avoid preventable failures.
Rather than get into an extended rant and blog about this stuff, I'd suggest the following; visit a few independent BMW and Audi shops. Find the guys who see and tear down cars that have 75k - 100k miles on them - cars that have had timing belt failures or need resealing. Ask them what they think of the internal condition of short trip motors on a factory service program, versus more conservative service intervals. Ask what they think of the lifetime synthetic transmission fills on Volvo and BMW cars the last 10 years. Then form your own opinions.
Rich, I'm sure your car will be just fine as long as you own it - but I don't want to be the guy who buys it with 80k on the clock.
The service agenda of an auto manufacturer is often very different from that of an auto enthusiast. Manufacturers want to get their products through the warranty period with the smallest expense to service and warranty departments, the least inconvenience to customers, and the highest satisfaction rating. Auto enthusiasts want to be sure that they're doing everything possible to keep their car at it's performance peak; to extend it's service life, and avoid preventable failures.
Rather than get into an extended rant and blog about this stuff, I'd suggest the following; visit a few independent BMW and Audi shops. Find the guys who see and tear down cars that have 75k - 100k miles on them - cars that have had timing belt failures or need resealing. Ask them what they think of the internal condition of short trip motors on a factory service program, versus more conservative service intervals. Ask what they think of the lifetime synthetic transmission fills on Volvo and BMW cars the last 10 years. Then form your own opinions.
Rich, I'm sure your car will be just fine as long as you own it - but I don't want to be the guy who buys it with 80k on the clock.
Cheers!
1st Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 333
RE: First Service: When?
You might be surprised as to what is toughest on an engine. I don't really shy away from agressively driven cars if the owner is knowledgeable enough to warm them up first, and maintain them well. I'd shy away from one that was used as a regular track *****, though.
My neighbor has a bmw 5 series - 1999, 31k miles. He's a doctor, drives it 2 miles to the hospital, 2 miles back 5-10hours later. occasionally runs a short errand in it. He'll often let it sit for a week when he's out of town. He never changed oil till theservice lightcame on (or maybe after).The cams are pretty much worn out, and he can't understand why.
My neighbor has a bmw 5 series - 1999, 31k miles. He's a doctor, drives it 2 miles to the hospital, 2 miles back 5-10hours later. occasionally runs a short errand in it. He'll often let it sit for a week when he's out of town. He never changed oil till theservice lightcame on (or maybe after).The cams are pretty much worn out, and he can't understand why.
1st Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 486
From:
RE: First Service: When?
Thats sad, the BMW 5 series got only got 31K and this gentleman waits until the oil light comes on before changing oil. By that time you are down at least two quarts and the engine is running hotter while driving and you should be able to hear the engine a lot more. [sm=chairshot.gif]
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