[southernstar]

Thom, there is no direct correlation between oil contamination and lower mileage, especially if the car is driven is for more extended runs, rather than the short, in-town, stop and go daliy trips that many higher mileage cars are regularaly subjected to (let face it, that does tend to contaminate the oil). For vehicles that are winter-stored (as Johnny's seems to be), it is of course important to change the oil each spring before putting the car on the road. My car is driven largely as described for about 4-5000 miles a year before winter storage, followed by an oil/filter change each spring when she is put back on the road. I have a magnetic drain plug and also cut open the filter to check for particulate matter. Simply put, the oil that is drained out each spring looks virtually indistinguishable from new.

My BMW X3 is driven year round and not only gets much higher annual mileage, but a higher percentage of its trips are of the stop and go variety. The factory recommends oil changes every 25,000 km (about 15,000 miles) and I can assure you, when it goes that long the oil looks quite dirty in comparison. I would far rather have a lower mileage car that has had its oil changed every 5000 miles at most, than a higher mileage daily driver that has had its oil changed according to Porsche's recommended schedule!

Brad