Which oil to use?

[94jedi]

Hey guys, I'm in between oil changes and need to add a bit of oil. After some searching, seems like the 2 go-to oils are either BMW 5w-30, or Mobil 0w-40. Is there any reason to go with one over the other? At my recent Inspection I, my indy shop put BMW oil in there so I would assume the safe bet is to go with BMW 5w-30. Any thoughts?

Also, I'm ordering from ECS so if anyone knows of a better place, please let me know!

[ELCID86]

I can't comment on mixing (or guessing whats in there now), but Walmart usually has the Mobil1 if you choose that route.

[94jedi]

Gotcha thanks. I used to buy it for my Audi but wasn't sure if it was preferred over the Oem stuff

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[Avetiso]

I go with Mobil 1 0W-40.

T-Mobile Note 3
Jedi Elite v5 ROM

[alexandre]

Castrol 0W30 is also pretty good, but M1 0W40 @ $25/jug at walmart is probably the cheapest you'll find.


iP4S + TT2

[billyjack]

If you're topping off and you know what is currently in the car go with that.

[94jedi]

If you're topping off and you know what is currently in the car go with that.

Yup, that's what I'm planning on. Actually, my local indie shop said to just come by and they will top it off free of charge. BTW - They do use BMW 5w30 Synth.

[BavarianZHP]

The most awesome oil thread is here:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?942-The-Oil-Thread/page41&highlight=thread

I remember reading this - it was a pleasure. A ton of useful info here anything from filters, types of oil, viscosity, LL-01, recommendations for racing, in hot/cold climates and pricing.

[94jedi]

The most awesome oil thread is here:

http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?942-The-Oil-Thread/page41&highlight=thread

I remember reading this - it was a pleasure. A ton of useful info here anything from filters, types of oil, viscosity, LL-01, recommendations for racing, in hot/cold climates and pricing.

Thank you for that!!! I'll read up!

[echo46]

Mobile 1 0w40 for the ZHP.

[danewilson77]

Mobile 1 0w40 for the ZHP.

This.

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[Hermes]

Total Quartz 5-40 in the 330 and 740 for me. LL-01 and it has a better additive package for protecting your bearings

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/e9u3a9eh.jpg

[Washburn]

Total Quartz 5-40 in the 330 and 740 for me. LL-01 and it has a better additive package for protecting your bearings

How does this compare to the add package of Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5w-40 (LL01), I wonder...
The prize on amazon ($36 or so for 6 qts) is great with subscription for the Pennz. and I have run it a couple of times and like it.

[ELCID86]

Total Quartz 5-40 in the 330 and 740 for me. LL-01 and it has a better additive package for protecting your bearings



Never heard of this.


Thumbs, iPhone, Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1).

[Washburn]

I believe it used to be Elf-Xcellium Full-Tec or something....
It seems the Total Energy 0w/30 is a FULL (more or almost all of Grp IV) synthetic, and the 5w/40 is a group III (less of a real synthetic, despite the labeling by Total as a full syn) oil.

[ELCID86]

Interesting "When It Isn’t Best to Switch to Synthetic Oil": http://blog.fcpeuro.com/2014/02/06/when-it-isnt-best-to-switch-to-synthetic-oil/

[NorCalZman]

Total Quartz 5-40 in the 330 and 740 for me. LL-01 and it has a better additive package for protecting your bearings

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/01/04/e9u3a9eh.jpg

Total is apparently pretty big in Europe. This is the same stuff my BMW/porsche mechanic swears by and put in my car at my last oil change, except mine was called Quartz 9000. Not sure if there is a difference between "energy" and what I have in my car now. How do you find out about the additive package and how it compares to other oils?

[STREETFIGHTER50]

For me Shell Rotella T6 is going in at 85k

[brewer90]

For me Shell Rotella T6 is going in at 85k

That's what I'm running.

[ranger]

Interesting "When It Isn’t Best to Switch to Synthetic Oil": http://blog.fcpeuro.com/2014/02/06/when-it-isnt-best-to-switch-to-synthetic-oil/

I have heard of similar issues with high mileage cars. My MB Indie told me I should switch to dino oil in my C55 - he recommends dino oil for high mileage MB. I work in the Pulp and Paper industry and we have some gearboxes that are ancient - over 40 years old still running. My maintenance mechanics refused to change the oil in those ancient gear boxes - they just kept them topped off with oil. Urban legend at the plant was that if you changed the oil, you washed out the crud that was keeping the ancient gearboxes "sealed" and they leaked like sieves and then soon failed. May be legend but those ancient gearboxes are still running. I wonder if synthetic oil does the same thing with car engines (and transmissions).

[gmurphy]

I have heard of similar issues with high mileage cars. My MB Indie told me I should switch to dino oil in my C55 - he recommends dino oil for high mileage MB. I work in the Pulp and Paper industry and we have some gearboxes that are ancient - over 40 years old still running. My maintenance mechanics refused to change the oil in those ancient gear boxes - they just kept them topped off with oil. Urban legend at the plant was that if you changed the oil, you washed out the crud that was keeping the ancient gearboxes "sealed" and they leaked like sieves and then soon failed. May be legend but those ancient gearboxes are still running. I wonder if synthetic oil does the same thing with car engines (and transmissions).

I have read that on older cars it could possibly cause this due to the build up of gunk that gets flushed out that was previously "sealing" holes and leaks.


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[Johal E32]

For me Shell Rotella T6 is going in at 85k


That's what I'm running.

Awesome, thats the 5w40 Diesel oil, yes? I run this in the mkiv TDI and thought about running in it in the E46 as well.

[Dave1027]

For me Shell Rotella T6 is going in at 85k

Why?

I don't believe that oil is on the LL-01 approved list. Besides, I think these engines work better when cold if they have a 0w-XX oil.

[kayger12]

Unless you're getting oil analysis done, the whole this one is better than that one stuff is pretty much meaningless conjecture.

I've always run the BMW oil with great results as shown through multiple Blackstone reports.

Never saw the need to try anything else, but if I did it would certainly be an LL-01.

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[Avetiso]

Still waiting for evidence that there is a better deal than M1 0W-40. That's what'll go into my engine for now.

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[STREETFIGHTER50]

Awesome, thats the 5w40 Diesel oil, yes? I run this in the mkiv TDI and thought about running in it in the E46 as well.

Yes it is diesel oil, but don't let that deter u from trying it out. It's fine for our gasoline engines. Alot of good results on several different vehicles. I've ran this oil even on my motorcycles. Almost every liter bike Ive had. 2 Yamaha R1s, 2 Kawasaki ZX10Rs & a Suzuki GSXR 1000. Several tached out 12k+ rpm blasts on the Kawasaki ZX10R with no issues whatsoever on all the bikes. I run it in my 500RW '89 Mustang now & previous as well. Awesome oil IMO & can be bought for cheap at the local Walmart... Bob is the oil guy & Blackstone are your friend ;-)

[danewilson77]

Yes it is diesel oil, but don't let that deter u from trying it out. It's fine for our gasoline engines. Alot of good results on several different vehicles. I've ran this oil even on my motorcycles. Almost every liter bike Ive had. 2 Yamaha R1s, 2 Kawasaki ZX10Rs & a Suzuki GSXR 1000. Several tached out 12k+ rpm blasts on the Kawasaki ZX10R with no issues whatsoever on all the bikes. I run it in my 500RW '89 Mustang now & previous as well. Awesome oil IMO & can be bought for cheap at the local Walmart... Bob is the oil guy & Blackstone are your friend ;-)

I would be interested in seeing the Blackstone Lab report for this oil used in M54. Can you post up?

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[Smolck]

Use FRESH oil. The rest is arbitrary. Everyone thinks theirs is the best and I have no problem with that. Personally, my oil consumption issues have led me to do a TON of reading on the subject. This can get pretty confusing as the "oil geeks" don't speak laymens terms.

What I know is that my car really seems to like Penzoil Euro 5w40. And why wouldn't it? It is the most expensive oil at the parts store. My car enjoys keeping me poor.

Up until recently, I spent more per month on oil than I did on gas. YIKES!

[Dave1027]

What I know is that my car really seems to like Penzoil Euro 5w40. And why wouldn't it? It is the most expensive oil at the parts store. My car enjoys keeping me poor.

Up until recently, I spent more per month on oil than I did on gas. YIKES!
I rarely buy oil at the parts store. Even though I do not enjoy shopping at Walmart, it does seem to be the best place to buy oil. You can get 5 qt jugs of M1 0w-40 for $25 and that's the regular non sale price.

[Smolck]

I rarely buy oil at the parts store. Even though I do not enjoy shopping at Walmart, it does seem to be the best place to buy oil. You can get 5 qt jugs of M1 0w-40 for $25 and that's the regular non sale price.

100% agree. But Walmart doesn't carry Penzoil Euro Formula. Wish they did.

[JKO_ZHP]

Oh boy another oil thread....
I will say this though, Castrol being imprinted on the cap as the recommended brand is because of sponsorships and whatnot....meaning they basically paid BMW to have their name on the cap. It has nothing to do with if they are actually "recommended" or not. (At least this is what I heard)
I used Mobil 1 before on the 325Ci but then a fellow gearheard/E36 M3 & E39 M5 owner recommended Lubro-Moly (Liqui-Moly) and said his cars have lasted this long on them....since then I've just been a Lubro-Moly guy.

[brewer90]

I would be interested in seeing the Blackstone Lab report for this oil used in M54. Can you post up?



I ran Rotella T6 in my turbo Subaru and also run it in my oil cooled BMW motorcycle. You can find it for $20 a gallon at Wally World. I switched the ZHP over to it last summer. Here are a two consecutive blackstone reports on an E46 that I found (not my car btw).

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f348/carparts03/shellrotellat6.png
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f348/carparts03/ScreenShot2012-08-09at52557PM.png

[gmurphy]

I'm thinking about Lubro Moly 5w-30. Any objections?


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[Romulan]

I've always used castrol full synthetic 5w30. I start burning oil after about 5k miles. Normal, or should I be using something else?

[danewilson77]

I've always used castrol full synthetic 5w30. I start burning oil after about 5k miles. Normal, or should I be using something else?

How much is your oil usage?

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[Washburn]

I've always used castrol full synthetic 5w30. I start burning oil after about 5k miles. Normal, or should I be using something else?

Which castrol 5-30? Is it an LL01 spec'd one?
There are so many varietals :)


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[Smolck]

I like Penzoil 5w40 euro blend because it has a Ferrari emblem on the bottle


Which castrol 5-30? Is it an LL01 spec'd one?
There are so many varietals :)

Castrol doesn't make an Ll-01 spec 5w30 in the U.S.

[danewilson77]

Castrol Euro blend is minimum LL-01 (might be LL-04) spec'd.

Available at AAP's.

[Smolck]

Castrol Euro blend is minimum LL-01 (might be LL-04) spec'd.

Available at AAP's.


Euro blend is the 0w30 stuff.

[danewilson77]

Right.

LL-01 spec'd. His question mark makes me wonder if he knew which weight he wanted.

Took these the last time I did a fluid change.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMAG2076.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMAG2076.jpg.html)

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMAG2075.jpg (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/IMAG2075.jpg.html)

[Smolck]

Right. LL-01 spec'd. His question mark makes me wonder if he knew which weight he wanted.



Yep. But no Ferrari emblem like the Penzoil so it isn't as good.:roundel

[danewilson77]

Lmao.

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[Washburn]

Castrol doesn't make an Ll-01 spec 5w30 in the U.S.
well they don't make it HERE perhaps, but they do make one ;) it looks like this, with a BMW label:

12490

That said, PU euro 5/40 is also my current summer oil - in winter (like now), I have GC 0w/30.

[Smolck]

well they don't make it HERE perhaps, but they do make one ;) it looks like this, with a BMW label:

12490




Indeed, but it don't say Castrol......

And the problem is, readers on the forums see everyone call the BMW stuff "Castrol" and naturally think any Castrol 5w30 is acceptable. And while it won't kill your engine, 5w30 in a Castrol bottle isn't LL-01. Too damn confusing

[Washburn]

No because dealer must have a BMW label, of course;
But it's a well known fact that it is Castrol (the 'BMW' US oil is AKA Castrol softec TXT - not to be confused with Syntec - in Europe..)
(not to mention the Castrol logo on the oil caps is a huge hint)

[Romulan]

Which castrol 5-30? Is it an LL01 spec'd one?
There are so many varietals :)


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I just use the Syntec stuff. I don't believe it's LL01 spec'd, but per BMW website, they recommend "BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Synthetic Oils for BMW M vehicles equipped with S54, S62, S65 or S85 engines"

Since we just have M54, do we really need LL01 grade oil? Now i'm paranoid..

I'll burn about half a quart of oil every 1k miles once I get around the 5 or 6k mark. (california weather)

[Washburn]

LL01 is not only for M cars. It's also a requirement for M54.
Most people would probably agree that half a qt/5k miles is acceptable.

[Smolck]

LL-01 is really only important if you run the ridiculous 15k mile oil change intervals. However, you do want something with high shear resistance, especially if you drive your ZHP the way God intends.

An oil with a Ferrari logo on the bottle is a good choice, because that means when you use it you can rev to 9,000 rpm like a Ferrari too

[danewilson77]

Yep. But... It's always been good to me a all three e46's.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-02-24-20-28-35.png (http://s1015.photobucket.com/user/nicee46/media/Mobile%20Uploads/Screenshot_2014-02-24-20-28-35.png.html)

And the Mini :)

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[BCS_ZHP]

And then my local dealer sells it to me for $6/qt, no limits, thus I don't feel the need to shop around anywhere for a bargain. Even my non-BMWs run BMW synthetic 5W30 oil.

[BRGcoopahS]

LL-01 is really only important if you run the ridiculous 15k mile oil change intervals. However, you do want something with high shear resistance, especially if you drive your ZHP the way God intends.

An oil with a Ferrari logo on the bottle is a good choice, because that means when you use it you can rev to 9,000 rpm like a Ferrari too

Honestly, I just changed my oil after 15k. I only use bmw oil too. The oil sure was black and more "runny" but the car still runs great at the end of the day. I didn't want to wait that long but NJ's winter this year has been brutal and I didn't want to change my oil in 20 degree or less weather. Not only that, but even after 15k miles only once did the yellow oil light come on where I had to top it off. Hardly even burned oil.

I highly recommend bmw oil from the dealer. Not only did it last that long, but it's a lot cheaper (at least where I get it)
$7.58/qt for bmw oil at the dealer
$9.09/qt for castrol syntec 5w30 at my local autozone.

Never buying anything but bmw oil.

[slater]

+1 for shell rotella T6 5w40 here. i haven't done a change in the BMW yet (waiting for supplies...), but i will likely run that.

a long time ago, on another car, i used mobil 1... then i was burning oil. i switched to castrol syntec, and the consumption just about stopped.

fast forward a few years, and i was still using castrol syntec - different car, this one was turbocharged and had 300K miles on it. it ran well but used about a quart between oil changes. i switched to shell rotella T6 5w40 after an oil-nut friend of mine recommended that i try it out. well, i just sold that car (326K miles when it sold) and after switching to rotella T6 i essentially stopped using oil altogether on that car - amazing. i run it in my A4 1.8T and have zero oil consumption issues in that too.

i live out in the sticks, so availability is important too - and 30mins away at my local walmart i can get shell rotella T6 (the nearest BMW dealer is 2.5hrs away). it's $35/5-liter jug here in canada, everything costs more up here...

my $0.02.

peter

[Johal E32]

I run Rotella t6 in the VW TDI and I love it, change the oil every 5k on that car.

Might start to run it on the wagon too, my cousin runs it in his M52 E36 and loves it.

[ELCID86]

From the recent Blackstone newsletter:
"Synthetic or Conventional?So…which oil to choose?
We get asked this question hundreds of times a year on thephone, in e-mails, and written on oil slips. And honestly, from a wear standpoint, we don’tfind a lot of difference between conventional and synthetic oils. Some engines may runbetter on one than the other, or maybe you find that your engine uses less oil on one orthe other, but these things are hard to quantify from our end. There are so many factorsthat affect how your engine wears, what kind of mileage you get, and how long yourengine will last that we could never issue a blanket one-size-fits-all statement saying “You should use X.” "

https://gallery.mailchimp.com/f641390cba42169db49e0cd6e/files/ENG_newsletter_July_2016.01.pdf

[johnrando]

Thanks for posting.

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[BADCLOWN]

I've used amsoil in my last and current ZHP as well as my old trail teams FJ cruiser. You pay for what you get but I love it.