Differences in detergents on oils

allfor_m3 · 07-05-2012, 01:24 AM

Hi!

I have a question. I was reading about motor oil detergents. The BMW dealer said that I only need to change my oil on my m3 every 15,000 miles, but everywhere I read they said that the oil runs out of detergents and can't trap anymore stuff inside, which ends up on your engine parts.

I thought you were supposed to change your oil every 3000 miles? I asked some old timers around the shop that I go to and they said that's why you change the oil, because it gets contaminated. Do any of you actually stick to the 15000 mile interval, or just stay with the 7500? It seems like a bad idea or a marketing gimmick. Though it sure would be nice, it cost me $160 to get my oil changed last time. Anyone know anything about the particulars behind it? I read through a couple of posts about the TWS and all that already.

TrickTizzle · 07-05-2012, 01:30 AM

use the Search function, this topic has been covered many times before.

allfor_m3 · 07-05-2012, 01:37 AM

I did, I was wondering more about why people keep coming up with these numbers just for this car. why isn't it 8000 or 4000 or 3000 or 20000? I saw a post that they had problems with earlier filters but BMW still recommends 15000

tsimurph · 07-05-2012, 08:30 AM

Email Mike Miller at Bimmer Magazine and he will send you his maintenance schedule and some insight into the what and the why of BMW maintenance.
I believe that he is the Technical Contributor for the Mag.

allfor_m3 · 07-05-2012, 06:13 PM

I checked my oil and it was a little low anyway so I put a little under a quart in. Its high efficiency (it says on the label) so it should do just as good a job or better than detergents the factory uses in the oil

I think this this is the safe way to make my oil last longer since the detergents cant clean the engine over a long time http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Detergent%20Oil it says it wont harm the engine

why didn't anyone think of this before? keeping the oil clean longer should make the engine last longer

mkodama · 07-05-2012, 09:42 PM

Troll post is obvious.

Beemerjunkie1 · 07-06-2012, 12:55 AM

I like Amsoil.

tsimurph · 07-06-2012, 06:33 AM

As you know, the detergent package is only one part of the story... The oil acts as a carrirer for the combustion byproducts that get past the rings and into the crank case. A small amount of water vapor and acids (among many other chemicals and metals) are also part of this process and the longer the oil is in use the more contaminated it becomes. No amount of detergent will "clean" this up, only changing the oil will do the job. There are many reasons outside the technical ones as to why BMW went to extended oil intervals, particulary for marketing purposes in the USA, and for some reason we Americans feel that cars should be "maintenance free". If you are posting on this board you probably do not suscribe to that rationale but many people that buy BMW Audi and Benz do...

07-05-2012, 01:24 AM	#1
allfor_m3 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 3 My Ride: 2005 M3 View My Garage	Differences in detergents on oils Hi! I have a question. I was reading about motor oil detergents. The BMW dealer said that I only need to change my oil on my m3 every 15,000 miles, but everywhere I read they said that the oil runs out of detergents and can't trap anymore stuff inside, which ends up on your engine parts. I thought you were supposed to change your oil every 3000 miles? I asked some old timers around the shop that I go to and they said that's why you change the oil, because it gets contaminated. Do any of you actually stick to the 15000 mile interval, or just stay with the 7500? It seems like a bad idea or a marketing gimmick. Though it sure would be nice, it cost me $160 to get my oil changed last time. Anyone know anything about the particulars behind it? I read through a couple of posts about the TWS and all that already.

07-05-2012, 01:30 AM	#2
TrickTizzle Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Minneapolis/Milwaukee Posts: 2,985 My Ride: 325i View My Garage	use the Search function, this topic has been covered many times before. __________________ TC Kline \| BMW Performance \| Active Autowerke .

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07-05-2012, 01:37 AM	#3
allfor_m3 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 3 My Ride: 2005 M3 View My Garage	I did, I was wondering more about why people keep coming up with these numbers just for this car. why isn't it 8000 or 4000 or 3000 or 20000? I saw a post that they had problems with earlier filters but BMW still recommends 15000

07-05-2012, 08:30 AM	#4
tsimurph Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 38 My Ride: E46 M3 View My Garage	Email Mike Miller at Bimmer Magazine and he will send you his maintenance schedule and some insight into the what and the why of BMW maintenance. I believe that he is the Technical Contributor for the Mag.

07-05-2012, 06:13 PM	#5
allfor_m3 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ontario Posts: 3 My Ride: 2005 M3 View My Garage	I checked my oil and it was a little low anyway so I put a little under a quart in. Its high efficiency (it says on the label) so it should do just as good a job or better than detergents the factory uses in the oil I think this this is the safe way to make my oil last longer since the detergents cant clean the engine over a long time http://www.nordicgroup.us/oil.htm#Detergent%20Oil it says it wont harm the engine why didn't anyone think of this before? keeping the oil clean longer should make the engine last longer

07-05-2012, 09:42 PM	#6
mkodama OEM ///Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 30,858 View My Garage	Troll post is obvious.

07-06-2012, 12:55 AM	#7
Beemerjunkie1 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Miami Posts: 86 My Ride: 325ci convertible View My Garage	I like Amsoil.

07-06-2012, 06:33 AM	#8
tsimurph Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 38 My Ride: E46 M3 View My Garage	As you know, the detergent package is only one part of the story... The oil acts as a carrirer for the combustion byproducts that get past the rings and into the crank case. A small amount of water vapor and acids (among many other chemicals and metals) are also part of this process and the longer the oil is in use the more contaminated it becomes. No amount of detergent will "clean" this up, only changing the oil will do the job. There are many reasons outside the technical ones as to why BMW went to extended oil intervals, particulary for marketing purposes in the USA, and for some reason we Americans feel that cars should be "maintenance free". If you are posting on this board you probably do not suscribe to that rationale but many people that buy BMW Audi and Benz do...