Pic through the oil fill hole of BMW N52

[ARH_0700]

I had some time today and took a pic through the oil fill of my BMW 530i. The car just ticked over 60k miles, still breaking in

It had several runs of BMW Syn 5w30 and GC earlier on, and I've now switched over to M1 0w40.

This is the intake side of the valvetrain and there is a good view of the springs and special lifters of the Valvetronic system:

 

[d00df00d]

Nice. What OCI?

 

[beast3300]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Nice. What OCI?


+1

 

[HTSS_TR]

Probably around 7-8k miles, not the full 15k OCI.

 

[ARH_0700]

I did the first oil change at 1,600mi and then roughly every 7,000 after.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

I would do a pre-rinse, rinse, a thorough clean, then a post rinse.
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And, that's just to get the tell-tale oil spot off the cuff of your $45- Hartz, Schaffner and Marx buttoned-down cotton oxford ...

 

[ARH_0700]

^

Thanks for the tip ARCO, but I'm not sure even that would help... I've managed to ruin my fair share of nice shirts poking around the engine bay, just can't help it.

 

[ItsuMitsubishi]

Spotless! Very surprised how the Castrol fare has held up in 60K, not even a hint of varnish

..and just check out the retaining springs for the intermediate rocker arms.

If anyone's interested, they can see the Valvetronic setup here

 

[Jim 5]

Nice!

How about a picture of the car in the photo section?

 

[stuntboy79]

That's what the Mini Cooper's have been looking like even when doing 15K mile oil changes with the BMW/Mini 5w30 High performance oil. Looking good!!

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
I would do a pre-rinse, rinse, a thorough clean, then a post rinse.
-
-
-
And, that's just to get the tell-tale oil spot off the cuff of your $45- Hartz, Schaffner and Marx buttoned-down cotton oxford ...


OT Excellent line ARCO!

The Hart, Shaffner and Marx comment was an nice touch. Can't remember the last time I heard their names.

As for the OP, that is one clean Bimmer valve train. Have you taken advantage of any of the free BMW maintenance, or didn't that come with your ride?

 

[Scienceman]

very nice.

 

[mrsilv04]

My best friend down in St. Louis will buy a new 3 series, and will follow the maintenance schedule to the smallest detail... but nothing more. I assume that means 10k-15k oil changes.

Then, sometime around 100k, he trades it in and repeats. I've asked him, but he simply doesn't care what it looks like on the inside after just 6-7 oil changes in 100,000 miles. It is whatever oil that the BMW dealer puts in.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Good for you dude.

It's nice to be able to see literally inside the engine. I'm used to VAG cars where it's baffled.

imo, this belongs on the main oil forum or the Euro oil forum.

 

[ARH_0700]

Thanks guys. Pic of the car for Jim 5: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...497#Post2024497

Originally Posted By: sayjac
Have you taken advantage of any of the free BMW maintenance, or didn't that come with your ride?


I took advantage of the free oil changes at 15,000 and 30,000 but I'm now past the mileage cutoff for the program.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Nice! Is it a stickshift?

 

[Sayjac]

Originally Posted By: ARH_0700
I took advantage of the free oil changes at 15,000 and 30,000 but I'm now past the mileage cutoff for the program.
So I take it you did the interim changes between the courtesy changes.

Nice to see a well maintained engine, should last you a good long time. Sweet ride.

 

[BobFout]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Good for you dude.

It's nice to be able to see literally inside the engine. I'm used to VAG cars where it's baffled.

imo, this belongs on the main oil forum or the Euro oil forum.


Indeed AJ, it's baffling as to why VAG does that.

 

[Quattro Pete]

BMW used to do that, too. In my M54 engine, you can't see anything through the fill hole.

 

[ARH_0700]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Nice! Is it a stickshift?


It's an automatic.