Some of you may have seen my post in the additive forum, but for background:
I am an engineer and research pretty much everything to death. I have a 1998 BMW 528i sport manual with around 114,000km (70k mi) on it. Most of its miles are interstate-equivalent 130kph (3k RPM) trips but it also sees it's share of short in-town errands and shopping. It is VERY well maintained overall, lightly modified, sees some high RPM work and isn't babied. It is driven year round, and we see very cold (-20 to -30C sometimes) to hot (35C) temperatures.
It has one previous owner who was a personal friend of an indie shop I used to use and had 5000km OCIs with Pennzoil synth 5w50 w/ Penzane. Since 2001 and 50,000km (30k mi) I have been using a 5000-6500km OCI with Mobil1 0W40. No oil topups are required in 6000km and there is no detectable oil loss on the goofy BMW dipstick. My car is a hobby and it is very well taken care of. As with some others here, I seek perfection as much as possible while weighing against the age and mileage of the vehicle. I drive around 12,000km per year, so my OCI has me changing the oil in the spring and summer. Other fluids are every 2 years, I try to do brake fluid every year.
Many will tell me that my OCI is too short. My 6000km oil is noticeably dark and considerably opaque. A 1992 Porsche I had previously had 6000km oil (M1 15W50) that looked almost like new. Right now I'm comfortable with my OCI in this car to keep things clean. I've never done UOA before. I am interested, but Canadian options for the "fleet of one" seem harder to come by.
I've elected to begin an auto-rx cycle soon to make sure the rings are clean and to try to clean up some minor orange/brown deposits (varnish?) visible through the filler that were there when I got the car. I will use Esso XD3 15w40 HDEO dino for the clean and rinse cycles and need to finish before next fall so I can return to synthetic for winter.
I am considering changing from M1 0W40 for the following reasons:
Right now I am considering:
If after Auto-RX and the possible addition of LC20 in future changes I see cleaner used oil, I'll think about extending my OCI. I'm interested in any discussion or opinions, except maybe that I change my oil too much
Craig.
I am an engineer and research pretty much everything to death. I have a 1998 BMW 528i sport manual with around 114,000km (70k mi) on it. Most of its miles are interstate-equivalent 130kph (3k RPM) trips but it also sees it's share of short in-town errands and shopping. It is VERY well maintained overall, lightly modified, sees some high RPM work and isn't babied. It is driven year round, and we see very cold (-20 to -30C sometimes) to hot (35C) temperatures.
It has one previous owner who was a personal friend of an indie shop I used to use and had 5000km OCIs with Pennzoil synth 5w50 w/ Penzane. Since 2001 and 50,000km (30k mi) I have been using a 5000-6500km OCI with Mobil1 0W40. No oil topups are required in 6000km and there is no detectable oil loss on the goofy BMW dipstick. My car is a hobby and it is very well taken care of. As with some others here, I seek perfection as much as possible while weighing against the age and mileage of the vehicle. I drive around 12,000km per year, so my OCI has me changing the oil in the spring and summer. Other fluids are every 2 years, I try to do brake fluid every year.
Many will tell me that my OCI is too short. My 6000km oil is noticeably dark and considerably opaque. A 1992 Porsche I had previously had 6000km oil (M1 15W50) that looked almost like new. Right now I'm comfortable with my OCI in this car to keep things clean. I've never done UOA before. I am interested, but Canadian options for the "fleet of one" seem harder to come by.
I've elected to begin an auto-rx cycle soon to make sure the rings are clean and to try to clean up some minor orange/brown deposits (varnish?) visible through the filler that were there when I got the car. I will use Esso XD3 15w40 HDEO dino for the clean and rinse cycles and need to finish before next fall so I can return to synthetic for winter.
I am considering changing from M1 0W40 for the following reasons:
- I have read that 0W40 shears down to 30 weight. I'd really prefer a 40. Old school with all the 'thin' guys running around? Maybe. Something like 5w40 might have less VII to shear?
- I expect my motor oil to provide excellent protection, keep things clean, and run smooth and quiet. I've been getting some top end noise and lack of smoothness in all of the cars I've run M1 in. Some here have suggested in other threads that 'anything but M1' can make things quieter. Quiet mechanical parts are generally happier than noisy ones even if UOA indicates no wear. I'd like to try something else and see if smoothness returns.
- I've developed a feeling that M1 isn't what it used to be. While still being excellent, they are developing for a price point that will sell in Wal-Mart, not necessarily to be the best oil.
Right now I am considering:
- Redline 5w40 in summer, maybe 5w30 in winter, based on Cst comparisons with M1 0W40.
- M1 T&S 5W40 but specs are hard to find and I haven't seen it in Canada anywhere (yet). Suggestions?
- Esso XD3 0W40 - seems to have a good reputation and I believe Walmart has it
- Amsoil somethingorother - haven't chosen a grade, but a lot of people swear by it
If after Auto-RX and the possible addition of LC20 in future changes I see cleaner used oil, I'll think about extending my OCI. I'm interested in any discussion or opinions, except maybe that I change my oil too much
Craig.
