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How much does an oil change cost for a BMW in 2025 in the UK?
This article aims to answer basic questions about changing the oil in your car: how often should you change the oil? How many miles before an oil change? How much does it cost to change engine oil, and how long does it take?
What is the price of an oil change for a BMW?
In 2025, an oil change in a BMW car is expected to cost on average between £120 and £300. The price may vary depending on the model of the car, the region in which the service or workshop is located, and the properties of the oil (conventional or synthetic).
BMW oil and filter change cost: 2025 price table
The prices include the cost of engine oil, oil filter, and labour.
BMW model | Full cost of an oil change in the UK (GBP) | Model code | Cost of oil filter (GBP) |
---|---|---|---|
BMW 1 Series | £120 – £170 | (F20, F21, F40) | £15 – £25 |
BMW 2 Series | £130 – £180 | (F22, F23, F44, G42) | £15 – £25 |
BMW 3 Series | £145 – £200 | (F30, F31, G20, 330i, 328i) | £20 – £30 |
BMW 4 Series | £145 – £200 | (F32, G22, 430i) | £20 – £30 |
BMW 5 Series | £160 – £220 | (G30, G31) | £20 – £35 |
BMW 6 Series | £170 – £240 | (F12, F13, G32, 650i) | £25 – £40 |
BMW 7 Series | £190 – £260 | (G11, G12) | £30 – £45 |
BMW X1 | £130 – £180 | (F48, U11) | £15 – £25 |
BMW X3 | £160 – £220 | (G01) | £20 – £35 |
BMW X5 | £180 – £250 | (G05) | £25 – £40 |
BMW X7 | £210 – £300 | (G07) | £30 – £50 |
BMW Z4 | £145 – £200 | (G29) | £20 – £30 |
BMW Engine oil
5W-30, 1l
LIQUI MOLY Engine oil
5W-30, 5l
CASTROL Engine oil
5W-30, 4l
MANNOL Engine oil
5W-30, 4l, Part Synthetic Oil
OPEL GM Engine oil
10W-40, 5l, Part Synthetic Oil
How much is an oil change for a BMW in a garage?
In 2025, the average price for an oil change for a BMW at a garage (excluding parts) is between £40 and £100. The cost may vary depending on the properties of the oil and the region in which the garage is located.
BMW model | Average price of an engine oil change in the UK (GBP) | Model code | Average replacement time (minutes) |
---|---|---|---|
BMW 1 Series | £40 – £60 | (F20, F21, F40) | 30 – 45 |
BMW 2 Series | £45 – £65 | (F22, F23, F44, G42) | 30 – 45 |
BMW 3 Series | £50 – £70 | (F30, F31, G20, 330i, 328i) | 35 – 50 |
BMW 4 Series | £50 – £70 | (F32, G22, 430i) | 35 – 50 |
BMW 5 Series | £55 – £75 | (G30, G31) | 40 – 55 |
BMW 6 Series | £55 – £80 | (F12, F13, G32, 650i) | 40 – 55 |
BMW 7 Series | £60 – £85 | (G11, G12) | 45 – 60 |
BMW X1 | £45 – £65 | (F48, U11) | 30 – 45 |
BMW X3 | £55 – £75 | (G01) | 40 – 55 |
BMW X5 | £60 – £85 | (G05) | 40 – 55 |
BMW X7 | £70 – £100 | (G07) | 45 – 60 |
BMW Z4 | £50 – £70 | (G29) | 35 – 50 |
These prices do not include the cost of the oil itself.
How often should you change your BMW engine oil?
The recommended oil change interval for BMW vehicles is between 10,000 and 15,000 miles, depending on the operating conditions and the type of oil used, or once per year. However, a shorter oil change interval may be necessary in the following cases:
when the vehicle is operated in difficult conditions or at higher engine speeds, or poor-quality fuel is used.
You should also check to see if the oil warning light is flashing. It is usually shaped like an oil can and illuminates on the dashboard when the ignition is switched on. If this light won’t switch off or continues to flash after the engine is started, it indicates a problem with the engine's lubrication system. Moreover, do not forget to check the oil with the dipstick. If you notice that it is a strange colour, has changed in density, or contains sludge, you need to contact a garage, preferably as soon as possible.
If there is a problem with the cylinder head gasket or the radiator, the oil thickness may change due to coolant mixing with it. This is another reason to contact a mechanic immediately.
How long does it take to change the engine oil in a BMW car?
For BMW models, an oil change usually takes between one and two hours. This is just an average estimate. The actual time taken may be more or less depending on a number of factors.
Steps affecting the length of the overall procedure:
- Draining the old oil
- Changing the oil filter
- Adding new oil
- Checking the oil level
Different BMW models may have different engine designs, which affects the duration of this process. The use of synthetic oils and high-quality filters may require additional time for a proper replacement.
The overall condition of the vehicle also plays an important role. If an engine flush is required, this may increase the overall duration of the task.
Changing the oil in a BMW: should you do it yourself or have it changed at a garage?
If you have the necessary knowledge, you can save between£40 and £100 by changing the oil in your BMW yourself. Otherwise, we recommend that you contact a qualified specialist.
BMW model | Costs (DIY) | Added costs (garage) |
---|---|---|
BMW 1 Series | £65 – £85 | £40 – £60 |
BMW 2 Series | £70 – £90 | £45 – £65 |
BMW 3 Series | £75 – £100 | £50 – £70 |
BMW 4 Series | £75 – £100 | £50 – £70 |
BMW 5 Series | £85 – £110 | £55 – £75 |
BMW 6 Series | £90 – £120 | £55 – £80 |
BMW 7 Series | £100 – £130 | £60 – £85 |
BMW X1 | £70 – £90 | £45 – £65 |
BMW X3 | £85 – £110 | £55 – £75 |
BMW X5 | £95 – £125 | £60 – £85 |
BMW X7 | £110 – £150 | £70 – £100 |
BMW Z4 | £75 – £100 | £50 – £70 |
MANNOL Engine oil
5W-30, 20l
MOBIL Engine oil
5W-30, 5l
LIQUI MOLY Engine oil
5W-30, 5l, Synthetic Oil
MANNOL Engine oil
5W-40, 5l
MOBIL Engine oil
0W-40, 1l
Choosing the best oil for BMW cars
First of all, if possible, refer to your vehicle's owner's manual to find out which engine oil is the most suitable for your BMW model.
The optimal product depends on several factors, such as:
- The vehicle model
- Year of manufacture
- Your driving style
- The climate
The top five synthetic and conventional oils for BMW are sold by the following brands:
- Valvoline engine oil for BMW
- CASTROL engine oil for BMW
- MANNOL engine oil for BMW
- BMW engine oil for BMW
- MOBIL engine oil for BMW
Changing the oil in a BMW: what do you need to consider?
When selecting an oil for your BMW, pay attention to the following properties:
- Viscosity: low viscosity oils (e.g. 0W-30, 5W-30) are generally recommended for BMW vehicles. They provide good engine protection at low temperatures and reduce fuel consumption.
- Specifications: the oil must comply with the specifications listed in your BMW's owner's manual. BMW vehicles, for example, often have the following specifications: LL-01, LL-04, LL-12, LL-01FE, and LL-12 FE.
- Quality: when selecting oil, go for products from well-known brands that produce oils specifically for BMW vehicles.
It is recommended to change the oil filter together with the oil. This is considered a necessary measure to keep the engine in good condition.
The oil filter traps all sorts of impurities, metal particles, abrasive particles, and other contaminants that are formed during engine operation. If the filter is not replaced, all these impurities may get into the fresh oil and it can quickly lose its lubricating properties.