Introduction + need help with oil selection

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EvoStevo

Joined
Feb 4, 2009
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Location
Los Angeles, CA
Hi all, I'm a noob seeking oil advice. I used to work at Autozone and my coworker introduced me to this site, but I hadn't considered joining until now.

I have a 1989 BMW 325is with 236K on the odo. I've owned it for a little over two years now. My OCI is generally 5K-7K miles and I change the filter every second oil change or whenever I feel like it. I now use Valvoline VR-1 20w-50 and I alternate between using Mahle and Mann filters. This seems to be what most other guys run on the BMW forums I frequent. I was wondering if there is an oil/filter combo you guys think would work better for me. Right now, the car sees mostly highway duty with some occasional spirited driving on the weekends. I was about to order oil from Amazon and it recommended a Mobil 1 Filter with my purchase. I remember my coworker speaking highly of them back in the day. Anyway, just wanted to hear your thoughts. Thanks!
 
In all honesty, I'd stay with exactly what you're doing! BMW recommends 20w-50, don't they? And VR-1 is a kick butt oil.

I'd maybe consider changing the filter every oil change, but I doubt you're hurting anything by doing it every other change since Mahle and Mann are top quality filters.

If you ever end up in a climate where cold starting at 20 degrees or colder becomes routine, you might want to choose a thinner viscosity through, but for LA, 20w-50 VR-1 in an 89 BMW would be at the top of my list. Plenty of zinc for an older solid lifter valvetrain.

Might even try a 50/50 mix of 10w-30/20w-50 VR-1. might make the engine feel a bit more free when revving.
 
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VR1 is awesome oil. I'd stick with it.
 
Thanks for the welcome, guys! And it's nice to know that I'm using the right oil and filter combo. Any other thoughts on my filter change interval? Should I be swapping in a new one every oil change?
 
has anyone ever cut a Mann or Mahle filter open? I have two used ones just sitting in my garage plus a dremel tool to boot. I'm curious to see what the guts look like. I think one has roughly 8k and the other 10-12K usage. Could be interesting!
 
Originally Posted By: Johnny
If it were mine I would change the filter at every oil change. Why run clean oil through a dirty filter?


+1
I would change the filter out at every oil change.

Nice car and WELCOME to the forum!!
 
Originally Posted By: EvoStevo
has anyone ever cut a Mann or Mahle filter open? I have two used ones just sitting in my garage plus a dremel tool to boot. I'm curious to see what the guts look like. I think one has roughly 8k and the other 10-12K usage. Could be interesting!


I use Mahle filters on my 89 Cabriolet and they are very well built inside. Sorry I don't have pictures... They were so impressive that I use them on my Austin Mini now. (Same Filter)
 
evostevo --anything pennzoil related (yb- dino, pp-syn), and johnny is your man. for any amsoil products (oil, filters,etc.) gary allen and pablo are the go to guys. all are very knowledgeable. you might scroll down to the used oil analysis (UOA) section when you have time, and check results of possible future oils for yours or a similar application. there are a lot of good reads on the bitog site.
sooner or later, mori will check in and dazzle you with his wit.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
In all honesty, I'd stay with exactly what you're doing! And VR-1 is a kick butt oil.


^^2nd all the way!!!!
 
Welcome.

You're Bimmer is a high mileage car and it's unfortunate that you don't have an oil pressure/temperature gauge, but IMO 20W-50 is unnecessary.
I'd recommend German Castrol Syntec 0W-30 which is a heavy 30 grade oil or Mobil 1 0W-40. I would push your oil change out to 8,000 miles and change the filter at the same time.
 
You could try Valvoline MaxLife 20W-50 which is a synthetic blend and might flow slightly better when cold, then maybe use the 10W-40 in winter...
 
When I first bought the car I changed out the oil for Castrol Syntec 10w-30. I ended up burning through about a quart a week on it. With the 20w-50 I can make it to my next interval without having to top off once.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
What does the owner's manual state for viscosity?


I'll have to check that when I get home, but it might be 10w-40.
 
I'm thinking that you have a whole range of options, with 20W-50 certainly being one of them in your climate.

You might be well off running a good 15W-40 though..
 
Castrol Syntec 10W-30 and German Castrol (GS) 0W-30 have little in common, the later being almost a 40 grade oil. In this Forum it has been found to be an exceptional product.
If you're going through a quart a week on 10W-30 then your engine is either considerably worn and/or very dirty.
In which case I would recommend an Arx cleaning treatment to determine where you engines at. You can research this product under the additives section.
 
ohh, is that the European Formula? I remember seeing that one time but didn't know what the difference was. My engine is pretty worn. Some of the spark plugs have oil on the tips when I pull them out. I still need to do a compression test to see what's up with that. I guess it could also be my valves too. Would a UOA help me figure out what's wrong?
 
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