BMW Approved mineral oil

[wingman]

Can somebody please either give me a link or a list of BMW approved mineral oils. I can get most oils at cost price so I want to find out what's on the list.

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

Just cause it's cheap, don't mean its good....

Stick with synthetic

[wingman]

Just cause it's cheap, don't mean its good....

Stick with synthetic

From my records the car has had mineral oil all of its life. As if i'd switch to it just to be 'cheap'?!?!:(

[Alexlind123]

Mineral oil is fine. If the M30 has been known to last 500k miles on "mineral" oil, then im sure its ok.

[TwoWheelJay]

U mean engine oil? Because theres that Pentisol stuff for the power steering....isnt that a "mineral oil"

[Alexlind123]

I thought they mean dino oil, like valvoline. Its remotely possible that i have wrong though. It has been know to happen.

[Zeuk in Oz]

Doesn't the owners manual give a list of weights & specs ?
Don't have my E34 here so I can't check.

[632 Regal]

id stick with synthetic but if the car currently has (dino) mineral oil Id still stick to synthetic.

[liquidtiger720]

Synthetic makes my seals weep.

But, I'm still using it. haha.

[genphreak]

id stick with synthetic but if the car currently has (dino) mineral oil Id still stick to synthetic.Beware wingman, in Austrlaia we use oils that have a higher temperature rating to retain viscosity in a tropical climate. Overseas a lot of climates are colder, so advice you get must take that into account. A mate of mine just bought 0W/30 synthetic for his Skyline, and I fear it won't give the same lubricative qualities as any good 10W/40 oil in our climate. The Australian handbook specifies 20W/50 I think, as it is rarely cold here. If I lived in the mountains I think I'd use 10W/40 or 0W/40 synthetic. In Sydney it's ok to use 20W/50 dino oil so long as one changes it regularly. I have used Valvoline or whatever is cheap- but Castrol GTX-III (Castrol 15W-40, API SL/CF) or GTX-II (20W-50, API SL/CF) are my preference now as these are a decent grade. Never use the API SC/CC grade 20W/50 stuff they sell to suckers, it's an old grading, but in doing this I tend to change it often- every 7500km or 2.5 months. That way I know I'm keeping the old girl clean and well lubed- I'd hate to think there could be nasties floating around inside her wrecking my handiwork. Some say synthetic doesn't break down so much and is more consistent. I just like the idea of changing the oil more often and spending the leftover money on more important things... but that being said I use synthetic in the tranny and the power steering, and next time I do the diff its going in there too... :) Nick

[wingman]

Some good info and thanks. I've been using Valvoline XLD Plus which is 10-50. It did a great job in the E12 and also in my wife's Subaru. My specialist uses Motul(sp.) which is on the BMW approved list. I just can't get a copy of this list. I've seen the synth list but not the other. My father doesn't stock Motul but he does stock Valvoline, Castrol, Mobil, Penrite and some others that I can't think of at the moment. I'll keep looking on the net.

[Kalevera]

It probably would have been a Castrol product, but don't quote me on it. All of the BMW branded stuff would have been relabeled (conveniently not mentioning true source), anyway. I personally like the valvoline 5w30 dino, myself. Seems to stay cleaner longer.

I prefer synthetic, but it's important to remember that these cars didn't come with synthetic from the factory -- they were still using dino.

best, whit

[Zeuk in Oz]

it's important to remember that these cars didn't come with synthetic from the factory -- they were still using dino.

best, whit
Interesting, because I have been told by a number of BMW people here in Oz that they were using full synthetics in the late 80s. However I bow to your greater knowledge.

Tony, I use Mobil 1 0W40 on my M20 without any obvious ill effects - it has done 245 kkm now. So far I am very impressed with it - the only problem has been getting it - like rocking horse **** - but I have now bought enough of it that my local parts shop stocks it ! :)

[wingman]

Howdy Bo and thanks for your reply! I can get most oils for the price of a few minty wrappers. My father uses the approved Castrol stuff in his E46 and it only comes in something like 20 ltr drums. I'm hesitant to swap to fully synth in one go. Maybe a blend for a few changes to condition the seals. I can buy 5 ltrs of synth for about AU$20. Cost is not an issue but I'm afraid of freaking out the engine and the seals. BTW, was it you that posted the motor v. engine post?

[Kalevera]

BMW didn't start using synthetic engine oil ("special oils") until 1996; even then, it was on a few select engines, like the S52. BMW HPS was phased in for '99 model year cars. Now, everything gets BMW HPS (Castrol somethinerother) or TWS (S54/S62/probably S85, don't know off the top of my head).


best, whit

[Scott H]

$Dealer$ $for$ $an$ $oil$ $change$


BMW didn't start using synthetic engine oil ("special oils") until 1996; even then, it was on a few select engines, like the S52. BMW HPS was phased in for '99 model year cars. Now, everything gets BMW HPS (Castrol somethinerother) or TWS (S54/S62/probably S85, don't know off the top of my head).


best, whit

[Blitzkrieg Bob]

With just one sacred oil change, you all can live on in the slippery path of synthetic righteousness.

Now all join hands and say Hallelujah! and repeat after me...We can all reach 200k in the shadow of a Mobil 1 bottle, and enjoy the varnish free rewards to be given to all who dare peer under the oil cap deep into the depths of the valve cover.

Ahmen Brothers & Sisters

Now please send money, so I can afford to keep my fleet free from sin.