E90Post
 


Extreme Powerhouse
 
BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > Break in oil



Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-11-2005, 02:31 AM   #1
CA330i
Private
2
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E90 330i
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Break in oil

It is my understanding that synthetic oil is insuffecient (too slick) to proberly seal the rings for break in. I will acquire my 330i at the end of the month, and intend to immediately replace the synthetic oil with dino oil to facilitate proper break in. To me, this seems like a no-brainer, and I am surprised that this has not been brought up before. Am I missing something? Please advise.
__________________
E90 330i Ti Grey Burl/ZSP/ZPP/Navi/PDC Manual
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2005, 02:33 AM   #2
Oz
Lieutenant Colonel
Oz's Avatar
United_States
33
Rep
1,770
Posts

Drives: 2006 330i, 2004 X5
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Wayne, NJ

iTrader: (1)

Garage List
2006 330i  [0.00]
Actually, this has been discussed a lot here recently. I just passed the break in period last week (currently 1360 miles) and I don't plan to change it until my next service

And I'd rather not do the first oil change myself. I worry that I might mess something up. How much does the dealer charges for a wanted oil change?
__________________
2006 330i Steptronic/Alpine White/Black Leather/Burl Walnut Trim/Premium Package/iDrive/Heated Seats/Winter: STYLE 159 Blizzak LM-22 RFT/Summer: TBD
2004 X5 Steptronic/Alpine White/Grey Leather/Poplar Trim/Premium Package/Heated Seats/iPod Adapter
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2005, 02:34 AM   #3
HRC
MAUI BUILT
HRC's Avatar
United_States
485
Rep
7,781
Posts

Drives: 2006 330i MT
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NORCAL

iTrader: (10)

Garage List
2002 E46 325i  [0.00]
2012 E70 35i  [0.00]
Quote:
Originally Posted by CA330i
It is my understanding that synthetic oil is insuffecient (too slick) to proberly seal the rings for break in. I will acquire my 330i at the end of the month, and intend to immediately replace the synthetic oil with dino oil to facilitate proper break in. To me, this seems like a no-brainer, and I am surprised that this has not been brought up before. Am I missing something? Please advise.
BMW has designed this engine to run on synthetic, not like the engines we are used to. I would leave it in, dino oil will ruin your car!

Danny
__________________
Arctic/Blk Leather/Alum.Trim/MT/ZSP/Sunshades/Blk Lines/M3 Illuminated Knob/Alcantara Performance Wheel/M-E-Brake Handle/Euro Fog Switch/Koni Yellows/H&R Sport Springs/19" VMR V718's w/PS2 Tires/M-Tech Body Kit/Carbon Fiber Spoiler/Bimmian Interior Bulbs/OEM Eye Glass Tray/SSK/Alcantara Boot/Split Armrest/OEM Dual Rear Power Outlets/Rear Ashtray Delete/OEM Alum. Pedals/Osram 6000K/Brex Rings/LED Side Markers/BMS Power Box
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2005, 02:43 AM   #4
CA330i
Private
2
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E90 330i
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

Hi OZ, thanks for the reply. I don't believe that the issue of whether or not synthetic oil is suffecient for break in as opposed to dino oil has ever been discussed here. There has been plenty of discussion regarding when to change the synthetic oil though. To me that is clear... 1200 miles to flush out shavings etc.. My question concerns the initial (and all important) <50 miles when the piston rings seal. It has always been my understanding that dino oil is superior to synthetic in that regard when it comes to sealing the rings. I would appreciate any thoughts on dino v. synthetic during the short but vital break in period.
__________________
E90 330i Ti Grey Burl/ZSP/ZPP/Navi/PDC Manual
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2005, 02:54 AM   #5
CA330i
Private
2
Rep
91
Posts

Drives: E90 330i
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NC

iTrader: (0)

HRC - thank you for your reply. I appreciate your comments, but to say that BMW has designed the engine to run on synthetic oil without data as to how, concerns me. The rings still need to seal. The slippery nature of synthetic still concerns me. Unless they figured out a way for the rings to seal adequately with syn as opposed to dino then I am still concerned. Dino oil is superior to synthetic for break in. Am I mistakin'?
__________________
E90 330i Ti Grey Burl/ZSP/ZPP/Navi/PDC Manual
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2005, 04:08 AM   #6
E90Fleet
Lieutenant General
South Africa
1307
Rep
10,185
Posts

Drives: BMW
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: South Africa

iTrader: (0)

The tolerances to which these engines are built means they dont need break-in oil.

We tested a E46 at a tuner before work was carried out on it. The car had normal BMW paid services at the stipulated intervals and had over 100,000Km on it, and we tested the compression in each cylinder. The compression was perfectly within factory spec for each cylinder

So the rings were perfectly seated with the normal oil.


With the older engine building technology and tolerances one had to run mineral oil because it took quite a while for the rings to seat, but has not been the case for BMW engines for quite a while now
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2005, 04:10 AM   #7
David328M-Sport
Brigadier General
Australia
100
Rep
3,566
Posts

Drives: F30 M-Sport 328i Estoril Blue
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Melbourne Australia

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by CA330i
Dino oil is superior to synthetic for break in. Am I mistakin'?
Please tell me or better still us what the difference is between the 2 oils. How is the Dino oil better for break in period better than synth oil and why do you believe BMW doesn't use it at all?

I have owned BMWs from new since 1992 without any break in or further problems using BMW's oil. This issue you have just brought up interests me if what you understand from Dino oil holds true.

Are there conclusive tests carried out on cars to show that Dino oil is better? What about long term use of Dino oil?

I await further information with much anticipation. Thanks very much.
__________________
328i M-Sport, Estoril Blue, Carbon XP 35 Tint, front heated seats, black Dakota, Sports Suspension, Anthracite Headliner, HUD, Pro Nav, Sunroof, hk 600w, Bi-Xenon, 19" 403M wheels, Reversing Camera, DAB+, Xenon, BT Ext Connect, MST turbo intake pipe, MST Cold Air Intake, JB4 on Map 2 with Catless DP produces awesome performance in Sport.
Appreciate 0
      09-17-2005, 08:52 PM   #8
n21k
Private
n21k's Avatar
3
Rep
51
Posts

Drives: E90 325i
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2005 E90 325i  [0.00]
1999 E46 320i  [0.00]
What engine oil do you use? My friend recommended Torco racing oil(SAE 10w-30), anyone using?

I'm planning to change my engine oil after the break in period, can someone recommend the right engine oil besides Castrol which BMW recommends.
Appreciate 0
      09-19-2005, 01:10 AM   #9
romeo26
First Lieutenant
42
Rep
354
Posts

Drives: e30 325 (no lette)
Join Date: May 2005
Location: anaheim, cali

iTrader: (0)

i thought it was 0w-40??? or some thing close to that!!
Appreciate 0
      09-25-2005, 06:29 PM   #10
n21k
Private
n21k's Avatar
3
Rep
51
Posts

Drives: E90 325i
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Singapore

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
2005 E90 325i  [0.00]
1999 E46 320i  [0.00]
That's was what my friend used on his E46 and claims very smooth. Not sure if Torco Racing oil comes in 0w-40.

But most lightly, I will stick to Mobil 1 since is LL01 or/and recommended by most BMW mechanic, especially for me since I'm not using my E90 for track or race.
Appreciate 0
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:12 AM.




e90post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST