Change oil after 12 mths or wait another year?

[keith333]

We've had our X5 30d M Sport for one year and 11,000 miles.  Should I change the oil now or wait another year when the 20,000 mile service is due?

[X5Sport]

Personal choice.  I had nine done at 1,200 miles and then left it.  Modern oils are engineered to last the distance but there are still the 'old school' who think it should be done annually regardless of mileage.

It is a school of thought I have in the past subscribed to, but with this car I'm letting it run to the service schedule.  It's only because I am using the right oil though.

Richard

[martin33100]

[quote="keith333"]
We've had our X5 30d M Sport for one year and 11,000 miles.  Should I change the oil now or wait another year when the 20,000 mile service is due?
[/quote]I have worked on diesels on a daily basis  for about 18 years and our E70 gets the oil changed every 10k, it only costs me around £70 for castrol edge ll04 and filter, a good second hand engine still goes for about 2.5-3k

As far as the long life oil goes it will do 20k if the conditions of the engine are met, what I mean by this is if the engine does 5k of short trips the oil will get contaminated with carbon and chemicals alot quicker than doing 20k all on the motorway at 90deg running temps.
Also if you ever get a problem like a small leak on the diesel HPFP you can get diesel going into the sump giving fuel dilution into the oil and that is not good if its left for 20k.
I will try and find the oil test report I read of some castrol ll04 being tested after 20k and it was shot to bits.

[keith333]

Thanks for the replies.  We do a real mix of journeys, so at least its not lots of short ones.  I think I'll change the oil, can't do any harm

[martin33100]

[quote="keith333"]
Thanks for the replies.  We do a real mix of journeys, so at least its not lots of short ones.  I think I'll change the oil, can't do any harm
[/quote]If you are going to change the oil yourself Euro car parts have 30% off click and collect but it ends tomorrow 27th, the code is RENEW30.

Prices are:-
Hengst oil filter and 8L of 0/30 Castrol Edge FST £99.82 - 30% = £69.87.

Hengst oil filter and 8L of 5/30 Castrol Edge FST £89.89 - 30%= £62.87

[as400]

National Tyres will change the oil and filter for less than £70, Castrol Edge.

For the sake of £70 you may as well get it done every year.

http://www.national.co.uk/oil-vehicle-search.aspx

[martin33100]

[quote="as400"]
National Tyres will change the oil and filter for less than £70, Castrol Edge.

For the sake of £70 you may as well get it done every year.

http://www.national.co.uk/oil-vehicle-search.aspx
[/quote]I spoke to National Tyres in Southampton this morning and they no longer no Castrol Edge, due to cost its now a ll04 unipart oil they use.

[as400]

[quote="martin33100"]
[quote="as400"]
National Tyres will change the oil and filter for less than £70, Castrol Edge.

For the sake of £70 you may as well get it done every year.

http://www.national.co.uk/oil-vehicle-search.aspx
[/quote]I spoke to National Tyres in Southampton this morning and they no longer no Castrol Edge, due to cost its now a ll04 unipart oil they use.
[/quote]

Yes I have read they are in the process of changing over to the German company Fuchs which is the world's largest independent manufacturer of lubricants and with BMW charging £160+ its worth considering.

[Denis O]

I read the Fuchs info as well/ It's LL04 so happy with that.

I've booked mine in for the beginning of March for it's 2 year service and MOT. With TopCashBack the total bill is £98 including £35 for the MOT. I couldn't do it for that myself.

[keith333]

8L of Castrol Edge and a filter arrived from Europarts today (cost £67) so I have a job to do over the weekend.  We're hoping to keep the car for a few years so trying to look after it from the beginning.