Engine Oil BEST suited for a 535i

[sneekens]

To my fellow 535ers, what engine oil do you use for your engines?? I'm currently using Castrol Magnatec 10w-40 for my 89,xxxkm (or 55,xxx miles) 535. Ambient temperature here is 30-33 degrees Celsius and could peak at 36 degrees Celsius. Most of the time, it experiences normal city driving situations but at times with spirited runs on the highway:D but not that often though. I religiously change my oil every 4,000 - 4,500 kms. I'm planning to keep my car for a long time..:D

[Ross]

You're already doing the right thing. 36c, where are you?
EDIT genphreak is right on. 10w-40, which I always used in my M30s, is recommended only up to 10c. 20w-50 or even staight 40 is what is recommended in the owners book for '89 M30s. The lighter oil never harmed mine but your temps are typically higher.

[sneekens]

Philippines...:D

[ILoveMPower]

I run 15-40 in New England

Change every 3k miles

M30's like it nice and thick, make sure you let it heat up to full temp before getting too into it

[J.DeFeo]

Amsoil 10w-40 in New England. Again, the M30s like really nice and thick motor oil. You might also want to look into getting a gauranteed group IV or V (true synthetic) like Amsoil. A lot of brands are allowed to sell highly refined dino as synthetic (Mobil 1).

[Zeuk in Oz]

I run Mobil 1 0w-40 in my 3 bimmers, with changes at 8,000 km (5,000 miles).

Very happy with it and the temps here in Summer get up to 45 C.

[sneekens]

Thanks for the info guys! A friend of mine uses 20w-50 here but the thing is, he needs to warm the engine up longer... it experiences erratic idle at first but once it gets to temp, everything is fine... Thats why I opt for the 10w-40, as soon as I start my car, it feels like my m30 likes it.. 15w-40 here are designated for diesel engines but still they have the SL rating like those of gasoline engine oils... BTW, how would you know if the oil is too thin? I never had any OIL consumption from the past, so is right to think that my oil can hold up the heat??

Zeuk in Oz Zeuk:
Wow!! 45C at ambient is HOT!

[bmwrp8]

To my fellow 535ers, what engine oil do you use for your engines?? I'm currently using Castrol Magnatec 10w-40 for my 89,xxxkm (or 55,xxx miles) 535. Ambient temperature here is 30-33 degrees Celsius and could peak at 36 degrees Celsius. Most of the time, it experiences normal city driving situations but at times with spirited runs on the highway:D but not that often though. I religiously change my oil every 4,000 - 4,500 kms. I'm planning to keep my car for a long time..:D


Ummm... migs that friend you where describing would'nt happen to be me??would it?hehehe i'm changing back to castrol...:D this time i'd buy from you:D

[///Sniper535]

Castrol GTX High Mileage 10W40

I've used a product call RESTORE, it's supposed to restore compression and reduce oil consumption. I have felt a small increase in power. Havent noticed anything on the oil consumption yet.

[Mitch90535im]

I had been running Castrol GTX 10W40 in the winter months and 20W50 in heat of summer in my M30, but for the past couple of years I've only used 10W40.

[genphreak]

I think all you guys will find that the right oil depends on design. Factory spec is 20W/50. 10W/50 would be fine, but in a hot country 10W/40 is going to wear your engine more than 20W/50. I know that when I have run 15W/40 in mine, you can hear pronounced valve noise (new head) on a hot day with the engine under load.

I would never use 10/40 in summer, not in an M30. Maybe M50/52 as they are newer, but I'm not really sure.

AFAIK these engines run hot, no pint using an oil that doesn't... only my 2c tho.

[ryan roopnarine]

that chart was made in 1988 or so, when the maximum US grade available was (IIRC) SF or SG. that doesn't mean that you need to be running straight 40 or 20w50 oil at normal to high temperatures.

[sneekens]

Ummm... migs that friend you where describing would'nt happen to be me??would it?hehehe i'm changing back to castrol...:D this time i'd buy from you:D


hahaha!! maybe... BTW, Alfredo's 535i is well taken care of now using Mobil1 5w-50 with only 65,xxxkms in his car. Still a long way to go... Yours proved that an m20 is also a reliable engine... 250,xxx kms! Still doing those spirited runs in our fun runs! :D

[bmwrp8]

hahaha!! maybe... BTW, Alfredo's 535i is well taken care of now using Mobil1 5w-50 with only 65,xxxkms in his car. Still a long way to go... Yours proved that an m20 is also a reliable engine... 250,xxx kms! Still doing those spirited runs in our fun runs! :D

hehehe now its 262,000kms. and STILL growing:D

[Derek A.]

mobil 1 15w50 year round.

[sneekens]

thanks for the inputs guys... BTW, something concerns me, having my temp gauge ALWAYS at normal range (even though it tells the water temp in the engine), a friend of mine once said my engine "feels hotter" when he checked the engine compartment. is this because of using a thinner oil? or does the m30 tends to be hotter than m20's, m50's etc.?

[Ross]

thanks for the inputs guys... BTW, something concerns me, having my temp gauge ALWAYS at normal range (even though it tells the water temp in the engine), a friend of mine once said my engine "feels hotter" when he checked the engine compartment. is this because of using a thinner oil? or does the m30 tends to be hotter than m20's, m50's etc.?
Who is your friend? Gabriel Fahrenheit?
I'd trust the gauge first.

[bmwrp8]

thanks for the inputs guys... BTW, something concerns me, having my temp gauge ALWAYS at normal range (even though it tells the water temp in the engine), a friend of mine once said my engine "feels hotter" when he checked the engine compartment. is this because of using a thinner oil? or does the m30 tends to be hotter than m20's, m50's etc.?


hahahaha...just told you that for gags migs:D don't get paranoid hehehe don't worry your car is fine...Oi when's the next funrun dude?tagaytay would be nice.

[J.DeFeo]

thanks for the inputs guys... BTW, something concerns me, having my temp gauge ALWAYS at normal range (even though it tells the water temp in the engine), a friend of mine once said my engine "feels hotter" when he checked the engine compartment. is this because of using a thinner oil? or does the m30 tends to be hotter than m20's, m50's etc.?

The M30 is a bit on the spicy side for an NA engine but it's certainly nothing to worry about.

[mamilapon]

Well Ive been using Penrite 15 (semi syn) which is a 15w60 oil. My m30 and I love it!

[sneekens]

Who is your friend? Gabriel Fahrenheit?
I'd trust the gauge first.

haha!!!:D

Congessman, we can have have it after we have our meeting... Lets set some guidelines of our club... hehe... Maybe end of this month??

hey guys, thanks again!:)

[saj3n]

Makes me think now, a little warm here on the east coast, I just picked up Mobile 1 Syn 15w-50... should be good right?

[Qube]

Mobil 1 High Mileage 10W-40... though the price has me pondering Castrol's alternative...

[Paul in NZ]

castrol 5w 30 full synthetic year round...it doesnt get that hot here tho..you guys are still thinking "old" synthetics can be thin AND handle the heat....you must consider the start up phase,thats where all the wear occurs.

[BMWDriver]

I get Motul 5W40 from my mechanic who recommends it. Gets awful cold in the winter up here. The previous owner had Castrol regular oil in there. Since going back to synthetic, I've lost no coolant, whereas I had to add some around every 3000 kms.

That's about 8000 kms ago.

[John B.]

I was running the M1 0w/40 for the past couple years but just switched to Castrol Syntech 5w/50.