mckenzie, I've been running Castrol exclusively since I bought my E46 brand new. Castrol 0W-30 Euro 80% of the time, Castrol 0W-40 Euro 20% of the time.
Most people on this forum know that my E46 is maintained to an extremely high standard. I choose nothing but the best. The Euro 0W-30 version has gotten harder to source lately, but the 0W-40 is more commonly available. I'd use either without hesitation. For the life of my E46 it's had 3K OCIs. It uses absolutely ZERO oil between changes. And no leaks or seepage anywhere, including the drivetrain, which is also meticulously maintained with only the finest fluids. I bleed my brakes every year and change coolant every 2 or 3.
A few pictures to show you the meticulous care my E46 receives, which BTW has been 100% done by me, literally 100%, including both maintenance and modification. Except for California bi-annual emissions testing, alignments (but I have my own special guy), and the airbag recalls, no other hands have touched it. Literally. I interviewed three BMW dealerships before choosing the one to do the airbag recall. And I made my expectations 100% clear. Yes, I am that particular.
The other oils mentioned above should be fine, but I strongly suggest you use Castrol Edge 0W-40 Euro. The fact that it's no longer LL-01 rated is absolutely ZERO problem. My only question for you is, where does the vehicle live? What kind of climate? How will it be driven? Any track time anticipated?
To put the level of care my E46 receives into context, and to give myself some credibility with respect to your question,
my E46 has over 90K miles on it in all of the pictures that follow.
If you have any E46 questions, PM me. I'd be happy to help you with anything that may come up.
Scott
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PS My list of modifications, all selected and installed by me.
2003 BMW E46 330Ci ZSP Modifications:
BBS CH 19x8.5, 35mm offset
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2; 235/35-19
or
BMW OEM Style 225M, 37mm offset front, 39mm offset rear
Michelin Pilot Sport P4S; 235/35-19 front, 245/35-19 rear
Eibach Pro-Kit Springs
Bilstein B8 Sport Struts/Shocks, E36 M3 Versions On Rear
BMW Motorsport Front Strut Tower Reinforcement Plates
Rogue Engineering Rear Shock Mounts
H&R Sport Adjustable Anti-Roll Bars, 27mm front, 21mm Rear
Turner Motorsports Adjustable, Ball Jointed Front Anti-Roll Bar Endlinks
Mason Engineering Adjustable, Spherical Bearing Rear Anti-Roll Bar Endlinks
BMW M3 Front Strut Brace
BMW ZHP Front Control Arms
BMW M3 Engine Mounts
BMW M3 Transmission Mounts
Meyle HD 66mm Front Control Arm Bushings
BMW M3 Rear Control Arm Bushings
Turner Motorsports Rear Control Arm Bushing Limiters
BMW M3 Spherical Bearing Rear Lower/Outer Control Arm Bushings
Stoptech Stainless Steel Brake Lines F/R
BMW Motorsport Cross-drilled, Fully Floating Front Brake Rotors
Jurid Front Brake Pads
BMW M3 Rear Brake Pads
Turner Motorsports Brass Brake Caliper Bushings
Borla Catback Stainless Steel Exhaust
Meyle Heavy Duty Rear Differential Mounts
BMW ZHP Finned Rear Differential Cover/Cooler
BMW ZHP Shift Knob
B&M Short Shift Kit
UUC Stainless Steel, Weighted Shift Rod
Mason Engineering Quick Shift Geometry Clutch Pedal Arm
Stewart Engineering Water Pump
Rogue Engineering Underdrive Pulley Set
BMW M3 Trunk Lid Spoiler Lip
BMW Motorsport Alcantara Steering Wheel
Center Arm Rest Delete
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