no oil change in 18k and 1.5 years..

midlifecrisis

Member
Messages
16,233
Modern synthetic oil is a lot more resilient than older mineral oil. Look at the oil on the end of the dipstick, is it still clear or black?

If clear, you're ok , the oil change is more about changing the filter and checking for wear materials in the oil.

But it's due soon. Changing early won't hurt it.
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,398
If it’s a keeper I’d do it every 12 months regardless.
If a lease car don’t worry about it!
 
Messages
493
its on a DB9 im looking at, asked to see the service book and its the first thing i noticed. first service 5k second at 24k a year and a half later

the rest of the car looks nice but that is kinda putting me off
 

RichTaps

Member
Messages
199
Thats a pretty standard 'long life' service interval. Crucial question is whether that's what AM recommend. If it should have 10k intervals thats a pretty big gap.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,879
I would say that its a point to negotiate the price.

Always surprised with owners of very expensive cars that they skimp on such basics... I still have the GS done every year, even when the annual miles have been in the 100s. Matt confirmed my 'old' oil is like new, but it gives me and the prospective new owner more confidence and helps to maintain the value that will fall is its not looked after far more greatly than the cost of a basic service.
 
Last edited:

Nibby

Member
Messages
2,092
I'm as guilty as everyone else for changing the oil regularly but it's strange that 40 years ago most cars were lucky if they got a yearly oil change, the mineral oil was a lot inferior to today's synthetic oil, anything under 100k was low mileage, now the far superior oil is changed at least once a year and anything over 60k miles is high mileage.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,879
I'm as guilty as everyone else for changing the oil regularly but it's strange that 40 years ago most cars were lucky if they got a yearly oil change, the mineral oil was a lot inferior to today's synthetic oil, anything under 100k was low mileage, now the far superior oil is changed at least once a year and anything over 60k miles is high mileage.
Having said that, most cars 40 years ago leaked so much oil that your top-ups probably equated to a change per year.
 

MRichards

Member
Messages
283
Whether the oil is mineral or synthetic is irrelevant. It's the shelf life of the additives which is important. With modern additives those service intervals are quite OK,unless AM have some silly little engine component which spits the dummy if it doesn't get a dose of it's favourite chemical. Mechanics just love people with oil change anxiety who throw their hard-earned moolah at unnecessary services.

Let the oil change wars begin !
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,785
So if I read this right it is 6 months and 4k over. Hardly worth worrying about but a good negotiating tool based on resale value and ease of sale. If it was 3 years and 14k I would think twice unless it as a good price. Even then it is unlikely to blow up in your face.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,785
Whether the oil is mineral or synthetic is irrelevant. It's the shelf life of the additives which is important. With modern additives those service intervals are quite OK,unless AM have some silly little engine component which spits the dummy if it doesn't get a dose of it's favourite chemical. Mechanics just love people with oil change anxiety who throw their hard-earned moolah at unnecessary services.

Let the oil change wars begin !
I change mine every 4 weeks because by then the batter bits have clogged the filter.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,483
Interesting conversation as usual and as a professional mechanic for over 40 years it doesn't matter what the oil is it gets dirty and is probably the cheapest maintenance task you can have done or carry out yourself.
Myself I'm not a lover of long life service especially if someone is only doing 5/6K a year.
Seen the inside of many an engine and most these days have a lovely golden colour on the internals a bit different from the black sludge from days gone by.
When in New Zealand many there wanted a lube service every 6 months or 6,000 miles which works well on older stuff some having clocked up massive mileages.
Younger generations see things differently I have noticed in today's disposable society.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,483
Having said that, most cars 40 years ago leaked so much oil that your top-ups probably equated to a change per year.
My 77 Daimler XJC in NZ didn't drop a spot of oil at all which from my experiences was impressive Peter.