Oil 5000 miles +

[genethekiller]

I have a great mechanic here in Germany, good honest guy always looking for ways to save me money, (a la buying oil from US shops, 5w-30 is ridiculously expensive in Europe)

But every time I take my car to him for an oil change, he tells me I don't need to bring it in that often. It's been nearly 5000 miles, I always change early, just a couple hundred miles or so, but I don't think he gets it.

It's a common sense issue I know. I'll do what I know is right regardless, but my question is, has anyone here heard of going longer than 5000 as a regular thing? I've always felt (and it's common knowledge) that oil is the lifeblood of the engine, and if anything, should be taken care of early and often.

I'm assuming that it's an issue of kilometers vs. miles. But I was just curious.