Oil Analysis - Anyone do them?

[Washburn]

Last time I did an oil analysis is when I did them myself in the Navy.
Anyone have a recommendation on how to get started? Companies to look for? Where to send? Kits to buy?

Blackstone labs here:
http://www.blackstone-labs.com/

I'd pay the extra $10 or so and also get TBN included - can say a lot about how the engine is treating the oil; I think it's worth it.

[danewilson77]

Speaking of oils.....just noted (actually noted a long time ago) and finally verified, available, that Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30 is available for about $25.00 (5 qt jug), and meets LL-01 spec.

I am a pretty faithful M1 user....but I can almost get my oil changes down to $40.00/change by going this route.

Think protection is the same? I would guess if it meets the spec..it would be gtg.

[jvr826]

But BMW synth IS Castrol 5w 30 syn.! Just relabeled as "BMW"

German Castrol is, from the ongoing debate, but not regular old Castrol. After my issue I just decided BMW oil was the only choice for me. I have fairly easy access and recently, a friend of mine buys it 100 quarts at a time and gives me a deal on it.

[Washburn]

Oh i know - sorry I should've been more specific: I didn't mean that the syntec 5/30 that you can buy here in the USA is being relabeled as BMW. What I meant was that the BMW oil is a syn 5w-30 made for BMW by Castrol. (probably Castrol Edge or Softec in Europe). But there's no evidence that this is a superior syn 5w/30 than the "regular" syntec 5w/30, so the difference between "BMW" oil and the Castrol might not be that big...

My plan is to go with "BMW" 5w/30 also. The indep. BMW shop that I plan to go to, uses BMW 5w/30 and switches to a LL01 spec. 5w/40 when the cars hit 100k miles.

[MsRN]

Speaking of oils.....just noted (actually noted a long time ago) and finally verified, available, that Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30 is available for about $25.00 (5 qt jug), and meets LL-01 spec.

I am a pretty faithful M1 user....but I can almost get my oil changes down to $40.00/change by going this route.

Think protection is the same? I would guess if it meets the spec..it would be gtg.

Dane: See the following: http://www.bimmerfile.com/wp-content...hetic-oils.pdf

[danewilson77]

Yeah...that info comes directly from the BMWUSA website.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[MsRN]

Another fascinating thread...

http://bimmer.tribe.net/thread/cf7e7...a-d7c8ab637182

My guess, Dane, is that if the oil you want to use meets ACEA A3 specs, and is LL-01 certified, it's probably safe to use. That said, I'd suggest an oil analysis at 7-8k, just to be sure.

FWIW, I consider BMW-labeled oil to be cheap insurance, and not too pricey at $50-$60 (including stock filter) for routine oil changes. Over the lifetime of the car (300000 miles, if I'm REALLY lucky), that's perhaps an additional $400-$800 over 15-20 years. Then again, I tend to buy for keeps, so I look at oil changes as long-term investments...

[Maximus57]

I remember seeing the word "Castrol" on the cars oil cap. I've also seen on an M3 oil cap as well.

[billschusteriv]

Thanks Washburn. I'll check these guys out. I have about 1k miles to go before I hit 7500 on this oil change.

[danewilson77]

Another fascinating thread...

http://bimmer.tribe.net/thread/cf7e7...a-d7c8ab637182

My guess, Dane, is that if the oil you want to use meets ACEA A3 specs, and is LL-01 certified, it's probably safe to use. That said, I'd suggest an oil analysis at 7-8k, just to be sure.

FWIW, I consider BMW-labeled oil to be cheap insurance, and not too pricey at $50-$60 (including stock filter) for routine oil changes. Over the lifetime of the car (300000 miles, if I'm REALLY lucky), that's perhaps an additional $400-$800 over 15-20 years. Then again, I tend to buy for keeps, so I look at oil changes as long-term investments...

Agree. I am pretty M1 faithful though...and it is approved at the BMW website...so all is good.