I'm a believer that 20,000 miles between services on the same oil is far too much, so when my Superb hit 10,000 miles (9,919 to be exact) it went to the dealer for a fixed service and I asked that they reset it.

When I drove the car away the car showed 9300 miles until the next service. So, its not 10,000 miles then?

Do I need to take it in before the counter ticks to zero? I know its only 700 miles but I don't understand why they advertise it as 10,000 miles when it isn't? Unfortunately it makes me want to avoid the dealers and I'm fully capable of servicing it myself but know that this would reduce its resale value further down the line.

Anyone else have this issue?

I'm with you on the 20k thing. As long as the service book/reciept shows it was serviced at 9919 that's all that mattters I guess. You could ask the garage why it's 700 miles short on the service indicator. Alternatively I think you can reset it yourself if your car has maxidot. Hope this helps.

VAG Fixed Intervals are actually 15,000 km => 9320 miles. As the display only shows to the nearest 100 so thats why its 9300.

As SUK, VW UK etc warranty conditions state 10,000 miles/1yr, they would just treat the service indicator as a reminder and I believe that buried in the warranty conditions somewhere state that 1000 miles / 1 month is the maximum you can go over that without it affecting future waranty claims. i.e. 11000 miles/ 13months max.

Great, thanks

I'm a believer that 20,000 miles between services on the same oil is far too much,

Personally I don't understand this logic.

A manufacturer is comfortable to have this variable limit given warranty risk and realising it has a revenue impact for their dealers. So obviously they don't take this decision lightly. It's quite simple to look at oil analysis to gauge wear, quality of oil, and gauge an indication of engine optimum performance etc. All of this is done by the manufacturers and forms the basis of the variable servicing decision and logic in determining servicing mileage.

I'm fine if you personally decide to prefer fixed servicing, but on what basis are you a firm believer that its far too much? I assume its rational is based on what you are used to rather than facts.

Cheers

Steve

Actually its common sense and experience with BMW's

A lot of these cars are purchased on lease and\or as company cars. There is therefore the incentive to keep the costs as low as possible to encourage purchase.

When BMW started moving to these silly service intervals of 20k and more we started to see more turbo failures. Why? Well, greater contaminants in the oil cause the seals to wear which means a new turbo. Of course, most of these issues only show up after the 3 year lease time and by then its someone else's problem.

The manufacturers will say the engine is designed to last longer but its a matter of perspective. Do you want the bearings to last 100k or 200k? If you took your engine bearings out after 4 services at 100k vs mine with 9 at 100k, do you think they will both show the same wear?

If you took your engine bearings out after 4 services at 100k vs mine with 9 at 100k, do you think they will both show the same wear?

Of course not, but it's not about the wear, it's about how close to failure the bearings are. I've seen plenty of bearings removed as part of regular maintenance that, while showing some wear, would have gone on for a lot more time. I used to do predictive maintenance of many different plant items. The most typical causes of problems were misalignment of motors and gearboxes, missing or incorrectly tightened parts and lastly 'forgetting to fill the gearbox with oil'! Oh, and over-greasing bearings - the old 'one for luck' with the grease gun that caused overheating.

Cars being often privately owned means it's mainly just a case of what gives you peace of mind.

Personally I don't understand this logic.

A manufacturer is comfortable to have this variable limit given warranty risk and realising it has a revenue impact for their dealers. So obviously they don't take this decision lightly. It's quite simple to look at oil analysis to gauge wear, quality of oil, and gauge an indication of engine optimum performance etc. All of this is done by the manufacturers and forms the basis of the variable servicing decision and logic in determining servicing mileage.

I'm fine if you personally decide to prefer fixed servicing, but on what basis are you a firm believer that its far too much? I assume its rational is based on what you are used to rather than facts.

Cheers

Steve

Service costs for cars being sold to leasing companies are currently in the region of 15-20% of the cost of the lease. By cutting one or two services out of the cost of a typical car lease the manufacturers can sell a lot more cars.

Personally I look at the oil in my car after 20,000km and it needs changing. The manufacturer say it's 30,000km and that's all the leasing company will pay for.

Have you looked at your oil after 10,000Km??

I suspect visually you wouldn't see any difference to how it is at 20K, let alone 30K

As for BMW, they've had a large number of turbo failures at relatively low mileage, this is the main issue with BMW turbo failure, not on ones with 100K miles plus issues. Not stating that it doesn't exist, but its not the main one behind the all of the issues they've had publicly with diesel turbos. Also BMW have been running variable servicing for over a decade now as I had this on my 730D back in 2001, so this is hardly a recent topic.

Have you looked at your oil after 10,000Km??

I suspect visually you wouldn't see any difference to how it is at 20K, let alone 30K

As for BMW, they've had a large number of turbo failures at relatively low mileage, this is the main issue with BMW turbo failure, not on ones with 100K miles plus issues. Not stating that it doesn't exist, but its not the main one behind the all of the issues they've had publicly with diesel turbos. Also BMW have been running variable servicing for over a decade now as I had this on my 730D back in 2001, so this is hardly a recent topic.

I never used to be able to get more than about 13,000 out of my BMW variable service, which is why I'm happy servicing in that 10-13k mile range. Personal preference, for my typical commute and driving style.

Have you looked at your oil after 10,000Km??

I suspect visually you wouldn't see any difference to how it is at 20K, let alone 30K

As for BMW, they've had a large number of turbo failures at relatively low mileage, this is the main issue with BMW turbo failure, not on ones with 100K miles plus issues. Not stating that it doesn't exist, but its not the main one behind the all of the issues they've had publicly with diesel turbos. Also BMW have been running variable servicing for over a decade now as I had this on my 730D back in 2001, so this is hardly a recent topic.

I don't go by visuals. I go by the feel of the stuff and the texture.

Definitely, after 20k km it's in need of changing.

That said, 20k km, under my right foot, is a hell of a lot different than my wife's BMW after 20k km under her right foot.

I put 110,00 miles on a 1.9 tdi 130 with around 18k miles between services down to the long life servicing. The next owner tells me it went fine too.

So I'm cool with it, and had my Superb put on longlife servicing when I picked it up from new.

I think some are missing the point. Will an engine last longer with oil changes every 10k or 20k? 10k obviously, that cannot really be disputed.

The next question would be how much longer would it last? That's likely subjective as an engine that would have lasted 100k might now last 200k, but you wouldn't know it would have only lasted 100k to begin with. So the question is, are you willing to spend another few hundred pounds to help reduce potential issues in the long run?

I use V-power Diesel because I believe its better for the engine. 16,500 miles later and no DPF light seen and I have not detected a regeneration at any point. Will the DPF last longer on V-power? I'd like to think so certainly and that its worth the extra £3 per fill-up, plus I get better range.

These modern CR engines have lower tolerances and higher pressures than the old TDI units, so its not directly comparable.

BMW have used variable servicing since long before 2001. It used to be based on how long the engine took to burn 2,000 litres of fuel but this may have changed.

We are not missing the point. The counter argument is that is there going to be a noticeable difference in longevity between a car on fixed as opposed to variable servicing. If its 10% then does it matter? If it will extend the longevity from 250k miles to 400k miles, does it matter as vast majority of owners will never get near 200k miles? This is the counter point.

It will be good to have some facts, rather than conjecture.

By the way I have 29k miles, no DPF light and not detected a regen too and fill up normal diesel anywhere, supermarkets, oil brands etc.

I think some are missing the point. Will an engine last longer with oil changes every 10k or 20k? 10k obviously, that cannot really be disputed.

Not quite.

It all depends on what wear profile you get with those intervals. If the engine at 20k miles is still not showing significant wear rate change then replacing the oil at 10k is just money down the drain. If you follow your logic, you'd change your oil every day and get amazingly long engine life - which is clearly nonsense.

The key is knowing about the wear and the oil, which can be hard to establish yourself. It can be the case that an engine will last longer if you change the oil more frequently than the manufacturer recommends, but it can also not be the case - and you won't know for sure without more information. It's all about money and peace of mind.

Makes me wonder if there are any independent assessment of these service intervals out there, Which? perhaps.

Edited 29 March, 201313 yr by Yearofthegoat

The old saying still stands in my book.. "oil is the cheapest mechanic". It is a bit late to speculate once the damage is done. My Superb has just turned a year old and I have only done 7600 miles. It is set at variable servicing by default and I intend to have the oil changed at 10,000 miles and switch to fixed intervals from then on. I will of course ensure that the dealer puts in Longlife oil as some dealers think that PD oil is ok for fixed intervals... WRONG!! twice in the past with 2 different dealers I have had to correct them!!.

The old saying still stands in my book.. "oil is the cheapest mechanic". It is a bit late to speculate once the damage is done. My Superb has just turned a year old and I have only done 7600 miles. It is set at variable servicing by default and I intend to have the oil changed at 10,000 miles and switch to fixed intervals from then on. I will of course ensure that the dealer puts in Longlife oil as some dealers think that PD oil is ok for fixed intervals... WRONG!! twice in the past with 2 different dealers I have had to correct them!!.

What is `PD oil`?

What is `PD oil`?

I think they now call it Quantum Platinum 505.01

I think they now call it Quantum Platinum 505.01

So is that a `lesser` oil than a longlife oil? I am on `Fixed` servicing, so should I be asking that longlife oil be used when my car has its first service in July...having done far less than 10,000 miles? If so, is that likely to increase the cost of the service?

Lots of questions, but this has all come as news to me and I'd appreciate your advice.

Many thanks.

Mike.

I note that you have a petrol superb. I can only speak for the diesel engine with a DPF. On consulting my handbook I notice that the petrol engine has two grades specified. It appears that for fixed servicing a lesser grade of oil is acceptable 502.00 as opposed to 504.00.

I note that you have a petrol superb. I can only speak for the diesel engine with a DPF. On consulting my handbook I notice that the petrol engine has two grades specified. It appears that for fixed servicing a lesser grade of oil is acceptable 502.00 as opposed to 504.00.

Thank you. I'll relax in that case.

DPF equipped CR engines only take VW507 oil. Not 505.01 nor 506.01 nor 505.00, whatever service interval.

VW507 oils have reduced ash content. If you use 505/506, you will stuff the DPF with ash considerably faster.