Redline 5w-30 or 5w-40 to reduce wear in e46 with 310k miles

[mckenzie333]

My e46 still runs great at 311k miles- I want to keep it running indefinitely- would a Redline oil (or another high HTHS oil) help me. I am using Mobil 1 Ow49 euro now

 

[LordNilesStandish]

My e46 still runs great at 311k miles- I want to keep it running indefinitely- would a Redline oil (or another high HTHS oil) help me. I am using Mobil 1 Ow49 euro now

I'd go thicker.
Where do you live?

 

[Brian123]

My e46 still runs great at 311k miles- I want to keep it running indefinitely- would a Redline oil (or another high HTHS oil) help me. I am using Mobil 1 Ow49 euro now

I think you mean Mobil 1 0W-40 instead of Mobil 1 0w49

 

[kschachn]

I think you mean Mobil 1 0W-40 instead of Mobil 1 0w49

Actually it’s Ow49.

And to the OP what you’re using is fine. Use Red Line if you want but wear isn’t the improvement with an oil like Red Line.

 

[Brian123]

Actually it’s Ow49.

0O, thanks for the Correction!

 

[mckenzie333]

I think you mean Mobil 1 0W-40 instead of Mobil 1 0w49

My bad - yes 0w40

 

[mckenzie333]

Actually it’s Ow49.

And to the OP what you’re using is fine. Use Red Line if you want but wear isn’t the improvement with an oil like Red Line.

Thanks- I thought that might be the case. Your input makes me wonder if there is some other improvement to support Redline. I’m not sure if high esters would hurt or help. The car isn’t burning oil or leaking right now ( so great lol)

 

[fantastic]

Nothing wrong with RL & a 0w-40 should work.

 

[JAG]

I understand the desire to make an E46 engine last as long as possible. It is the last great 3 Series made, in my opinion. We need more information to give a good answer. How long are your OCIs?
How clean does it look through the oil fill hole?
What area do you live in?

 

[mckenzie333]

Thank you for any help in advance. OCIs have been 6000-7000 miles with many years of Castrol 0w40 and now more recently mobil1 0w40. I have had the car since 59000 miles and the engine looks good and runs great really. I am thinking of going to 5000-6000 OCIs now and was looking for a good HTHS oil thinking it might reduce engine wear. I leave in Central Indiana near Indiana

 

[JD!]

My e46 still runs great at 311k miles- I want to keep it running indefinitely- would a Redline oil (or another high HTHS oil) help me. I am using Mobil 1 Ow49 euro now

I don't know if running Redline will help with wear unless you're really running it hard. Maybe someone can counter this with some evidence, but what I've seen shows that the most helpful thing is running reasonably fresh oil that meets the BMW LL-01 spec, preferably a 0/5w40 rather than a 30 at this engine's age. On an M54 (I'm assuming this is what you've got) that doesn't see severe duty the rest is largely moot.

The most common thing I see that takes these engines out is overheating. Your worry would probably be best spent looking over the cooling system and refreshing components as needed.

 

[mckenzie333]

Live near Indianapolis that is

 

[JD!]

Thank you for any help in advance. OCIs have been 6000-7000 miles with many years of Castrol 0w40 and now more recently mobil1 0w40. I have had the car since 59000 miles and the engine looks good and runs great really. I am thinking of going to 5000-6000 OCIs now and was looking for a good HTHS oil thinking it might reduce engine wear. I leave in Central Indiana near Indiana

All LL-01 oils, as a part of the spec, already have a high HTHS (at least 3.5cP) relative to the rest of the oils you'll find on the store shelf. They can take a beating. The only exception within the LL-01 spec are the LL-01FE oils which have an HTHS of around 3.0cP.

 

[Oliveoil2]

I’d keep doing what you’re doing.

 

[mckenzie333]

I don't know if running Redline will help with wear unless you're really running it hard. Maybe someone can counter this with some evidence, but what I've seen shows that the most helpful thing is running reasonably fresh oil that meets the BMW LL-01 spec, preferably a 0/5w40 rather than a 30 at this engine's age. On an M54 (I'm assuming this is what you've got) that doesn't see severe duty the rest is largely moot.

The most common thing I see that takes these engines out is overheating. Your worry would probably be best spent looking over the cooling system and refreshing components as needed.

I agree 100 per cent. Last year We replace every pipe and hose and part of the cooling system and it has made all the difference. I like the idea of fresh oil and just dosing on LL-01 oils. I wonder how long this M54 can go -400000? Thank you for your thoughtful ideas

 

[mckenzie333]

All LL-01 oils, as a part of the spec, already have a high HTHS (at least 3.5cP) relative to the rest of the oils you'll find on the store shelf. They can take a beating. The only exception within the LL-01 spec are the LL-01FE oils which have an HTHS of around 3.0cP.

Thank you. Mobil 1 0w40 euro FS is not an FE oil I believe

 

[JD!]

I agree 100 per cent. Last year We replace every pipe and hose and part of the cooling system and it has made all the difference. I like the idea of fresh oil and just dosing on LL-01 oils. I wonder how long this M54 can go -400000? Thank you for your thoughtful ideas

With your maintenance I wouldn't be surprised if it went well beyond 400,000!

In typical BMW fashion, the engines are extremely well made, just leaky and have a few weak points in the cooling system. I've never had an engine or transmission issue in any of my BMWs and I beat the heck out of them. (Everything else though, that's a different story...)

 

[edyvw]

Thank you for any help in advance. OCIs have been 6000-7000 miles with many years of Castrol 0w40 and now more recently mobil1 0w40. I have had the car since 59000 miles and the engine looks good and runs great really. I am thinking of going to 5000-6000 OCIs now and was looking for a good HTHS oil thinking it might reduce engine wear. I leave in Central Indiana near Indiana

Keep doing what you have been doing.

 

[edyvw]

Thank you. Mobil 1 0w40 euro FS is not an FE oil I believe

It is not. Any oil that has BMW LL01, MB229.5, VW502.00 have minimum HTHS of 3.5cP regardless of grade (0/5W30 or 0/5W40) and are not FE oils.
Personally, I prefer Castrol Edge 0W30 for street driving whether spirited or not. $37 at AAP with filter.

 

[JAG]

5k to 6k mile OCIs with a LL-01 oil sounds like a great plan. PP Euro 5W-40 or QS Euro 5W-40 (same as PP) is what I’d choose in your case, assuming it’s conveniently available to you. They have excellent resistance to forming deposits and have very low volatility. I wouldn’t switch to Red Line.