OP: I will tell you what you wanna hear. You can use dino. But don't drive your car hard in hot weather and you will need to change the oil at 3500 mi (stop & go) or 6000 (all highway).
is Regular oil safe for '03 BMW?
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Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Did they use Valvoline SynPower MXL 0w30 ? I think this is the only Valvoline grade in the BMW-LL01 list. This SynPower MXL 0w30 is very hard to find over the counter.
Yeah, there are some inconsistencies in that BMW list. According to Valvoline's site, the regular Synpower 5w30 does not meet BMW specs, but their 5w30 MST and 5w-40 do. Personally, I haven't seen either one of these oils on store shelves.
Another problem is, that for example they list Castrol Syntec 0w30 Euro Formula as one of the approved oils, but right after that they say "Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher". Well, GC is not SM-rated.
Once again, errors pop up when they try to take the specs they got from HQ in Germany and try to apply them to the US market and API standards.
Did they use Valvoline SynPower MXL 0w30 ? I think this is the only Valvoline grade in the BMW-LL01 list. This SynPower MXL 0w30 is very hard to find over the counter.
Yeah, there are some inconsistencies in that BMW list. According to Valvoline's site, the regular Synpower 5w30 does not meet BMW specs, but their 5w30 MST and 5w-40 do. Personally, I haven't seen either one of these oils on store shelves.
Another problem is, that for example they list Castrol Syntec 0w30 Euro Formula as one of the approved oils, but right after that they say "Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher". Well, GC is not SM-rated.
Once again, errors pop up when they try to take the specs they got from HQ in Germany and try to apply them to the US market and API standards.
what kind of dino?
I would not trust a quick change place, too shady. I actually use WalMart, you can use any of their vast selection, even Rotella Synth. Mobil 1 Hi-Miles 10w30 would be a great choice too. How about Edge? All of those oils would work as long as the oil monitor says (LL01 spec). Bring your own filter element and the total cost will be the same or lower than Valvoline, but with better oil.
fwiw, Valvoline probally does not stock the correct oil, SynPower 5w-40 and will use 5w30...which is not bad, but don't think you are getting spec oil UNLESS they SHOW the bottles to you first. Same with the filter. They might even put it bulk barrel dino, it's not like that never happens. lol, if they would just use 10w40 conventional and charge $40, that would be fine. DIY or WalMart is best.
fwiw, Valvoline probally does not stock the correct oil, SynPower 5w-40 and will use 5w30...which is not bad, but don't think you are getting spec oil UNLESS they SHOW the bottles to you first. Same with the filter. They might even put it bulk barrel dino, it's not like that never happens. lol, if they would just use 10w40 conventional and charge $40, that would be fine. DIY or WalMart is best.
How about you sell the car to somebody who will look after it correctly? Some people should not have a BMW and you come right at the top of the queue in this regard.
As I have learn't in the last 14 months.
The bottom line is that on the BMW forums, people have tried everything and some work some don't.
In the USA, you are limited to Mobil 1 0W-40 and Castrol Syntec 0W-40 if you want to DIY cheap. Everything else cost a lot more and/or is hard to find.
In general, use synthetic oil in the right weight for where you live (OW-40, 5W-40), premium gasoline with detergents and oyu'll have no problems. Anything else, and you are pushing the odds.
Besides, what's the point of a BMW, if isn't flogged?
In the USA, you are limited to Mobil 1 0W-40 and Castrol Syntec 0W-40 if you want to DIY cheap. Everything else cost a lot more and/or is hard to find.
In general, use synthetic oil in the right weight for where you live (OW-40, 5W-40), premium gasoline with detergents and oyu'll have no problems. Anything else, and you are pushing the odds.
Besides, what's the point of a BMW, if isn't flogged?
It's a classic case. In general, you take better care of something you bought with your hard earned money than something given to you. There are exceptions to that, but still. (Case in point. One of my brothers bought a Tercel brand new. And never changed the oil. The frame cracked before the engine did though. Saved a bundle on oil changes though
)
On the bright side, the OP did finally put in syn oil.
On the bright side, the OP did finally put in syn oil.
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With all this talk in various threads of not changing oil got me thinking...
When my Santa Fe's engine reaches the 500K KM I want out of it, I will change the oil and filter one last time and then never again to see how long it will run before biting the dust... Then I will post the results here...
When my Santa Fe's engine reaches the 500K KM I want out of it, I will change the oil and filter one last time and then never again to see how long it will run before biting the dust... Then I will post the results here...
I think spriritman and trojan, are elite rich snobs, like the ones you meet in a porsche or bmw dealership, they snub the poor guys just for admiring the cars and being interested. They point them to Kia dealership because they dont fit the profile and are not deemed worthy enough come near their $50,000+ cars...
So thanks for your honest opinion Sprintman (although I dont need your put downs), but just because I dont have alot of money like you (right now..one day i will dont worry) doesn't mean I'm any less than you to drive what I like. And I forgot, I did something wrong when I went on a forum where I can ask questions, collect information, hear ideas about oil but instead I went on sprint man's list of people who shouldnt own a BMW.
Now I'm really sad.
So thanks for your honest opinion Sprintman (although I dont need your put downs), but just because I dont have alot of money like you (right now..one day i will dont worry) doesn't mean I'm any less than you to drive what I like. And I forgot, I did something wrong when I went on a forum where I can ask questions, collect information, hear ideas about oil but instead I went on sprint man's list of people who shouldnt own a BMW.
Now I'm really sad.
Speaking of having money... I could go out any buy a few BMW's cash, but I drive my Hyundai because it gets the job done and it's all I need.
I don't know the other guys, or if they are "rich snobs" but if it makes them happy to have their money and fancy cars and put people down (not saying they are), then so be it...
I'm not into driving status symbols or cars that require expensive replacement parts just because it's the "elite" vehicle of the road and I need to show off or have something to prove.
My dad is retired with million to his name, lives in a modest house and drives a $100 van. I think he is a shining example of how to live within your means and truly enjoy life/family and not material possessions.
To me, having more than enough for tomorrow and all my needs met today is what I'm after. I could careless what I'm driving so long as it's comfortable, reliable and I get my monies worth out of it. (My Hyundai does a wonderful job of this)
Don't be sad Tobin, you're are smart guy... I too had financial hardships and a lack of money, but today at 27 I'm financially sound and could retire very comfortably by age 50 because I have my priorities in order and live within my means and have learned from my dad.
I don't know the other guys, or if they are "rich snobs" but if it makes them happy to have their money and fancy cars and put people down (not saying they are), then so be it...
I'm not into driving status symbols or cars that require expensive replacement parts just because it's the "elite" vehicle of the road and I need to show off or have something to prove.
My dad is retired with million to his name, lives in a modest house and drives a $100 van. I think he is a shining example of how to live within your means and truly enjoy life/family and not material possessions.
To me, having more than enough for tomorrow and all my needs met today is what I'm after. I could careless what I'm driving so long as it's comfortable, reliable and I get my monies worth out of it. (My Hyundai does a wonderful job of this)
Don't be sad Tobin, you're are smart guy... I too had financial hardships and a lack of money, but today at 27 I'm financially sound and could retire very comfortably by age 50 because I have my priorities in order and live within my means and have learned from my dad.
In my last post I wrote that I found a Valvoline Oil Instant Change center offering Valvoline SynPower for about $75
anyone's have thoughts on Valvoline SynPower..It should be good I hope!
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
According to BMW's website its approved
anyone's have thoughts on Valvoline SynPower..It should be good I hope!
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
According to BMW's website its approved
Originally Posted By: StevieC
Speaking of having money... I could go out any buy a few BMW's cash
Don't forget to donate some of that cash too
Speaking of having money... I could go out any buy a few BMW's cash
Don't forget to donate some of that cash too
deven, I always think of charity, but not the ones that send more to "administrative fees" but the ones that are truly trying to make a difference.
I have also donated to BITOG, if that's what you are referring to... (in December)
I have also donated to BITOG, if that's what you are referring to... (in December)
Originally Posted By: StevieC
To me, having more than enough for tomorrow and all my needs met today is what I'm after.
awesome, you and your dad are cool in my book
I couldn't have put it better, right now I'm real busy putting alot of my priorities in order, which are alot at the moment.
thanks!
To me, having more than enough for tomorrow and all my needs met today is what I'm after.
awesome, you and your dad are cool in my book
I couldn't have put it better, right now I'm real busy putting alot of my priorities in order, which are alot at the moment.
thanks!
Originally Posted By: Tobin
In my last post I wrote that I found a Valvoline Oil Instant Change center offering Valvoline SynPower for about $75
anyone's have thoughts on Valvoline SynPower..It should be good I hope!
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
According to BMW's website its approved
As was mentioned earlier, the standard SynPower 5w30 does not meet the BMW spec. There is a special version of SynPower 5w30 with a designation "MST" or "MXL" or something to that effect that meets the spec, so you need to check if that is the one that oil change place uses. It probably isn't. Still, I guess it is better than any mineral oil that you were going to use. Just don't run it too long.
In my last post I wrote that I found a Valvoline Oil Instant Change center offering Valvoline SynPower for about $75
anyone's have thoughts on Valvoline SynPower..It should be good I hope!
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx
According to BMW's website its approved
As was mentioned earlier, the standard SynPower 5w30 does not meet the BMW spec. There is a special version of SynPower 5w30 with a designation "MST" or "MXL" or something to that effect that meets the spec, so you need to check if that is the one that oil change place uses. It probably isn't. Still, I guess it is better than any mineral oil that you were going to use. Just don't run it too long.
Originally Posted By: Tobin
Originally Posted By: StevieC
To me, having more than enough for tomorrow and all my needs met today is what I'm after.
awesome, you and your dad are cool in my book
I couldn't have put it better, right now I'm real busy putting alot of my priorities in order, which are alot at the moment.
thanks!
NYC is incredibly cool BTW. I love visiting. I have been twice and it's got this energy to it that keeps me coming back.
Originally Posted By: StevieC
To me, having more than enough for tomorrow and all my needs met today is what I'm after.
awesome, you and your dad are cool in my book
I couldn't have put it better, right now I'm real busy putting alot of my priorities in order, which are alot at the moment.
thanks!
NYC is incredibly cool BTW. I love visiting. I have been twice and it's got this energy to it that keeps me coming back.
In five pages I don't see a single fact, not even a valid theory, why the OP can't use good conventional 10w40 in his car. It's a legitimate question and there should be a little bit more focused thought put into it.
A high-miles oil like MaxLife would be excellent, UOA w/TBN to verify the interval.
Who amongst you will volenteer?
A high-miles oil like MaxLife would be excellent, UOA w/TBN to verify the interval.
Who amongst you will volenteer?
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