I have a 2000 323ci and I have only had it for like a month and the last owner had just changed the oil but all I know is that this thing takes synthetic oil, ( I read on the forums that 0w-40 would be the best price wise) but any way, I see that it says I can go 15,500 miles till my next oil change but I honestly dont believe that at all and would actually like my car to last me! I went to a dealer and a guy there had a 2003 325i so basically same engine and he said "use bmw's long life oil every 7,500 miles" would this be good advice to take??? what are your recommendations!
How many miles before you change the oil!
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I use BMW oil as 0w 40 isn't easy to find in my area for some reason and I change it very 6-7k
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yeah I have honestly never heard of 0w-40 oil but the forums have spoken i guess! haha yeah but i am probably gonna go with a good brand synthetic oil probably just a little over every 5,000 miles just because i still wouldn't trust it haha
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Mobil 1 makes a OW-40, but don't use Mobil 1 in your car. Some people say they create a rattling sound or some sort. Who knows. OW-30 is widely available around you and pick that up. 100% synthetic is your only option. And next time, search before you post.
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I have been using mobil1 0w-40 with no problems. I change it every 4-5k miles.
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You don't have to change the oil. BMW oil lasts for as long as the engine. There's not even an oil filter so you don't have to worry about changing that either. And that thing that says "oil" on it under the hood actually says "710" so just ignore it, nothing goes in there.
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from what i heard, extra virgin olive oil works best on these bmw. i've tried vegatable oil since day 1 and my car is still running at 250miles! amazing huh!?
Use BMW OEM Castrol 5w-30 every 7.5k or so and you'll be golden. Make you life simple and just order one these
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-323i-M52_2.5L/Engine/Oil_Service/_Oil_Service_Kit/ES263047/
Oil questions get asked like every other day, so the olive oil/baby oil snark answers are to be expected. Give the search a try and you'll find more info on Oil and just about everything else you could want to know.
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http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E46-323i-M52_2.5L/Engine/Oil_Service/_Oil_Service_Kit/ES263047/
Oil questions get asked like every other day, so the olive oil/baby oil snark answers are to be expected. Give the search a try and you'll find more info on Oil and just about everything else you could want to know.
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i do a lot of highway mileage, so I figure between 7500-10000m should work. But I do check the levels and stuff in-between.
Pick any LL01 oil. And remember most synthetic XW30's don't meet spec
The beauty of Walmart
I generally go 7.5 to 10K miles between oil changes, depending on how much highway driving I do.
Walmart (in Bay Area): 22.95 for 5 qts mobil 1 0w-40 European formula ( you need 7).
Ebay/ECS/AutohausAZ: $6-$7 Mann oil filter.
15 minutes to do the oil change and you're golden.
I generally go 7.5 to 10K miles between oil changes, depending on how much highway driving I do.
Walmart (in Bay Area): 22.95 for 5 qts mobil 1 0w-40 European formula ( you need 7).
Ebay/ECS/AutohausAZ: $6-$7 Mann oil filter.
15 minutes to do the oil change and you're golden.
Buy an OE oil filter from the dealer or one of the sponsors, or be cheap and save $5 and buy some crappy oil filter that could cause issues and doesn't come with the drain plug washer (you will need one!). Then go to walmart and buy mobile 1 0w40. It's ~$23 for 5 quarts. You need 7 quarts. (the BMW castrol oil is another option)
You can change the oil and filter as many times as you want as long as it's at least once every 15k miles. Some people change oil every 3k miles, others every 15k. I do 15k mile oil changes and I just replaced my VCG at 150k miles and had no sludge. Most evidence shows that the oil will last 15k miles, but the filter might not.
If you search there are probably 1000 threads about this with people arguing about how many miles before changing oil, so it's pretty much up to you.
You can change the oil and filter as many times as you want as long as it's at least once every 15k miles. Some people change oil every 3k miles, others every 15k. I do 15k mile oil changes and I just replaced my VCG at 150k miles and had no sludge. Most evidence shows that the oil will last 15k miles, but the filter might not.
If you search there are probably 1000 threads about this with people arguing about how many miles before changing oil, so it's pretty much up to you.
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I don't even use oil. Its just a big waste of money.
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^This. It's a hoax created by oil companies to control your lives. OP, fight the power and drain all the oil out of your car.
But before that, you may want to use the search button.
I grew up in the every "3 months or 3,000 miles" club in the 80's, way before synthetics and viscosity sensors.....I have never been comfortable with the higher mileage recommendations.....I make myself happy.....I settled on 7500 miles.......... I have done exactly what Podman advises.....
I:
Completely ignore BMW's oil change recommendations.
Completely follow BMW's oil specification recommendations.
I'm happy, its my money, and my Saturday morning.....Ill spend it as I choose....... and to that end, My 2000 328CI has 204,000 miles.........
I:
Completely ignore BMW's oil change recommendations.
Completely follow BMW's oil specification recommendations.
I'm happy, its my money, and my Saturday morning.....Ill spend it as I choose....... and to that end, My 2000 328CI has 204,000 miles.........
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