Re: 528 maintenance

["Ron Buchalski" <rbuchals@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

You can safely follow the BMW service indicator lights if you use synthetic 
oil.  But, if you're like me, and plan to keep your car until the wheels are 
ready to fall off, change the oil every five thousand miles.  I use Mobil 1 
in all my cars.

For my daily driver (E34), I drive 100 miles per day, and change the oil 
every five thousand miles.  For the M3, which doesn't get driven that often, 
I change the oil twice per year (spring and fall).  The M3 is used for 
driver schools, so the oil gets stressed more than the other cars.  For me, 
it's cheap insurance to change the oil twice per year, even if I only drive 
the car 5-6k miles per year.

I haven't owned the Miata very long (since May), and only put 3500 miles on 
it since it's purchase.  The oil will be changed this month, and it'll also 
go on a spring-fall schedule.

If your driving consists of much stop and go traffic, and many short trips, 
consider changing the oil more often.  Short trips prevent the oil from 
heating up fully, and results in crankcase moisture forming sludge inside 
the engine.

For all the maintenance intervals, you should buy an owner's manual.  If you 
plan to service the car yourself, buy the Bentley E39 manual.

Ron Buchalski
BMWCCA #76387
1995 E36 M3
1993 E34 525iT
1999 Mazda Miata


=>
>Date: Mon, 17 Mar 2003 15:02:34 -0700
>From: "Lumia, John" <jlumia@domain.elided>
>Subject: 528 maintenance
>
>I am a relative newbie to BMW, and whats more the 1999 528iT I bought
>didnt come with an owners manual or a maintenance manual.  My BMW dealer
>says that if you use their products you can go until the cars computer
>tells you its time for an oil change, or "12-15K miles".  What do
>informed BMW owners believe?  If I use aftermarket products (high
>quality synthetic oil and filters), do I want to drive anywhere near the
>12-15K miles between oil changes?  Is there a website that can help with
>recommended service intervals for things like fuel filters, air filters,
>coolant, brake fluid, etc.?
>
>John
>1999 528iT



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