Is breakin oil change really necessary?

[chicagofreeman]

It is not recommended by either BMW or dealer. So I was wondering if it is necessary. BMW of Turnersville in NJ has an oil change offer now, it is $85 with Premium Mobil 1. How is it? Thanks.

Jason

[wag-zhp]

It's not necessary, but it's not a bad idea either. Another option would be to just change the filter and top off the oil. The theory is that most of the metallic shavings that result from the break-in process should get picked up by the filter, so just changing the filter is all that is necessary. (I don't really agree with this, but it would be better than waiting for the change that is recommended by the computer.)

Personally, I would recommend draining the synthetic oil as soon as you receive your new car, replacing it with an old fashion non-synthetic for the first 1,500 (one thousand five hundred, not 15,000) or so miles. The reasoning behind this idea is that synthetic oils work too well and actually prolong the critical piston ring and cylinder wall break-in/mating period. The old fashion oil will also allow the bearing surfaces to mate quicker. After the first 1,500 miles, drain the oil and change the filter, and revert back to synthetic oil. This type of approach will result in a much faster break-in, but it requires the operator of the vehicle to be much more diligent than the average consumer is will to be.

[ddtan]

There is no answer to this question. Do it if you like the idea that your engine gets a new slug of oil after a "break-in". I did. But, the issue has been argued ad nauseum. The price is a good price.

[anE934fun]

There is no answer to this question. Do it if you like the idea that your engine gets a new slug of oil after a "break-in". I did. But, the issue has been argued ad nauseum. The price is a good price.
+1. An additional consideration (beside a new slug of oil after break-in) is to get rid of the break-in 'debris' that eludes the filter. I did an oil analysis on the factory fill at 1,200 miles and there was a selection of break-in debris that had eluded the filter.

For the most part, the decision on whether to do a break-in oil & filter change seems to turn on whether you will be keeping the car past the warranty period.

[PhilipWOT]

Necessary? No
Recommended by those with knowledge on the subject? Yes.

[riceqx2]

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; change that oil after 5-7K miles. Your gas mileage will go up by 2 mpg. ...That should tell you something.

[fun2drive]

If you own the car and plan to keep it a long time then you may wish to change the oil. Tischer BMW for example has an oil change kit with BMW synthetic oil, filter and gaskets for $53.00 shipped.
I changed mine at 2200 miles because I want my engine to last.
The filter only takes out crude down to about 20 microns and the wear to the engine happens at something less then that like 5 microns to 10 or so.
If I were leasing I would not do anything but let BMW do it for me.
Two factors weighed on my decision to change the oil.
Total Baseline Number of the oil and initial crude.
TBN is just a measure of what additives are left in the oil and the oil BMW uses, Castrol German, will last a long time like 15K miles. However the crude build up from initial assembly and running the engine it why I decided to do it. I also have access to a lift and all normal oil change equipment.
For me $53.00 was peanuts compared to peace of mind.
I plan to change oil every 7500 miles and let BMW do it the times. It works out for me to be no more then 7500 miles per oil change as I put around 13K miles a year on the car max.