Why Is Bmw Oil Change So Expensive?

You may have recently had your BMW oil changed, and now you are wondering why the BMW oil change is so expensive. It isn’t just expensive to purchase, but they cost a lot to maintain.

An oil change on a luxurious BMW will cost more due to lots of contributory factors. First, you must understand that your vehicle uses high-performance engines requiring special attention and service requirements during servicing.

In addition, the standard placed by the manufacturers is a major contributor to your oil change expense. As we know, BMW is a Luxury vehicle, and maintaining it requires spending a lot. Well, this is quite similar when it comes to having your oil changed. It requires more spending to meet the manufacturer’s standard during an oil change.

We will examine how much it costs to change a vehicle’s oil, what makes service centers charge so much for BMW servicing, and more related topics.

How much does BMW oil change cost?

According to Jerry’s insurance, between $130 and $250. However, many factors could influence oil change pricing, making it either higher or lower.

The type of engine your vehicle uses is an important factor influencing the cost of oil change. For instance, turbo engines require much more work when changing the oil.

Additionally,  factors like your location, the location of the repair, the dealership, the brand of spare parts, and more play an important role in the cost.

Read Also: Take 5 Oil Change Prices

Why is BMW oil change so expensive?

Below are some factors that could contribute to the high cost of changing your BMW oil.

1. Higher cost of specialized experts

Another reason BMW oil change could be expensive is the use of highly trained experts. If you don’t want to change your oil, having a dealership work on it is a great option.

The good thing about not changing the oil yourself is that experts who understand the BMW engine get to offer premium services to your vehicle.

These experts will ensure that every work done during the oil change meets the BMW standards.

2. Specialized filters

BMW recommends that owners of their vehicles use special customized oil during the oil change process. What, then, makes this filter special? The filter is specially designed to fit into the specific model of BMW.

With the recommended BMW filter, you do not need to struggle to find the best oil filter compatible with your vehicle. However, the filter can be more expensive when compared to other aftermarket products.

3. Use of synthetic oil:

Synthetic oil is designed to be better than the typical standard oil in the market. That is why BMW recommends BMW 5W30 motor oil as its first choice for their vehicles.

One feature that makes the synthetic oil a must-use is its superior protection provided for the engine. These oils offer protection even in extreme weather conditions and improve gas mileage while providing the best lubrication services.

Unfortunately, using synthetic oil does not come cheap. The oil is more expensive when compared to conventional oil, and this will add to the overall cost of changing your BMW oil. 

However, these experts come with an added cost reflecting the overall cost of changing the oil on your BMW.

4. BMW oil standards:

BMW has a particular standard during an oil change that they expect to be followed during an oil change. Some of them include the specific oil and parts to be used. The standard also includes the oil level to be poured into the vehicle, among other things.

Once this standard is not fully met, it could affect the engine performance and reduce the quality of your BMW drive.

Following these standards comes with a high cost, which will also be evident in the general cost of the oil change.

5. Dealership overhead cost:

The dealership simply incurs the dealership overhead cost while they carry out their professional duties. Some of the costs may include rent, salaries, maintenance of tools, and many more.

Furthermore, dealerships do not normally bear all the overhead costs. What, then, do they do? They push some of these costs to their customers to pay. This contributes to why oil changes in BMW cars are so expensive.

6. Use of advanced tools:

Authorized BMW dealerships and service centers will definitely use advanced tools during the oil change process. These tools are very costly to maintain, and some consume a lot of electric current.

Rather than bearing the cost of using these tools alone, part is transferred to you, the customer. This will reflect on the overall cost.

Read Also: Why Is Lexus Oil Change So Expensive?

Why does BMW charge so much for service?

The answer is really simple! Dealerships follow a strict maintenance standard that other service centers may not follow.

Firstly, when you take your vehicle for servicing by a group of well-trained professionals, these people are experts in BMW standards and give your vehicle premium services.

In addition, most of the engine fluid will have to be drained. These include engine oil, coolants, and transmission fluids.

Other components will be removed and thoroughly examined for damage. Depending on the dealership, the vehicle’s engine might be removed for further diagnosis. In this scenario, all the excess oil in the engine will be drained out completely.

The work done during the servicing process is tasking and labor intensive; let’s not forget the use of major power tools.

All these numerous factors contribute to why servicing BMW can be so expensive. So whenever you take the vehicle for servicing, rather than complaining, understand that this is the cost of driving a Luxury high-performance engine vehicle.

What is the cheapest BMW to service?

If you want the BMW with the lowest maintenance cost, we recommend you start with the X series. It will cost you between $500 and $800 to service and generally maintain these vehicles yearly.

The X series doesn’t require as much maintenance as other BMW models. They are built to be durable and cost-efficient compared to other models of BMW.

Furthermore, the average cost of servicing or maintaining a BMW in a year is between $1,000 to $2,000. If you drive an X series, you get to save between $200 and $1,000 on maintenance costs. 

How do you know if your BMW needs an oil change?

There are a lot of measures that have been put in place to notify drivers of the need for an oil change. This includes the oil change warning light. A light comes up whenever the oil change interval is due.

Other signs include the following:

How often does a BMW need an oil change?

Your vehicle oil should be changed every 7,000 miles. Frequently changing your oil could help prevent the build-up of sludge and other deposits in a BMW engine.

Nevertheless, other factors may influence the length of the oil change interval—for instance, engine type. The change interval should be even less if your BMW vehicle uses a Turbo engine. The oil change should be done after every 5,000 miles.

Turbo engines can run at very high temperatures, meaning the oil is also running at very high temperatures. The excessive heat from the turbo will cause the oil to break down faster, losing its lubricative power.

Does my BMW need full synthetic oil?

BMW recommends BMW 5W30 synthetic motor oil for their vehicle. The specific standard for the vehicle must be met when it comes to oil change.

You may be wondering how to identify your BMW oil standards. It is quite simple; all you need to do is check the owner’s manual for your car. The manufacturers have taken the time to ensure that the oil requirement is clearly stated for your vehicle.

In most BMW vehicles, it is stated that synthetic oil be used for the car at all times. Using conventional and synthetic oil mixtures will only bring trouble to your engine.

What is the most expensive thing to fix on a BMW?

Transmission issues:

Issues with the transmission system are so expensive to fix; why? It is because of the complexity of the component and the different parts that come together to ensure that it works properly.

Firstly, the transmission issue needs to be diagnosed, which is one problem on its own. The transmission system is made of so many components that it requires advanced tools for a proper diagnosis.

Then, the damaged part needs to be accessed and probably replaced. This will need advanced tools.

Furthermore, the parts that will be replaced could be very costly, which will add to the overall cost of repair.

Suspension overhaul

Issues with the suspension will easily be noticed when driving. Handling will be poor, Misaligned wheels, shaking steering, and more will be noticeable symptoms of a damaged suspension.

Unfortunately, replacing any part of the suspension system is very expensive.

Engine failure:

The most expensive part of your BMW to fix is the engine. This is a BMW owner’s worst nightmare. An engine failure simply means you may spend a fortune to get your vehicle back in normal running condition.

Collision

Repairing major collision damages is another repair expense that will give you a headache. Bodywork, airbag replacement, bumper repair, and more are very expensive. This is why BMW drivers react differently to collisions, and it is not one you want to see.

Replacing camshaft

The camshaft is a major part of the engine that controls the engine’s valve. It controls the mixture of air-fuel going into the engine.

Getting a new camshaft can be very expensive; however, this is not the only cost. Due to the complexity of the engine, it could be difficult to access the camshaft, so power tools will be needed. It is also a very labor-intensive repair.

What happens if you put the wrong oil in a BMW?

When the wrong engine oil is put into BMW cars or any other vehicles, it could potentially lead to engine failure.

You might think they are all Motor oil and should work on my vehicle; however, that is not always the case. Specific oils are designed to mix with specific requirements for a particular engine. The requirements may include lubricative power, engine protection, and more.

When the engine oil you pour into your vehicle does not meet the requirement, the engine parts will begin to suffer. There will be an increase in friction, heat, struggle in moving parts, and more. Eventually, the engine will give up or fail earlier.

Final Words

BMW service centers and dealerships have the requisite skills and tools to ensure your vehicle runs optimally. This ensures your vehicle receives the best auto service that meets the manufacturer’s requirements. Taking your car to an Unauthorized mechanic could be dangerous for your vehicle, as these mechanics do not have the kind of training BMW service providers offer for cars.