National Oil Changes

[[TW]Fox]

Ok so we all know this bunch are offering unfeasibly cheap oil changes at the moment. Just quoted £33 to change the oil in my car with Castrol Edge 0w30. Have decided it's worth getting it changed - although the OBC is telling me I don't need a service for another year I just dont like the idea of oil being in the car for 2 years, and I've only done 5k since the last service a year ago.

So, that said, has anyone actually done the National oil change deal? How did it go? Were they reasonably competent?

Are they going to trash my car, or fill it with 10 litres of mineral oil, or cockup in other as yet unimaginable ways or is at all very pleasant and easy?

 

[Scuzi]

I got them to change the oil on the Toledo before I sold it. I dropped it in, walked into town for half an hour and on the way back picked up the car. I had a look in the engine bay after and it was a tidy job. No spillages and clean oil on the dipstick. Not bad for the money.

 

[2Thumbs]

Have decided it's worth getting it changed - although the OBC is telling me I don't need a service for another year I just dont like the idea of oil being in the car for 2 years, and I've only done 5k since the last service a year ago.

I remember a thread about this and you having a go at me for changing oil before the recommended interval and saying its not needed! The laughs on you now!

Not used them personally but I've heard good things about NT&A, although it can vary between branches ofcourse.

 

[s0ck]

I assume that's a new filter too? If you've only done 5k though, it's not like it's a turbo monster, save the 30 quid until it's needed.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I remember a thread about this and you having a go at me for changing oil before the recommended interval and saying its not needed! The laughs on you now!

But technically it is the recommended interval as my handbook says 'In cases of very low annual usage (under 10,000km) you should perform an intermeditate oil change using BMW LL01 Approved Oil after 12 months'.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I assume that's a new filter too? If you've only done 5k though, it's not like it's a turbo monster, save the 30 quid until it's needed.

It's 30 quid - not a lot of cash really. It might not be a 'turbo monster' but it's still a reasonably complex (Dual VANOS) 230bhp engine.

 

[DannyW]

do it yourself if you want the job done right you pussy

 

[Gaygle]

do it yourself if you want the job done right you pussy

It'd cost way more than £30!

 

[mattpc]

for £30 its worth doing because although you haven't done a lot of mileage you presumably will have warmed up and cooled down the oil quite a lot. Possibly nearly as many times as you would have if you had actually done that mileage.

 

[Scuzi]

do it yourself if you want the job done right you pussy

Buying the oil alone is usually similarly priced or more expensive than buying the oil and filter from National and getting them to do all the filthy work for you.

 

[[TW]Fox]

do it yourself if you want the job done right you pussy

Last time I bought the oil for an Oil Service it cost me £80 - and that was from the absolute cheapest supplier on the web.

 

[mattpc]

do it yourself if you want the job done right you pussy

It's worth paying £30 to not have to drain 10 litres of oil!!!!

 

[DannyW]

what oil is it and why is it so expensive?

 

[mattpc]

surely it isn't really all that expensive it's just the fact 10l is required? I don't know how National are making any money from this quote. If I had this booked in I would be actually watching them do the oil change to make sure they were putting the specified oil in and not dumping some horrific generic trade oil in.

 

[[TW]Fox]

I explained what oil it is in the first post - it's Castrol Edge 0w30. I've no idea why its expensive, it just is. Car takes 6.5 litres but the smallest practical amount you can buy yourself is 8 litres @ £40ish a can.

Thanks for your experiences Scuzi - sounds good. Anyone else used them?

 

[DannyW]

meh, just stick some good old comma in it

 

[AmDaMan]

That's a good deal especially as Edge is like £45 .. The filter would not be getting changed at that price would it? That's half a job imo.

 

[[TW]Fox]

Yes it includes a filter change.

 

[moss]

Do they use a standard aftermarket filter, such as Fram/Coopers etc? The majority cost pennys tbh, they must get great bulk discount price on the oil though.

 

[AmDaMan]

That's excellent then as disposing of oil yourself and the pain of getting to awkward filters and sump plugs as well as good oil is easily worth that price...

I'll go and get this done next week but i'd be watching them