'95 318i; What oil would you use?

Status
Not open for further replies.
F

fdcg27

Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
20,783
Location
OH
Just bought a '95 BMW 318i 'vert 5spd.
BMW recommends either 20W-50, 15W-50 or 15w40 for the temperature range we will typically see here from now through at least October.
The car has an oil change sticker indicating that it had GTX of unspecified grade about 1K back.
Since I don't know what's in it, I intend to change it.
I have Mobil 1 Extended Performance 15W-50, GTX 20w-50, Tection Extra 15w40 and Delvac 15w40 on hand.
What would all of you be inclined to use?
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
The manual, which also specs API SF or SG.


I suspect BMW's modern oil recommendations will be a bit different.
 
I am leaning to the 20-50, although I'm not sure how highly stressed the thing really is.
138 bhp@6K is not too much unlike any Honda four cylinder of the past twenty years or so, and they do fine with any grade of oil.
OTOH, BMWs are regarded as having high bulk oil temperatures, so a thicker grade might be in order.
BMW apparently thought so when they wrote the manual.
It is kind of interesting that our 2.2 liter '97 Accord makes 130 bhp, and is supposed to use 5w30 always, while the BMW makes 138 BHP out of 1.8 liters, requires premium fuel, and should only have a 5w30 under very cold conditions.
 
The OM also likely has an arrow that goes all the way up and down labeled something like "special oils".

I recommend a 5w-40, from personal experience with running 5w-40 in my 318's M42.

I have an oil temp gauge in my 318 and the tempratures are nothing abnormal. Bulk temperatures rarely get to 200F, the engine sheds heat readily and has a fairly large sump.

If you do not have a chip in yours, you can likely operate on 89.

You should recognize that the M42/44 does not have an EGR, so it can operate meeting emissions specs without diluting all sorts of junk in through the intake.
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27

It is kind of interesting that our 2.2 liter '97 Accord makes 130 bhp, and is supposed to use 5w30 always, while the BMW makes 138 BHP out of 1.8 liters, requires premium fuel, and should only have a 5w30 under very cold conditions.


Much higher specific output making 138 from 1.8 versus 130 from 2.2, and different designs. Newer BMWs often recommend 5w30 for all temps.

My M42 does not change timing by knock, not sure if yours does. This drives the octane requirement to some extent...
 
The OM does indeed have a part of the temp/visc chart labeled "special oils".
It does not have a chip, nor will it.
It is not a fast car, nor was it intended to be.
It is a screamer, like a Honda, which I like.
It is really enjoyable to work the little engine and the gearbox, which shifts BMW smooth.
I will try 89, and see how it does.
I'll also try 91, and see whether fuel economy improves.
I agree that a 5W-40 would work well.
I would, however, like to deplete the stash, which currently has no such oil.
The closest I can come is GC.
Do you think that a 15w40, a 15W-50 or 20W-50 would be harmful to the engine?
While I'd like to use up what I have, I also have no desire to hurt the little thing.
After all, I am now its minder, and I would not want to do anything to damage it.
 
GC might be OK, it is a fairly heavy 30wt. 15w40 and 15w-50 oils work great in the BMW 1.8, Ive used them at various times. 20w-50 has been used too, but is too heavy for my liking.
 
Thanks!
I think I'll give it the Mobil 1 15W-50, then, and watch oil consumption.
If oil use is nil, I'll be pleased.
If not, I'll go with the 15w40 and some ARX, of which I have one bottle remaining.
I will avoid the 20W-50 GTX.
I can always mix it with the 5W-20 GTX, and use it in either the van or one of the Accords.
 
Id go 5w-40 over 15w-50 if I were you, but that's your call. IMO wear rates are great with 40wt, and 50wt starts to bog the engine down a bit, IMO.

Dont think that 15w40 would make a consumption difference versus 15w-50 or 5w-40.

Also at some point pull the lower oil pan and then retorque the upper pan bolts. They have been seen to get loose and fall out.
 
Good point.
My wife followed me home in the '99 Accord (2.4 liter VTEC, 150 bhp, 5 spd stick) we drove up to Arcanum (about forty miles of sometimes twisty rural two-lane), and she reported no trouble keeping up with the BMW, which I drove moderately hard. She said she downshifted a few times.
I had more fun, though.
The 318i convertible is a lot like my old MGB.
Very loose structure, and a slow car that is fun to drive fast.
Neat little machine.
 
Well throw a modern pair of shocks in it, add some braces, and change out the original high-profile tires, and it won't be quite so loose.

Delo 15-40 would be the best choice. My m50 and m42s were happiest with this, and they were much cleaner than my current m54.
 
Based upon what you and JHZR2 have written, I guess I'll go with the 15w40, and may pick up some T6 with the current rebate for future use.
There is also the possibility of using Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck.
Syntec and Pennzoil Platinum 5W-40 seem to exist mainly on paper, since I never see either on the shelf.
Also, JHZR2, thanks for the tip on the upper pan bolts.
This is something I should do fairly soon.
 
Although not a popular option, I think Castrol Syntec 5W-50 might be a good option for this engine. Mori had a spotless engine at 120k on this oil at 10k OCI's....
 
Use your choice of any ACEA A3 rated oil. The 'special oils' as mentioned must meet this requiremnt.

Delvac 15w40 is a great choice, it was I am running presently in my 96 318i.

I like Rotella 15w40 the best.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w40 is a nice choice as well.
 
Delvac it will be, then.
We'll see how it likes the 15w40.
What little I can see through the fill hole does look clean, but I am still thinking that an AR-X run might be a good idea, especially since I have some.
Refering back to an earlier post by JHZR2, the OM does indicate that the engine has a knock sensor.
Also, as I have become more familiar wih the car with miles (about 150 so far), I can feel it pulling timing under certain conditions.
I'll drive the car to work next week, so I should probably be hitting 400 miles on this tank by Friday.
I'll then try a tank of 91 octane and see if that makes any difference.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

C
  • Locked
What weight oil to put in old BMW
Replies
15
Views
9K
bmwtechguy
K
  • Locked
BMW V8 Oil?
2
Replies
28
Views
31K
JHZR2
F
  • Locked
Can thicker oil cause damage?
2 3
Replies
49
Views
37K
CATERHAM
F
  • Locked
2nd gen RX-7
Replies
8
Views
2K
typ901
JHZR2
  • Locked
decision time
Replies
2
Views
485
Eiron
Back
Top Bottom