New BMW Oil Choices

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Hi,
TJPark01 - I have recently been at the Nurburgring for the ADAC 24hr race and was able to spend some time with some BMW Engineers and some suppliers of their lubricants

Don't be afraid to stick with the Approved lubricant(s) or with the OCIs as mandated!!

Should you wish to change annually then I suggest you use BMW's own Castrol product or Mobil 1 0W-40 if it meets ths specific requirements in your Handbook

I would NOT change the oil early but run it either for the full mandated OCI or one year

Be very circumspect about using any non-Approved lubricant regardless of the hype on BITOG
 
Quote:
Be very circumspect about using any non-Approved lubricant regardless of the hype on BITOG


Heaven forbid, Doug! I'd thrash the first BITOG'r who suggested using a non-approved oil on a fine Euro-Alloy during the warranty period. That would be ..well, rude.

For that matter, I rather frown on the early change out of the factory fill, but grant that concession due to the insatiable urge to rid it of wear in material.

Save that sorta stuff for us roguish yank(er)s. We really never could get a grip on that "follow our lead" thing ..much to our fame and/or infamy.


Timely chance you happening here for comment on this thread. It's always good to see you post!
 
Originally Posted By: cos
So no dipstick tube means that you have to rely on a idiot light in the dash on newer BMWs and Saabs?


I'm not lucky enough to have a BMW but "no dipstick" does not always mean you can't read the oil level. When Porsche 986 Boxsters lost their dipstick you got an oil level reading every time you turned on the ignition in the form of a many-segment column on the main display depicting the level between "add" and "full" just like on a dipstick. I didn't own a 986 but there seemed to be decent precision - possibly 40 segments?

Presuming that there's a way either for typical users (like above) or advanced users by putting the instrument cluster into advanced mode, I'm cool with no dipstick. As long as the measurement system is reliable (it's oil, I bet it will be) then it's actually more convenient than using the dipstick, possible more precise, and in the case of Porsche you're checking the dipstick every startup.
 
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Originally Posted By: Gene K
I would use BMW 5W30 and change it this way.

Total Vehicle Mileage
1. 2,500 Miles (Owner)
2. 7,500 miles (Owner)
3. 15,000 miles (Dealer)
4. 22,500 miles (Owner)
5. 30,000 miles (Dealer)

At typical low temps in Hollywood I wouldnt be suprised if BMW 5W30 had better startup flow than GC 0W30 or Mobil 1 0W40.

PS Has anyone tried negotiating oil changes with the BMW dealer? IE you either throw in free 7500 mile changes until the 4 year service contract is up or I dont buy the car.



You read my mind.
 
Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Hi,
TJPark01 - I have recently been at the Nurburgring for the ADAC 24hr race and was able to spend some time with some BMW Engineers and some suppliers of their lubricants

Don't be afraid to stick with the Approved lubricant(s) or with the OCIs as mandated!!

Should you wish to change annually then I suggest you use BMW's own Castrol product or Mobil 1 0W-40 if it meets ths specific requirements in your Handbook

I would NOT change the oil early but run it either for the full mandated OCI or one year

Be very circumspect about using any non-Approved lubricant regardless of the hype on BITOG


I've heard good things about German Castrol. It's BMW LL-01 approved. I bot 15 quarts on sale and that should be good for 2 oil changes.
 
Hi Gary,
thanks for the comments

I've been "thrashing" others for not using Approved lubricants - especially when under Warranty - it is good that Amsoil have some now too!

But the use of Approved lubricants only comes from this dream I once had.................................
 
I've gotten flak for suggesting sticking to the BMW approval lists. Beleived that they were right so much they looked for volunteers.

Until I said I'd volunteer the time and the car if they bought the engine......

I'm going to stick with the Mobil 1 0w-40. Hard to beat $6.27/qt.
A3/B3 and LL-01 to boot.
 
TJPark, this is off topic but I was in Atlanta about a month ago and was fortunate enough to drive/race both the 2011 535i and 550i at Road Atlanta. What a beautiful car. The ride is luxurious yet it improves on it sportiness from the prior model. The mix of luxury and sports is equaled by none and this new model is by far the best BMW has produced when factoring both luxury and handling/sportiness.

Enjoy the car! It is a beast!
 
Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Hi,
Trajan - The Z4 GT3s went so well on the Nurburgring and that sound - ever so good!

I even missed my Z3 for a while..........


Hi Doug.

Wish I was there to see it.
 
In an approved oil, GC would be the one.


Castrol Edge (RS) may be available if you look.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/castrol-edge-0w-40-6200-miles-00-e46-330ci.95036/

M54 block, and has done ~63000 miles.
Ive owned the car since 46000 miles and it has a FBMWSH.

2 reports here. On the 2nd sample of oil, i had done 1 track day back in June. Engine mods include 3rd cold air feed, and muffler delete. Running Shell V-Power (99 RON Gas), averaging about 26-27mpg. (Ive put the universal avergaes in brackets)

Miles on oil=======7046----------------6260
Total miles========56845-------------63150
Date==============05/08/08---------09/26/08
Make up oil=========1.5L--------------1.75L

Oil Brand------Castrol RS Sport----Castrol Edge
Grade---------------0W/40-------------0W/40

ALUMINUM-------------3-----------------4-------(3)
CHROMIUM-------------0-----------------0 -------(0)
IRON------------------23----------------29 ------(11)
COPPER---------------10----------------7 -------(7)
LEAD-----------------14----------------25 -------(5)
TIN--------------------0-----------------0 -------(1)
MOLYBDENUM--------4-----------------131 ----(88)
NICKEL----------------0-----------------0 -------(0)
MANGANESE-----------2-----------------1 --------(1)
SILVER----------------0-----------------0 -------(0)
TITANIUM-------------0-----------------0 -------(0)
POTASSIUM------------2-----------------1 -------(2)
BORON-----------------4-----------------53 ----(57)
SILICON---------------6-----------------4 -------(4)
SODIUM----------------2-----------------3 -------(5)
CALCIUM-------------2953-------------1817 ----(2500)
MAGNESIUM----------160--------------25 ------(89)
PHOSPHORUS---------850--------------722---- (810)
ZINC-----------------1212-------------880---- (989)
BARIUM----------------0-----------------0 -------(0)

SUS @ 210F----------71.9--------------69.1
cSt @ 100C----------13.45-------------12.72
Flashpoint F---------375---------------405
Fuel %----------------0.5-------------- Antifreeze %----------0-----------------0
Water %---------------0-----------------0
Insolubles %---------0.5----------------0.4

The report from May was as follows:
Iron and lead both read high in the initial sample from your engine. These metals mainly show
bearing wear, though iron can come from any steel part. Both are fairly high for an oil run 7,046 miles, but
not cautionary. Since everything else looks okay, we are not ready to call these results a problem just yet.
The universal averages column shows typical wear from this type of engine after 6,400 miles on the oil. A
little gas was found, but not enough to cause the excess wear. Try 5K miles next. You could also change oil
types, though usually brand doesn't matter.

The latest report from last week:
Oil usage decreased but iron and lead both increased and that is not a good sign. The iron is
coming from steel parts like cylinders, the valve train or rotating shafts. The lead is coming from the
bearings. Both are at cautionary levels indicating excessive wear. Their rate of wear (ppm/mile) also
increased and that shows a mechanical issue inside your engine. No gas, moisture or coolant was found
plus air and oil filtration were normal. All five can be ruled out as factors in this high wear. Track days can
be a factor. Shorten oil runs. This is a Caution report.


I'd be using a 50 weight.

Consider Shell Rotella T Synthetic 5w-40, just don't tell anyone.

Another unspeced oil would be Mobil 1 10w-40 HIGH MILES.

I just let the dealer do my free oil change and either drain it when I get home or run it for a while and then install my own oil. If they use BMW 5w30, I'd get the free service for winter then substitute a thick oil for summer.
 
The BMW does have an oil level gauge in iDrive. I would not count on it to be as reliable as a dipstick...

My wife has a one year old non-turbo 528i, we bought the car with 20k miles and one oil change. Inside the valve cover everyting looked spotless (as it should). We plan to do a used oil analysis at 7,500 during my supplemental oil change and will then decide if we will continue to do it every 7,500 or follow BMW's schedule using their 'free' maintenance.

If I had the turbo motor I would definitely change the oil more often than BMW recommends, although my wifes last car was a sludge prone Audi A4 1.8t that had dealer oil changes every 10k until 40k at which point the service indicator switched to recommending 5k intervals (?!? Past included mant?). At 65k I pulled off the valve cover to replace the leaking gasket and the top end was spotless. I was honestly expecting a huge mess after all the horror stories. In both cars we did and will use Mobil 1 0w40. It was not direct injection though.

Regardless of that I would change the 535 oil more frequently if you plan to keep it for a while.
 
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fwiw, I dumped my VW 2.0T FF at 1000 miles, which I normally do not do. It was very sparkly. I even rinsed it out w/HD oil for a few miles, it came out sparkly too.
 
Originally Posted By: deven
TJPark, this is off topic but I was in Atlanta about a month ago and was fortunate enough to drive/race both the 2011 535i and 550i at Road Atlanta. What a beautiful car. The ride is luxurious yet it improves on it sportiness from the prior model. The mix of luxury and sports is equaled by none and this new model is by far the best BMW has produced when factoring both luxury and handling/sportiness.

Enjoy the car! It is a beast!


I recently drove the 535i as well. It's a great car overall, but I prefer smaller and lighter cars. I also found the steering to be a bit woolly- not nearly as communicative as the steering in my ti or '02.
 
Originally Posted By: JAG
Since BMW doesn't expect you to change your oil yourself you can use whatever oil you want. I like Red Line oils in direct injection gas engines.


I have to agree with JAG's thinking here, use whatever you want without concern.
Since you seem prepared to think for yourself, get an oil pressure/temp' gauge and fine tune your oil choice to your own personal application. If as you say, you want to maximize cold start oil flow you might be able to run a 0W-20 for all you know.
 
Once it is out of warranty someone would have to prove to me that Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5w40 or Rotella T6 5W40 would hurt it.
 
Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Don't be afraid to stick with the Approved lubricant(s) or with the OCIs as mandated!!

Should you wish to change annually then I suggest you use BMW's own Castrol product or Mobil 1 0W-40 if it meets ths specific requirements in your Handbook

I would NOT change the oil early but run it either for the full mandated OCI or one year

If that's the case, then why are people like Terry Dyson suggesting that even 1,000 miles on Mobil 1 0w-40 may be too long of an OCI on these motors?

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post981179

Given the high heat and fuel dilution issues present in these engines, I wouldn't feel comfortable running at even half the factory suggested OCIs with most of these "approved" oils.
 
Originally Posted By: FCobra94
Originally Posted By: Doug Hillary
Don't be afraid to stick with the Approved lubricant(s) or with the OCIs as mandated!!

Should you wish to change annually then I suggest you use BMW's own Castrol product or Mobil 1 0W-40 if it meets ths specific requirements in your Handbook

I would NOT change the oil early but run it either for the full mandated OCI or one year

If that's the case, then why are people like Terry Dyson suggesting that even 1,000 miles on Mobil 1 0w-40 may be too long of an OCI on these motors?

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...true#Post981179

Given the high heat and fuel dilution issues present in these engines, I wouldn't feel comfortable running at even half the factory suggested OCIs with most of these "approved" oils.


For those that do not know it appears that the suggested oil for the N54 is a 40w oil supplied by the dealer. The OP didn't mention if his 535i has the N54 or N55 but seeing as the N55 is also a turbo it may not be any different. In any case the part number for the correct BMW oil can be found as a sticker in the front of the engine bay on top of the front grill. At the very least the OP would know whether BMW prefers a 40w over the 30w LL01 oils. From my experience in BMW dealerships the only non-M LL01 oil appearing on the shelves is a 5w30, so you may have to press the parts guy about any LL01 40w he might have in the back at which time he may tell you it's bulk only.
frown.gif
 
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