1998 BMW 328 Oil change question

SCF2927

MEMBER
1998 BMW 328
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
94,000 MILES

I recently purchased a 1-owner 11 year old BMW 328i for my college-bound daughter. The previous owner had all scheduled maintenance performed only by BMW dealers. He only used OEM oil filters and Amsoil 5W40 European motor oil. Even doing the oil changes myself, it will cost around $100 for oil and filter if I continue with his 'tradition'. Would it, in any way, be bad for the car to go with aftermarket filter and Pennzoil oil?

Saturday, February 27th, 2010 AT 1:01 PM

1 Reply

DOCHAGERTY

MECHANIC
9,603 POSTS

I get you have some issues with $100 oil changes. The term aftermarket covers a lot of territory, I would not scrimp on the filter, but the quality of oil available today and considering the age of the car, over the counter oil of the correct viscosity would be just fine. The interval between oil changes would also be a factor, please consider extending this interval to get the most from the oil and to limit wasting natural resources. 7.5k to 10k miles is not out of the question. I know this from having oil analyzed at an emergency equipment level, the analysis would come back "extend service interval" so I did.

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Sunday, February 28th, 2010 AT 10:37 AM