What would the best synthetic 5w30 or 10w30 oil for an old 1995 525i with 180,000 miles? I have been using heavier synthetic oil (castrol syntec 5w50) and I suspect lighter oil may be better.
Best 5w30 or 10w30 oil for old BMWS?
- Thread starter Russell
- Start date
- Status
I went with Mobil 1 5W-30 in my old truck. An American product widely available at competitive prices. Proof one brand is much better than another?
Originally Posted By: Russell
What would the best synthetic 5w30 or 10w30 oil for an old 1995 525i with 180,000 miles? I have been using heavier synthetic oil (castrol syntec 5w50) and I suspect lighter oil may be better.
I'd probably try the BMW-branded 5W-30 synthetic, or perhaps GC.
What would the best synthetic 5w30 or 10w30 oil for an old 1995 525i with 180,000 miles? I have been using heavier synthetic oil (castrol syntec 5w50) and I suspect lighter oil may be better.
I'd probably try the BMW-branded 5W-30 synthetic, or perhaps GC.
German Castrol, BMW brand, 5w-30 Euro Ultra of Penzzoil Platinum or 0W-40 of M1 Euro.
most people are telling me that German castrol 0w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 works best in BMW's
Originally Posted By: ben_321
most people are telling me that German castrol 0w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 works best in BMW's
I tried the M1 0w40 and the engine was very noisy with mechanical sounds. Much quieter with the Castrol 5w50.
most people are telling me that German castrol 0w-30 or Mobil 1 0w-40 works best in BMW's
I tried the M1 0w40 and the engine was very noisy with mechanical sounds. Much quieter with the Castrol 5w50.
Originally Posted By: gtx510
older BMW's use a 40wt oil
5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40, take your pick
I keep hearing the small orfices in the lifter assembly require "lighter" oil. Not sure what that really means.
Therefore, it sould seem a 15w40 oil would be too "heavy" to work well. It seems that way to me on cold mornings when i ran 15w40 conventional oil. It would rattle like mad this it pumped up. Does not do as much (or at all) with my current 5w50 Castrol syntec.
I just do not know. Anyone have any thoughts.
older BMW's use a 40wt oil
5W-40, 10W-40, 15W-40, take your pick
I keep hearing the small orfices in the lifter assembly require "lighter" oil. Not sure what that really means.
Therefore, it sould seem a 15w40 oil would be too "heavy" to work well. It seems that way to me on cold mornings when i ran 15w40 conventional oil. It would rattle like mad this it pumped up. Does not do as much (or at all) with my current 5w50 Castrol syntec.
I just do not know. Anyone have any thoughts.
My 528iT (1999) is only a few years newer than yours and the owners manual specifies XXw40 or XXw30 oils. I've run M1 5w30, 0w40, GC, and RTS (5w40). I've settled on using GC, but have to say that the engine really did seem to like the RTS as much as GC.
I've heard BMW's like a heavier oil, but the double vanos system may be impacted with 10w oils. I believe that system debuted in the 528i in MY 1999.
I've heard BMW's like a heavier oil, but the double vanos system may be impacted with 10w oils. I believe that system debuted in the 528i in MY 1999.
What is Oil Change Interval? The maintanence lights on your model should show about an 10,000 mile OCI. I would change the oil at about 5,000 miles unless you do all highway driving. I would use the BMW 5w-30 or Castrol Syntec 0w-30. The castrol syntex 5w-40 would also be a good choice.
The BMW Tech article on Red Line's site indicates Bimmerworld has seen no changes in the vanos timing with different weight oils.
The BMW Tech article on Red Line's site indicates Bimmerworld has seen no changes in the vanos timing with different weight oils.
Originally Posted By: shanneba
What is Oil Change Interval? The maintanence lights on your model should show about an 10,000 mile OCI. I would change the oil at about 5,000 miles unless you do all highway driving. I would use the BMW 5w-30 or Castrol Syntec 0w-30. The castrol syntex 5w-40 would also be a good choice.
The BMW Tech article on Red Line's site indicates Bimmerworld has seen no changes in the vanos timing with different weight oils.
In my case, I change oil/filter from 4,000 to 5,000 miles. Even so my driving is 50/50 mix of city and highway driving. The oil change lights mean nothing to me.
Redline article? Think I will look it up. Thanks.
What is Oil Change Interval? The maintanence lights on your model should show about an 10,000 mile OCI. I would change the oil at about 5,000 miles unless you do all highway driving. I would use the BMW 5w-30 or Castrol Syntec 0w-30. The castrol syntex 5w-40 would also be a good choice.
The BMW Tech article on Red Line's site indicates Bimmerworld has seen no changes in the vanos timing with different weight oils.
In my case, I change oil/filter from 4,000 to 5,000 miles. Even so my driving is 50/50 mix of city and highway driving. The oil change lights mean nothing to me.
Redline article? Think I will look it up. Thanks.
Last edited:
what? thicker oils have larger molecules than can't squeeze past the microscopic oils in a BMW hydraulic lifter?
russell, nad the guy who's been giving you advice
all pre-1998 used 10W-40 or 15W-40
goto the parts department at the stand see what they sell
have a look at the BMW accessories catalog, there will be a bottle of Castrol 15W-40 towards the back
iirc,
LL-98 oils are 5W-40; GrpIII, GrpIV, or GrpV
LL-01 oils are thick 30wt to thin 40wt; GrpIV or GrpV
LL-04 oils are about the same viscosity but they allow GrpIII again
i'd use something like rotella 5W-40 for about 8-10k
russell, nad the guy who's been giving you advice
all pre-1998 used 10W-40 or 15W-40
goto the parts department at the stand see what they sell
have a look at the BMW accessories catalog, there will be a bottle of Castrol 15W-40 towards the back
iirc,
LL-98 oils are 5W-40; GrpIII, GrpIV, or GrpV
LL-01 oils are thick 30wt to thin 40wt; GrpIV or GrpV
LL-04 oils are about the same viscosity but they allow GrpIII again
i'd use something like rotella 5W-40 for about 8-10k
I have two 6-cyl. bmws, and have been using M1 High Mileage in both, with Blackstone analysis from each. One has 112K miles, the other 162K. This oil is A3-B3 with a good add pack, API SL, and I usually change at 7500 miles. $22/5qts. at Wallyworld is a heck of a deal for this oil. Go for it.
Mike
Mike
I was just about to type this up and you beat me to it M1 HM 10w-30, API SL/ ACEA long drain rated, a "real" full syn base synthetic, mid HTHS, GF2/3, high zddp, -65f pour point. Its the Amsoil ATM of the mobil line and a sleeper.
M1 HM 10w-30, API SL/ ACEA long drain rated, a "real" full syn base synthetic, mid HTHS, GF2/3, high zddp, -65f pour point. Its the Amsoil ATM of the mobil line and a sleeper.RTS 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-40
M1 HM 10W-40
4-5k miles is a very conservative oci for all of these oils. For that interval you could use Mobil Clean 5000 10W-40.
If you really want to go thinner, try to stay with an A3 rated oil such as BMW 5W-30 or GC, or M1 10W-30 HM. Have not been able to find the 5W-30 M1 HM anywhere yet.
Castrol Syntec 5W-40
M1 HM 10W-40
4-5k miles is a very conservative oci for all of these oils. For that interval you could use Mobil Clean 5000 10W-40.
If you really want to go thinner, try to stay with an A3 rated oil such as BMW 5W-30 or GC, or M1 10W-30 HM. Have not been able to find the 5W-30 M1 HM anywhere yet.
Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
RTS 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-40
M1 HM 10W-40
4-5k miles is a very conservative oci for all of these oils. For that interval you could use Mobil Clean 5000 10W-40.
If you really want to go thinner, try to stay with an A3 rated oil such as BMW 5W-30 or GC, or M1 10W-30 HM. Have not been able to find the 5W-30 M1 HM anywhere yet.
I go 4-5k because earlier Blackstone UOA indicated fuel dilution. I think my injectors are leaking. I think I might have them calibrated. Thanks for the advice
RTS 5W-40
Castrol Syntec 5W-40
M1 HM 10W-40
4-5k miles is a very conservative oci for all of these oils. For that interval you could use Mobil Clean 5000 10W-40.
If you really want to go thinner, try to stay with an A3 rated oil such as BMW 5W-30 or GC, or M1 10W-30 HM. Have not been able to find the 5W-30 M1 HM anywhere yet.
I go 4-5k because earlier Blackstone UOA indicated fuel dilution. I think my injectors are leaking. I think I might have them calibrated. Thanks for the advice
Last edited:
Redline 5w30
JHZR2
Staff member
What specs are required for this engine? My 91 318i has a temp vs. viscosity chart.
At minimum, I'd be looking for an ACEA A3 rated oil.
At minimum, I'd be looking for an ACEA A3 rated oil.
Mobil 1 HM 10W30 and 10W40 are really great oils for any older car. I think your BMW would really like these oils and they do run heavy for each weight. Great add packs...
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
What specs are required for this engine? My 91 318i has a temp vs. viscosity chart.
At minimum, I'd be looking for an ACEA A3 rated oil.
The chart means very little when using synthetic oils as I understand it.
What specs are required for this engine? My 91 318i has a temp vs. viscosity chart.
At minimum, I'd be looking for an ACEA A3 rated oil.
The chart means very little when using synthetic oils as I understand it.
Last edited:
- Status