BMW top-off oil

[UberWRX]

I recently purchased a '99 BMW 328i that has around 59K miles on the odometer.

My question: is it OK to top off the oil using Amsoil 10w30 ATM, Redline 5w30 and/or Mobil 1 10w30? I know the dealership uses BMW performance oil, which I think is some sort of Castrol synthetic.

I've read several posts on this website that suggest it's not a good idea to mix different kinds of motor oils due to the difference in additive package. As such, I'd hate to think I'm somehow hurting the car's engine, especially since the OCIs last on average about 15K.

Thanks for the help.

 

[vvk]

Ideally, you should stop by a BMW dealer and buy some BMW oil. It should not be too expensive.

If you are unable to do so, buy the simplest API SL 10W-40 oil for top-up.

 

[oldman]

I use Mobil 1 5w30 for my wife's 97 740iL and it has 90k and does great.

Still gets 26 mpg on the hwy.

 

[Cary]

Do a search, there is a lot of info about this. In short:

1) Use an A3 and/or BMW LL-98/01 approved oil. Mobil 1 10w30 does not meet these requirements. Oils that do are BMW Branded Synthetic 5w30, German Castrol Syntec 0w-30, Mobil 1 0w-40, Amsoil European Car Synthetic 5w-40, and some others.

2) Change the oil once between the 15k mile service intervals. The 15k interval is a bit to far, 7.5k is prudent and will extend the life of your engine.

 

[Dr. T]

Having personal experience with the BMW stuff, I wouldn't trust it to go 15k unless you do a used oil analysis, etc.

However, I would (and am) try other brands/oil types that should be able to go 15k. eg. Amsoil 5-40, Castrol/Mobil 1 0w40, Castrol Syntec 5-40, etc.. Also backing them up with used oil analysis....

 

[UberWRX]

quote:

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Originally posted by Cary:
Do a search, there is a lot of info about this. In short:

1) Use an A3 and/or BMW LL-98/01 approved oil. Mobil 1 10w30 does not meet these requirements. Oils that do are BMW Branded Synthetic 5w30, German Castrol Syntec 0w-30, Mobil 1 0w-40, Amsoil European Car Synthetic 5w-40, and some others.

2) Change the oil once between the 15k mile service intervals. The 15k interval is a bit to far, 7.5k is prudent and will extend the life of your engine.

---

Cary,

Since posting here at BITOG, I've read your oil information thread at E46fanatics.com--good stuff.

It's all good info, and I'll probably try to stick w/ Mobil 1 0w40, since it's the easiest to come by.

I've got a few more questions:
Do you use OEM filters, or go with another brand? Also, where would you recommend purchasing an oil service reset tool? Since I just got the car w/ 59K miles, would it be a good idea to do an Auto-Rx treatment? Having reviewed the service records (the car is BMW-certified), it looks like previous owners stuck to the onboard computer oil service recommendations.

Thank you all so much!

 

[Dr. T]

Only use OEM oil filters...they're the best and come with the necessary o-rings, etc.

I've heard the Peake re-set tool is the best, but I just use a wire to jump two terminals (cost=25 cents)...do a yahoo search for the appropriate website with directions.

At 59k mi....you don't need auto-rx if the car's been properly maintained and you're using synthetics.

 

[Paul Elliott]

>>1) Use an A3 and/or BMW LL-98/01 approved oil. Mobil 1 10w30 does not meet these requirements. Oils that do are BMW Branded Synthetic 5w30, German Castrol Syntec 0w-30, Mobil 1 0w-40, Amsoil European Car Synthetic 5w-40, and some others.
Ive just recently become aware of the importance of this ACEA A3 rating, and of the HTHS rating, which should exceed 3.4. In the past, I went by the theory that getting a Group IV instead of a Group III was the most important factor.. That made me switch away from the BMW 5w30 synethetic longlife, since it was a Group III oil.. HOwever, despite this fact, it Does have the A3 rating, a HTHS sheer rating of 3.6, and a thickness at 100 C of 12, which is similar to the rating of the Mobil 1 0W-40! Clearly the BMW stuff uses the very thickest end of the 30w scale. So, would you agree that even though the bmw oil is a group III, the fact that it has these other excellent rating specs which the Mobil 1 10w30 does not have, even though it IS a Group IV oil is whats important? Does it make the bmw oil a better oil for longer drain intervals than the Mobil 1 10w30? Ratings wise, it sure seems so.. but what about that bmw group III base stock?

>>2) Change the oil once between the 15k mile service intervals. The 15k interval is a bit to far, 7.5k is prudent and will extend the life of your engine.
My bmw is a '99 M3. AS such, the srvc lite interval cycles once about every 9k - 10k miles. What I do is replace the Mahle oil filter at half way, and change the oil once per cycle, using either the bmw longlife 5w30, or Amsoil 10W-40, both rated ACEA A3, with good HTHS specs. IVe had analysis done a couple of times at the end of the cycle, and it seems to be ok... what do you think?