Would you bother with an annual oil service if...
Discussion
Talking to mate last night who is on a 2 year contract in USA.
He owns an e46 330i - 2002 with 65k miles and very well maintained, but old enough now that residuals are not important to him as he'll keep it a while longer yet.
He serviced the car before he left in Aug 2012 - it's mechanically and cosmetically sounds. The car is stored in a dry heated garage at his parents. His father takes the car out once a month or so to warm it through and drives about 30 miles, cleans it and puts it back in the garage.
The car has done just under 600 miles since he last changes oil/filters 13 months ago and he was wondering about asking his father to arrange for the oil to be changed.
My view, based on the cars current usage was to just leave it for the next 11 months, and then when he returns home give the car a full service before pressing it back into active service.
But I ask PH, what would you do? Does fully-synthentic engine oil deteriorate that much at the 12 months stage?
He owns an e46 330i - 2002 with 65k miles and very well maintained, but old enough now that residuals are not important to him as he'll keep it a while longer yet.
He serviced the car before he left in Aug 2012 - it's mechanically and cosmetically sounds. The car is stored in a dry heated garage at his parents. His father takes the car out once a month or so to warm it through and drives about 30 miles, cleans it and puts it back in the garage.
The car has done just under 600 miles since he last changes oil/filters 13 months ago and he was wondering about asking his father to arrange for the oil to be changed.
My view, based on the cars current usage was to just leave it for the next 11 months, and then when he returns home give the car a full service before pressing it back into active service.
But I ask PH, what would you do? Does fully-synthentic engine oil deteriorate that much at the 12 months stage?
Fox- said:
His car doesn't need to be serviced every year anyway - there is no time requirement on the service regieme for the 330i, though the owners manual does recommend that you have the oil changed if you cover 'a very low annual mileage' after 2 years*.
Fair point - he likes to DIY so it's an annual thing for him normally- Source: 2003 330i manual.
Matt UK said:
Fair call, it's small beer - but I guess my point is, from an almost technical point of view, what is the risk? It's this bit I'm interested.
Used to change the oil in my citroen, erm, never. 60 thousand miles and i just needed to top it up a bit. As far as i know the next owner was the same and it did a further 60k with him with no issues. I wouldn't recommend this as good advice though.
This MIGHT be a myth, but I'm sure someone on another thread here advised me against changing my oil TOO often, because it's better at doing its job after a few hundred miles.
That true?
Anyway - I'd probably leave it if I wasn't hedging my bets on it being a future classic. If I was, I'd do it for another receipt and another bill for the history file. National do a nice job for a keen price too.
That true?
Anyway - I'd probably leave it if I wasn't hedging my bets on it being a future classic. If I was, I'd do it for another receipt and another bill for the history file. National do a nice job for a keen price too.
johnthesifu said:
Personally I wouldnt bother with a filter change but I would definately change the oil. I change the oil on my car every year regardless of the mileage it has done, the oil filter is a different story as i get that done every 2nd oil change.
Just out of interest, for the sake of £10 max, why wouldn't you?Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff