Oil change

[Mystic3]

Getting ready to do a oil change on the M3. That is, or is it gold? I'm not sure which. been using the Castrol 10-60. I See the prices are astronomical is that what we're stuck with? What else are you guys using as an option? Or just staying with the castrol? If that's what your currently using?

[Slideways]

Castrol is 12-13 bucks per liter on average. Motul is another option.

[maw1124]

More important is the change interval. DO NOT follow the book (10k or 15k, I don’t even remember), is the only advice I remember. I’m pretty sure my guys use the LiquiMoly on mine, but I’m also on 5k / 2yr intervals. But on that interval I can use whatever I want and it won’t matter much. Castrol Edge, Amsoil, Mobile 1, all fine on 5k intervals.

maw

[9kracing]

Check with your BMW dealer, both of my local ones offer 3 oil changes for $199 if your car is over a certain age. At that price you can't beat it.

[c watson]

I stick with 5k or one a year. Whichever comes first.

[PSUEng]

I'm on a similar interval to maw, 5,000/2yr.

[simon_c]

I’m on the 1K/1.5-2yr interval.

[sleepyonthehighway]

FCPEuro will guarantee oil for life. I haven't paid for an oil change in years.

[M3_HTX]

You can roll with Liqui Moly and do it yourself.

https://www.fcpeuro.com/products/bmw-oil-change-kit-e46-m3-z3m-z4m-11427833769kt2

[ugaexploder]

I decided to go with BMW 10W60 through FCP Euro to take advantage of the free oil. It was a tough decision deciding on which oil though since Liqui Moly has a good reputation and so does Redline.

I noticed Redline 10W60 is pretty thick which is in the car now from PO...I recall reading an article where one of their reps even recommended using 15W50 if going with Redline...so I decided to just go BMW even though I also like Motul.

I like to do 5k/6mo whichever comes first because it's fun to change oil

[Mystic3]

Well, it looks like FCP Euro has BMW 10/ 60 twin power Turbo for 94 bucks free shipping. I do change oil every 5000 or less. So it looks like that'll be the winner ,,any argument.

[Estoril]

Oil shouldn't be changed on a calendar schedule. If you think about it - months have nothing to do with when your oil needs to be changed. Oil isn't fresh fish. Get a Blackstone test and make informed decisions based upon facts, not guesswork.

Oh and to the cost of good spec oil on a high-strung car: "Everyone wants to live with a stripper - until you wake up and realize that you need to check for your wallet, car keys and watch".

[ejendow]

Oil shouldn't be changed on a calendar schedule. If you think about it - months have nothing to do with when your oil needs to be changed. Oil isn't fresh fish. Get a Blackstone test and make informed decisions based upon facts, not guesswork.

Oh and to the cost of good spec oil on a high-strung car: "Everyone wants to live with a stripper - until you wake up and realize that you need to check for your wallet, car keys and watch".

since motor oil breaks down over time, changing it based off time applies more to those who don't drive their cars that often.

[heinzboehmer]

Oil shouldn't be changed on a calendar schedule. If you think about it - months have nothing to do with when your oil needs to be changed. Oil isn't fresh fish. Get a Blackstone test and make informed decisions based upon facts, not guesswork.

The argument I've heard people use is that some amount of fuel inevitably gets into the oil when the engine is running. Oil + gas + time = different chemical composition to the original oil spec.

Would be nice to see actual formal research on this (i.e. not sponsored by a company that wants you to buy their oil), but yeah.

[ugaexploder]

Oil shouldn't be changed on a calendar schedule. If you think about it - months have nothing to do with when your oil needs to be changed. Oil isn't fresh fish. Get a Blackstone test and make informed decisions based upon facts, not guesswork.

Oh and to the cost of good spec oil on a high-strung car: "Everyone wants to live with a stripper - until you wake up and realize that you need to check for your wallet, car keys and watch".

Until Blackstone makes an onboard condition-based oil maintenance system, we basically have to go by either milage or time (schedule-based).