BMW OIl Usage

[328ibmw]

Bob;
I own a 1997 328i,,i have been using Mobil 1 SYN 0w-40 year round,,i live in central ohio,,it was suggested to me to use a heavier weight such as Mobil 1 15w-50 SYN. for summer months,,also it was suggested to use Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 or 15w40,,Mobil 1 has an ACE3 rating i believe,,Shell does not,,is any of the Rotella oils ok to use,,the engine has 147,000 miles ,,and uses around a quart every 3,700 miles..

 

[ammolab]

Your Mobil 1 0W-40 is plenty heavy for any Ohio summer. Use of one quart in 3700miles is no big deal and many NEW cars will show this trivial oil consumption.

 

[addyguy]

I'd move to Rotella T6 5W-40. Excellent quality and protection, but much less expensive for an older car.

Your oil consumption is NOT excessive at all, I wouldn't worry about it a bit.

 

[Quattro Pete]

T6 5w-40 is not really less expensive. Mobil 1 0w-40 goes on sale (at least here in the US) quite often, at which time you can get it for the same price as T6 (about $5/qt).


328ibmw,

Welcome to BITOG. I wouldn't have a problem running Rotella T6 in this engine, however, I don't think this is going to fix your oil consumption issue, which is not that big of a deal anyway, IMO. Mine consumes some oil, too.

Also, there is no "e" in "Mobil".

 

[d00df00d]

to BITOG!


Originally Posted By: 328ibmw
I own a 1997 328i,,i have been using Mobil 1 SYN 0w-40 year round

Good choice.


Originally Posted By: 328ibmw
,,i live in central ohio,,it was suggested to me to use a heavier weight such as Mobil 1 15w-50 SYN. for summer months

Don't bother unless you spend a lot of time on the track at road race events on hot days. It's slightly thicker at operating temp and MUCH thicker when cold; not worth it.


Originally Posted By: 328ibmw
,,also it was suggested to use Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 or 15w40,,Mobil 1 has an ACE3 rating i believe,,Shell does not,,is any of the Rotella oils ok to use,,the engine has 147,000 miles ,,and uses around a quart every 3,700 miles..

Are they okay to use? Probably.

Would they have any advantage over Mobil 1 0w-40? I would be shocked if they did.

Will they reduce your oil consumption? Only one way to find out.


1 qt/3700 miles isn't a big deal. You might want to check your PCV system if you're really worried, but I wouldn't bother switching oils just to reduce it.