Maybe a dumb question - it's about oil changes

So I did mine by myself after break-in. That confused the heck out of the oil maintenance counter which started showing 70000 kms overdue. Now, sitting at 15000 kms (about ~9k miles)... yes yes RTFM I know... but when do I bring it in for a scheduled change if my maintenance meter is all messed up (I've reset it so it stops showing that 70000 kms thing)?

Also, since I happen to be very distrustful of mechanics in general, could I actually do ALL the oil changes by myself and on my own dime? Or would this affect the warranty in any way?

Thanks for answers to both.

I would call the shop at 15000 miles and take it in, you could do the oil changes, but when you take it in, they do a few other things besides the oil changes. Might as well make the stealership give you something.

the oil change maintenance meter can always be reset .. as you already know how.

Since our Cdn car comes with once a year free oil change. Why would you want to pay out of your own pocket ? That's about $130 + taxes. If you decide to simply do your own thing, then just record the date of oil purchased with receipt along with date & mileage that you did the change.

Originally Posted by bobblehead

the oil change maintenance meter can always be reset .. as you already know how.

Since our Cdn car comes with once a year free oil change. Why would you want to pay out of your own pocket ? That's about $130 + taxes. If you decide to simply do your own thing, then just record the date of oil purchased with receipt along with date & mileage that you did the change.

Oh, OK - I did not know about the once a year thing. Where did you read that? Shouldn't that be dependent on the mileage driven though? So I just show up any time during the year? (Sorry, I have never owned a car under warranty before, I am new to this dealer-thing).

Thanks for the tip about keeping the oil purchase receipts.

No charge 4 year free maintenance. Effective MY2006 onwards for all BMW in Canada.

Well. 1st year is simply oil & filter change (has to be either 20,000km or 1st anniversary date from purchase). 2nd year is oil & filter change + brake fluid change + interior cabin microfilter change.

Well, that's what BMW Canada will pay for .. just once a year oil & filter change. However, if you want to do more, then obviously you will have to pay that. Typically, I change mine 2x a year. One paid for by BMW Canada, one paid by myself.

Your dealer would tell you what I have indicated.

Note: Brakes are not covered under this free maintenance.

Brakes ARE covered under the free maintenance, at least in the states. Check the website..

US - Yes.

Canada - No.

OP is from Canada.

Originally Posted by fplanner2000

Brakes ARE covered under the free maintenance, at least in the states. Check the website..

OK so the dealer told me there is one free change that must occur at either 1 year anniversary or in the 20-24k kms range (this is Canada just to clarify). The second visit has more items on it, and then the 3rd one just oil again and the 4th is extended one once again.

I somehow did not know that. It seems that it is irrelevant what the trip computer shows. They don't go by it, but simply by their own pre-set intervals.

As I have said. Now that's $$ in your pocket.

Yup. Thanks.

Yup. Thanks. I really went there to see if they'd give me that oil for free and let me change it myself. But I did not end up asking about that...

If you ask for just oil & filter parts. I doubt they will give the parts alone. Even if you bought oil & filter and did the change yourself and go back and ask for reimbursement, dealer will not reimburse you. Their simple answer is you chose to peform the job yourself.