Using High Mileage Oil in BMW

[gulfstream1951]

I have a 1998 BMW 323is. I bought it used this summer. Previous one owner car and he told me that he used nothing but 0-w40 Mobil 1. The car has 160,000 miles on it, runs like brand new...no leaks or drips and does not use a drop of oil. At some point, the car will begin to drip some oil, etc. My question is...should be do a pre-emptive strike and begin using high mileage oil before any drips occur? Input is very much appreciated.

Jack
Austin, Texas

 

[Chris Meutsch]

I'd wait until it actually happens if it's in that good of shape currently.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: gulfstream1951
I have a 1998 BMW 323is. I bought it used this summer. Previous one owner car and he told me that he used nothing but 0-w40 Mobil 1. The car has 160,000 miles on it, runs like brand new...no leaks or drips and does not use a drop of oil. At some point, the car will begin to drip some oil, etc. My question is...should be do a pre-emptive strike and begin using high mileage oil before any drips occur? Input is very much appreciated.

Jack
Austin, Texas

No need to fix what ain't broke.

No leaks or oil usage at 160,000 miles on that car is a good sign, and Mobil 1 0w-40 is one of the best oils on the shelf. Apparently it's been working so far.

Besides, if any oil leaks did develop, it'd be better (and obviously vastly more effective) to fix the leaks than to try to reduce them by switching oils.

Keep on keepin' on, enjoy the car, and sleep easy.

 

[lexus114]

Just stay with the Mobil 1 0W-40

 

[dparm]

0w40 is a fine oil, I wouldn't mess with it.

 

[mechtech2]

Keep using the Mobil 1 0w40.
Take it from me... your car is behaving in an astounding manner.

 

[gulfstream1951]

Thanks so much guys!!

 

[Audi Junkie]

I disagree. MsxLife is a fine choice out to 5000-6000 miles.

 

[Craig in Canada]

I'd just stick with the Mobil 1 if you're happy with it. As far as I know you have an M52 engine just like me (4/98 production 528) although I have a little more displacement. I ran Mobil 1 0W40 for 50,000km but found that it made my engine very noisy. Just about anything else was quieter. The Mobil 1 gave very good used oil analysis, though, so I'm not complaining about it's function as a motor oil.

I switched to GC which I've found to be much, much quieter. I've also found that heavier 40 weights (like Rotella T 15W40) make the engine noticeably smoother above 3000-3500rpm or so with no fuel economy disadvantages. I think I'm going to make the switch from GC to Rotella T6 5W40 for this reason.

So, to answer your question, I wouldn't bail to someone's HM formula "just in case". Since you have the same engine as me, I may suggest that you give GC or T6 a try if you're curious, paying attention to engine noise both idling and at speed.

I have no detectable consumption whatsoever in an 8,000-9,000km OCI and have never had an oil leak.