I live in So. Cal. and have a 2000 BMW 540 v8 with over 160k miles. I was using Castrol Syntec 5-30 based on another BMW bulletin board, but recently with the warmer weather I have been hearing a loud tapping noise on the first engine start up of the day.
After browsing this site I decided to try Syntec 5-40 or 5-50, but the local Walmart was having a sale on Mobile 1 15-50 extended performance, so I bought a couple of 5 quart jugs at $25 each (My car takes 7+ quarts of oil).
Since this oil is ACEA A3 this should be no problem and I will be maintaining the usual mfg recommended oil change intervals, I do not anticipate a problem, and expect an improvement - Castrol Syntec 5-30 is not ACEA A3 compliant.
Note that on the other BMW specific bulletin board the tapping noise was indicated as normal, but one dissenter who regularly uses Catrol GTX 20-50 and lives in San Jose, CA says he has never had this happen to him.
Anyways I will report whether this oil has improved my startup noise and if I observe any other changes.
After browsing this site I decided to try Syntec 5-40 or 5-50, but the local Walmart was having a sale on Mobile 1 15-50 extended performance, so I bought a couple of 5 quart jugs at $25 each (My car takes 7+ quarts of oil).
Since this oil is ACEA A3 this should be no problem and I will be maintaining the usual mfg recommended oil change intervals, I do not anticipate a problem, and expect an improvement - Castrol Syntec 5-30 is not ACEA A3 compliant.
Note that on the other BMW specific bulletin board the tapping noise was indicated as normal, but one dissenter who regularly uses Catrol GTX 20-50 and lives in San Jose, CA says he has never had this happen to him.
Anyways I will report whether this oil has improved my startup noise and if I observe any other changes.