Why doesn't anyone use BMW brand high performance 5w-30 motor oil?

hencini · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 02:38:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hencini

I use it. According to my dealership counter guys, it's just repackaged Castrol 5W-30 Synthetic... But I use it because they sell it to me for $5/qt., which is nice...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammyzuko

I was using it, but recently I switched to Castrol 5W-30 Synthetic since I don't have to go to the dealer to get it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedsBlue

I think the only real reason is because of the price markup. If you can get it cheap, or are just rich... do et.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerman325i

Two reasons for me:

OEM isn't 15w50, which is the closest to what my mechanic recommended (20w50)

I got a nice discount on the Mobil1, that's why I went with it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BleedsBlue

Last time I checked the BMW stuff was $10 a quart everywhere and the M1 same weight was $6.50.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hencini

BMWCCA membership + Autohaus discount means you don't have to be rich...

Indeed. List price on that stuff is obscene if you just walk in off the street any buy it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugm3

i used to run the 10w60 motorsport oil but have since switched to amsoil 5w40 european car formula.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ButtDyno

I can't buy BMW oil across the street whenever I feel like it. But I can buy Shell Rotella 5W40 across the street whenever I feel like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by salty

Castrol Syntec 5W30 is not rated LL1 like the BMW oil. There are only a few oils that meet that spec. Castrol 5W40, Mobil 1 0W40 do. The only oil BMW suggests for my E46 2.5 litre is their 5W30 LL1. It costs $1 more per litre than Castrol Syntec. Not sure if LL1 is relevant for the E36.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hencini

Weird... I thought the counter guys said it was just Castrol 5W30 repackaged. Maybe there's something more to it, or maybe they just said Castrol made it and I made the assumption that it was a repackage... :hmmm:

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDM88

They're both closer to $7/$8 around here when I've bought them both in the past.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mtpktz.

I bought 7 quarts from Schomp (C470 and Lucent) for $5.99/quart FWIW.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmerman325i

Factory spec for the 95 was non-synthetic 20w50 down to ~20 degrees F or so. I think it'll be fine, I have a scoob for super cold days. 10w40 was the recommendation for winter use.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maginnovision

I've been using a 5w50 castrol syntec, Not sure if I'll keep using it since recently I've been getting tapping valves, which I never got before. Could be something else I did about 3 weeks ago so I'll give it 1 more change. Used the BMW stuff once, but that was because I got it for 3$ a quart. I also get the castrol for pretty damn cheap having the parts guy order it for me since we get a nice discount since we get a dealer discount.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreeFlowM3

still no bmw brand oil talk!

Since you obviously missed the dozen or so posts (other than yours) directly related to BMW oil, I quoted them above.

I3MW · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 02:57:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FreeFlowM3

still no bmw brand oil talk!

I used to use it. Used it for a little while, starting when I first bought the car, but I always knew that I would switch after I did my reading. I say when in doubt use it but I also think it's just a matter of time before you find the oil that you like best and is practical for you to use. For me I went to Amsoil after because I think they make a good oil and they offered a slightly thicker hot viscosity while keeping the cold weight the same. It was expensive but worth the money IMO and the shipping was very fast so it was practical. However, recently I've been using Rotella 5w-40 because I have been reading good things about it for a while and recently noticed they carry it at my local autozone. Around that time it seems like a number of people started trying it out (perhaps they just started stocking it) and so there's a bunch of guys running it with good things to say. That said the only real way to know is to test the oil but I don't ever plan on going back to BMWs oil. I could let you know about the rotella though

mugm3 · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:56:44 AM

because it sucks. jk. i ran the bmw 10-60 so that is all i know. but i dont see what the problem would be running the 5-30 as long as your not in a super hot climate most of the time. i would probably switch to something thicker in the summer and use the 5-30 in the winter.

hencini · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 11:43:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mugm3

because it sucks. jk. i ran the bmw 10-60 so that is all i know. but i dont see what the problem would be running the 5-30 as long as your not in a super hot climate most of the time. i would probably switch to something thicker in the summer and use the 5-30 in the winter.

FWIW, BMW now recommends 5W-30 for the E36 year round...

**Synenergy52** · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 04:31:24 PM

Oil preference is a very personal thing. Don't ever tell a man he's using the wrong oil hahaha

M3n00b · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 04:43:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by das borgen

Mobil1 makes it (Walmart, etc etc etc), Amsoil makes it

I'm over mobil 1...can't find amsoil.

TrainwreckFilms · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 06:49:13 PM

Castrol GTX NON Synthetic 20W50 which it came with from the dealer

**Synenergy52** · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 07:15:32 PM

LL01-approved Mobil 1 0W40, FTW!

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3n00b

I'm over mobil 1...can't find amsoil.

Diesel///M3 · Wed, Sep-15-2010, 08:17:37 PM

I use BMW 5W30 because my '98M has always been treated to oem. I just want to stay consistent. With BMWCCA discount, I get it for $6.50 per quart. Not a terrible price imo.

FreeFlowM3 · Thu, Sep-16-2010, 12:20:51 AM

so whats the best oil for quieting the engine up a little bit?

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 03:56:44 AM	#33
mugm3 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 791 Reputation: 0 Location: indy	because it sucks. jk. i ran the bmw 10-60 so that is all i know. but i dont see what the problem would be running the 5-30 as long as your not in a super hot climate most of the time. i would probably switch to something thicker in the summer and use the 5-30 in the winter. __________________ 200k club w/ m3cosmos 95,darkapostle,and mugm3, clarkeburns

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 06:49:13 PM	#37
TrainwreckFilms R.I.P. Dinan Drop Top Join Date: Jan 2010 Posts: 47 In the garage: '98 BMW M3 Convertible '98 BMW M3 Reputation: 0 Location: Menlo Park	Castrol GTX NON Synthetic 20W50 which it came with from the dealer __________________ R.I.P. 1998 E36 M3 Vert 5 Spd Black on DoveGray

Wed, Sep-15-2010, 08:17:37 PM	#39
Diesel///M3 Oh no you d'nt! Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 837 Reputation: 0 Location: Buffalo, NY	I use BMW 5W30 because my '98M has always been treated to oem. I just want to stay consistent. With BMWCCA discount, I get it for $6.50 per quart. Not a terrible price imo. __________________ "Its not who we are underneath, but what we do that defines us." -Jay Upgrades: AA Gen III, AA track pipe, AA tune, H&R Sports, blown Bilsteins, TMS aluminum RSMs, UUC tranny mounts(red), UUC sways, TMS RTABs, M50, CAI, 10mm front spacers, X-brace, Brembo/Hawk, SS brake lines, ltw flywheel/JB clutch, CDV delete, Alpine HU Coming soon: Powerflex subframe bushings, RE RSMs, UUC RTABS, Koni's, AA diff support bracket, new diff mounts, AA 3.5" CAI, Euro 3.5" HFM, Bimmerworld 3.5'-3" elbow, UUC SSK/DSSR, 140a alternator, 6000K HID heads and fogs...

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Wed, Sep-15-2010, 04:31:24 PM	#35
Synenergy52 Banned Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1,451 Reputation: 0 Location: Los Angeles	Oil preference is a very personal thing. Don't ever tell a man he's using the wrong oil hahaha

Thu, Sep-16-2010, 12:20:51 AM	#40
FreeFlowM3 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 16 Reputation: 0 Location: Coastal MA/NH	so whats the best oil for quieting the engine up a little bit?