MMO in BMW

[Rtstrider]

Hey guys/gals I will be doing an oil change in the next month or two on my newly acquired BMW. I've got an 03 330XI with 120K on it and do not have any records of the service history on this car. So my question is...Do I have to use a BMW speced motor oil if I plan on running 2 qts of mmo plus 6 qts of oil for 1k, 2k, then finally 3k miles? I just want to make sure I clean this engine out if there is any potential for sludge in there. Would a dino like say Pennzoil Yellow Bottle 5w30 or even the regular Supertech 5w30 be ok for these short oci's? Also once this has been cleaned out I plan on switching over to Mobil1 0w-40 for 7.5k intervals from here on out.

P.S. Of course I will be seafoaming right before the first oil change as well

.

 

[synthetic_crazy]

I wouldn't use the MMO or seafoam; just fill it right away with the Mobil 1 0W-40 and let it slowly dissolve any deposits. If there are deposits, by dumping in a bunch of solvents you might dislodge a large piece and obstruct a vital oil passageway. I would take a flashlight and look into the oil fill hole to see if any sludge it visible. Run the M1 0W-40 for 3000 miles then change and increase you interval from there. It will clean things nicely by itself.

I wouldn't use a 30 weight in this engine; use what BMW specifies...the 40 weight Mobil 1.

 

[HyundaiGuy]

Having owned 3 BMWs previously (2 3 Series for me, 1 7 Series for the ex wife) this is what I would do:

1. No Seafoam
2. No MMO
3. Replace ALL fluids and filters using fluids that meet BMW spec.

 

[Lead Shoes]

Look down the oil filler do you see sludge??? I wouldn't go any lower than a 40 weight in your car, I would run 10w40 M1 HM in that.

 

[Bluestream]

Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Having owned 3 BMWs previously (2 3 Series for me, 1 7 Series for the ex wife) this is what I would do:

1. No Seafoam
2. No MMO
3. Replace ALL fluids and filters using fluids that meet BMW spec.



Follow this advice...

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: HyundaiGuy
Having owned 3 BMWs previously (2 3 Series for me, 1 7 Series for the ex wife) this is what I would do:

1. No Seafoam
2. No MMO
3. Replace ALL fluids and filters using fluids that meet BMW spec.


Good advice.

 

[JHZR2]

M1 0w-40 is the way to go.

 

[hate2work]

If you ARE going to run some MMO in that rig, remember that MMO thins the oil a bit, so use an oil that will end up in the 40 weight range after adding the MMO.

Personally, I wouldn't use seafoam or MMO in this rig unless I knew it had a problem. Like others have mentioned, I would also just start using M1 0W-40 and go from there.

 

[Trav]

Don't do Seafoam, MMO, ARX, Kreen or anything else in these engines.
Use Redline Sl-1 (maker of BMW's OEM product)in the tank and run Mobil 1 0w-40 as others have posted.
This is not an engine that likes being fiddled around with, you will probably end up doing more damage than helping!

 

[Trajan]

What everyone else said.

 

[Russell]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Don't do Seafoam, MMO, ARX, Kreen or anything else in these engines.
Use Redline Sl-1 (maker of BMW's OEM product)in the tank and run Mobil 1 0w-40 as others have posted.
This is not an engine that likes being fiddled around with, you will probably end up doing more damage than helping!


Interesting. What is the issue with this engine?

 

[mechtech2]

Yikes!
2 full qts of MMO?? NOT!

MMO in an engine has to have a special need, IMO. Don't just throw it in for hope's sake.

 

[demarpaint]

One qt of MMO is all you'll need, that's if the engine needs cleaning. Otherwise leave it alone! 2 qts and you're asking for trouble. This is exactly how a good product can be used incorrectly, possibly cause a problem, and get bashed all at once!

 

[Rtstrider]

The reason I was looking at putting in 2 quarts is because my engine takes 8 quarts of oil. The bottle says you can use up to 25%. Still think this may be too much to use?

EDIT: BTW I'm not dead set on sticking mmo in the engine, just asking for opinions

 

[1WildPig]

I've never used Seafoam...I'd rather use MMO in the fuel at the recommended dosage. If your engine "needs" a 40 wt oil, how about using 1 qt of MMO in the engine with a HDEO of 15w40 weight, such as Rotella T, Mobil Delvac 1300, or even SuperTech and run that for 3 or 4,000 miles to do any needed cleaning??...

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: mechtech2
MMO in an engine has to have a special need, IMO. Don't just throw it in for hope's sake.

Well said.

MMO and Seafoam are like any other additive: they are useful in certain circumstances. If you know exactly what the problem is, and you know for sure that the additive will solve it to your satisfaction, go ahead and use it (as needed, of course). Otherwise, it's generally best to leave well enough alone.

Engines are designed to run with spec lubricants and spec fuels. That's why brands like BMW have complete programs for validating and certifying lubricants. By the same token, lubricants that meet those specs tend to be carefully formulated for just the right balance of properties. Don't mess with all of that unless you know EXACTLY what you're doing and are willing to take a potentially expensive risk.

 

[Rtstrider]

Ahh that's why I come here! So I'll just change the oil with Mobil1 0w-40 and leave well enough alone. I guess it's mmo in the gas from here on out.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Trav
This is not an engine that likes being fiddled around with, you will probably end up doing more damage than helping!

At the recommendation of Terry Dyson, I used ARX in my 530i once. Not long after, I've developed all sorts of oil leaks including valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket, possibly also oil pan gasket. However, I can't really say whether ARX was to blame or not. After all, these sorts of leaks are relatively common on this engine (M54).

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: Brenden
Look down the oil filler do you see sludge???

You won't see much by looking down the oil fill hole on this particular engine. The plastic baffle hides pretty much everything from view.

 

[Trajan]

Originally Posted By: Rtstrider
Ahh that's why I come here! So I'll just change the oil with Mobil1 0w-40 and leave well enough alone. I guess it's mmo in the gas from here on out.


Yes on the M1. It's a very good oil.