I think my old ('85) 911 had an analog oil level gauge next to the 'druck press' gauge. I don't remember if it had a dipstick, I do recall that it held about 3 gallons of oil.
new BMW - need help deciding
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Since you said you can get any of those oils easily and for the same price, I'd throw a dart on the wall and go from there.
However, around here M1 is the cheapest of those 3 ($5/qt on sale) so that's what I'd use personally.
BTW, the N52 engine (2006 328i and newer) does not have an engine or tranny dipstick.
However, around here M1 is the cheapest of those 3 ($5/qt on sale) so that's what I'd use personally.
BTW, the N52 engine (2006 328i and newer) does not have an engine or tranny dipstick.
I'm still wondering how we have determined Mobil 1 0w-40 or GC to be the very best oil for BMW I-6? iirc, the best UOA seen was from Valvoline WB.
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
the best UOA seen was from Valvoline WB.
I can see a $20 UOA being a valuable trending analysis tool with respect to how an engine is doing, but an oil comparison tool? Sure, this does not stop people from drawing conclusions, but I'm not sure they're valid...
the best UOA seen was from Valvoline WB.
I can see a $20 UOA being a valuable trending analysis tool with respect to how an engine is doing, but an oil comparison tool? Sure, this does not stop people from drawing conclusions, but I'm not sure they're valid...
"MB"?
It's for a BMW.
Banter aside, does anyone have ~any~ technical analysis of these oils verses oils which did not submit for spec approval?
Rotella Synth, Mobil 1 HM, AMSoil, Redline, Brad Penn...?
The best 1.8t UOA I've seen was on API SM Castrol Edge. The best 2.0T UOA was on Brad Penn 10w-30.
How about a simple cost-benefit analysis? 15w-40 may fare well too.
Instead of a just a comparative UOA study, how about an elemental and physical comparison of HT/HS, volatility, TBN, additive levels, etc? I'm pretty sure some OTC synth oils are just as good as or better than BMW Castrol 5w-30, that's my suspicion.
I wouldn't go patting each other on the back without any technical comparisons to base the gruppe think on.
It's for a BMW.
Banter aside, does anyone have ~any~ technical analysis of these oils verses oils which did not submit for spec approval?
Rotella Synth, Mobil 1 HM, AMSoil, Redline, Brad Penn...?
The best 1.8t UOA I've seen was on API SM Castrol Edge. The best 2.0T UOA was on Brad Penn 10w-30.
How about a simple cost-benefit analysis? 15w-40 may fare well too.
Instead of a just a comparative UOA study, how about an elemental and physical comparison of HT/HS, volatility, TBN, additive levels, etc? I'm pretty sure some OTC synth oils are just as good as or better than BMW Castrol 5w-30, that's my suspicion.
I wouldn't go patting each other on the back without any technical comparisons to base the gruppe think on.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
If you change oil and filter yourself you may want to buy a fluid extractor to siphon the oil via dipstick tube, since the oil filter holder is on top the the engine you can change oil and filter without raising the car with the oil extractor.
That would be nice, but his car (N52) doesn't have a dipstick.
Currently, the "dealer oil" seems to be a front-runner. Seems to be some lower faith in GC with the newest formula (11.75 cSt vs. 12.3 version). Plus GC is now ~$8 per qt. and no sales in sight. M1 is $6.43 per qt. at Wally, but I can get BMW oil for $5.20 per qt. when I get a case of 12 with my CCA discount.
If you change oil and filter yourself you may want to buy a fluid extractor to siphon the oil via dipstick tube, since the oil filter holder is on top the the engine you can change oil and filter without raising the car with the oil extractor.
That would be nice, but his car (N52) doesn't have a dipstick.
Currently, the "dealer oil" seems to be a front-runner. Seems to be some lower faith in GC with the newest formula (11.75 cSt vs. 12.3 version). Plus GC is now ~$8 per qt. and no sales in sight. M1 is $6.43 per qt. at Wally, but I can get BMW oil for $5.20 per qt. when I get a case of 12 with my CCA discount.
Originally Posted By: shortyb
Currently, the "dealer oil" seems to be a front-runner. Seems to be some lower faith in GC with the newest formula (11.75 cSt vs. 12.3 version).
What new formula? I follow the forums here fairly frequently and I haven't noticed a discussion where a confirmed change to 11.75cSt was discussed.
There is a discussion where some people through that the HTHS dropped to 2.9 because Castrol started listing MINIMUM HTHS on their PDS instead of actuals. This 11.75cSt issue isn't the same thing, is it?
I'd be interested in seeing an 11.75 cSt oil that still manages to keep BMW LL-01 and ACEA A3 which both require HTHS>3.5. That would be a feat, not necessarily something to fear, if it were true.
Currently, the "dealer oil" seems to be a front-runner. Seems to be some lower faith in GC with the newest formula (11.75 cSt vs. 12.3 version).
What new formula? I follow the forums here fairly frequently and I haven't noticed a discussion where a confirmed change to 11.75cSt was discussed.
There is a discussion where some people through that the HTHS dropped to 2.9 because Castrol started listing MINIMUM HTHS on their PDS instead of actuals. This 11.75cSt issue isn't the same thing, is it?
I'd be interested in seeing an 11.75 cSt oil that still manages to keep BMW LL-01 and ACEA A3 which both require HTHS>3.5. That would be a feat, not necessarily something to fear, if it were true.
That's the mark of a quality base oil, high HTHS with low 100c visc.
Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
That's the mark of a quality base oil, high HTHS with low 100c visc.
That's my point. If it was true that the 100C visc went down but HTHS stayed the same (continuing to meet A3 and LL-01) then it would be a feat of engineering, not an oil to be feared and avoided.
The current PDS still has the bogus HTHS=2.9, and lists 12.x cSt, API SL, LL-01 and A3.
That's the mark of a quality base oil, high HTHS with low 100c visc.
That's my point. If it was true that the 100C visc went down but HTHS stayed the same (continuing to meet A3 and LL-01) then it would be a feat of engineering, not an oil to be feared and avoided.
The current PDS still has the bogus HTHS=2.9, and lists 12.x cSt, API SL, LL-01 and A3.
Craig and AJ, I did not get a "rolleyes" emoticon in there and my sarcasm was too subtle I'm afraid. Of course there is no confirmed formula change (in fact the last "confirmed" one seems to be green to gold). Trying to show how rumor and conjecture can overwhelm fact.
The main point I tried to make is that some like to find a "reason" for a choice because of one UOA result or another, price, color of the bottle, phase of the moon etc., when just going with any one of the 3 most popular LL-01 oils will be fine. BTW, still rocking GC in mine.
The main point I tried to make is that some like to find a "reason" for a choice because of one UOA result or another, price, color of the bottle, phase of the moon etc., when just going with any one of the 3 most popular LL-01 oils will be fine. BTW, still rocking GC in mine.
Originally Posted By: shortyb
Craig and AJ, I did not get a "rolleyes" emoticon in there and my sarcasm was too subtle I'm afraid. Of course there is no confirmed formula change (in fact the last "confirmed" one seems to be green to gold). Trying to show how rumor and conjecture can overwhelm fact.
Yep, I didn't pick up on any rolley-eyes. Good to know that I didn't somehow overlook a fundamental change in GC.
Craig and AJ, I did not get a "rolleyes" emoticon in there and my sarcasm was too subtle I'm afraid. Of course there is no confirmed formula change (in fact the last "confirmed" one seems to be green to gold). Trying to show how rumor and conjecture can overwhelm fact.
Yep, I didn't pick up on any rolley-eyes. Good to know that I didn't somehow overlook a fundamental change in GC.
You can't go wrong with any of them, they will all do well in your car, but I'll throw in that the M1 0W40 is a great oil and if you run low or need to add, it's way easier to find M1 than GC or BMW oil...
Go with what's most readily available. M1 0W40.
Go with what's most readily available. M1 0W40.
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