I was with a friend yesterday that bought a 2006 BMW 6 cyl, 6 speed man. trans. The owners manual calls for 5-30 or 5-40. He will only use M1 oil, but will reg M1 5-30 spec for that engine. I also wondered about 0-40. Car has 117K miles and the engine appears to be clean thru the oil fill hole.
Oil for 2006 BMW 6 cyl
- Thread starter tig1
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Most importantly, the owners manual calls for an oil meeting BMW LL-01 spec. Oil grade is secondary. M1 5w-30 does not meet the spec. M1 0w-40 does.
Then again, he is no longer under warranty, and I've seen people run low(er) HT/HS oils in these engines, such as M1 5w-30. What are the long term effects? I don't know. I just stick to LL-01 approved oils in mine since they don't cost any more than other brand name synthetics.
Then again, he is no longer under warranty, and I've seen people run low(er) HT/HS oils in these engines, such as M1 5w-30. What are the long term effects? I don't know. I just stick to LL-01 approved oils in mine since they don't cost any more than other brand name synthetics.
Can't go wrong with M1 0W-40.
Originally Posted By: tig1
... The owners manual calls for 5-30 or 5-40. He will only use M1 oil, but will reg M1 5-30 spec for that engine..
Now you didn't have a hand in "TIG welding" him to XoM products, did you now ?
... The owners manual calls for 5-30 or 5-40. He will only use M1 oil, but will reg M1 5-30 spec for that engine..
Now you didn't have a hand in "TIG welding" him to XoM products, did you now ?
Should run an oil that meets BMW LL-01 spec. Mobil-1 5W-30 does not.
I run German Castrol 0W-30. I believe Mobil-1 0W-40 meets the LL-01 spec as well.
I run German Castrol 0W-30. I believe Mobil-1 0W-40 meets the LL-01 spec as well.
One possible source of confusion is that BMW dealerships use a 5W-30 oil (that does meet the BMW LL-01 spec). Don't remember whether its a Castrol or Mobil-1 product.
I suppose you could buy it at a BMW dealership if you really wanted an oil with a 5W-30 designation.
I suppose you could buy it at a BMW dealership if you really wanted an oil with a 5W-30 designation.
Originally Posted By: ecotourist
One possible source of confusion is that BMW dealerships use a 5W-30 oil (that does meet the BMW LL-01 spec). Don't remember whether its a Castrol or Mobil-1 product.
Used to be a Castrol product. It's now a SOPUS product.
One possible source of confusion is that BMW dealerships use a 5W-30 oil (that does meet the BMW LL-01 spec). Don't remember whether its a Castrol or Mobil-1 product.
Used to be a Castrol product. It's now a SOPUS product.
Originally Posted By: ecotourist
One possible source of confusion is that BMW dealerships use a 5W-30 oil (that does meet the BMW LL-01 spec). Don't remember whether its a Castrol or Mobil-1 product.
I suppose you could buy it at a BMW dealership if you really wanted an oil with a 5W-30 designation.
All the more reason to ignore the nearly irrelevant grade and just stick with the specification.
One possible source of confusion is that BMW dealerships use a 5W-30 oil (that does meet the BMW LL-01 spec). Don't remember whether its a Castrol or Mobil-1 product.
I suppose you could buy it at a BMW dealership if you really wanted an oil with a 5W-30 designation.
All the more reason to ignore the nearly irrelevant grade and just stick with the specification.
I would imagine that Mobil 1 5W-30 would work just fine in a BMW engine, it just would not last as long since it does not meet the LL-01 spec. You would need to change the oil at a shorter interval than 15K or 10K.
Since you can get Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula at Walmart for the same price as 5W-30, it is a no brainer to run the 0W-40.
Since you can get Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula at Walmart for the same price as 5W-30, it is a no brainer to run the 0W-40.
Originally Posted By: stchman
I would imagine that Mobil 1 5W-30 would work just fine in a BMW engine, it just would not last as long since it does not meet the LL-01 spec. You would need to change the oil at a shorter interval than 15K or 10K.
LL-01 spec is more than just about extended drains. Among other things, it also assures that HT/HS viscosity is at least 3.5 cP. I suppose BMW thinks this is important, regardless how long of an interval you run.
Quote:
Since you can get Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula at Walmart for the same price as 5W-30, it is a no brainer to run the 0W-40.
Agreed.
I would imagine that Mobil 1 5W-30 would work just fine in a BMW engine, it just would not last as long since it does not meet the LL-01 spec. You would need to change the oil at a shorter interval than 15K or 10K.
LL-01 spec is more than just about extended drains. Among other things, it also assures that HT/HS viscosity is at least 3.5 cP. I suppose BMW thinks this is important, regardless how long of an interval you run.
Quote:
Since you can get Mobil 1 0W-40 European Car Formula at Walmart for the same price as 5W-30, it is a no brainer to run the 0W-40.
Agreed.
Originally Posted By: bigt61
Tig, let me get this straight. You have a friend who will only use M1 oils? And you didn't try to talk him out of it?
He is a Generac tech and only uses M1 5-30 in all the generator oil changes he does. He also has seen the benifit of M1 and has used it for at least 10 years in his car engines.
Tig, let me get this straight. You have a friend who will only use M1 oils? And you didn't try to talk him out of it?
He is a Generac tech and only uses M1 5-30 in all the generator oil changes he does. He also has seen the benifit of M1 and has used it for at least 10 years in his car engines.
It's safe to use oil meeting BMW spec, M1 0W40 is virtually meeting all European oil specs, except may be few BMW M-Sport engines which needs 10W60. M1 0W40 is spec'ed for European driving conditions, especially for the ones who drive at or near redlind on Autobahn.
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
An engine that revs to 6-7k RPM on Autobahn with M1 0W40 may see oil temp above 250-260F, that same engine in US may see only 3k RPM or less and oil temp may not be above 200-210F, xW30 at 210F is thicker than xW40 at 250F.
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
An engine that revs to 6-7k RPM on Autobahn with M1 0W40 may see oil temp above 250-260F, that same engine in US may see only 3k RPM or less and oil temp may not be above 200-210F, xW30 at 210F is thicker than xW40 at 250F.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
If you bought a BMW with their legendary inline-6 engine and don't regularly take it above 3K rpm in daily driving, you are missing out.
But yeah, there are days when I don't go above 3K rpm, mainly because of short distances where I don't want to wring out an engine that's not fully up to temp.
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
If you bought a BMW with their legendary inline-6 engine and don't regularly take it above 3K rpm in daily driving, you are missing out.
But yeah, there are days when I don't go above 3K rpm, mainly because of short distances where I don't want to wring out an engine that's not fully up to temp.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
If you bought a BMW with their legendary inline-6 engine and don't regularly take it above 3K rpm in daily driving, you are missing out.
But yeah, there are days when I don't go above 3K rpm, mainly because of short distances where I don't want to wring out an engine that's not fully up to temp.
The problem with So Cal is we don't have room to go faster than 75-80 MPH 20 hours a day, only between midnight and 4 AM you can go faster than 85-90 MPH, but you may get speeding ticket for going more than 20 MPH over the speed limit of 65 MPH. What is engine speed at around 80-85 MPH ? around 2500-3000 RPM ?
How much time can you spend accelerate above 3000 RPM ? 10-15 seconds at most with auto transmission, at the end of that 10-15 seconds acceleration you will be way above any surface street speed limit.
High performance engines in BMW are best used on Autobahn and some European countries, it is a waste of wonderful engine in US streets.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
If you bought a BMW with their legendary inline-6 engine and don't regularly take it above 3K rpm in daily driving, you are missing out.
But yeah, there are days when I don't go above 3K rpm, mainly because of short distances where I don't want to wring out an engine that's not fully up to temp.
The problem with So Cal is we don't have room to go faster than 75-80 MPH 20 hours a day, only between midnight and 4 AM you can go faster than 85-90 MPH, but you may get speeding ticket for going more than 20 MPH over the speed limit of 65 MPH. What is engine speed at around 80-85 MPH ? around 2500-3000 RPM ?
How much time can you spend accelerate above 3000 RPM ? 10-15 seconds at most with auto transmission, at the end of that 10-15 seconds acceleration you will be way above any surface street speed limit.
High performance engines in BMW are best used on Autobahn and some European countries, it is a waste of wonderful engine in US streets.
Originally Posted By: Joel_MD
Can't go wrong with M1 0W-40.
+1......M-1 0w40.....is a top-shelf superior oil for your BMW 6 cyl.
Can't go wrong with M1 0W-40.
+1......M-1 0w40.....is a top-shelf superior oil for your BMW 6 cyl.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
If you bought a BMW with their legendary inline-6 engine and don't regularly take it above 3K rpm in daily driving, you are missing out.
But yeah, there are days when I don't go above 3K rpm, mainly because of short distances where I don't want to wring out an engine that's not fully up to temp.
The problem with So Cal is we don't have room to go faster than 75-80 MPH 20 hours a day, only between midnight and 4 AM you can go faster than 85-90 MPH, but you may get speeding ticket for going more than 20 MPH over the speed limit of 65 MPH. What is engine speed at around 80-85 MPH ? around 2500-3000 RPM ?
Im not talking about maintaining 3k+ rpm for extended periods. Im talking about going way past 3k while accelerating in lower gears.
Btw, in my car, 3k rpm is at 75 mph in top gear. Speed limit is 70, and most people drive at 80.
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
But, depend on how easy the car is driven, thinner oil such as M1 xW30 may be used. Most of the time the engines in America don't see more than 3000 RPM, except few who track their cars.
If you bought a BMW with their legendary inline-6 engine and don't regularly take it above 3K rpm in daily driving, you are missing out.
But yeah, there are days when I don't go above 3K rpm, mainly because of short distances where I don't want to wring out an engine that's not fully up to temp.
The problem with So Cal is we don't have room to go faster than 75-80 MPH 20 hours a day, only between midnight and 4 AM you can go faster than 85-90 MPH, but you may get speeding ticket for going more than 20 MPH over the speed limit of 65 MPH. What is engine speed at around 80-85 MPH ? around 2500-3000 RPM ?
Im not talking about maintaining 3k+ rpm for extended periods. Im talking about going way past 3k while accelerating in lower gears.
Btw, in my car, 3k rpm is at 75 mph in top gear. Speed limit is 70, and most people drive at 80.
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