Oil change (from regular to synthetic)

hemant · 11-17-2005, 08:49 AM

Hi folks, I got myself a 99 BMW 323i before a couple of weeks. Looks like the previous owner has been using regular oil in the car and I would like to switch to synthetic. I've heard that one should gradually shift to synthetic by using a regular + synthetic mix for a few times before using full synthetic. May be you guys can throw some light into this, what should be the proportion of the mix and how many times and how often should I do this before switching to full synthetic.

Considering the cost, I guess I'll DIY. I was thinking about using a oil pump extractor but was unable to locate a store that sells one. Has anyone purchased it from the local stores and how much does it cost?

hamann99 · 11-17-2005, 08:53 AM

I have no idea what's going on, but all e46 should've came with synthetic to begin with. Mine did. If the previous owner was dumb enough to use mineral oil, then I really want to slap him for being that stupid. Only thing I can think of now to going back to synthetic si actually flushing the system first with synthetic oil and then do it like a regular oil change.

hamann99 · 11-17-2005, 08:54 AM

oh and as for a pump extractor here you go www.griotsgarage.com you'll find it on there.

Canuck328i · 11-17-2005, 09:05 AM

I have read that synthetic and mineral oil should not be mixed. I'd suggest going straight to the synthetic oil - if you really want to be safe, do another change maybe 500 to 1000km later. That might be overkill though.

Mark

hemant · 11-17-2005, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamann99

I have no idea what's going on, but all e46 should've came with synthetic to begin with. Mine did. If the previous owner was dumb enough to use mineral oil, then I really want to slap him for being that stupid. Only thing I can think of now to going back to synthetic si actually flushing the system first with synthetic oil and then do it like a regular oil change.

How do I flush the system? should I do it myself.

xmltok · 11-17-2005, 01:34 PM

i would call a bmw shop (not a dealer) and ask them what they think is a good idea

Kmhmuboy · 11-17-2005, 03:07 PM

It's not really going to be a problem. When you do switch from synthetic back to non is when you'll have problems. It's hard to explain why, but basically the seals get use to the synthetic and when you go back sometimes they bust causing leaks which then creates the problems. Hope i've helped you some.

Tom Busby · 11-18-2005, 09:36 AM

Oil is oil when you put it in; the difference is that synthetic lasts longer, all other things being hypothetically equal as to detergent level, initial viscosity and viscosity extenders, etc.

Check out bobistheoilguy.com for actual tests and a much more scientific explanation.

PYRITE · 11-18-2005, 09:41 AM

Is Mobile 1 Synthetic a good choice for our cars?

deutsch325 · 11-18-2005, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYRITE

Is Mobile 1 Synthetic a good choice for our cars?

ONLY the 0w-40 grade

still · 11-19-2005, 03:00 AM

i used 10w40 Castrol full synthetic,on my 63k miles 01 325i.. is that bad?

rooneym · 11-19-2005, 03:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by still

i used 10w40 Castrol full synthetic,on my 63k miles 01 325i.. is that bad?

Make sure the oil is BMW LL approved. Look on the back of the bottle for "BMW Longlife 01" approved

hemant · 11-19-2005, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rooneym

Make sure the oil is BMW LL approved. Look on the back of the bottle for "BMW Longlife 01" approved

Ok, so I guess I'll buy the PELA oil extractor and change oil (Mobil 1 OW 40) once now and again after 500/1000 miles.

11-17-2005, 08:49 AM	#1
hemant Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Orlando Posts: 29 My Ride: 323i View My Garage	Oil change (from regular to synthetic) Hi folks, I got myself a 99 BMW 323i before a couple of weeks. Looks like the previous owner has been using regular oil in the car and I would like to switch to synthetic. I've heard that one should gradually shift to synthetic by using a regular + synthetic mix for a few times before using full synthetic. May be you guys can throw some light into this, what should be the proportion of the mix and how many times and how often should I do this before switching to full synthetic. Considering the cost, I guess I'll DIY. I was thinking about using a oil pump extractor but was unable to locate a store that sells one. Has anyone purchased it from the local stores and how much does it cost?

11-17-2005, 08:53 AM	#2
hamann99 X-Hamann99 Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 564 My Ride: 323i->350Z->87 325is View My Garage	I have no idea what's going on, but all e46 should've came with synthetic to begin with. Mine did. If the previous owner was dumb enough to use mineral oil, then I really want to slap him for being that stupid. Only thing I can think of now to going back to synthetic si actually flushing the system first with synthetic oil and then do it like a regular oil change. __________________ Any fool can drive in a straight line

11-17-2005, 08:54 AM	#3
hamann99 X-Hamann99 Join Date: Dec 1969 Location: Redmond, WA Posts: 564 My Ride: 323i->350Z->87 325is View My Garage	oh and as for a pump extractor here you go www.griotsgarage.com you'll find it on there. __________________ Any fool can drive in a straight line

11-18-2005, 09:41 AM	#9
PYRITE Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Emeryville, CA Posts: 1,787 My Ride: 1965 Ford Mustang View My Garage	Is Mobile 1 Synthetic a good choice for our cars? __________________ PYRITE IS SOLD!! Welcome "KRYPTONITE"...

11-19-2005, 03:00 AM	#11
still Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,009 My Ride: 01 R6 View My Garage	i used 10w40 Castrol full synthetic,on my 63k miles 01 325i.. is that bad? __________________ damn, my sig is too big again

11-17-2005, 09:05 AM	#4
Canuck328i Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Happyland, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,173 My Ride: 09 Altima Cpe View My Garage	I have read that synthetic and mineral oil should not be mixed. I'd suggest going straight to the synthetic oil - if you really want to be safe, do another change maybe 500 to 1000km later. That might be overkill though. Mark

11-17-2005, 01:34 PM	#6
xmltok UCLA Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,204 My Ride: Boosted 330Ci View My Garage	i would call a bmw shop (not a dealer) and ask them what they think is a good idea

11-17-2005, 03:07 PM	#7
Kmhmuboy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 47 My Ride: 323i View My Garage	It's not really going to be a problem. When you do switch from synthetic back to non is when you'll have problems. It's hard to explain why, but basically the seals get use to the synthetic and when you go back sometimes they bust causing leaks which then creates the problems. Hope i've helped you some.

11-18-2005, 09:36 AM	#8
Tom Busby Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Phoenix AZ Posts: 605 My Ride: 2001 325i, 1995 318i View My Garage	Oil is oil when you put it in; the difference is that synthetic lasts longer, all other things being hypothetically equal as to detergent level, initial viscosity and viscosity extenders, etc. Check out bobistheoilguy.com for actual tests and a much more scientific explanation.

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