How dirty should your oil get after 3,000 miles?

[kevin316i]

When I bought my iS, there was about 3k miles since its last service, and I got the car fully serviced as a precaution. I have since changed the oil after another 3k. In each case, the oil looks very clean,and I'm wondering if this is a good or bad thing. This might sound like a stupid question, but I have heard in the past that an oil is doing its job if its getting dirty, maybe this is a load of sh*t.

I had promised myself I'd change the oil and filter every 3000 miles, but when its very clean after 3k, maybe I'm wasting my money? The oil in my previous E30( a 316i) used to get more dirty.

[placey]

kevin

i change mine between 3-5k miles and it's always still clean. engine has done 48k now. i figure clean oil comes from clean engines.

paul

[kevin316i]

I'm inclined to agree with you Paul, think I'll keep up the 3000 oil service. It's not big money in the overall scheme of things.

[stevetigger]

Good ole BM's

My Vauxhall crap has black oil after 3K

[DanThe]

If the oil is getting dirty then the 'fillter' isnt doing its job,
prob because its been on for too long

[stevetigger]

If the oil is getting dirty then the 'fillter' isnt doing its job,
prob because its been on for too long

I dont care about it, I hope it bloody blows up soon! Then I can get my E65 745i

[Motorhole]

Indeed, dirty oil shows a buildup of carbon and metal deposits that the filter is missing. Dirty oil means excessive engine wear. A well looked after engine will keep clean oil fora long time...even my "crappy" Pug 106 1.1i will keep its oil relatively clean over the 20,000 mile service intervals.

Dirty oil after 3000 miles, I would think, would be an indication of excessive engine wear and/or mixture problems resulting in excess carbon deposits. Your in the clear mate!

[Zayyan]

If the oil is getting dirty then the 'fillter' isnt doing its job,
prob because its been on for too long

I dont care about it, I hope it bloody blows up soon! Then I can get my E65 745i

That's very modest Steve, not a 760iL?

My oil is black after 3,000 miles and it needs topping up a pint or so between oilchanges too - though with 196,500 miles I can't complain.

With your oil being clean at 3,000 miles I'd just follow the service lights as it tells you you need a change sooner if you drive it harder etc. Quite clever really.

[Brianmoooore]

Even the service light intervals are far more often than is really needed. Oils have come a long way since the M20 was designed.
M20B25, 200k+ miles, oil comes out (after red service light has been on a week or two) still nearly as golden as when it went in!

[Project_E30]

A bit off topic but what about Diesel engines as mine is changed every 5K and if always black.

[Brianmoooore]

A bit off topic but what about Diesel engines as mine is changed every 5K and if always black.

Disgusting, smelly, carcenogenic muck should be banned outright for road vehicles, or at least confined to heavy ggods vehicles and banned from built up areas.
On the oil front, judging by the state of the oil in a 320D last week an hour after I had changed it, I should think about once a fortnight is about right!

[Project_E30]

A bit off topic but what about Diesel engines as mine is changed every 5K and if always black.

Disgusting, smelly, carcenogenic muck should be banned outright for road vehicles, or at least confined to heavy ggods vehicles and banned from built up areas.
On the oil front, judging by the state of the oil in a 320D last week an hour after I had changed it, I should think about once a fortnight is about right!

Brianmoooore: I think you should check whats carcenogenic. You'll find its petrol. Doctors even rocommend not breathing in the fumes when filling up at petrol stations.

Anyway, I'll keep changing every 5k

[mrLEE30]

A lot of the discolouring in oil also comes from the heating and cooling cycles, and this cycle is also responsible for the oil loosing its properties to lubricate (or actually its ability to form a thin film on metalic materials i.e. bearing points), so you will find you should change your oil more frequently in winter than in summer.

Here where it is as hot as uk summer even in winter most car dealers will not bother to change oil even for service intervals, as it is not required.


mrlee

[orangecurry]

A bit off topic but what about Diesel engines as mine is changed every 5K and if always black.

Disgusting, smelly, carcenogenic muck should be banned outright for road vehicles, or at least confined to heavy ggods vehicles and banned from built up areas.
On the oil front, judging by the state of the oil in a 320D last week an hour after I had changed it, I should think about once a fortnight is about right!

Brianmoooore: I think you should check whats carcenogenic. You'll find its petrol. Doctors even rocommend not breathing in the fumes when filling up at petrol stations.

Anyway, I'll keep changing every 5k

yes and no Prime Minister

Benzene is carcinogenic, 'petrol' is not.... but as 'unleaded petrol' is petrol with 5% benzene....

bring back safe and healthy 4* is what I say

[Project_E30]

Disgusting, smelly, carcenogenic muck should be banned outright for road vehicles, or at least confined to heavy ggods vehicles and banned from built up areas.
On the oil front, judging by the state of the oil in a 320D last week an hour after I had changed it, I should think about once a fortnight is about right!

Brianmoooore: I think you should check whats carcenogenic. You'll find its petrol. Doctors even rocommend not breathing in the fumes when filling up at petrol stations.

Anyway, I'll keep changing every 5k

Thankyou for confirming my point

yes and no Prime Minister

Benzene is carcinogenic, 'petrol' is not.... but as 'unleaded petrol' is petrol with 5% benzene....

bring back safe and healthy 4* is what I say

[orangecurry]

you are welcome

but don't forget, diesel is still 10 times more carcinogenic than unleaded petrol, so I'd say you lose the argument and once again Brianmoooore is the champion of... well everything.

[Gwynleym10]

you are welcome

but don't forget, diesel is still 10 times more carcinogenic than unleaded petrol, so I'd say you lose the argument and once again Brianmoooore is the champion of... well everything.

He is very correct, read a lot of stuff about cyclist in london who breath diesel fumes and how it makes the insides of your lungs blead! hmm is cycle everyday and apperently masks do very little.

But so off topic...

Surely is also depends on thte quality of the oil you put in?

[Brianmoooore]

[

Brianmoooore: I think you should check whats carcenogenic. You'll find its petrol. Doctors even rocommend not breathing in the fumes when filling up at petrol stations.

I don't use much of that stuff either - mainly because of the detrimental effect on my wallet, than on my health.
I mainly use LPG, which is why my oil comes out almost the same colour as it goes in!
Borrowed a diesel for a day once, and had to fill it up. Could feel the stuff coating my skin as I filled it, and could smell and taste the stuff all day.

[Project_E30]

you are welcome

but don't forget, diesel is still 10 times more carcinogenic than unleaded petrol, so I'd say you lose the argument and once again Brianmoooore is the champion of... well everything.

So your saying Diesel is 50% Benzene (carcinogenic)??

check your facts!