Doug : is TWS 10w-60 too thick for the M54?

[330indy]

I use it in the M car as you know. It is great stuff and thanks for all your insights to its composition and HTHS benefits....
but it is so good I am wondering if it would benefit the lower pressure vanos in the M54 3 liter in my 2002 330i? I am currently using LubroMoly full synth 5w-40. thoughts?
(thanks!!)

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
330indy - Whilst TWS 10W-60 is a great product in the right application I suspect it is not the best choice for your M54 engine

A 0W-40 premium "Approved" synthetic is the best choice IMO - or stick with what you are already using

 

[330indy]

OK thanks. one reason I asked if the TWS was OK for the 3.0 liter M54 :
when the oil is warm when I pull the dipstick in the S54 it is SO slick, it drips right off the dipstick (It is clean and fresh oil/I have to be careful not to make a mess with drips on the engine) and I am like, "wow, this must flow really really well."

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
330indy - Most BMW engine do have high oil operating temepratures. Even in the early "M" series this was commonly up to 120C - I think their operating limit (bulk) was 130C

Typically my BMWs have been like my Porsches & Benzes - around 100-110C

 

[330indy]

is the Lubro Moly 5w-40 OK for the M54? It is the full syth.... Voll-Synthese/ good stuff. Is the Lubro Moly 40 weight significantly thicker at operating temps vs Mobil 1 0w-40, which I know you are fond of?

 

[Doug Hillary]

Hi,
330indy - If the Lubro Moly 5W-40 lubricant has the correct specifications for your engine it will work well. You already have some experience with it

It is likely that M1 0W-40 may be less viscous up until around 60C lubricant temperature - sadly not much Technical data exists for Lubro Moly lubricants

I thinks they may be a FF to some emakers too. I have no doubt that they are of good quality - like a German
"Amsoil" I expect!

 

[330indy]

I found this. hopefully it's reliable info on the Lubro Moly. Not sure how the numbers compare (favorably/unfavorably) with M1 0w-40...

Synthoil High Tech
SAE 5W-40
DESCRIPTION Synthoil High Tech SAE 5W-40 is a fully synthetic, high-performance, low-friction
engine oil designed for year-round use in passenger motor vehicle engines.
Optimum high-performance for multi-valve and turbocharged engines. The
synthetic base oils and high-quality additive components satisfy and greatly
exceed the requirements of the most state-of-the-art engine designs.
PROPERTIES - long service life for the engine due to very high level of protection against wear
- miscible and compatible with commercially-available engine oils.
- rapid oil delivery at low temperatures
- very high lubrication reliability at high and low temperatures
- very high shear and ageing stability
- outstanding engine cleanliness
- smooth engine running
- saves petrol and reduces pollutant emission
- optimum oil pressure at all engine speeds
- tested with catalytic converters and proven performance with turbochargers
- extremely low evaporation losses
Corresponds to and fulfils the following classifications and specifications:
API SL/CF
ACEA A3-98/B3-98 Issue2/B4-98
MB 229.1
BMW Longlife-98
VW 502 00 and 505 00
Porsche all models
TECHNICAL
DATA Viscosity class : 5W-40
Density at 15 °C : 0.850 g/cm³
Viscosity at 40 °C : 92 mm²/s
Viscosity at 100 °C : 14.8 mm²/s
Viscosity index : 168
Flash point : 230 °C
Pour point : -41 °C
ASTM colour : 1,5
…/2

 

[330indy]

Doug based on this data, how would you judge LM to Mobil?

Here is M1 0w-40

Viscosity, ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40º C 78.3
cSt @ 100º C 14
Sulfated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 1.2
Phosphorous 0.1
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 230
Density @15º C kg/l, ASTM D 4052 0.85
Total Base Number (TBN) 11.3
MRV at -40ºC 26242
Viscosity Index 186
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC, ASTM D 4683 3.7



Here is M1 HM 10w-40

Viscosity, ASTM D 445
cSt @ 40º C :98.16
cSt @ 100º C :14.71
Viscosity Index, ASTM D 2270 :156
Sulfated Ash, wt%, ASTM D 874 :1.36
HTHS Viscosity, mPa•s @ 150ºC ASTM D 4683 :4.06
Pour Point, ºC, ASTM D 97 :-39
Flash Point, ºC, ASTM D 92 :240
Density @15º C kg/l, ASTM D 4052 :0.867