Should I be paying for oil?

[idworkin]

I have an '08 550i w/ 12,000 miles on it.

So far, my oil light has gone on twice - and both times, I went to a BMW dealer on my way to work (different dealers in Southern California), and both times, the dealer happily put in a quart of oil for me.

The other day, the oil light went on again. I went to Bob Smith BMW and was told that they would add the oil - but there would be a charge (no charge if it was needed during a regular service). I tried arguing with the guy, telling him that the "full maintenance" was just that -- not "only at service interval maintenance". He said that it was the policy at that dealer. So I left without getting the oil (it was the principle, not the price).

The next morning, I stopped by Santa Monica BMW (yes, I know about their reputation) and they told me the same thing. At that point, I just bought the quart of oil and put it in.

My question is this: has the BMW warranty/policy changed - or was I just going to better dealers before? Is this a part of the full maintenance program, or is it really additional?

Oh - and is this frequency of needing oil (3 quarts before 12,000 miles) normal for a 550i (my driving is "spirited" :) )

Thanks.

Ira

[bmwKbiker]

If it was my car I would be worried about the rate of consumption, not the cost of the oil.

[bmrboy2008]

Did you park your car on any hills or a hilly street just before your oil light came on? I had the same thing happen to me one day. When I took the car to my independent, he checked the oil level via the iDrive and it was fine. He mentioned that if I was parked on a hill, (which I was the day before) the oil level changes and may cause the oil light to come on. Maybe this could be your problem if you park your car frequently on a hill or hilly street. This may not be the case however, if you have already added three quarts of oil. That sounds like a lot to me.

[idworkin]

Nope wasn't parked on a hlil -- it did need the quart of oil. And I am a bit concerned about the rate of consumption -- though the service advisor @ one of the dealers said "its normal for the 550 to go through oil" - he suggested that I get a case and keep it in the garage!

[I_am_I_said]

I literally just got home from purchasing a new 335 and my CA told me that depending on the way you drive you might need to add a quart of oil in between the 15,000 mile oil changes, and these were NOT covered in the free maintenance.

[sdbrandon]

I literally just got home from purchasing a new 335 and my CA told me that depending on the way you drive you might need to add a quart of oil in between the 15,000 mile oil changes, and these were NOT covered in the free maintenance.

My dealer adds oil coolant, and anything else the car needs between service intervals.

Adding oil, coolant,wiper blades, etc. in between maintenance intervals is in fact maintenance. BMW toughts free maintenance. Not free "Scheduled Maintenance."

I would call BMWNA. This does not sound right to me. Otherwise they TV ads are false advertising.

[wyb]

I would call BMWNA. This does not sound right to me. Otherwise they TV ads are false advertising.

it says "oil changes" here...
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/BMWUltimateService/Default.aspx

and on the details page:

* The BMW Maintenance Program covers all factory-recommended maintenance on all model year 2006 vehicles and newer vehicles, as determined by the Service Level Indicator, for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. Exclusions from coverage: gasoline, gasoline additives, windshield washer additives, tires, wheels, wheel alignment, tire balancing and rotation. All work must be performed by an authorized BMW center. See the Service and Warranty Information booklet for more details and exclusions.

I am sure they'll say that the "add oil" light is not the same as the "Service Level Indicator" - I agree it's misleading if that's how they frame it though.

$0 maintenance is what I would lead with - adding oil is maintenance and here are my $0!

[pschenck2]

You got to be kidding? Are things so tough that BMW has to nit pick over such things?

You would think you were at a Yugo dealer, (if there still is such a thing) ;-)

[bmwKbiker]

I think part of the issue, for the dealers, is the cost.
Not of the oil itself, but the overhead of writing a service ticket having the tech the add 1/2 quart and the the time to check the oil level.
Cost of the oil 3-5$, cost in dealer overhead & time 3 to 5 times that.

Plus apparentaly BMWNA won't let the dealer bill back this service, if they did then I don't believe any dealer would balk at performing it as maintenance.

[Elias]

I think part of the issue, for the dealers, is the cost.
Not of the oil itself, but the overhead of writing a service ticket having the tech the add 1/2 quart and the the time to check the oil level.
Cost of the oil 3-5$, cost in dealer overhead & time 3 to 5 times that.

Plus apparentaly BMWNA won't let the dealer bill back this service, if they did then I don't believe any dealer would balk at performing it as maintenance.

As a business owner I understand the dealers not wanting to eat the cost. I say just have a running tab on your vehicle for the oil you use in between service intervals, then when you come in for the 15,000 mile service tack it on then, and let BMWNA pay for it. They can work it out if they really wanted to, or risk losing future sales.

[sdbrandon]

As a business owner I understand the dealers not wanting to eat the cost. I say just have a running tab on your vehicle for the oil you use in between service intervals, then when you come in for the 15,000 mile service tack it on then, and let BMWNA pay for it. They can work it out if they really wanted to, or risk losing future sales.

That's what my dealer does. So many people drive a lot, and so many drive a little. many folks get more service than they need and other less than they need. So the way I see it, it all comes out in the wash.

As some say it may have to do with the dealer. My dealer gives BMW loaners even if you did not buy the car there. They strive to take care of customers and quibbling over $5 does not make much sense.

If I were a dealer I would make sure to add $20 to every car sale if they need to get money back. No sense nickel and diming customers.

[bmrboy2008]

Nope wasn't parked on a hlil -- it did need the quart of oil. And I am a bit concerned about the rate of consumption -- though the service advisor @ one of the dealers said "its normal for the 550 to go through oil" - he suggested that I get a case and keep it in the garage!

Well, now I'M a bit concerned. I took my independent's advice and didn't add any oil after parking on the hill the day before. However, my oil light never came on again. I have a 535i with TT 300 hp. I'm not a real fast driver, 80's usually my top speed on the freeway. Car has almost 10K miles on it. Any advice or recommendations?

[X550-ED]

From the BMWUSA site:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...e/Default.aspx

BMW Maintenance Program: One of the most comprehensive maintenance programs in its class covering all factory-recommended maintenance, oil service and fluid service...

Should be covered, otherwise you would be paying for "Maintaining" your BMW and the "$0 Maintenance" would be false advertising as the adding additional oil is not in the * list of items excluded.

[chrischeung]

I think part of the issue, for the dealers, is the cost.
Not of the oil itself, but the overhead of writing a service ticket having the tech the add 1/2 quart and the the time to check the oil level.
Cost of the oil 3-5$, cost in dealer overhead & time 3 to 5 times that.

Plus apparentaly BMWNA won't let the dealer bill back this service, if they did then I don't believe any dealer would balk at performing it as maintenance.

I needed a qt on my 2006 530i. The valet service guys just have oil at their booths, and just drop in a qt. No service ticket, no charge. Concord BMW.

[bmwKbiker]

I needed a qt on my 2006 530i. The valet service guys just have oil at their booths, and just drop in a qt. No service ticket, no charge. Concord BMW.

Thats why the did it, cost to them under $5.
If the service department at the dealership is more anal and won't do a drive/drop by top-off then the paper work will cost more than the oil.

[jhk_jd]

I have a 2008 550i with about 8,000 miles. I had to go to the dealer a couple of months ago to get engine oil and this morning to get some coolant. (I bought my car from that same dealer.) They did not charge me although (when I needed the engine oil) the service person did ask if I had bought the car at that dealership. I agree with the others who have posted - it's only a few bucks and I imagine things sort of even out in the long run, so I am not sure why a dealer would charge you.

[want_a_7]

I needed a qt on my 2006 530i. The valet service guys just have oil at their booths, and just drop in a qt. No service ticket, no charge. Concord BMW.

Thats how its done is Scottsdale as well. They don't even look at your VIN or key fob to see if you are under 50,000 miles.

[davelv]

If you are leasing the car, just put in some oil that you have around the house. Who will know?;)

Oh, and I have not done this .... honest I haven't. :angel:

[sdbrandon]

If you are leasing the car, just put in some oil that you have around the house. Who will know?;)

Oh, and I have not done this .... honest I haven't. :angel:

I found Olive Oil yielded 10% horsepower gain. I think it is always good to have an extra virgin in the car. :thumbs:

[greg9999]

I think it is always good to have an extra virgin in the car. :thumbs:

I guess I would have figured that synthetic would be easier to find, and a *lot* cheaper... :D

Greg

[Excitmnt94]

this really is NOT covered. if a dealer does it, it is as a courtesy. if you were ever to need oil we would not have any issues topping the vehicle's fluids up to the proper level. it is something that some dealers do...and some don't. but i agree, you would expect it as part of the BMW ownership experience, which is why we do it. :thumbup:

You got to be kidding? Are things so tough that BMW has to nit pick over such things?

You would think you were at a Yugo dealer, (if there still is such a thing) ;-)

[mickey513]

The fact that you will drive to your local dealer just to get them to refill a quart of oil really says a lot about yourself. Will it not be cheaper & quicker for you to go to your local auto part store and buy a quart of synthetic oil and put it in yourself?

[Robert A]

It does say all factory recommended maintenance, and presumably an oil light on your dashboard can be deemed "factory recommended." But again, how hard do you want to fight for $5 worth of oil?

it says "oil changes" here...
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/BMWUltimateService/Default.aspx

and on the details page:



I am sure they'll say that the "add oil" light is not the same as the "Service Level Indicator" - I agree it's misleading if that's how they frame it though.

$0 maintenance is what I would lead with - adding oil is maintenance and here are my $0!