Instant Oil Change Stations

[petediddie]

How do you guys feel about these instant oil change stations? (Jiffy Lube, Valvoline Instant Oil, etc.)

The reason I'm asking is because I'm helping a buddy look for an M3, and often times, I see oil changes done at these stations on the CarFax. Is this an automatic red flag to walk away because the previous owner just didn't care? Or am I overreacting?

Thoughts?

[LuckiSevens]

Originally Posted by petediddie

How do you guys feel about these instant oil change stations? (Jiffy Lube, Valvoline Instant Oil, etc.)

The reason I'm asking is because I'm helping a buddy look for an M3, and often times, I see oil changes done at these stations on the CarFax. Is this an automatic red flag to walk away because the previous owner just didn't care? Or am I overreacting?

Thoughts?

Good question, I guess it depends on if they carry and used the 10w60 oil... no way of telling though. I'll be doing my own changes.

[EJT86]

Those places often strip the drain plug and keep expansion plugs on hand for the extremely likely event it happens. That way you’re on your way and none the wiser until it’s too late to blame them. A stripped drain plug on an M3 is VERY expensive to fix.

[Powashiftin]

Originally Posted by EJT86

Those places often strip the drain plug and keep expansion plugs on hand for the extremely likely event it happens. That way you’re on your way and none the wiser until it’s too late to blame them. A stripped drain plug on an M3 is VERY expensive to fix.

Well said.

[spiderspider]

Ask yourself if you would take your car there.

[LuckiSevens]

Originally Posted by petediddie

How do you guys feel about these instant oil change stations? (Jiffy Lube, Valvoline Instant Oil, etc.)

The reason I'm asking is because I'm helping a buddy look for an M3, and often times, I see oil changes done at these stations on the CarFax. Is this an automatic red flag to walk away because the previous owner just didn't care? Or am I overreacting?

Thoughts?

If you're zoning in on one particular M3, bring a new filter when you go to look at it and ask if you can swap out the old one - cut the ends off and check for debris like metal.

[s14_kev]

I used to love those types of places for my econo-box Yaris. In and out in under 10 minutes. Not for the M3 though, ever...

There is something therapeutic about changing my own oil.

[randrews15]

It takes about an hour or two to fully drain the system on an M3. I highly doubt it that they would take that time since they're focused on quick turn over. Spend the money and have it done right at the dealer, Indy shop, or yourself. Why would you go cheap when you spend so much on an M3?

[MaximusB]

Some time those places don't even do the work you paid for. Many years ago a few shops got busted for that in Ontario and BC. TV station went as far as setting up hidden cameras to catch them. So for that reason I wouldn't trust them... or at least I will question work done at those places.

Edit:
Here is a link https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/oil-c...tion-1.2418675

[tooloud10]

Last March I was short on time so told my wife to take her F25 X3 to a quick change place when she asked about getting the oil changed. Didn't think much of it, and everything seemed fine until the N20 engine blew due to the well-known timing chain issue.

No prob, I figured--BMW had just quietly extended the warranty on the car for this exact issue, so I had it hauled in. Dealer seemed to be dragging their feet or having some sort of issue getting it approved, and finally asked me for proof that the oil had been changed regularly. Told them I only had the vehicle for a year, so only had one service done and the receipt was in the glove box if they wanted to see it.

Of course, it turns out that the idiots at the quick change place had used 'synthetic blend' rather than 'full synthetic' oil, so BMW balked at paying for the engine replacement. The Service Advisor pleaded our case, and they eventually agreed to replace the engine for no charge. SA told me what happened and pleaded with me just to let them change the oil from now on, and he would even send a porter to pick up the car whenever I needed.

It wasn't really the quick change oil place's fault, but their 'minor' error almost cost me a repair in the $20k range...

[mapster37]

first i would think what kind of m3 owner would service their car at jiffy lube, next i would be triple checking all of the work that was performed there....

[tooloud10]

Originally Posted by MaximusB

Some time those places don't even do the work you paid for. Many years ago a few shops got busted for that in Ontario and BC. TV station went as far as setting up hidden cameras to catch them. So for that reason I wouldn't trust them... or at least I will question work done at those places.

Edit:
Here is a link https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/oil-c...tion-1.2418675

On a trip to Jiffy Lube in my Miata years ago, they told me I needed several light bulbs replaced (conveniently on the opposite side of the car that I couldn't see), and that my battery needed to be replaced because it tested bad.

I had literally checked all the lights the night before (they all worked) and I asked how they checked the battery if I hadn't seen them open the trunk. Lots of stuttering and stammering after that...

[MikeyDawg]

The guy at the Castrol shop that I had my emissions done at asked me "where do you get 10w 60 at for this car? "

haha.

They'd be in the no category.

[roastbeef]

100% chance of stripping your pan.

[sgreer78]

Originally Posted by roastbeef

100% chance of stripping your pan.

2 ugga dugga's

[MechEngineer408]

My first real job was at Jiffy Lube many moons ago. All the crew I worked with were gearheads, so we tended to take good care of the cars that came through. Don't know if that's the case anymore.

That said, I wouldn't take any of my vehicles there. I enjoy doing the work myself with fluids and parts of my own choosing.

[Solo_M_Tech]

Avoid those places like the plague. It's all about speed, not quality.

[Bemo]

Here is a little story for you, the first time i did an oil change on my 911, I realized the drain plug was wayyy over torqued. The car had gotten serviced at the Porsche dealer before i bought it, it was brand new! So now i do my own oil changes, partially because the clowns want to charge 425 for an oil change service!
My M3 gets serviced on the side at the local dealer by my trusted mechanic who's careful with the torque values...
If you go into any instant oil change place, you're a brave man!

[hungryhippo]

I wouldn't expect them to use the correct weight oil either.

[ItsGary]

A lot of those shops here do carry 10W60, but lets be real, how many of you actually wait the full 1 hour of draining.

[cjm41]

Is this an actual thing? BMW M3s that have service records that include places like Jiffy Lube?! GTFO.

And he we are, over here with 30 page threads debating brands and weights of oils like if we don't put the exact right kind of oil precisely filled to the right point at exactly the right mileage it'll trigger the apocalypse.

[commedeschatons]

im s u r e theres a rational explanation for this

the owner probably just went there to use their lifts and did the oil change theirselves and brought all of the tools necessary and his own 10w60