BMW Oil Question

[akuska]

Does anyone here know what BMW's OEM fill is? My brother-in-law just got a new 2006 325 with the de-tuned 3.0, and I was curious as to what Euro oil goes into it. My search turned up rumors in year-old posts that it was re-badged Castrol, but not "GC" per se. Any confirmation of that?

With 4/50 scheduled maintenance included in the purchase price, I'm sure the first few oil changes are going to be done at the dealer (I haven't seen the manual yet so I don't know the OCI - I think it has a monitor). I've told him to make sure the dealer does put in the right oil (I wouldn't put it past any car dealer, even a BMW dealer, to cut corners), but was curious as to people's results after switching the OEM fill to other Euro-spec oils, such as GC, Motul, Mobil 1 0w40.

 

[akuska]

More specifically, by "results," I mean things such as fuel economy, UOA results, and longevity. How sophisticated is the BMW oil change monitor? When has it switched on, both with the OEM fill and with your substitutes?

This car will likely see a lot of short city trips and not a lot of mileage (i.e. the "severe" schedule), so I'm curious regarding used oil analysis in this regard.

 

[shanneba]

The car most likely has BMW Hi-performance 5w30 from the factory. This oil is made by Castrol.
My BMW dealer uses this oil for my free oil changes. They sell it at the parts department.

Search the VOA / OUA sections by subject with "BMW", you find both VOAs and used oil analysis of this oil in other BMWs.

I posted a OUA on this oil from my 2003 330Ci a while back. My next UOA, also posted in the OUA section was with Castrol GC, a mix of 2 quarts green with 5 quarts of gold GC.

The miles to the next oil change/service is displayed when the car is started. (may be different if they have I Drive) My car is about 1000 miles from it's second BMW free oil change at 31000 miles. I have been changing the oil myself about 5-6000 miles between BMW free changes.

 

[shortyb]

BMW factory fill (and subsequent fill at dealer OCs) is indeed the BMW Hi-Performance synthetic 5w30. Its made by Castrol, but not "GC". Its predominately a grp III, but still meets ACEA A3 specs. What all this means is that its a very robust oil that holds up pretty well.

FWIW, on alot of the BMW forums, the practice is NOT to wait until the oil computer signals an oil change. This generally happens around the 15K depending on driving style. Most folks like to do an oil/filter change on their own in between the free dealer maintenance ones, right around 7.5K. In past models with oil moniters, it was complex compilation of a various factors, ie; engine speed, temp, barometric pressure, shift counters etc. Now its based on fuel consumption. They lump all those factors together by tying it to how much fuel the engine uses and adjust the oil "use" left accordingly.

Here is a used oil analysis I did on the BMW oil right after I bought my car:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001962

 

[akuska]

Thanks for the tip. My brother in law told me the BMW doesn't actually have a dipstick! That's way too much reliance on a computer, IMO. What happens if the computer fails? In any case, I passed on the advice about the mid-cycle oil changes. It's up to him if he chooses to follow it.

I assume the monitor does tell you if there is too little oil. He will probably just get a few bottles of BMW oil to top off when needed(apparently the dealer said there are only 3 oils on the approved list right now. I don't know if this means that BMW changed their specs again).

 

[shanneba]

The oil pressure light will come on in yellow when the car is a quart low on oil.

Mine still has dipstick, 2003 model but hasn't used a quart between 5000 mile changes yet. The only time I had any consumption was the only time I used Mobil 1 5w30 in it.

 

[mountravlr]

I heard that there is a "European Formula" 5W-40 by that syn company that blends its oils.

 

[AndyH]

quote:

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Originally posted by mountravlr:
I heard that there is a "European Formula" 5W-40 by that syn company that blends its oils.

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What company are you referring to...Castrol?

If so, here's a recent thread on Castrol Syntec 5w-40:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=51;t=000835

 

[Cookie]

I've been running Mobil 1 in mine since the warranty ended. I top it up a tiny bit between changes. My system has a three types of low oil monitoring. If you are a half pint or so down it turns on the oils light for a bit after you shut the car off. If you are down nearer a quart it lights up all the time, and I hope nobody gets to see the low oil pressure light.I drive short distances so I time my oil out rather that change by mileage.

 

[Russell]

My 95 BMW 525i has an indicator that tells you when you are about one quart low. I have never had it use enough oil to kick it on.

I would assume/hope newer models have the same feature, especially with no dipstick.

 

[Jim 5]

If you want to know what BMW really thinks about the 15k miles OCI, look in the back of your owners manual.

Between each place for a dealer's stamp for a 15k OCI, there is an "interval oil change" dealer stamp. It's not strictly necessary according to BMW (who pays for the service), but in my view they are tacitly admitting the interval (7.5K miles) oil change is a good idea.

In my opinion it is.

 

[tamu_man]

BMW engines have longer drain intervals because of their higher oil capacities compared to other makes. Having 7 quarts in a 3.0L engine that isn't raced is overkill. Doing a 10K interval would not make me blink, even on a conventional. Now, 15K would definitly make me a little cautious, unless it was a group IV or V synthetic.

Porsche recommends simular intervals, but they have a 9.3 quart oil capacity.