[ayv_g20]

I’m about to hit 1,200 miles in my g20 330e and I’m torn between taking it to get a post-break-in oil change or not. BMW says that it isn’t necessary on their website but that doesn’t really sit right with me for some reason. Would it be worth it or not? How much would it cost on average if I decide to do it? Also: I believe I’ve seen somewhere on this forum that the first recommended oil change at 10,000 miles is free, should I ask for the service interval timer to not be reset in order to not run the risk of voiding that offer?

[1WickedE90]

Originally Posted by ayv_g20

I’m about to hit 1,200 miles in my g20 330e and I’m torn between taking it to get a post-break-in oil change or not. BMW says that it isn’t necessary on their website but that doesn’t really sit right with me for some reason. Would it be worth it or not? How much would it cost on average if I decide to do it? Also: I believe I’ve seen somewhere on this forum that the first recommended oil change at 10,000 miles is free, should I ask for the service interval timer to not be reset in order to not run the risk of voiding that offer?

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...91&postcount=6

[kapa1122]

Why is 10k miles too long to wait? If anything get your oil tested, oil has come a long way from the old changing every 3-5k miles tale that we all hear.

This guy even tested it and says he is fine at 9500. You can spend money changing it if you want, but why waste money?

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1978246

[ByronWalter]

Originally Posted by kapa1122

This guy even tested it and says he is fine at 9500. You can spend money changing it if you want, but why waste money?

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1978246

But this guy already had 20,000 miles on his ride at the time of that oil change. The first 1200 miles is while the engine is still 'green' and the moving bits are still 'wearing in'. I'm inclined to do an out-of-pocket change at around 1,100 to 1,200 miles because of that and then go with the usual change interval. But that's just (OCD) me.

[G30M]

Originally Posted by kapa1122

Why is 10k miles too long to wait? If anything get your oil tested, oil has come a long way from the old changing every 3-5k miles tale that we all hear.

This guy even tested it and says he is fine at 9500. You can spend money changing it if you want, but why waste money?

https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1978246

[PhantasticDad]

FWIW - I did a break-in oil change at just over 2000 miles and the oil filter looked glittery as did the oil that dripped onto my hands.
Is the oil itself still plenty good at that point - of course.
Do I want all those break-in metal shavings floating around in my engine - heck no.
I plan on doing the next change at 10,000 as recommended and then stick with the recommended intervals from there with quality oil and filter, but those initial wear particles needed to come out. I'm glad I did it for peace of mind and longevity. It's a personal choice every car owner needs to make for themselves.

[G30M]

did these break in changes on both cars but never saw the oil as done at dealer

thanks for confirming!

[rmedina]

I ended up doing my first oil change at 1200. It was only 50 or 60.00 to do it, so why not. I also switched my oil pan plug to a magnetic plug.

[G30M]

if you want to plan on keeping the car I'd do another oil change before you then let loose

[Archie68]

If it makes you feel better do it. But not necessary at all from engine life perspective. This is from an automotive engineer's perspective (me) who has done an extensive amount of research as part of my job with engine wear with respect to engine oil. Hold over from old times. Hard to change mindset from what we had beat into our brains for many decades.

[dhock_holiday]

Originally Posted by shives68

If it makes you feel better do it. But not necessary at all from engine life perspective. This is from an automotive engineer's perspective (me) who has done an extensive amount of research as part of my job with engine wear with respect to engine oil. Hold over from old times. Hard to change mindset from what we had beat into our brains for many decades.

When would you recommend doing the 1st oil change. Is 5K a good middle group. Then let the dealer to the normal 10K service? At least for that 1st oil change, then go to the standard 1yr/10K miles?

[Archie68]

There is absolutely no harm in doing a oil change earlier than 10K miles. It really is a function of your peace of mind vs your willingness to spend money. If you subscribe to argument of getting early hour metallics out as main reason than I would say do earlier at 1-2K. However I still stand by my statement that it is not necessary in the vast vast majority of cases. There would need to be some underlying deviation in tightly controlled processes and design at manufacture/assembly.