Thought of that, but there are warranty issues so I have to let them do it.
Just bought a BMW, looking for advice
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why not use the 0w30 German stuff then? It starts out at 12.2 cst and should stay pretty close to that point.
If you ran each of those oils for 6k, I bet the 10w40 would finish up much thinner than the 0w30. [/QB][/QUOTE]
I am not going to search half the state for eight quarts of GC. Commonly available OTC products or nothing for me. Not that obsessed yet. The UOA, probably at 7500 miles, will tell the story on thinning. I chose 10W-40 instead of 5W-50 for that very reason. A Group III should have a high enough VI not to need a lot of VI improver for that weight. Are you saying that Castrol's VI improver is that bad?
Patman
Staff member
Yes, most definitely. I've seen 10w30 Syntec thin out to a 20wt in 3000 miles.
See these UOAs on Syntec 10w30 and 5w30:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000116
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000695
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=000805
So if their 10w30 thins out this easily (and no 10w30 synthetic really should!) I would be worried about their 10w40.
Vettenuts, congrats on the new car!
If your dealer doesn't want to put in Amsoil I would bring Mobil 1 for them to install, either M1 5W-30 (the manual specifically approves of this oil) or M1 0W-40 (show them the BMW Longlife approval on the back of the bottle)
Or run their BMW oil for non-extended intervals (the oil will will be fine for 5K) and whatever you choose for the intermediate oil changes.
Definitely use BMW's OEM oil filters, they're excellent. About $9 from the dealer.
[ September 24, 2003, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: quadrun1 ]
If your dealer doesn't want to put in Amsoil I would bring Mobil 1 for them to install, either M1 5W-30 (the manual specifically approves of this oil) or M1 0W-40 (show them the BMW Longlife approval on the back of the bottle)
Or run their BMW oil for non-extended intervals (the oil will will be fine for 5K) and whatever you choose for the intermediate oil changes.
Definitely use BMW's OEM oil filters, they're excellent. About $9 from the dealer.
[ September 24, 2003, 01:53 PM: Message edited by: quadrun1 ]
Re:warranty issues
During warranty period (50K miles/4years)I would stick with oil that meets BMW specs, not because I think other oils would not work as well but because you don't want to give dealer any reason to deny a claim. If something goes wrong with the engine they will try to pin it on you and since law requires them to prove that you were at fault they will bring all kinds of arguments against you, including one that you used oil that isn't approved by BMW. BMWNA will investigate each warranty claim, they are known to send OBC back to factory to read the entire history, not only the basic info stored that they can read here in US.
During warranty period (50K miles/4years)I would stick with oil that meets BMW specs, not because I think other oils would not work as well but because you don't want to give dealer any reason to deny a claim. If something goes wrong with the engine they will try to pin it on you and since law requires them to prove that you were at fault they will bring all kinds of arguments against you, including one that you used oil that isn't approved by BMW. BMWNA will investigate each warranty claim, they are known to send OBC back to factory to read the entire history, not only the basic info stored that they can read here in US.
You can use Mann filters from autohaus in AZ, about $6 a piece. BMW filters are Hengst. Very similar, but Mann seems to have a better reputation.
Just spoke with service manager and told him I would like to use Mobil-1 0W-40 which meets the BMW specifications. He told me no problem, they would put it in during their change interval if I brought it to them. After stopping at Autozone tonight, I found both the Mobil-1 0W-40 and the Castrol 0W-30 (Made in Germany), but am fearful of the Castrol supply drying up since right next to it was the inferior US made 0W-30. Since Mobil is a good product, has some Moly in it, and I don't have to worry about future availability I am going to go with that.
Patman
Staff member
If the supply of GC 0w30 ever dries up, we can all just get our stuff from pscholte, last I heard he was converting one of his bedrooms into an oil storage facility for the 500 quarts of GC that he's hoarding!!
Seriously though, Mobil 1 0w40 should work out fine for you, although I would recommend doing changes every 5k at first just to be safe, and to make sure it's not thinning out too much. Personally, I would never run M1 0w40 for 15k. When I was thinking of using it in my own car, the plan would've been to never exceed 6k (although that's pretty much my plan with any oil I run anyways)
Hi,
I have a Z3 2.8 and use Delvac 1 5w-40 in it
I had previously used M1 0w-40 and the change was made to rationalise my oil holdings
Delvac 1 is ideal for BMW engines in that it has a more robust HT/HS rating than most other "available" products including M1 - and of course is a 5w oil
Regards
I have a Z3 2.8 and use Delvac 1 5w-40 in it
I had previously used M1 0w-40 and the change was made to rationalise my oil holdings
Delvac 1 is ideal for BMW engines in that it has a more robust HT/HS rating than most other "available" products including M1 - and of course is a 5w oil
Regards
I checked the Mobil web site, and I don't see the A3 or BMW requirements in the specifications list. Not sure the dealer will go along with that particular choice.
Just read my bottles of Amsoil ASL that I have for my next change in the Corvette, they state specifically on them A3 and BMW. Wonder if the dealer will accept it's use rather then Mobil or the Castrol.
Just read my bottles of Amsoil ASL that I have for my next change in the Corvette, they state specifically on them A3 and BMW. Wonder if the dealer will accept it's use rather then Mobil or the Castrol.
You have no idea what a joy it is, as you turn out the light to go to sleep, to have the last thing you see (other than your lovely wife, of course) be those cases and cases of GC neatly stacked there close by.quote:
Originally posted by Patman:
If the supply of GC 0w30 ever dries up, we can all just get our stuff from pscholte, last I heard he was converting one of his bedrooms into an oil storage facility for the 500 quarts of GC that he's hoarding!!
[ September 24, 2003, 09:03 PM: Message edited by: pscholte ]
Well, actually Buster, seems I do recall someone suggesting you see a shrink about your fascination with Redline bottles!quote:
Originally posted by buster:
Oh, man...I thought I was sick in the head....
[ September 24, 2003, 09:06 PM: Message edited by: pscholte ]
Hi,
yes, Delvac 1 is hard to get here too. I am obviously lucky to buy it in "bulk"
According to the Chemists D1 well exceeds A3 and B3 ( it is actually rated B4 which "can override B3" ). In any case it is now API rated CI/SL
Mobil Truck Stops there may sell it - most Mobil Truck Stops don't sell it here!
Really stupid marketing by ExxonMobil!
Regards
yes, Delvac 1 is hard to get here too. I am obviously lucky to buy it in "bulk"
According to the Chemists D1 well exceeds A3 and B3 ( it is actually rated B4 which "can override B3" ). In any case it is now API rated CI/SL
Mobil Truck Stops there may sell it - most Mobil Truck Stops don't sell it here!
Really stupid marketing by ExxonMobil!
Regards
I'm with the majority here. I would do my own intermediate changes with the dealer oil until the warranty is up. Then, if you like Amsoil, use it for the rest of the time you own the car.
I've been using 15W-40 Delo in my '92 325i, but as an experiment, I think I'll try 10W-40 Syntec next change. I know it is Group III, but that grade carries ACEA A3/B3 and BMW Longlife ratings. I think 0W-30 and 5W-30 are just too thin for the older engines in a warm climate. Of course, I'll do a UOA and post it here.
I've been using 15W-40 Delo in my '92 325i, but as an experiment, I think I'll try 10W-40 Syntec next change. I know it is Group III, but that grade carries ACEA A3/B3 and BMW Longlife ratings. I think 0W-30 and 5W-30 are just too thin for the older engines in a warm climate. Of course, I'll do a UOA and post it here.
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