ebbai

i didn't get an oil change for 10,000miles..(not s2k)
(last time i got synthetic)
just wondering how bad it is for the engine..
i checked the level last week and it was below minimum..which is not good...

luckily i'm getting oil change done tomorrow..
but is it really bad for the car?

NFRs2000NYC

No, the mileage isn't bad...youre perfectly fine for another 5K. The "low oil" part IS bad.

rwheelz

Send it to blackstone and let us know!

SB2007

My 330ci takes synthetic and has a factory specified oil change interval of 15,000mi approximately, depending on use.

However... it's a little sketchy, because they used to call for 7500mi oil changes. They upped the "recommended" oil change interval to 15K after the "included maintenance" program started.

common reactor

Depends what kind of oil you used. I use Amsoil fully synthetic and I'm good for 30K miles

Slithr

Amsoil is good stuff, but you might want to check and see if they recommend a filter change during that period.

TheDonEffect

Ding ding ding ding. They also specified all BMW OEM parts... there were people around here getting aftermarket stuff for brake pads and such (which is fine, but it's funny how BMW makes you get their stuff until they're the ones paying for it).
Honestly though, oil's lubrication properties isn't what really breaks down, it's the additives and he cleanliness of it.
And as mentioned, I'd be more worried about the low amount of oil vs. the duration. I once changed my S's oil with 4000 miles, and I watched the guy who did it for me (yes yes, I no longer do my own, I just buy the stuff and have someone else deal with the mess) drain the oil and it was pretty much the same color it was when I poured it in, was pretty much the color of corn oil (I use Mobil 1). I felt like it was a waste, but meh, small price for peace of mind.

Dr. WOT

all good info so far, on modern synthetic the mileage is not an issue but low oil can be

UmarS2K

My uncle didn't get the oil changed on his '99 Honda Pilot for a good ~20k miles or so. We even drove to Texas from SoCal (w/ me following him in my S2K) without him even considering getting an oil change the day before we left. He's cheap like that.

TommyDeVito

Oil filters aren't good for more than half that mileage or 6 months, whichever comes first.