You are here: Forums Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair

2418 messages,  Last post on Dec 03, 2009 at 8:06 AM

You are in the BMW 5-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? BMW 5 Series, Electrical, Engine, Sedan, Wagon

Messages Page 240 of 243 1 ... 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

#2385 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [xingze_cai] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 06, 2009 (9:25 am)
Replying to: xingze_cai (Nov 05, 2009 10:51 pm) I'd use the dealer's filter or a German filter from an online BMW specialty vendor.   Best thing I can say about oil changes is that if you are going to extend the oil change beyond manufacturer's recommendations, get an oil analysis periodically, and then you KNOW what's going on. Replies to this message: andys120 (Nov 06, 2009 1:39 pm) Mr_Shiftright (Nov 06, 2009 4:57 pm)
#2386 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [Mr_Shiftright] by andys120 Nov 06, 2009 (1:39 pm)
Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 06, 2009 9:25 am) if you are going to extend the oil change beyond manufacturer's recommendations, get an oil analysis periodically, and then you KNOW what's going on.   Problem is that BMW doesn't give any recommendation other than changing when indicated by the service interval indicators which for some drivers is as long as 15,000 miles. Many owners and some techies consider such intervals absurdly long, particularly in the case of the initial oil change. IIRC Mike Miller, the service guru at Roundel recommends changes at not more than 10000 mile intervals.   My BMW Indie techs recommend 5000 mile intervals, which seems excessive in the other direction but since I think it's a good idea to have your car looked at by a pro every season, I generally change every 5 or 6K.   BMW also requires that you use their proprietary oil, which IIRC is actually relabeled Castrol Syntec. I'm sure any similarly rated synthetic would suffice. "> Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 06, 2009 4:57 pm)
#2387 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [andys120] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 06, 2009 (4:57 pm)
Replying to: andys120 (Nov 06, 2009 1:39 pm) Well if you go by the BMW system and keep all your receipts, then if it blows up they just give you a new engine.   Were it my car, I'd either do 7500 or oil analysis, either one.
#2388 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [xingze_cai] by roadburner Nov 06, 2009 (9:22 pm)
Replying to: xingze_cai (Nov 05, 2009 10:51 pm) As noted above, use a BMW filter element. I recommend that you use an oil that meets BMW's LL-01 specs. The most readily available LL-01 oils are BMW 5W-30 synthetic, Castrol Syntec 0W-30, and Mobil 1 0W-40. I change the oil every 8000-8500 miles and used oil analysis shows that to be a safe interval. Replies to this message: xingze_cai (Nov 06, 2009 11:45 pm) kyfdx (Nov 07, 2009 6:15 am) Mr_Shiftright (Nov 07, 2009 9:08 am)
#2389 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [roadburner] by xingze_cai Nov 06, 2009 (11:45 pm)
Replying to: roadburner (Nov 06, 2009 9:22 pm) Is BMW dealer the only place to purchase the BMW filter element? Replies to this message: kyfdx (Nov 07, 2009 6:15 am) Mr_Shiftright (Nov 07, 2009 9:08 am)
#2390 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [xingze_cai] by kyfdx HOST Nov 07, 2009 (6:15 am)
Replying to: xingze_cai (Nov 06, 2009 11:45 pm) BMW filters aren't that expensive.. The last time I bought 7 qts of BMW synthetic and a filter (from the dealer), it came to less than $40.. This is not the thing to cheap out on, with your car...   Join the BMW CCA (car club), and a lot of dealer parts departments will give you 10%-20% off your purchases, and you'll get a cool monthly magazine from the club..   regards, kyfdx Replies to this message: Mr_Shiftright (Nov 07, 2009 9:08 am)
#2391 of 2418 Re: Question about the oil change and choose oil filter [kyfdx] by Mr_Shiftright HOST Nov 07, 2009 (9:08 am)
Replying to: kyfdx (Nov 07, 2009 6:15 am) No matter what car I own, I buy my oil filters and my various gaskets from the dealer (because they FIT), or from a specialty independent shop that sources equivalent quality, based on their repair experiences with that make of car.   some German cars are so sensitive to oil filters that if you use an off-brand, the hydraulic valve lifters will start to malfunction and the car won't start! (certain Audi models).   So yeah, it does matter.
#2392 of 2418 Is rear tire consumed more than front tire for BMW cars? by xingze_cai Nov 07, 2009 (11:00 pm)
Just a quick question:   Since most of BMW cars are rear wheel drive, are those two rear tires consumed more than front one? Thus, should tire rotation performed every 5000 miles?   Thanks for the advise! Replies to this message: andys120 (Nov 08, 2009 7:59 am) xingze_cai (Nov 08, 2009 11:34 pm)
#2393 of 2418 Re: Is rear tire consumed more than front tire for BMW cars? [xingze_cai] by andys120 Nov 08, 2009 (7:59 am)
Replying to: xingze_cai (Nov 07, 2009 11:00 pm) I find that tires on my E39 wear pretty evenly, but then I do rotate every 5-7K.   Bimmers have good weight distribution which helps and not many have enough torque to really chew up the rears (M s excepted). That said tires should be inspected regularly for signs of poor wear or misalignment. In the past, BMWs had a tendency to wear tires on the outer edges, particularly the rears. Replies to this message: xingze_cai (Nov 08, 2009 11:34 pm)
#2394 of 2418 Thanks! by xingze_cai Nov 08, 2009 (11:34 pm)
Replying to: andys120 (Nov 08, 2009 7:59 am)

Messages Page 240 of 243 1 ... 237 238 239 240 241 242 243 Prev Next Last

Go To Msg # Search This Discussion

You are here: Forums Sedans BMW 5-Series BMW 5-Series Maintenance and Repair