Some Accurate Oil Information for You

I have been crusing through this site and noticed there is a lot of misinformation and confusion about oil. Here are a few things you should know about oil for BMW's:

1) All new BMW's require synthetic. As far as weight, only certain production dates of M3's and M5's require the use of Castrol TWS 10w-60.

2) The Factory BMW Synth 5w-30 is a version of Castrol TXT Softect sold overseas. A few important things about the BMW oil a) it is a Group III hydrocracked oil which cannot be called synthetic in Europe, b) it is a heavy 30 weight (30 weight can run from 9.3-12.5cst@100c, the BMW oil is about 12.2cst), c) it is a ACEA A3 oil which means that it is approved for longer change intervals and has a HTHS (High Tempurature High Shear) measured at 150c of greater than 3.5.

3) In the US, the only Group IV PAO Synthetics that are available are 1) Mobil 1, 2) Amsoil (but not the Xl-7500), 3) Royal Purple, and 4) German Castrol 0w-30 (it has the red label and says on the back, "Made in Germany). Redline is a Group V PolyEster based oil. All other Castrol, Quaker State, Pennzoil, Valvoline "synthetics" are a Group III hydrocracked oil. It is debated how much better Group IV base oils are than group III, but generally they are considered better.

4) When looking for oil for any BMW that does not require Castrol TWS 10w-60, you want to purchase an oil that has either/both of the following ratings, a) ACEA A3, or b) BMW LL-98 or LL-01.

5) Note that Mobil 1 0w-30, 5w-30, and 10w-30 are NOT ACEA A3 or BMW LL approved oils. This is because they all are thin 30 weight oils (approximately 9.8-10 CST@ 100c) and have HTHS of approximately 3.1. Mobil 1 0w-40 and 15w-50 are A3 rated and the Ow-40 is BMW LL-01 approved. For 99% of climates and users 0w-40 or 5w-40 is the appropriate grade. There are some 0w-30 and 5w-30 oils (like the BMW 5w-30) that are forumlated on the heavier end of the 30 weight scale and are accordingly rated A3. These oils will work well also. LOOK FOR THAT ACEA A3 rating. If the oil doesn't have it, pass on it.

6) Some people seem confused about how oil thickness is measured. The first number (0W, 5w, 10w, 15w, etc) is a measurement of how thick the oil is at tempuratures of -35c- -20c (depends on the grade). The lower this first number the thinner the oil is at LOW tempuratures. The second number (30, 40, 50) refers to oil thickness at 100c (operating tempurature). 30 weight can be from 9.3-12.5 cst, 40 weight from 12.6-16.2 cst, 50 weight from 16.3-22cst (approximate). So you can have two oils, one called a 5w-30 (i.e. bmw oil) another 0w-40 (Mobil 1) that are very similar thicknesses at operating tempurature. Compare this to Mobil 1 Xw-30 which is close to a 20 weight oil at 100c. For more information here is a link with exact numbers http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/visc.html

7) BMW's recommended interval of 12,000-15,000 miles is to long. Used oil analysis has shown the BMW oil is generally depleted at 10,000 miles. Running it longer results in excess wear. It is highly recommended that you change your oil once between each BMW recommended interval (approx 7000-7500 miles). If you want to run your oil the BMW recommended interval, I would suggest that you use Mobil 1 0w-40 or Amsoil 5w-40 and change the oil filter at 7500 miles. I would encourage a full oil change at 7500 if you want your engine to last.

8) If you want to spend a few hours learning about oil, go to bobistheoilguy.com

Cary

great info.... but its like a different language.... so which one do you suggest if you were going to change your oil?

Originally Posted by Cali6869

great info.... but its like a different language.... so which one do you suggest if you were going to change your oil?

Unless you have an M3, in the following order:

1) Mobil 1 0w-40,
2) Mobil 1 0w-40, and
3) Mobil 1 0w-40

If you can't find the 0w-40, the Mobil 1 SUV 5w-40 is a great oil. Can't find either of these, then go to your dealer and get the BMW 5w-30.

The Mobil 1 0w-40 is a great oil, widely available (Walmart, Checker, Kragen, Autozone), and moderately priced. It is factory fill in Mercedes AMG, Porsche, and Austin Martin.

Cary

Excellent write up! Props!

Curious as to why you reccomend Amsoil 5w-40 over 5w-30?

yeah so basically, use the m1 0w-40 like me

So is BMWs own recommendation of Castrol Synthetic oil rubbish?

great post i used to run mobil 1 0w-40, but recently changed to redline 5w-30. does redline being group 5 mean it's "better"? are you recommending mobil 1 0w-40 over redline?

Awesome. We need more of this.

Originally Posted by WarSong

great post i used to run mobil 1 0w-40, but recently changed to redline 5w-30. does redline being group 5 mean it's "better"? are you recommending mobil 1 0w-40 over redline?

Group V does not necessarly mean better. Redline tends to run heavy for its grade so 5w-30 is a fine grade. Note that Redline is NOT API rated so potentially if you have an oil related failure BMW could deny your warrantee. Personally, I think that Redline is a great oil and if you like it would stick with it. I continue to use the Mobil 1 because 1) it is more widely available, and 2) it is cheaper at $4.75 quart v. Redline at $6.25 quart locally.

I think Castrol TWS 10w-60 is made in Germany, this means it is group IV??
Thanks for the great info!

Is the Mobil 1 0w-40 good for the occasional autocross or track day, especially in the warmer summer months?

Thanks for taking the time to School us. This is great.

Originally Posted by cary1

Unless you have an M3, in the following order:

1) Mobil 1 0w-40,
2) Mobil 1 0w-40, and
3) Mobil 1 0w-40

If you can't find the 0w-40, the Mobil 1 SUV 5w-40 is a great oil. Can't find either of these, then go to your dealer and get the BMW 5w-30.

The Mobil 1 0w-40 is a great oil, widely available (Walmart, Checker, Kragen, Autozone), and moderately priced. It is factory fill in Mercedes AMG, Porsche, and Austin Martin.

Cary

Yup that's what I've been using!!!

Originally Posted by cary1

Unless you have an M3, in the following order:

1) Mobil 1 0w-40,
2) Mobil 1 0w-40, and
3) Mobil 1 0w-40

If you can't find the 0w-40, the Mobil 1 SUV 5w-40 is a great oil. Can't find either of these, then go to your dealer and get the BMW 5w-30.

The Mobil 1 0w-40 is a great oil, widely available (Walmart, Checker, Kragen, Autozone), and moderately priced. It is factory fill in Mercedes AMG, Porsche, and Austin Martin.

Cary

Negative. The 0-40W Oil is unavailable in the Dallas, TX market. I have emailed Sam's Club (part number #661868) as well as Mobil 1 to determine stocking locations! Good luck finding this stuff in Dallas, TX!

Originally Posted by guitarvenue

Negative. The 0-40W Oil is unavailable in the Dallas, TX market. I have emailed Sam's Club (part number #661868) as well as Mobil 1 to determine stocking locations! Good luck finding this stuff in Dallas, TX!

did you check out these autozone stores?

http://clients.mapquest.com/mobil1/m...&btnSearch.y=9

Originally Posted by blkonblk

did you check out these autozone stores?

http://clients.mapquest.com/mobil1/m...&btnSearch.y=9

yep, finally found it at Autozone...they had 17 quarts....Sam's lists it on the website but nada in the store. Costco don't list it. Wal-Mart don't carry it. This oil is not wide spread as suggested on this and other forums...

Originally Posted by guitarvenue

Negative. The 0-40W Oil is unavailable in the Dallas, TX market. I have emailed Sam's Club (part number #661868) as well as Mobil 1 to determine stocking locations! Good luck finding this stuff in Dallas, TX!

Hmm...I guess you haven't look hard enough. I was in the dallas/fort worth/arlington area and I saw plenty of mobile 0w40

I went from BMWs oil to AMSOIL 5-30 S2000 and find it the same. Actually I think im buring more oil with AMSOIL!

I don't know about even 7500 Miles, I change every 5000 miles!

Question: What is your take on Crankcase cleaners? I have the Forte Step 1 Crankcase additive and want to know if it is a good idea to do? I have heard it can be too harsh and cause more damage...my engine only has 50000 KM.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by ADA

Hmm...I guess you haven't look hard enough. I was in the dallas/fort worth/arlington area and I saw plenty of mobile 0w40

Ok, Mr. Information...where?

thank you for the informative post