Full synthetic 20w-50 for 86 535i(m30b34). Vr1 bad for daily driver?

[Fright]

I’ve searched and found little, and a stupid YouTube comment has me second guessing.

I’m about to do the first oil change on a new to me 86 535i. Calls for 20w-50. The full synthetic options are very, very limited, but i settled on VR1 synthetic, in part because it has high zinc. Then I saw a comment saying VR1 is not safe for a daily driver, cause it’s “racing oil”. Is that BS? If it’s not, and is true, what are my other options? Zddp additive to another oil suited for daily driving? There are other 20w-50 options but all seem to be low on zinc which from searching here, people feel is very important for older motors without hydraulic lifters.

That said, I did see a comment elsewhere saying that zddp isn’t really an issue for these motors and is more important for American pushrod v8 tappets that used softer metal than BMW did for their rocker arms/cams.

Oil is a new field of concern for me, so I’m still learning. Obviously I’d like to stick with synthetic, but liqui-moly has their “mos2 anti-friction” which is semi synth 10w-40 which I wouldn’t mind using - been a liqui moly user for years so I’m a little bummed they don’t have a 20w-50. It seems motul offers some age appropriate oils in near correct weights, and there are some diesel options from other manufacturers in 20w-50.

What do yall suggest? I live in New York, for climate context.

 

[kschachn]

I'd just run an oil with BMW Longlife-01, Mercedes-Benz 229.5, or VW 502 00 approval and forget the rest. That is what I did for many years in my 530i. New York would not be an appropriate climate for a 20W winter rated oil, at least not year-round.

Forget about grade and just get one with one of those approvals. Several are available at Walmart right off the shelf and are inexpensive. Any of those will give you a minimum HT/HS that is appropriate for your engine.

 

[fantastic]

I’ve searched and found little, and a stupid YouTube comment has me second guessing.

I’m about to do the first oil change on a new to me 86 535i. Calls for 20w-50. The full synthetic options are very, very limited, but i settled on VR1 synthetic, in part because it has high zinc. Then I saw a comment saying VR1 is not safe for a daily driver, cause it’s “racing oil”. Is that BS? If it’s not, and is true, what are my other options? Zddp additive to another oil suited for daily driving? There are other 20w-50 options but all seem to be low on zinc which from searching here, people feel is very important for older motors without hydraulic lifters.

That said, I did see a comment elsewhere saying that zddp isn’t really an issue for these motors and is more important for American pushrod v8 tappets that used softer metal than BMW did for their rocker arms/cams.

Oil is a new field of concern for me, so I’m still learning. Obviously I’d like to stick with synthetic, but liqui-moly has their “mos2 anti-friction” which is semi synth 10w-40 which I wouldn’t mind using - been a liqui moly user for years so I’m a little bummed they don’t have a 20w-50. It seems motul offers some age appropriate oils in near correct weights, and there are some diesel options from other manufacturers in 20w-50.

What do yall suggest? I live in New York, for climate context.

Mobil has a 15w-50 full synthetic & I'm not certain what specs it has but should be adequate for your 86'. They target 1320 PPM Zn in that product. Otherwise, you can also consider a 5w-40 HDEO from Mobil w/high Zn.

 

[Cujet]

The VR1 synthetic will be just fine in your engine. But I'm fairly sure the engine is spec'd to use a wide variety of oils based on temp. M1, 15W-50 would be a superb choice for you in CT summers.

 

[chris719]

Mobil 1 X2 5W-50 (same additive package as FS 0W-40 so it has LL01 if not for 50 grade). You could also run the BMW or Castrol 10W-60. Red Line 5W-50.

 

[edyvw]

The reason whyb 20W50 was specd. back then is shearing. Today's oils don't shear that much, especially Euro oils.
Run 5W40 EUo oil, or if it is going to mak you warmer around heart Mobil1 5W50 or 15W50.

 

[Marcozi]

Why are racing oils not suitable for daily drivers? It's my understanding that racing oils don't have the appropriate additive package. Also, racing teams change the oil in their cars very frequently. edyvw please jump in!

 

[97prizm]

I’ve searched and found little, and a stupid YouTube comment has me second guessing.

I’m about to do the first oil change on a new to me 86 535i. Calls for 20w-50. The full synthetic options are very, very limited, but i settled on VR1 synthetic, in part because it has high zinc. Then I saw a comment saying VR1 is not safe for a daily driver, cause it’s “racing oil”. Is that BS? If it’s not, and is true, what are my other options? Zddp additive to another oil suited for daily driving? There are other 20w-50 options but all seem to be low on zinc which from searching here, people feel is very important for older motors without hydraulic lifters.

That said, I did see a comment elsewhere saying that zddp isn’t really an issue for these motors and is more important for American pushrod v8 tappets that used softer metal than BMW did for their rocker arms/cams.

Oil is a new field of concern for me, so I’m still learning. Obviously I’d like to stick with synthetic, but liqui-moly has their “mos2 anti-friction” which is semi synth 10w-40 which I wouldn’t mind using - been a liqui moly user for years so I’m a little bummed they don’t have a 20w-50. It seems motul offers some age appropriate oils in near correct weights, and there are some diesel options from other manufacturers in 20w-50.

What do yall suggest? I live in New York, for climate context.

I've used VR-1 in race cars but with the high zinc and high zddp it like will poison the catalytic converter over time. I think either Roush or Saleen speccd a 10w-50 for vehicles. Would this not work since it's long out of warranty?

 

[edyvw]

Why are racing oils not suitable for daily drivers? It's my understanding that racing oils don't have the appropriate additive package. Also, racing teams change the oil in their cars very frequently. edyvw please jump in!

Their additive package doesn’t work well while warming up or during cold oil temperatures, among other things.

 

[Fright]

I've used VR-1 in race cars but with the high zinc and high zddp it like will poison the catalytic converter over time. I think either Roush or Saleen speccd a 10w-50 for vehicles. Would this not work since it's long out of warranty?

I mean, I’m about to cut out my cat cause it’s toast and just weld in pipe to replace it, so that’s whatever.

Their additive package doesn’t work well while warming up or during cold oil temperatures, among other things.

That settles it. I’ll look into other options.

Is there any reason to prefer full synthetic over semi-synthetic?

 

[kschachn]

That settles it. I’ll look into other options.

Is there any reason to prefer full synthetic over semi-synthetic?

If you adhere to the numerous recommendations for going by an approval, the base stock is irrelevant. All are going to be synthetic.

 

[JavierH19]

It's fine but I'd rather use m1 15w-50 and if it doesn't burn much and isn't driven hard 0/5w-40 would be good too.

 

[edyvw]

I mean, I’m about to cut out my cat cause it’s toast and just weld in pipe to replace it, so that’s whatever.

That settles it. I’ll look into other options.

Is there any reason to prefer full synthetic over semi-synthetic?

Synthetic is always preferred option. Better shear stability, higher HTHS, cleaning ability etc.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

I’ve searched and found little, and a stupid YouTube comment has me second guessing.

I’m about to do the first oil change on a new to me 86 535i. Calls for 20w-50. The full synthetic options are very, very limited, but i settled on VR1 synthetic, in part because it has high zinc. Then I saw a comment saying VR1 is not safe for a daily driver, cause it’s “racing oil”. Is that BS? If it’s not, and is true, what are my other options? Zddp additive to another oil suited for daily driving? There are other 20w-50 options but all seem to be low on zinc which from searching here, people feel is very important for older motors without hydraulic lifters.

That said, I did see a comment elsewhere saying that zddp isn’t really an issue for these motors and is more important for American pushrod v8 tappets that used softer metal than BMW did for their rocker arms/cams.

Oil is a new field of concern for me, so I’m still learning. Obviously I’d like to stick with synthetic, but liqui-moly has their “mos2 anti-friction” which is semi synth 10w-40 which I wouldn’t mind using - been a liqui moly user for years so I’m a little bummed they don’t have a 20w-50. It seems motul offers some age appropriate oils in near correct weights, and there are some diesel options from other manufacturers in 20w-50.

What do yall suggest? I live in New York, for climate context.

Redline, M1.

https://www.redlineoil.com/10w40-motor-oil

 

[wemay]

Motor oil aside, since you've received great advice already, how about some pictures of that '86 BMW?

 

[97prizm]

I mean, I’m about to cut out my cat cause it’s toast and just weld in pipe to replace it, so that’s whatever.

That settles it. I’ll look into other options.

Is there any reason to prefer full synthetic over semi-synthetic?

If the cat is toast just get a cheapie if you don't have emissions testing.

 

[Fright]

It's fine but I'd rather use m1 15w-50 and if it doesn't burn much and isn't driven hard 0/5w-40 would be good too.

It doesn’t burn much, if any, but I do make sure to stretch its legs as often as possible. Given redline in first is like 25mph and 2nd is like 60, and wide open barely constitutes unreasonable acceleration, it’s easy to get her screaming without a highway. I don’t beat on it though. Legs stretched but not violently,

Synthetic is always preferred option. Better shear stability, higher HTHS, cleaning ability etc.

Got it. I’m gonna look up the specs of the LM mos2 10w-40 semi synth, and compare them to a full synth. If they’re similar, that’s what I’m gonna go with.

Redline, M1.

https://www.redlineoil.com/10w40-motor-oil

Too expensive

Motor oil aside, since you've received great advice already, how about some pictures of that '86 BMW?

I can do that!

 

[Fright]

If the cat is toast just get a cheapie if you don't have emissions testing.

Yeah, no emissions.