[epicazoi]

So this is my first E90 and I'm not going to rant about the dipstick or lack of. I do have a question for you fellas that are more familiar wit this model.

I acquired this car on 8/22 and the previous owner said he would always do synthetic Mobil One 5-30. At around 10/15 the oil light came on to add +1 quart of oil. I drove about 10 miles to the nearest Walmart and added a quart of synthetic M1 0-W40. The oil level went up to the line above the "M" for max not all the way to the full. Now after driving around I'm right on the middle of min and max (I attached a pic for you all)

Sorry for the rant,

1: Do I use Mobil 5-30 or 0W40?
2: Is this oil level ok or do I add a bit more or do I wait for the add+1 quart?
3: What type of Castrol oil can I use (oil cap says Castrol)



Thanks in advance fellas!

[v6turbo]

It should be fine, for where you live I would use the 5w30, the min. is 1 quart low, if you wanted to get it to the max, you could start by adding a small amount say 1/4 of a quart and check it, but I think you are about 1/2 quart low which is not that big deal for a 6 qt. system.

[ctuna]

Take a few readings and average them out.
If you like to keep it right to the top add about 400 ml
and take a few readings. when you are getting close to the
top only add about 200ml at a time and take a few readings
afterwards on seprate drives. Since it was low you might consider
and early oil change. Most that want to keep there cars a long
time change the oil at 7500 to 10000 miles or once a year .

Beware the level reading will not immediately update after adding
oil its like it needs to think about it awhile . The soonest I have seen it update is 30 minutes of driving after adding a little.

[Mardio]

I hear your rant on the dipstick...

[epicazoi]

Originally Posted by v6turbo

It should be fine, for where you live I would use the 5w30, the min. is 1 quart low, if you wanted to get it to the max, you could start by adding a small amount say 1/4 of a quart and check it, but I think you are about 1/2 quart low which is not that big deal for a 6 qt. system.

Thanks for your prompt reply, so M1 5W30 will do fine ha?

[v6turbo]

Yes the m1 is fine, that's what I use. As long as it the synthetic.

[epicazoi]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Take a few readings and average them out.
If you like to keep it right to the top add about 400 ml
and take a few readings. when you are getting close to the
top only add about 200ml at a time and take a few readings
afterwards on seprate drives. Since it was low you might consider
and early oil change. Most that want to keep there cars a long
time change the oil at 7500 to 10000 miles or once a year .

Beware the level reading will not immediately update after adding
oil its like it needs to think about it awhile . The soonest I have seen it update is 30 minutes of driving after adding a little.

Great info good to know. So just top up to the max line but not filling up the whole level right?

[epicazoi]

Originally Posted by v6turbo

Yes the m1 is fine, that's what I use. As long as it the synthetic.

Is the M1 5w30 synthetic approved? The M1 0w40 I put in said it was approved by BMW.

[epicazoi]

Originally Posted by Mardio

I hear your rant on the dipstick...

Lol it is an inconvenience I won't lie, however I'm pretty sure BMW engineers are not stupid and did iy for a reason.

[brinkmann]

Originally Posted by epicazoi

Lol it is an inconvenience I won't lie, however I'm pretty sure BMW engineers are not stupid and did iy for a reason.

Yeah but I don't think it's a reason that had the consumer's best interest in mind, haha.

[epicazoi]

So any comments on the use of Castrol? It says to use Castrol on the oil cap.

[epicazoi]

Originally Posted by brinkmann

Yeah but I don't think it's a reason that had the consumer's best interest in mind, haha.

Touché.

[brinkmann]

Originally Posted by epicazoi

So any comments on the use of Castrol? It says to use Castrol on the oil cap.

That's nothing more than a marketing agreement between BMW and Castrol -- any decent quality, fully synthetic oil will be fine.

[F32Fleet]

Don't worry about the level and you generally don't want to top off oil that is less than 1 quart/liter from full.

As for Castrol. It's up to you. Castrol and BMW have had a relationship for over 20 years.

It's not marketing. BMW engineers use Castrol in power plant design. You can use any oil you want in the car but BMW recommends at least an oil with the LL01 approval.

BMW dealer oil, Castrol 0W40, 0w30, or M1 0W40 for example. Shell has some good ones as well (penzoil).

[epicazoi]

Originally Posted by Socom

Don't worry about the level and you generally don't want to top off oil that is less than 1 quart/liter from full.

As for Castrol. It's up to you. Castrol and BMW have had a relationship for over 20 years.

It's not marketing. BMW engineers use Castrol in power plant design. You can use any oil you want in the car but BMW recommends at least an oil with the LL01 approval.

BMW dealer oil, Castrol 0W40, 0w30, or M1 0W40 for example. Shell has some good ones as well (penzoil).

Great thanks!

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by epicazoi

Is the M1 5w30 synthetic approved? The M1 0w40 I put in said it was approved by BMW.

M1 0W-40 is the only LL-01 approved weight. (There may be a European 5W-30 not easily available in the US/CA.)

[GStar1]

Down here in Texas I use 5-30 Mobil 1, Synthetic, with a quart of Lucas Synthetic Oil Additive, helps keep my lifters sounding good! Just my .02

[Three_thirty_I]

The lack of a dipstick and for that matter temperature gauge was not thought out with the best interest of the consumer in mind...

[Meanshyguy]

so M1 5w30 or 0w40 weight?

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by Meanshyguy

so M1 5w30 or 0w40 weight?

Mobil 1 0w40 is approved by BMW, the 5w30 is not.

Tom

[floydarogers]

Originally Posted by Meanshyguy

so M1 5w30 or 0w40 weight?

Was my post not clear?

[pruettfan]

You don't want to add oil to these cars until they show that they are low, the chance of overfilling is high. The car has a 7 quart capacity and will not show an add oil warning till it is a full quart low.