Oil & Filter Change - $104.00

Up to 8 ltr. ELF solaris lsx 5W-30

OEM Oil filter

Top off all fluids

Visual safety check

Reset Service Indicator

M3,M5, S Class and Polyester Filters Higher
Plus Tax & Disposal fee

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What kind should you use? Are synthetics better? When should you change it?

There is probably more debate and information on this subject than I could ever cover. I am sure some will disagree with my recommendation, but this is what I have learned over the past 20 years. That being said, I will tell you what I use, why, and how I “feel” about the oil service intervals. For standard or conventional oil, it’s Castrol GTX or Valvoline. Both are API (American Petroleum Institute) certified SM, SL, SJ, SH, and have similar additive packages. Some days, I choose based on mood, and sometimes it’s what’s on sale. I cannot and will not use Pennzoil. I don’t care how many years Arnold Palmer’s tractor has run on it. Other than that, most premium oils are the same, and if you really have a favorite get over it and move on.

As for Synthetics, I use ELF exclusively. But is it better than Mobil 1, BMW oil or Castrol synthetic? In my opinion: Yes. It has an additive like synthetic lead that helps minimize cam and valve train wear. It is BMW certified, used by most (if not all)
Formula One teams, and is made in Europe. The Europeans have different standards for oil, and the U.S. version of Mobil 1 and Castrol are not the same as is sold in other countries. In fact, if you read the back of the oil bottles, many will say “not for sale outside the Americas.” U.S. oil does not meet the higher European standards. So before the hate mail starts, I am not discounting Mobil 1, or any other oil. I have used Mobil 1 for years in everything from Porsches to twin turbo big blocks, and have never had an oil problem. It’s good oil. I just think that ELF is better. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t sell it.

When it comes to changing your oil, I am old school. 15,000 miles is too long a period to wait between oil changes. I don’t care what your owner’s manual says, or what you saw on TV. The only explanation I have for that being the “manufacturer’s recommended service interval” is that they have to pay for the first four years of maintenance. So it’s in their best interest for you to wait longer between service intervals.

I started my career working for an engine builder, and one of his favorite saying was “Oil’s cheap; parts are not.” If you are leasing your car, or plan on selling it when the four years of paid factory maintenance are up, this is not for you. If you just purchased a used BMW, or plan on keeping yours around for a while, change the oil using the following as a guide:

Synthetic oil service intervals………….5,500 - 7,500 miles
Conventional oil service intervals…......3,000 - 4,000 miles

A quick note on oil filters: Use the OEM. This is not a good place to save money, and a Fram is not a good filter; it’s a cheap filter. That’s why it’s so inexpensive. - Matt Rose.