Question about Valvoline Maxlife in a 1998 BMW 328

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E36Alex

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Hi everyone,

I've been trying to find some information on this particular combo I'm thinking about trying: Maxlife in a BMW 328i. The problem is that I don't know what viscosity to use, I would be running this through a Nebraska winter (very cold, sub 0F temperatures are common), meaning a 10w-40 is probably not a good choice.

However, I know the M52 engine likes a thicker oil, and I'm wanting to try Maxlife because I have a small but annoying leak I'm trying to minimize before spending $1300 to have the timing case ripped apart by a local shop. I'm running Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 with LM Oil Saver in there right now, but after 2k miles the leak doesn't seem to have gotten any better or worse, still leaves a drop or two most nights.

Is Maxlife 5w-30 too thin to run in this engine? Is 10w-40 innapropriate for this upcoming winter climate? I know this isn't an ACEA A3 certified oil, but I'm fine changing it every 3k miles -- I'm not looking to run long intervals. I know they make a 5w-40 synthetic, but I'm thinking I may have better luck with oil not leaking running a blend like regular maxlife (plus it's cheaper).

I was also thinking if the 5w-30 is too thin that I could thicken it up with some LM Oil Saver, but I don't know if this would be esters fighting with esters from the Maxlife and Oil Saver additives mixed together, or if this is just fine to do.

Interested to hear what the oil veterans think -- thanks for any input you may have.

-- Alex
 
BMW's like their 40 weight. MaxLife 10W-40 would be an excellent choice.
55.gif
 
I used Mobil 1 0W-40 for a few changes last year and I found the engine ran much louder with it, it quieted down nicely when I switched to Rotella.

I just found that Maxlife 5w-30 has
Vis @ 100c (cSt) = 11.5

That's on the thicker end of 30....for the winter could I get away with that?

Again I'm looking to try this out because everyone has had great luck with it patching up minor leaks, which is why I'm looking to try it as opposed to staying with T6 or M1.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: E36Alex
I used Mobil 1 0W-40 for a few changes last year and I found the engine ran much louder with it, it quieted down nicely when I switched to Rotella.

I just found that Maxlife 5w-30 has
Vis @ 100c (cSt) = 11.5

That's on the thicker end of 30....for the winter could I get away with that?


Not that noise means anything but that is odd. I find my S62 is quieter on M1 0w40 than it was with BMW 5w30.

Regardless, if you don't like the noise, then Mobil 1 TDT 5w40 or Rotella T6 5w40 are other good choices. I'm not a fan of 10w40.

If you are adamant about going with a 30, then BMW's own 5w30 is inexpensive and a very good choice.
 
Originally Posted By: E36Alex
I'm running Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 with LM Oil Saver in there right now, but after 2k miles the leak doesn't seem to have gotten any better or worse, still leaves a drop or two most nights.

Ha! Mine leaves a drop on the floor once in a while, too, and I still don't know exactly where it's coming from. I had an oil filter housing gasket leak earlier and the dripping stopped after it was replaced, but a year later the dripping is back. It's probably some other gasket like the oil pan gasket maybe...

I seriously doubt that changing from T6 to Maxlife 10w-40 is going to stop your leak, but maybe I'm wrong. If it works for you, let me know. I'll be the next to try it.
smile.gif


If you're worried about cold startup wear and still want to use HM oil, maybe look into M1 HM 5w-30.
 
I think mine is a gasket on the right side of the timing case....a huge repair. I'm fine sticking with T6 + LM Oil Saver (couldn't hurt....right?) but I just figured if I could try Maxlife out safely it would be worth it since it's so inexpensive and has worked miracles for many people on this forum.

I don't do hard driving, just short 10 minute trips to and from school, so I'm not putting really any heavy stress on the engine. No track days, no AutoX.

I was just hoping to ascertain whether I could get away with throwing Maxlife 5w-30 or 10w-40 in there for about 3k miles just to see if by some chance I could have some luck with it's supposed leak stopping properties. If not I'll just have to live with it until I can afford to have it fixed.
 
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Originally Posted By: E36Alex
I'm fine sticking with T6 + LM Oil Saver (couldn't hurt....right?)

Does that Oil Saver actually do anything for you? Or do you just put it in there because it makes you feel better?
smile.gif


Quote:

I was just hoping to ascertain whether I could get away with throwing Maxlife 5w-30 or 10w-40 in there for about 3k miles just to see if by some chance I could have some luck with it's supposed leak stopping properties.

I would try it, but I think I'd be more leaning toward the 5w-30 grade since it's going to get pretty cold up there very soon... The oil will get up to temp faster which is important since you're short-tripping it. And since you don't drive it hard, I'd say you don't need a particularly high viscosity high HTHS oil here, but maybe someone more knowledgeable can chime in on this...
 
I added the Oil Saver to the T6 because I saw it as an inexpensive way to possible curb the minor leak my car has. I realize it is possible that I have a damaged seal that may only be fixable by replacement, however, since this replacement would cost over a thousand dollars on a car that is only worth a few thousand, I feel like it's silly not to try out some suggestions that have worked for other people on this forum in the past.

I'll take a gamble with a change of maxlife for under $20 if it's appropriate for my car, which it sounds like it will be. (it's on sale right now). It's to the point where it doesn't even leak enough to change the level noticeably on the dipstick. I put in a glug or two of T6 every few weeks or so and I'm still completely full. The car does not burn any oil as far as I can tell. I recently replaced the crankcase ventilation system (PCV system on these cars) also. At some point the seal may have to be replaced, but I'm still optimistic I can keep it under control with some strategic oil changing.

Thanks for the help, I love this forum.
 
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Originally Posted By: vintageant
A drop or two of oil on the floor?

Obviously none of you has ever owned British cars!

A drop or two would be considered a miracle!

If those are the only two drops on your garage floor, they stick out like a sore thumb.
lol.gif
 
Hah, well I park in my girlfriend's driveway and her parents have not been too pleased with me leaving an oil spot about every time I leave my car there.
 
Originally Posted By: vintageant
A drop or two of oil on the floor?

Obviously none of you has ever owned British cars!

A drop or two would be considered a miracle!


Having owned a really nice MGB and currently lusting after a restored Triumph TR6, I respectfully disagree.

A drop or two means there is no oil in the crankcase.

British cars don't leak- they mark their territory.
 
E36Alex. I'm using Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic 5w30
in my 2000 328i. If thats what your thinking about using,
it is BMW LL-01 approved. Even the semi Maxlife 5w30 will
be OK to use.
 
Originally Posted By: 2KBMW
E36Alex. I'm using Valvoline Maxlife Synthetic 5w30
in my 2000 328i. If thats what your thinking about using,
it is BMW LL-01 approved.

Does it actually say it on the bottle? I'm looking at the product sheet, and it only mentions ACEA A3, although that's not far away from LL01.
 
I didn't think Maxlife 5w-30 blend met either Acea A3 or BMW LL-01. I remember reading in another thread that Valvoline had basically told one of the forum members who called "It would meet BMW LL-01 if we wanted to pay to have it tested, but we don't want to pay to have it properly tested."

I bought the 5w-30 tonight, it's so cheap I figure it's worth a try. I will report back my results. I am running it in 3 other cars in the family and it seems to work very well. Hopefully it will perform suitably in my BMW.
 
Originally Posted By: E36Alex
I didn't think Maxlife 5w-30 blend met either Acea A3 or BMW LL-01. I remember reading in another thread that Valvoline had basically told one of the forum members who called "It would meet BMW LL-01 if we wanted to pay to have it tested, but we don't want to pay to have it properly tested."

I bought the 5w-30 tonight, it's so cheap I figure it's worth a try. I will report back my results. I am running it in 3 other cars in the family and it seems to work very well. Hopefully it will perform suitably in my BMW.


I ran Synth Maxlife 10W30 in my BMW Z3M for 2 oil changes. It ran very well and seemed to help cut down on the high oil usage I was experiencing when I first got the car. It used to be LL01 approved but more recent spec sheets only indicate A3.
 
alex, you ve got a masterpiece under the hood with double vanos and 193 hp etc. if you r seeing sub zeros use 5w30 or 5w40. if you have minor leaks try semi synthetic or quality dino oil. when i used to live in kalamazoo i never touched a 10w30 or 10w40. always used 5wsomething for my old audi 90 sport quattro (12v 2.8L, 174hp with 240000 miles when sold) i had a small valley pan gasket leak but it just didnt matter what oil is used and the gaskets leaked.
so try 5w30-40 and for long summer trips i recommend mobil 1 5w50.

btw. hi everyone. i am a newbie and hope to share lots of knowledge and experiences with you.
 
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