Annual oil change--free or not?

NYSPEM3 · 07-06-2009, 10:01 PM

It has been almost a year since I did my 1200-mile service. The current odo reading is 4400 miles, and the onboard computer says I am nowhere close to the next oil change.

The manual does indicate that for low annual mileage cars, the oil should be changed annually.

Has anyone received free oil changes based on that? I need to take the car to the dealership for a bunch of little things done anyway (annual inspection sticker, DCT recall--yeah I know I waited quite a while on this, adjustment to the slightly loose brake pedal, and a small rattle in the center armrest). I would like to get some information before making the appointment.

cchan · 07-06-2009, 10:12 PM

Yes, an annual oil change should be covered. I think the rule though is that it has to be at least exactly one full calendar year since your last oil change (i.e. the service appointment should be like one year and one day since the previous one, or later).

skierman64 · 07-06-2009, 10:32 PM

I still had miles left on the oil change indicator, but my dealer did a one year oil change free of charge.

Manny212 · 07-06-2009, 10:45 PM

i'm going in next monday for a free annual oil change. My mileage is currently at 7800. I believe it's part of the maintenance program, every 15K miles or once a year.

skim · 07-06-2009, 10:47 PM

it's 1 yr or 15k miles, whichever comes first

doesn't the onboard computer say this tho? meaning if you drive less than 15k miles a year, computer still tells you to take your car in for oil change if it's been 1 yr? i know benzes do this but of course it's not free

URBAN LEGEND · 07-07-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skim

computer still tells you to take your car in for oil change if it's been 1 yr? i know benzes do this but of course it's not free

It ain't free for us either. Its just wrapped in the price of the car. No free lunches anywhere.

AwesomeM3 · 07-07-2009, 07:44 AM

It's free if it has been at least one year since your 1200 mile service. I have less than 5000 miles, and I just had the free annual oil change a few weeks ago.

flagger · 07-07-2009, 01:05 PM

My annual was done about 3 weeks ago with 10K on the odometer. Included in the service warranty.

Interestingly, the clock is still ticking on the 15K oil service, so I expect another oil change in about 5 months.

rbk1115 · 07-07-2009, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the information guys/gals! I don't think I will hit the 15K mile mark in a year since my 1200 mile break in service.

mPlasticDesign · 07-07-2009, 02:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagger

My annual was done about 3 weeks ago with 10K on the odometer. Included in the service warranty.

Interestingly, the clock is still ticking on the 15K oil service, so I expect another oil change in about 5 months.

Sounds like they forgot to reset the service interval.

sayemthree · 07-07-2009, 02:28 PM

mine was free at one year and 9000 miles

skierman64 · 07-07-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flagger

My annual was done about 3 weeks ago with 10K on the odometer. Included in the service warranty.

Interestingly, the clock is still ticking on the 15K oil service, so I expect another oil change in about 5 months.

My oil service indicator was not reset either.

JCtx · 07-07-2009, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skierman64

My oil service indicator was not reset either.

I was told they don't reset it so they don't have to change the tranny/diff fluids (and possibly other filters as well) every 3rd oil change. But that's BS to me, as time is important for the tranny and diff oils as well.

07-06-2009, 10:01 PM	#1
NYSPEM3 Second Lieutenant 10 Rep 221 Posts Drives: E90 M3 DCT Join Date: May 2008 Location: NYC iTrader: (0)	Annual oil change--free or not? It has been almost a year since I did my 1200-mile service. The current odo reading is 4400 miles, and the onboard computer says I am nowhere close to the next oil change. The manual does indicate that for low annual mileage cars, the oil should be changed annually. Has anyone received free oil changes based on that? I need to take the car to the dealership for a bunch of little things done anyway (annual inspection sticker, DCT recall--yeah I know I waited quite a while on this, adjustment to the slightly loose brake pedal, and a small rattle in the center armrest). I would like to get some information before making the appointment. __________________ -------------------------------------------------- E90 M3 DCT Interlagos Blue/Silver Interior, Tech Pkg, Prem Pkg, Folddown Seats, 19"... that's it Certified V1 Zombie
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07-06-2009, 10:12 PM	#2
cchan Private 11 Rep 91 Posts Drives: '12 F30 328i/'11 C2S/'04 GT3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: SF Bay, CA iTrader: (1)	Yes, an annual oil change should be covered. I think the rule though is that it has to be at least exactly one full calendar year since your last oil change (i.e. the service appointment should be like one year and one day since the previous one, or later). __________________ Golden Gate BMWCCA - Car Control Clinics '13 C4S/'12 328i/'04 GT3 Past: '09 M3 DCT/'03 M3 SMG/'95 M3... missing an E30 I suppose...
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07-06-2009, 10:32 PM	#3
skierman64 Brigadier General 125 Rep 3,071 Posts Drives: E92M3-E46M3-E46Wagon-E89Z4-E36 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Greater St Louis Metro area iTrader: (1) Garage List 1994 325is Race Car [0.00] 2011 BMW Z4 [0.00] 1998 M3 Coupe [0.00] 2008 M3 Coupe [0.00]	I still had miles left on the oil change indicator, but my dealer did a one year oil change free of charge. __________________ Invest Wisely...The best mod for your money?? BMWCCA high performance driver's school. The mod that lasts a lifetime and improves the performance of any car you drive[/LEFT]
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07-06-2009, 10:45 PM	#4
Manny212 Captain 62 Rep 666 Posts Drives: 2008 M3 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (3)	i'm going in next monday for a free annual oil change. My mileage is currently at 7800. I believe it's part of the maintenance program, every 15K miles or once a year. __________________ 2008 E92///M3 - \| Alpine White/Fox Red Extended Novillo \| Technology \| Premium \| Cold \| Mods: \| 19" Avante Garde \| Macht Schnell Filter \| RPi Scoops \| Rogue SSK \| MS Spacers \| ACM Test Pipes \| ESS Tune \| Remus Race \| LUX V4 Angels \| KW V3 \|
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07-06-2009, 10:47 PM	#5
skim Captain 142 Rep 660 Posts Drives: 07 Z4MC Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	it's 1 yr or 15k miles, whichever comes first doesn't the onboard computer say this tho? meaning if you drive less than 15k miles a year, computer still tells you to take your car in for oil change if it's been 1 yr? i know benzes do this but of course it's not free __________________ Future mod consideration: exhaust, pulley otherwise, very happy with how the m3 was born
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07-07-2009, 07:44 AM	#7
AwesomeM3 Colonel 1639 Rep 2,775 Posts Drives: F95 X5MC Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2015 BMW X5 M [10.00] 2020 BMW X5M Compet ... [0.00] 2008 M3 [10.00]	It's free if it has been at least one year since your 1200 mile service. I have less than 5000 miles, and I just had the free annual oil change a few weeks ago. __________________ 2020 F95 X5///M Competition CarBahn Autoworks Stage 1 \| 2023 Lamborghini Huracan Tecnica
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07-07-2009, 01:05 PM	#8
flagger Private First Class 18 Rep 150 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Virginia iTrader: (0)	My annual was done about 3 weeks ago with 10K on the odometer. Included in the service warranty. Interestingly, the clock is still ticking on the 15K oil service, so I expect another oil change in about 5 months.
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07-07-2009, 01:34 PM	#9
rbk1115 Lieutenant 14 Rep 527 Posts Drives: Acuras & BMWs Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Mazda3 i Touri ... [0.00] 2013 BMW 535i Sedan [0.00] 2009 BMW M3 Sedan [0.00]	Thanks for the information guys/gals! I don't think I will hit the 15K mile mark in a year since my 1200 mile break in service. __________________ 2009 BMW M3 Sedan 2013 BMW 535i M Sport Sedan 2014 Mazda3 i Touring Sedan
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07-07-2009, 02:28 PM	#11
sayemthree Major General 597 Rep 5,448 Posts Drives: ‘20 X3mC ‘20 Raptor ‘04 X3 6mt Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: usa so cal , AZ iTrader: (0)	mine was free at one year and 9000 miles __________________ Fore Sale Rare 6 speed manual X3 3.oi silver over grey. PM me
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