Any opinion on what is the best oil for BMWs? Especially the M50 6 cylinder like I have in my 1995 525i with 106,000 miles. I currently use Mobil 1 0w40. TIA
Opinions on best oil for BMWs?
- Thread starter Russell
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what does BMW recommend for viscosity? I use 20w50 in my old school m-20 engines. Thats spec. The 88 has 295 k on it. I'd go with factory specs in a synth, and prolly less than the 15k OCI that BMW currently advises.
Will check viscosity and get back. However, this is a ten year old car and oils like 0w40 did exist in 1995. at least i do not think so.
I do oil/filter changes about every 4-5,000 miles.
I do oil/filter changes about every 4-5,000 miles.
You should be fine with any A3-rated oil. That said, it should be a synthetic. The jury is still out in my mind on 30-weight A3-rated oils eg. BMW synth. as having the capacity to last the full 10k OCI.
When BMW used Valv. Synth. 5-40, the oil looked good right up to 10k. I would recommend a 0-40/5-40/5-50 year round.
When BMW used Valv. Synth. 5-40, the oil looked good right up to 10k. I would recommend a 0-40/5-40/5-50 year round.
Hi,
Russell - yes 5w-40 synthetic oils have been around for well over a decade and were a Porsche factory fill from 1993
I use 5w-40 after experimenting with M1 10w-30 and M1 0w-40 in my Z3 2.8 (M52). It was noisy at start up on both oils, something I could not "come to grips" with
These engines do have a comprehensive oil viscosity choice based on ambient of course - in the Driver's handbook. The quality specs are there too
Dr T is on the money and IMHO synthetic oils that are BMW Special Oils Approved and/or are ACEA A3/B3 quality rated (not just "meets" or are "recommended")are the best for your engine. I do an annual OC or at 20k kms whichever is reached first. A genuine BMW oil filter will last the distance very well
Regards
Doug
Russell - yes 5w-40 synthetic oils have been around for well over a decade and were a Porsche factory fill from 1993
I use 5w-40 after experimenting with M1 10w-30 and M1 0w-40 in my Z3 2.8 (M52). It was noisy at start up on both oils, something I could not "come to grips" with
These engines do have a comprehensive oil viscosity choice based on ambient of course - in the Driver's handbook. The quality specs are there too
Dr T is on the money and IMHO synthetic oils that are BMW Special Oils Approved and/or are ACEA A3/B3 quality rated (not just "meets" or are "recommended")are the best for your engine. I do an annual OC or at 20k kms whichever is reached first. A genuine BMW oil filter will last the distance very well
Regards
Doug
Why not give
a try?
wavinwayne: Me thinks someone switched out the image you intended to post. I *think* you meant to post a GC-related image, but all I'm seeing is a graphic of a hand.
Nope.....That's the pic I posted. It's "GC"quote:
Originally posted by AndyH:
wavinwayne: Me thinks someone switched out the image you intended to post. I *think* you meant to post a GC-related image, but all I'm seeing is a graphic of a hand.
For an older BMW, I'd run a 5w-40/10w-40 synthetic that meets the ACEA A3/B4 specs, along with BMW LL-01, MB 229.5 and VW 503.01 or VW 503.00. The ACEA B3 spec isn't nearly as hard to meet as the ACEA B4 spec for TDI diesels. The latter requires significantly better detergency and most GP III synthetics don't even meet it due to the piston cleanliness requirement in the VW TDI engine test!
If you run the engine extremely hard, I've also had excellent results with a 20w-50, PAO/Ester synthetic - specifically the "TRO" formulation. This oil generated the lowest wear rates I've ever seen in my 1990 Audi 100 - 20 ppm of Fe after 12,000 miles/1 year.
Another excellent choice would be the Redline 5w-40 or 10w-40 sylubes....
TS
If you run the engine extremely hard, I've also had excellent results with a 20w-50, PAO/Ester synthetic - specifically the "TRO" formulation. This oil generated the lowest wear rates I've ever seen in my 1990 Audi 100 - 20 ppm of Fe after 12,000 miles/1 year.
Another excellent choice would be the Redline 5w-40 or 10w-40 sylubes....
TS
I like GC. Or try "BC", or Belgian Castrol. It has been showing up in the Autozones around here. 5W-40, ACEA A3, BMW LL-98 rated (perfectly suited for your M50). Or just stick with the M1 your currently using, any of these three would get my vote albeit in the order above for my preference.
What part # is the filter you're using? BMW made a change in material around 2000 to make them last for a full 15K interval. Even though you are changing much sooner, (and I would advise no more than 7500 miles personally) it doesn't hurt to have a solid built filter unless you have a stockpile of the older ones.
What part # is the filter you're using? BMW made a change in material around 2000 to make them last for a full 15K interval. Even though you are changing much sooner, (and I would advise no more than 7500 miles personally) it doesn't hurt to have a solid built filter unless you have a stockpile of the older ones.
I have had excellent results in my high-mileage M50 using Chevron Delo 400 15W-40. Castrol Syntec 10W-40 had about three times the oil consumption (not external leakage). UOA's with Delo have been fantastic.
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Castrol Syntec 5w40. This oil was
designed to keep VW TDI engines slug
free. Just think how it will keep your
engine clean.
designed to keep VW TDI engines slug
free. Just think how it will keep your
engine clean.
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