My MID recently hit 5%, and thought it would be time for an oil change. Then when I went to the store today, and realized when I changed it last I put in M1EP which guarantees 15k protection.

Now, I'm not sold on going the full 15k, but I do think I could go further than the 7500 I did the first time.

So, what say you? I was thinking I should be able to get 10-12k out of this oil, and I'll be sending it in for analysis just in case. I'm also open to going with the hi-test stuff (amsoil, etc) in order to keep the interval high.

Oil has changed a good bit since I was a tech, we were just starting to debunk the 3k interval for dino juice.

 

I'm a Dino guy, so I've never used the synthetic, but if regular Dino oil will hold up to the 7500/8000 mile oil changes, don't see why the longer change interval synthetic wouldn't go beyond that figure.
I just purchased Quaker State 5-20 Dino oil on sale for $2.10 qt, but as the Mobil 1 EP is around $8 qt it better last 28,500 miles to break even.

 

I pay 25 or 30 for an synthetic oil change special at advance auto parts. This includes a Mobil-1 filter or other premium filter. I believe that most of us synthetic users run the oil for extended component life rather than extended oil changes. At my machine shop I only use Mobil oil for cutting fluid and machine lubricant.

 

if you did a seafoam cleaning of the oil system before the m1-ep,,
then with a new filter installed at 7500 you can go longer-10-15
with analysis from a lab that test how much of the additives are still active
Thats the really important part- the additives

If you went on m1 without cleaning the system first- 7500 on any type oil IMO
if you want to run the year long stuff, definetly clean system first, change filter halfway and get analysis,
If the filter plugs up it goes into bypass mode- which allows oil to circulate without going thru the filter.
All oils have some cleaner in them and the oil carries the crud to the filter for capture

megamod fsttyms1 did 15k miles on oil changes with lab test- at 220k miles on the engine it looked brand new inside- cylinders still had crosshatch marks from factory!! like new

amzoil is the only one I hear going a year/15k miles
rp isnt any better that whats on the shelf at the parts store-7500 miles
Many here like m1-ep= ep being the original `good formula`
penzoil platiunum another popular synthetic- 20 bucks 5 qt jug at wallys-score!

oil makers know the car makers have set 7500 miles for change standard to comply with govt bs. So they put in enough additives to last about 8000 miles,,but some go far less like 5000 and they are done~

 

Synthetic oil will last 7500 no problem. But I would change your filter sooner.

 

I'd listen to 01tl4tl ^ he knows his stuff!

 

I've run Amsoil exclusively in my TL-S since I've owned it and ran an oil analysis after one of my last oil changes. I found that the MID was dead on in terms of when the oil needed to be replaced. I think it was right around 7k-7500 miles. Every car is different though, so I would recommend getting an analysis done (they're like $20) from Blackstone Labs and see what they say.

 

I use the M-1 and filter and routinely go a 1000 or two miles beyond the MID, 110k with no problems and never sea foamed (yet) As stated, it was created with dino-oil in mind (to the best of my knowledge) and if you've replaced that with synthetic, to me it would be only logical you could wait longer between changes.

 

The standard BMW MID oil change interval with German Castrol is 15K miles. IIRC the oil is not that expensive about $6.25 a quart from the BMW parts department.

Mobil 1 0W-40 with SuperSyn is also on the BMW aproved list for 15K mile changes.

I run Mobil 1 + Mobil 1 filter in my 6MT TL & I change the oil at 1 - 1/2MID cycles. Also rotate the tires at the same time.

 

bmw's also use 8 qt's of oil "wallet crying"

 

Mobil1 EP is usually a dollar more than the regular Mobil 1. You can usually find a sale on the regular Mobil 1, but the EP is a different story.
Advance Auto $7.89 (EP)
Mobil 1 in no way can replace the specialized cutting fluid that will give a good surface quality and extended tool life.

I'll ask again, with proper maintenance, when has anyone had an engine go south and the oil was the blame? Oh, and to say that the engine will last longer, what proof? I've had engines into the 250K mileage on Dino oil and no problems, yet that same make/model/year engine in another vehicle let go at 167K using synthetic. Oil's fault, no. Just a bunch of brain washing.
Now if you live in an environment that sees below -35F and oil temps over 270F, then yes, use a synthetic.

I guess it's early and I'm cranky.

 

truth be told- the engineers at blackstone lab who run the Mass Spectrometer and do the written breakdown of info for you....run dino oil in their cars
They have access to results of many types of oils and mileages, and thats what they use, the basic stuff

The logic that synthetic should go much longer between changes is based on a belief manufactures caring about you--HA!
They design them to go 5000-8000 miles and then the needed additives are worn out

If you want 15k oil- go buy it, but dont expect just any oil or any synthetic to have been made to do it

 

why does bmw go so far between changes?
A: Their lifetime free oil change program
B: The cars are supposed to last 10 years and be dismantled and recycled
All the plastic bits have the triangle code and the cars are built to be taken apart,
unlike other brands that are made to be assembled as quickly as possible
So bimmer doesnt care about the engine going more than 100-150..its all planned ~

 

I'm of similar opinion. There's lots of variables, but I think oil can go a lot longer than people would like to admit. Took care of a car once that had gone 50k with no oil change. No appreciable damage on the inside, and it still ran fine. MPG picked up a tick after service, but that was about it.

My boss once saw a car that had gone 200k on the factory oil.

 

After running the oil for 13K miles in my Mercedes E500 (04), the Mobile 1 0W40 European blend is black in color. The Merc has a big oil filter. The last change the car said I had 4K of oil life left. But guess what, the Merc doesn't get driven much, its 5 years old and has 91K miles.

I previously owned a BMW 530 (02), and close to oil change, the oil was black, regular sized oil filter. Checked at the dipstick, BMW Oil.

In the 04/TL, close to oil change (20% to 5%), the oil is a very dark brown, but never black (so far). I check it at the dipstick. I run M1 5w20. I drive it alot (143K on the odo).
If I checked the oil (at the dipstick) in the TL, and it was black, I would change the oil if the MID says I had 20% or less of oil life left.

 

hmm wow that cant be good for the car ... but im no mechanic so what do i know?