My '95 318ti has ~225k on the chassis. Probably around 100-120k or so on the m52b28 thats in it. Probaly 300-400k on the random used sloppy trans I tossed in it. and 300k or so on the 2.79 rear diff from an early 325e. I beat the [censored] out of the car and take it on long drives. Gets great mileage (best of 34.5 mpg so far) on the highway. Will become my next trackcar eventually.
how many miles on your euro-sled
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Our Passat just rolled 207,000 the other day. Still using M1 0w-40 and OEM filters on a 5K OCI. The VCG leaks, using less than 1qt between changes.
1992 325i 3rd owner. Had the car 5 years now and usually tick about 20k/ year. The odometer was inop. with 168k when I purchased it from the p/o who blew a hose, drove, cracked the head, drove, finally to be halted by the Timing belt when it had had enough. I pulled the head, filled the engine with diesel to the top of the block and let it sit for about 3 weeks while I got all the bits together and sorted the brakes and suspension. Drained BLACK diesel out and filled again, too impatient to let it sit this time. Put it back together with Lubro moly 5w40 minus the diesel. Since then it has seen a steady diet of LM, pentosin and motul, with an occasional Mobil1. Just recently noticing a cold start rattle sounds like valve train could be piston slap. I added a zinc additive which helped a great deal. I don't think the M20 is a true flat tappet deal so I hadn't used the zinc before. So anyway 325,000 plus. And I ain't done yet.
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My "new" Mini just rolled over 100K. I plan to put the next 100K and more on it. M1 0w-40.
My 1975 BMW 2002, unknown because it has a 5 digit tumbler, but I think it's only 115K. I think the car will last forever. Currently Rotella 15w40, but I could be convinced to go higher.
Someone said that engine lubrication issues are not the trouble spot with these cars, but things like cooling systems are. I had to get rid of an E36 BMW because I found it unable to hold onto it's coolant for more than a few months.
Related question: Why do european cars specify thicker oils.. in general. Please do not respond with "the EPA mandated lighter oils in the US...", there might be some truth to that, but what, in engine design, makes european engines in general require heavier oils? (Even if you take away the Xw-20 oils, there is still a difference between 30 and 40...) ?
My 1975 BMW 2002, unknown because it has a 5 digit tumbler, but I think it's only 115K. I think the car will last forever. Currently Rotella 15w40, but I could be convinced to go higher.
Someone said that engine lubrication issues are not the trouble spot with these cars, but things like cooling systems are. I had to get rid of an E36 BMW because I found it unable to hold onto it's coolant for more than a few months.
Related question: Why do european cars specify thicker oils.. in general. Please do not respond with "the EPA mandated lighter oils in the US...", there might be some truth to that, but what, in engine design, makes european engines in general require heavier oils? (Even if you take away the Xw-20 oils, there is still a difference between 30 and 40...) ?
The Europeans wanted a thicker oil under hot conditions for years, and thin oils, including 5w-20, in the winter. Higher VI oils and the introduction of the ACEA regime allowed for grades that could be used year round, such as 5w-40, 0w-40, and so forth.
Originally Posted By: Garak
The Europeans wanted a thicker oil under hot conditions for years, and thin oils, including 5w-20, in the winter. Higher VI oils and the introduction of the ACEA regime allowed for grades that could be used year round, such as 5w-40, 0w-40, and so forth.
OK, I can accept that, but for example, someone here told me that my BMW 2002 needed a thicker oil because (paraphrasing...) the cam was held in place by... the architecture required a thicker oil to prevent damage... this is what I'm asking. Actual architecture differences in engine design that require the thicker oil... if this question is not way too broad to deal with in this setting.
The Europeans wanted a thicker oil under hot conditions for years, and thin oils, including 5w-20, in the winter. Higher VI oils and the introduction of the ACEA regime allowed for grades that could be used year round, such as 5w-40, 0w-40, and so forth.
OK, I can accept that, but for example, someone here told me that my BMW 2002 needed a thicker oil because (paraphrasing...) the cam was held in place by... the architecture required a thicker oil to prevent damage... this is what I'm asking. Actual architecture differences in engine design that require the thicker oil... if this question is not way too broad to deal with in this setting.
It probably is too broad of a question.
Specific platforms will always be different, of course. What does the BMW 2002 manual show for oil choices? What options were provided in the winter?
2003 Jetta 1.8T 230,000 kms on car. No idea how many kms on engine. PO did not change the timing belt so, the engine self destructed and a used one was installed. First OCI is coming up, probably will install 15w40 Castrol Tection Extra from my stash which I paid $6 a jug for and a Defense oil filter
edyvw
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Originally Posted By: Garak
The Europeans wanted a thicker oil under hot conditions for years, and thin oils, including 5w-20, in the winter. Higher VI oils and the introduction of the ACEA regime allowed for grades that could be used year round, such as 5w-40, 0w-40, and so forth.
I was born and lived in Europe in a part where in winter it can get -30 easily. Actually, once I witnessed -42 in a car!
But never, never saw in any manual in European car that they recommend 5W20!
The Europeans wanted a thicker oil under hot conditions for years, and thin oils, including 5w-20, in the winter. Higher VI oils and the introduction of the ACEA regime allowed for grades that could be used year round, such as 5w-40, 0w-40, and so forth.
I was born and lived in Europe in a part where in winter it can get -30 easily. Actually, once I witnessed -42 in a car!
But never, never saw in any manual in European car that they recommend 5W20!
Originally Posted By: edyvw
I was born and lived in Europe in a part where in winter it can get -30 easily. Actually, once I witnessed -42 in a car! But never, never saw in any manual in European car that they recommend 5W20!
Taken from the 1989-1991 Audi 200 manual.
I was born and lived in Europe in a part where in winter it can get -30 easily. Actually, once I witnessed -42 in a car! But never, never saw in any manual in European car that they recommend 5W20!
Taken from the 1989-1991 Audi 200 manual.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: edyvw
I was born and lived in Europe in a part where in winter it can get -30 easily. Actually, once I witnessed -42 in a car! But never, never saw in any manual in European car that they recommend 5W20!
Taken from the 1989-1991 Audi 200 manual.
Those kind of manuals are coming in every European car!
Still every one of them reccomend 5W40, lately only 5W30.
Hello, even finding proper 5W20 oil was a lottery until couple years ago.
In manuals you can find all kind of interestig stuff such as: it is normal for a engine to burn 1ltr of oil every 1000km! Go figure!
Originally Posted By: edyvw
I was born and lived in Europe in a part where in winter it can get -30 easily. Actually, once I witnessed -42 in a car! But never, never saw in any manual in European car that they recommend 5W20!
Taken from the 1989-1991 Audi 200 manual.
Those kind of manuals are coming in every European car!
Still every one of them reccomend 5W40, lately only 5W30.
Hello, even finding proper 5W20 oil was a lottery until couple years ago.
In manuals you can find all kind of interestig stuff such as: it is normal for a engine to burn 1ltr of oil every 1000km! Go figure!
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Originally Posted By: edyvw
Hello, even finding proper 5W20 oil was a lottery until couple years ago.
True, but the recommendation was there. 20w-40 was recommended, too, but I've never seen such a thing on the shelf here, ever. I've only seen a 20w-20 once or twice, and an SAE 10w probably hasn't been seen in decades.
Hello, even finding proper 5W20 oil was a lottery until couple years ago.
True, but the recommendation was there. 20w-40 was recommended, too, but I've never seen such a thing on the shelf here, ever. I've only seen a 20w-20 once or twice, and an SAE 10w probably hasn't been seen in decades.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Hello, even finding proper 5W20 oil was a lottery until couple years ago.
True, but the recommendation was there. 20w-40 was recommended, too, but I've never seen such a thing on the shelf here, ever. I've only seen a 20w-20 once or twice, and an SAE 10w probably hasn't been seen in decades.
Well that answers question.
5W20 oil I did not even see in North Norway lol
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Hello, even finding proper 5W20 oil was a lottery until couple years ago.
True, but the recommendation was there. 20w-40 was recommended, too, but I've never seen such a thing on the shelf here, ever. I've only seen a 20w-20 once or twice, and an SAE 10w probably hasn't been seen in decades.
Well that answers question.
5W20 oil I did not even see in North Norway lol
Well, they definitely listed a lot of oils no one is ever going to see, much less try. Straight grades in 1989-91? Sheesh! We didn't use them in the 1970s, let alone almost 20 years later.
For reference, though, when I had the Audi, it saw mostly 15w40, some 5w-40, and some 0w-40, with occasional follies into 30 grades. The litre per 1000 km consumption was definitely possible with an ILSAC rated 5w30 in there, I tell you!
For reference, though, when I had the Audi, it saw mostly 15w40, some 5w-40, and some 0w-40, with occasional follies into 30 grades. The litre per 1000 km consumption was definitely possible with an ILSAC rated 5w30 in there, I tell you!
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Garak
Well, they definitely listed a lot of oils no one is ever going to see, much less try. Straight grades in 1989-91? Sheesh! We didn't use them in the 1970s, let alone almost 20 years later.
For reference, though, when I had the Audi, it saw mostly 15w40, some 5w-40, and some 0w-40, with occasional follies into 30 grades. The litre per 1000 km consumption was definitely possible with an ILSAC rated 5w30 in there, I tell you!
Oh yes, but before 504/507 oils, european drivers generally loved 5W40 oils!
I have never put in my cars in Europe 5W30 until I got CR engine.
Well, they definitely listed a lot of oils no one is ever going to see, much less try. Straight grades in 1989-91? Sheesh! We didn't use them in the 1970s, let alone almost 20 years later.
For reference, though, when I had the Audi, it saw mostly 15w40, some 5w-40, and some 0w-40, with occasional follies into 30 grades. The litre per 1000 km consumption was definitely possible with an ILSAC rated 5w30 in there, I tell you!
Oh yes, but before 504/507 oils, european drivers generally loved 5W40 oils!
I have never put in my cars in Europe 5W30 until I got CR engine.
I tried some of the 5w30 M1 I had lying around in the garage one winter. It wasn't a good idea, I tell you. It consumed way too quickly. It even drank GC for some reason. It was okay with PYB 10w-30. As far as synthetics went, I had the best luck with the Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40, followed closely by RP 0w-40.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Originally Posted By: Garak
I tried some of the 5w30 M1 I had lying around in the garage one winter. It wasn't a good idea, I tell you. It consumed way too quickly. It even drank GC for some reason. It was okay with PYB 10w-30. As far as synthetics went, I had the best luck with the Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40, followed closely by RP 0w-40.
That is older engne. Those engines have higher tolerances. Honestly, I would not ever get that idea,.
At that time, oil that was use most in those cars (i would say 95% imo) is 15W40, rest would be 10W40.
5W40 became trend in Europe with introduction of engines such as VW 1.8T in mid 90's.
I tried some of the 5w30 M1 I had lying around in the garage one winter. It wasn't a good idea, I tell you. It consumed way too quickly. It even drank GC for some reason. It was okay with PYB 10w-30. As far as synthetics went, I had the best luck with the Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40, followed closely by RP 0w-40.
That is older engne. Those engines have higher tolerances. Honestly, I would not ever get that idea,.
At that time, oil that was use most in those cars (i would say 95% imo) is 15W40, rest would be 10W40.
5W40 became trend in Europe with introduction of engines such as VW 1.8T in mid 90's.
I dislike 10w-40, but had no problems using 15w40 in there. Unfortunately, I had good reason to use something thinner: -40 winters. But, that was one case where synthetic paid off. The consumption was cut, eliminating top ups, and there were no seasonal changes, which cut back on unnecessarily short OCIs.
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