Oil service - engine flush?

k3ab

Member
The dashboard says oil service in 200 miles.

It is a 2003 2.5i and has 43,000 miles on the clock.

This it the first time I'll be taking it into the garage since purchase.

Any hints on what I should expect this oil service to cost?

I'll probably get a quote from a local BMW garage and an Indy down the road.
 
I just got off the phone with an indy. They suggested that they perform a flush of the old oil before putting in the new. They stated that this is something BMW do not do as a part of their oil serivce.

This indy garage also charges extra for this (about 50 pounds)
Can anyone verify if what they've said is correct? I would have thought BMW would flush out the old oil before putting in new...

Cost quoted by Cooper Reading - 190 pounds
Cost quoted by Indy 125 (or 170 with the "flush")
 
Nobody bothers flushing engines these days, unless as an extra income earner.

I did mine myself at the weekend. 5.5 litres of oil. Took a drive to the paper shop to get all the crap in suspension and oil warm. Drain plug out. Filter out, Wait and drink cup of tea. Drain plug in, fill up and test. 20 -30 minutes.

Used Mobil 1 fully synth., Oil from Costco at £20 /4 litres and filter was iirc £10, so job cost me £50 with 2.5l spare for tops up or another car.

I've previously checked the micro filter and have a K&N, so that was all irc for an Oil service on our age and mileage (2003 about 40k miles)

Mine was only an interim though and will get a proper service when the dash indicates so.

As an aside check make and grade of oil the indy will use...
 
k3ab said:
cj10jeeper said:
Nobody bothers flushing engines these days, unless as an extra income earner.
So it isn't required / necessary / advantageous?

Considering it is going to cost an extra 50 pounds should I bother?

Ask yourself if BMW don't do it then can it be necessary?

Is it advantageous? Well it might get a few more specs of dirt out the engine, but if you search on the internet you'll find most engine manufacturers are against it, especially those companies who use machines to flush.

I'd just do an iterim oil change.
 
Engine flushing was maybe relevant when we used mineral oils as they degrade over time, leaving a residue which, in theory, can clog things up. Synthetic oils don't degrade to the same extent, if at all, in their normal lifespan, so there isn't the rubbish to be flushed out.

There are other issues, like better tolerances, so less contaminaton of the oil etc, etc. I wouldn't bother. Tbh I'd take it to the stealer to get the book stamped, even if you supply your own oil.
 
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