[Stucks]

Doing my next oil change soon and just wanted to get some opinions on my choices for oils. My car is a 2008 335i coupe. Thanks.

[dzenno]

use oem..

[Stucks]

Well I wanted to start using a true synthetic. The oem bmw HP 5w-30 is not a true synthetic. Its basically regular dino oil with the molecules messed with to have some of the properties of a true synthetic.

Both the oils i listed are LL-01 approved by bmw.

[brianwad]

Originally Posted by Stucks

Well I wanted to start using a true synthetic. The oem bmw HP 5w-30 is not a true synthetic. Its basically regular dino oil with the molecules messed with to have some of the properties of a true synthetic.

Both the oils i listed are LL-01 approved by bmw.

It is widely reported the oem oil is the european castrol full synthetic 5-30 generally sold in stores.

[dzenno]

Originally Posted by brianwad

It is widely reported the oem oil is the european castrol full synthetic 5-30 generally sold in stores.

+1

if anything, i'd go for the new gold bottle Castrol Edge 5w-30...oil discussions are usually like a song that never ends

[tsa1]

I've got some 0w-40 Mobil one that I got on sale sitting in the garage, but my car is getting an oil change later this month! hope it doesn't go bad haha

[ska///235i]

does oil expire?

[AlanAZ]

For what it's worth, Dr, Haas prefers GC over M1. His recommendations updated in 2010 are 1/3 of the way through:

http://ferrarichat.com/forum/faq.php?faq=haas_articles

[roundle]

Originally Posted by brianwad

It is widely reported the oem oil is the european castrol full synthetic 5-30 generally sold in stores.

The oil sold by BMW is the states is known as Castrol Softec in Europe. It's not bad oil, but it's still a "group 3" oil. In Europe, the BMW dealers use the Castrol SLX 0W30 (PAO-based, group 4) in the newer cars and Castrol Softec 5W30 in the older cars.

**update**

SLX is has been re-branded as Edge:

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=433503

[AlanAZ]

The BMW 5w30 oil (which is it is a Group III hydrocracked oil), cannot be called synthetic in Europe. And is not as good as GC, which is a Group IV/PAO full synthetic.

[sdalpha]

Originally Posted by brianwad

It is widely reported the oem oil is the european castrol full synthetic 5-30 generally sold in stores.

The Castrol Syntec European Formula sold in the US, commonly nicknamed as German Castrol because it is Made in Germany, is 0w30 (not 5w30) and is a Grp IV synthetic. The 5w30 oil sold at BMW dealerships is not German Castrol.

[F32Fleet]

Whichever is cheaper. Both should end up with essentially the same results. As for the post over syn in europe that is only in Germany. Gr3+ oils perform as well or better than PAO in some cases. Besides most euro oils sold in the US are a mixture of GR3,PAO,ESTER. Generally speaking 0w-x oils have more PAO than the 5w-x.equivalent (45 vs 51% matter?)

Theres also a 5w40 Castrol which was upgradedto LL01 from LL98.

On a side note there are some LL04 oils which you could use if you're doing a 7k mile OCI. These oils have been used in BMW engines since '04 but on a factory OCI in Europe. I wouldn't do that in the US on our gas. LL04 are low-Saps and therefore may reduce intake deposits for your DI engine.

[335IAF]

I used Castrol Euro blend 0w-30 in my 330ci and in my 335i both. I like It

[bhf335]

either one its fine, i been using mobile 0-40w

[spoiler]

I use RP since last year and nothing bad has happen everything runs smoothly. my 2 cents..

[spool twice]

just to bump this up.

Advance autoparts is running a special on Mobile 1 synthetic 5QT for $32.99 with a purchase of there Mobile 1 oil filter (none spec for an N54, but just buy any random one so you get the discount).

Autozone is running a special on Castrol Syntec (this includes the european 0W30 formula that my autozone has stock piles of) 5QT for $32.99 with a purchase of a K&N oil filter (again, just buy any random one as there isn't an N54 spec one).

Both oils are LL-01 approved, you'll just have to purchase 2 additional bottles @ the normal $8.67 rate. It's under $52 for just oil alone which is a steal.

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by AlanAZ

The BMW 5w30 oil (which is it is a Group III hydrocracked oil), cannot be called synthetic in Europe. And is not as good as GC or M1, which are both Group IV/PAO full synthetics.

Thank you for this information, very helpful.

[Stucks]

I actually chose to get the german castrol 0w-30 edge syntec or whatever its now called, and just completed an oil change using it! Mobile 1 0w-40 is also very good, I just wanted to see which one was more popular. Seems they both are popular choices!

[gatoman39]

I prefer the GC. It acts more like a 40 oil which for your turbo application will be good. If you have Pepboys around you it's on sale now. The M1 Euro is easier to find. I don't think you can go wrong using either oil. You can read till your eyes bleed about this on the European Oil Forums:

BITOG

[Stucks]

So far, the GC 0w-30 seems to be smoother when then engine is at full operating temperature than the oem 5w-30 bmw synthetic oil i was using before. I am pleased with it.

[ZJP]

M1 0W-40 is easier to find in stores, just go with that.

[Casca]

Was going to use Pentosin Pentospeed 0w30 (LL01 approved), which was $12ish per liter and no doubt a hefty shipping cost, but saw Castrol 0w30 at Pepboys for $40 (5 quartz and a bosch or fram oil filter.....got filter for other car). Would have gotten another set of 5 bottles if they had it.

Stopped at Autozone and saw they had the same deal but better. $32.99 for 5 bottles plus a K&N oil filter. Wish I would have read here first, would have headed straight to Autozone. They even let me get an STP oil filter instead of the K&N, but rung me up for the K&N so I could get the deal. The STP filter (S10075) is made in Germany and looks like it came out of the same factory that makes OEM.