[dreamweave12]

I know there is a lot of talk regarding what oil to use in BMWs if you aren't using their brand synthetic oil? I have searched through many online forums. My car just went out of warranty since it I just drove it over the 50,000 miles (currently at 54000) I live in South Florida so it does get in the 90s in the summer. I am planning on changing my oil every 7500 miles.

I know the below oils are approved with BMW Long-Life rating, but does it matter which one I pick? OR should I just buy whichever one below I can get the best deal on?

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

* Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30

* Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40

* Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

* Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

PS What do you think of these oil drain valves www.qwikvalve.com. I just bought one. U think there is any risk in using one?

[FCP Euro]

If you want the best for your BMW, I would go with the Castrol Edge. If I were you, I would use the Valvoline SynPower because it comes with a 300K mile engine warranty when you start using it before 75K.

Overall, they are all good oils and you can't go wrong with any of them.

[742]

Note that the Valvoline that is approved is the MST version, and I believe that this is only sold in bulk in the United States. As in “55 gallon drum” type of bulk.

Also be aware that the Castrol Edge that is BMW approved is not available in the United States. The Castrol that you are looking for is the Syntec 0W-30. Hopefully this will change.

In terms of availabitly you are realistically looking at BMW oil from the dealer, the Mobil 1 0W-40 or the Castrol Syntec 0W-30. There do not seem to be any chemical engineers on this forum, and I would look upon any specific brand recommendations with a jaundiced eye. So get whatever LL01 approved oil is easiest for you to pick up. And I mean really approved, with “BMW LL01” on the back in little print. Not “recommended for”.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by dreamweave12

I know there is a lot of talk regarding what oil to use in BMWs if you aren't using their brand synthetic oil? I have searched through many online forums. My car just went out of warranty since it I just drove it over the 50,000 miles (currently at 54000) I live in South Florida so it does get in the 90s in the summer. I am planning on changing my oil every 7500 miles.

I know the below oils are approved with BMW Long-Life rating, but does it matter which one I pick? OR should I just buy whichever one below I can get the best deal on?

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

* Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30

* Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40

* Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

* Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you!

PS What do you think of these oil drain valves www.qwikvalve.com. I just bought one. U think there is any risk in using one?

As long as it's from one of the above and you stick with it, you'll be fine. BMW dealership $$ for oil tends to be very competitive.

[ENINTY]

A 7,500 mile oil change interval is half of what the BMW oil is designed for. Most cars have a 7,500 oil change schedule. Why not just stick with the BMW oil? Tischer sells an oil change kit for a reasonable price of $63 incl shipping. No Brainer.

[AlanAZ]

I used Mobil 1 0W40 (now switching to GC 0w30.) Smoother idle when the A/C is running flat-out in middle of the summer as it's a bit thicker at high temp, plus better cold start lubrication as it's thinner when cold - truly a no brainer. Only downside might be very slightly higher friction and less gas mileage, although I didn't notice a hit when I changed from factory 5W30 (but it was summer in AZ), consider also that BMWs are developed in Germany with short, mild summers, and not FL or AZ. I'll change mine every 7,500 mls (as I did with my E46 with M1 0W40.)

I'm a fan of the magnetic drain plugs, it's a good way to see what's going in in the engine, and get more junk out - Turner carries them.

[FCP Euro]

+1, on the magnetic drain plug. I also have one for my transmission too. There is never really anything on them but it is good to have just in case.

[BimmerJack]

I'm planning to do an oil change DIY tomorrow and I live in Hong Kong. Which oil should I use for this hot and humid area? I rev my 335i to redline sometimes.

[FCP Euro]

I would use 10w-40 where you are. I don't believe it ever gets below freezing in Hong Kong so you will be fine.

[BimmerJack]

Originally Posted by FCPGroton

I would use 10w-40 where you are. I don't believe it ever gets below freezing in Hong Kong so you will be fine.

Min Temp: around 10 Celsius or 50 Fahrenheit
Max Temp: around 33 Celsius or 91 Fahrenheit
Rel. Humidity is probably above 80 all the time (I'm not sure, but it's really humid here)

How do 10w-40 compare to 5w30?
I'm thinking to get the original BMW 5w30 High Performance oil.

[FCP Euro]

10w-40 is a heavier weight oil so it is able to handle the heat better. 10w-40 is a better weight then 5w-30.

[Stronie]

Originally Posted by ENINTY

A 7,500 mile oil change interval is half of what the BMW oil is designed for. Most cars have a 7,500 oil change schedule. Why not just stick with the BMW oil? Tischer sells an oil change kit for a reasonable price of $63 incl shipping. No Brainer.

+1 Here's the info...

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...egoryID=104047

and pic...

[bioman]

Is the Castrol Syntec they sell at Walmart the same as German Castrol Syntec?

[742]

Originally Posted by bioman

Is the Castrol Syntec they sell at Walmart the same as German Castrol Syntec?

The Castrol Syntec that is approved [the 0W-30] lists BMW LongLife 01 on the back of the bottle, along with its other approvals. In fact all of the approved oils will have the BMW approval on the back of the bottle.

I would be shocked if it were at Walmart.

[bmw6953]

Honestly I would just stick with the BMW oil, you cant go wrong with it there is not a reason to use anything else its a good oil. Tisher sells the oil change kit for a good price.

[VP-jiminy]

You can do much better price-wise by just buying two Castrol Edge 0W40 (German-made) LL-01 in 5-quart jugs for $22.97 each and a genuine Mann oil filter for $9.50 from Amazon with free shipping.
Buying two 5-qt jugs reduces the cost of oil down to $4.60/qt. No brainer!!

[Vitalität]

Originally Posted by VP-jiminy

You can do much better price-wise by just buying two Castrol Edge 0W40 (German-made) LL-01 in 5-quart jugs for $22.97 each and a genuine Mann oil filter for $9.50 from Amazon with free shipping.
Buying two 5-qt jugs reduces the cost of oil down to $4.60/qt. No brainer!!

First of all, you resurrected this old thread, nearly 7 years old. LOL to that!

Secondly, $4.60 difference? Are you serious?

[LsuGeaux]

Should I continue to buy oil from BMW or is there a cheaper solution?

5w30 BMW Performance, paying around 70$ just for oil. This will be the first year I'll have the beamer in hot Louisiana weather. Should I switch to a different oil for better performance in the new heat climate.

[VP-jiminy]

Vitalität, I didn't "ressurect" the thread, but just threw in my two cents when I came upon it that day.
The 4.60/qt is what the actual price of the oil comes to if buying in 5-qt jugs for a LL-01 quality oil, NOT a $4.60/qt difference. Better than the rip-off price at the stealership. But hey, it's your money...

[Gohan335i7]

Liqui-Moly

[roundle]

If I were in the US, I would probably use one of the following and change it every 10K miles:

* Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30. This is one of the few true 'Group IV' (PAO-based) synthetics sold in that is readily available and cheap

* Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40. While a 'Group III', rarely do you hear bad things

*BMW Branded Castrol (Group III, branded 'Softec' in Europe) or Shell are both good but you are probably paying a premium for the re-branding

If I had just bought a used car, and the engine were dirty, I might be tempted to run a couple (2500 mile) cycles of a true 'Group 5' synthetic like Redline or Motul 300v -- these both have loads of detergents and do a nice job 'cleaning'.

[lab_rat]

Originally Posted by Gohan335i7

Liqui-Moly

I just bought some 5W30 Liqui-Moly myself...