Oil for BMW 328i (M52 engine)?

[Craig in Canada]

You'll probably hear this all over this place, but...

Based on my personal experience and your previous owner's service indicator-length OCIs with dealer oil, I wouldn't hesitate to do a course of ARX on this vehicle. My M52 has been OCD-maintained since new and I tried ARX for the heck of it. I saw benefits I didn't expect to see given the cleanliness of my engine so...

Castrol GTX 10W40 has some excellent 90s BMW used oil analysis in the used oil analysis forum. I used it in my dad's M62 with ARX last year without incident. In VA you may have no trouble running that starting any time now, or possibly starting in March. You'd probably be done the full ARX cycle before any truly synthetic-worthy weather returned.

After ARX, return to GC or whatever your preference.

Enjoy the car...

 

[Connorb]

How many miles are on your M52 and what kinds of benefits did you see using ARX?

 

[Craig in Canada]

I started a thread at the time (almost two years ago) here:

LINK

I might not have everything in there, but I noticed:

- smoothness (evened out compression?)
- increased power with no other explanation (enough to mean the difference between never spinning my summer tires and being able to break them free)
- improved fuel economy (not drastic, but present)
- quieter lifters, significant reduction in one particular unit that ticked
- a subjective, tighter feeling of "newness" that was probably a combination of power, sound and smoothness.

I never had problems with oil consumption, smoking, sludge or varnish to speak of.

Craig.

 

[orics]

Craig, What kind of oil did you used during your cycle with ARX and how many dose of ARX did you used? I just bought a CPO 2005 330i with 32,500 miles which I believe that has been only service by the dealer every 15k miles. The car is in great condition, but Im planning to use ARX cleaner to make sure to remove the sludge which i believed that has been develope during the 32k miles ownership by the prevoius owner. What kind of oil(synthetic or conventional/ but I prefer synthetic oil) should i use during the cleaning phase? Do you think i need to go to the rinsing phase? Im planning to use ELF 5w40 after this ARX process. Your input and others will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Craig in Canada]

I did one dose of ARX (I only had ~100,000km and OCIs every 5k km (3000mi) up until using ARX).

My ARX cycle was in warm weather, I used Esso XD-3 15W40 HDEO on my vehicle for clean and rinse. I switched from Mobil 1 0W40 to GC after the ARX cycle.

On my dad's 2002 M62 we used GTX 10W40 for the clean cycle (weather was still quite cool when we started) and used Shell Rotella-T 15W40 HDEO for the rinse cycle. He switched from BMW 5W30 to GC after the cycle.

I don't think you can get XD-3 in the US, I think GTX and Rotella should also work well. GTX 10W40 has some excellent used oil analysis in BMWs posted in the used oil analysis forum. Rotella is an HDEO so has lots of dispersants to assist in holding the crud that ARX may unleash. I specifically double-checked with Frank and he indicated both would be fine.

In days gone by, Frank has said that ARX works better the simpler the oil is. Absolutely no synthetics were to be used. The instructions currently indicate that synthetics are OK for the clean phase and group III is OK for the rinse phase but the mileage has been increased to compensate.. Additional complication creeps in because even some of the cheapest, quality oils are now at least group III which are "synthetics" in some markets.

The way I see it, running an ARX cycle is a diversion from my normal maintenance habits, and a couple of years ago it was clearly stated that group I or group II oils were most effective with ARX. If I'm going to the trouble to swtich from my normal oil, use $20+$20 shipping to Canada of special cleaner etc... I want it to be as effective as possible. Therefore, despite the indication that synthetic is "OK" in the clean phase I opted to use good dino for both phases.

I would suggest the same to you. A quality dino like GTX or Rotella is nothing to be afraid of running in your 330, particularly with a short interval. Do both phases, by the book or a little longer. Since your filter is a cartridge-type it should be easy for you to check your filter for loading during the process. Frankly I doubt you'll see any filter blockages with that mileage on a BMW.

Good luck.

 

[Quattro Pete]

FYI... when I bought my 530i (M54) with 30k miles on the clock (30k miles in 4 years with 2 oil changes during that time, 3rd done just before I picked it up off the used car dealer), I put ARX into the Mobil 1 5w30 that the used car dealer used and ran it for 1700 miles. The for the rinse cycle I used Pennzoil Platinum 10w30 and ran it for 3800 miles.

Not sure if the engine needed it or not. I did not notice any any change after the ARX.

 

[Jett Rink]

I have a 2004 325i. I bought it with around 46,000 miles on it. It had gone through the standard 15,000 mile oil change, over three intervals. Just to see what would come of it, I tried Auto Rx.

2,500 miles on the BMW Castrol 5w30 with a bottle of Auto Rx. I changed the oil and filter, but didn't notice anything out of the ordinary.

I am about 600 miles into the rinse phase. I just used a mix of plain old Chevron Supreme 5w30 conventional and 10w-40. No real rocket science there, it just happened to be what I had laying around in the garage. The BMW oil seems like a thick 30, so I figured that was close enough. After 600 miles I am noticing no difference whatsoever in gas mileage, driveability, etc.

When I change the oil at 3,000 miles I will take some pics of the oil filter...if there is anything worth photographing. There is alot of angst out there about BMW's suggested 15,000 mile OCIs. We'll just see what comes out in the filter after the rinse and use that as one more data point.

After that, I'll probably use Mobil 1 0w-40 or Castrol 0w-30.

 

[shortyb]

Originally Posted By: Jett Rink
There is alot of angst out there about BMW's suggested 15,000 mile OCIs. We'll just see what comes out in the filter after the rinse and use that as one more data point.

After that, I'll probably use Mobil 1 0w-40 or Castrol 0w-30.


One of THE most hotly debated topics related to newer Bimmers

.

FWIW, I bought my 01 330i in 2004 with 42K on the clock. Strictly followed the 15K regimen by the previous owner and it was over 13K on the current fill when I bought it. Subsequent UOA was pretty dang good IMHO and also according to Dyson Analysis, so I wasn't worried. I was able to contact the previous owner about all this and he said his driving was about 90% highway. That would explain the original brake pads and rotors

. He is an enthusiast and took very good care of the car despite it being leased. When asked about the oil intervals, he didn't know much about oil specifically, but said that his highway miles and the BMW oil would probably do ok for the long OCIs. He also said had he driven more urban miles, he would have changed it at about half recommended milage (7500).

I still did an ARX cycle and have used GC since. Never noticed any difference except it cleaned off most of the normal reddish deposits that form on the underside of the filler cap. I will take some pics of the upper valvetrain as I now have to do the obligatory valve cover gasket

.

 

[orics]

Thanks, for sharing with me your experienced (ARX). I think with the mileage below 50k miles there will be a little, slightly or no benefit based of the low mileage; Although, OCI in this car is change every 15k miles w/c for me is too long no matter what kind of synthetic oil is use. I order last week 1 bottle of ARX and im planning to use it with Castrol GTX Conventional 5w30 oil this spring. Do you think I need to go to the rinsing phase w/c would suggest another bottle of ARX mix with a grp.3 synthetic oil? or just not do ARX at all? Im planning to choose among these synthetic oils:
1.ELF 5w40
2.GC 0w30
3. Mobil 1 0w40
4. Valvoline 5w40
Any input will be greatly appreciated.

thanks..

 

[Craig in Canada]

orics:

I would suggest bumping the GTX conventional to 10W40. Generally BMWs like the oil on the thick-ish side (ie. heavy 30s or light to moderate 40s) with high HTHS. I doubt that GTX 5W30 is a heavy 30. I haven't looked it up but I do know that it has the "energy conserving" rating which usually means low HTHS and thinner within the grade.

While ARX is in there, make sure that you go out and have some "fun" - ARX works best in the heat of a hard-working engine. It's tough work but someone has to do it

 

[sprintman]

Ijust bought a 32ci with ECU mod, extractors, and cold air box. Oii is Mobil 1 0W40, 12,500kms changes. I will bn looking for foer for shorter oci's with whatever oil I choose

 

[slowboat]

I have (had) similar cars as yours and I've been happiest with Shell Rotella Syn. 5w-40. This oil is readily available at most parts stores and Walmart and is inexpensive.

I used Amsoil 0w30 in my '97 BMW M3 (S52 engine) and it burned 1 qt./ 900 miles. I switched to Amsoil 5w-40 Euro and consumption dropped to 1 qt./ 1,600 miles. Fuel consumption and engine feel felt the same and engine was quieter with the heavier oil. I couldn't get the Amsoil for awhile so I tried the Rotella syn. 5w-40. Performance was the same as Amsoil for a fraction of the cost.

I have since sold the M3 and am now driving a '98 BMW 540i. I use Rotella syn 5w-40 exclusively, as do a few of my BMW buddies.

Chris

 

[cosynthetics]

Originally Posted By: Connorb
Thanks for the responses so far. I'd really like to stick with Mobil 1 and I see that 10w30 HM is ACEA A3 rated, while 10w40 HM is not. Is this version of 10w30 thicker and a better choice for this engine?

I have heard great things about Mobil 1 0w40, but isn't it more suitable for colder climates? Here in southeast VA, it never gets below 0F.


If you are stuck with Mobil 1 then use the 0w-40. It doesn't matter if it gets cold there or not.

Here's a link to BMW LL approved oils.
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?p=12130329

 

[cosynthetics]

Originally Posted By: orics
Craig, What kind of oil did you used during your cycle with ARX and how many dose of ARX did you used? I just bought a CPO 2005 330i with 32,500 miles which I believe that has been only service by the dealer every 15k miles. The car is in great condition, but Im planning to use ARX cleaner to make sure to remove the sludge which i believed that has been develope during the 32k miles ownership by the prevoius owner. What kind of oil(synthetic or conventional/ but I prefer synthetic oil) should i use during the cleaning phase? Do you think i need to go to the rinsing phase? Im planning to use ELF 5w40 after this ARX process. Your input and others will be greatly appreciated.


The "sludge" theory based upon the BMW 15k intervals is not as wide spread as many would like to think. It has only been documented in a couple vehicles. I'm not saying you wouldn't benefit from an AutoRx cycle but don't assume there's anything wrong with your car just because the dealer followed the 15k service.

 

[djb]

I'm very curious -- there is no evidence of sludge, BMW has no problem with 15K to 18K change intervals with the proper oil, and BMW is changing to allowing up 2 years between changes on new cars.
What's the motivation to add a solvent to your lubrication system? Especially when BMW specifically recommends against it?

I don't believe that BMW is infallible. Indeed they seem to be often wrong when it comes to materials used in the cooling system and compatible coolants. But lubrication and oil life isn't a problem on most BMW engines. (The bearing shell and VANOS o-ring problems don't really count as oil issues.)

 

[sprintman]

VANOS o-ring problems?

 

[cosynthetics]

The VANOS rings and seals wear out causing poor performance such as idling problems and stumbling. The i6 guys claim much improved performance after rebuilding.

 

[cosynthetics]

Originally Posted By: djb

I don't believe that BMW is infallible.


Don't forget about their "lifetime" transmission fluid fills : )

 

[sprintman]

Rebuildng the VANOS or rebuilding the engine?

 

[cosynthetics]

Rebuilding the vanos. Just replacing the seals and orings.