Which dealer should I use for engine oil service?

[HungerfordX5]

I bought a new X5 xDrive35i in June 2018. For the last three years, it was under warranty, and I just had to bring my car for services. To be honest, I didn't what services were performed in each scheduled service. So, I am new to BMW services. Recently, I got an email from the dealer where I bought my X5, saying that the car needs engine oil service. At this dealer, the cost is $99.95 for engine oil service. I found out that another nearby (actually closer) BMW dealer offers this:

3-Year Ultimate Care Oil Services
$199
(The BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services plan includes unlimited oil and oil filter changes for three years.) Here is the dealer's specials page for service:
https://www.bmwrockville.com/specials/service.htm

I don't drive my BMW quite often. At this moment, the mileage on the car is 18196 miles and I don't have any plan to sell my X5.

Which dealer I should go for oil change? How often should I change engine oil?

Thanks for help!

[RED_Y_]

I purchased similar deal for my diesel, well worth it IMO. Regular oil changes will help you keep your car running for a long time. Dealer oil changes are overpriced but if you don't want to do it yourself and save some money 3 year oil plan is a good option for you.

[HungerfordX5]

Originally Posted by RED_Y_

I purchased similar deal for my diesel, well worth it IMO. Regular oil changes will help you keep your car running for a long time. Dealer oil changes are overpriced but if you don't want to do it yourself and save some money 3 year oil plan is a good option for you.

Thanks for your input! I called the second dealer about the three-year deal. The confusing piece is that I was told that how often I need engine oil service depends on the mileage, model of a car, etc. So, specifically about my X5, its mileage and my usage (about 4000 miles/year), I am not sure about whether the three-year deal works in my favor.

Anyway, it seems this 3-year deal dosn't apply to me. Here is the details about this deal (my X5 is only 18000 miles):

The BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services plan includes unlimited oil and oil filter changes for three years for $199.00 plus taxes and disposal fees where applicable. Unlimited oil services included are based upon the associated BMW vehicle Condition Based Service (CBS) system. Available for all BMW vehicles that have reached 60 months or 60,000 miles, have no current Ultimate Care+ coverage, and are less than 20 years old. Plan is available for purchase once BMW vehicle has reached 54 months and has current BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled or BMW Ultimate Care+2 coverage. All work is carried out by BMW Trained Technicians using Original BMW Parts, which come with a two-year unlimited mileage limited warranty. Warranty repairs do not constitute an extension of the original limited warranty period for the vehicle or a part thereof.

[crabapple555]

The 3 year deal works out if you drive enough miles to meet the oil change requirements. It is every 10k miles Or 1 year.

In this post-covid/remote work era, some of us are not even driving that much. In my case sometimes I don't drive for a whole week.

[HungerfordX5]

Originally Posted by crabapple555

The 3 year deal works out if you drive enough miles to meet the oil change requirements. It is every 10k miles Or 1 year.

In this post-covid/remote work era, some of us are not even driving that much. In my case sometimes I don't drive for a whole week.

Thanks for your input! Regarding my X5 (2018), do I need to change the engine oil every year if I drive 4500 miles/year?

Thanks!

[Qsilver7]

Originally Posted by HungerfordX5

Thanks for your input! Regarding my X5 (2018), do I need to change the engine oil every year if I drive 4500 miles/year?

Thanks!

Yes...and the info is right there on the iDrive screen when you go to the SERVICE INFO. It lists the DATE and or MILEAGE that the next oil service is due.

In the pic below...you can see that oil service was coming due (amber symbol)...and you can see the DATE and MILEAGE.



And since the 2014 model year...the oil services for BMWs have been 10K miles or 12 months:

[srybicki]

We do about 30k a year and I dump the oil every 5k.

[HungerfordX5]

@Qsilver7 srybicki
Thanks for the info!!!

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by HungerfordX5

I bought a new X5 xDrive35i in June 2018. For the last three years, it was under warranty, and I just had to bring my car for services. To be honest, I didn't what services were performed in each scheduled service. So, I am new to BMW services. Recently, I got an email from the dealer where I bought my X5, saying that the car needs engine oil service. At this dealer, the cost is $99.95 for engine oil service. I found out that another nearby (actually closer) BMW dealer offers this:

3-Year Ultimate Care Oil Services
$199
(The BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services plan includes unlimited oil and oil filter changes for three years.) Here is the dealer's specials page for service:
https://www.bmwrockville.com/specials/service.htm

I don't drive my BMW quite often. At this moment, the mileage on the car is 18196 miles and I don't have any plan to sell my X5.

Which dealer I should go for oil change? How often should I change engine oil?

Thanks for help!

My dealer offered this back in January and bought it. No brainer. Still do my own changes at 6 months.

[Qsilver7]

If considering the $199 unlimited oil change plan…do read and UNDERSTAND the small print for this deal.

Yes, you get “unlimited”oil changes but only in regards to the CBS (conditioned based services) that is programmed into your BMW. One should know which interval their BMW is coded for (the longer 15k miles/24 month interval or shorter 10k miles/12 month interval) and know your average annual mileage. For those that drive less than their mileage interval…you will only get the oil change service based on your timed interval of either 12 months or 24 months.

The BMW Ultimate Care Oil Services plan includes unlimited oil and oil filter changes for three years for $199.00 plus taxes and disposal fees where applicable.

Unlimited oil services included are based upon the associated BMW vehicle Condition Based Service (CBS) system. Non-CBS vehicles: annual low-mileage oil changes are included as outlined in your BMW Maintenance Booklet Available for all BMW vehicles that have reached 60 months or 60,000 miles and have no current Ultimate Care+ coverage. Plan is available for purchase once BMW vehicle has reached 54 months and has current BMW Ultimate Care Scheduled or BMW Ultimate Care+2 coverage. All work is carried out by BMW Trained Technicians using Original BMW Parts, which come with a two-year unlimited mileage limited warranty. Warranty repairs do not constitute an extension of the original limited warranty period for the vehicle or a part thereof.