Oil...

[PHZ]

The place that sold me the car gave it "fresh oil and filter"...
But i have discovered that it's NOT on the approved list for BMW oils. They used 5w 30 synthetic . I seriously doubt they used a BMW filter.

A BMW mechanic friend told me that i should eventually get the oil changed with an approved oil, along with a BMW filter [he said this was almost more important than the oil].

He lives in a different state, so is not trying to sell me something.:)


ANy thoughts as to how long would be "ok" to drive before replacing with approved products?

[HokieZHP]

I think you'd be fine for a little while but a BMW brand filter is not necessary. Mann filters are just fine.

[danewilson77]

www.germanfilters.com

5W-30 FS is approved if it was BMW. What type 5W-30 did they use. I would swap it with some M1 0W-40 or aforementioned BMW oil. Its important to meet the LL-01 spec...imo

[webster]

a lot of us run OEM (Castrol) BMW 5w30 synthetic exclusively. can't go wrong there.

[Crestwood1001]

Yea I run OEM oil, not that expensive and it's LL01

[echo46]

I always run mobile 1 0w40 and either Mann filter or BMW filter.

[brettbimmer]

For the zhp, Castrol factory spec oil, and Mahle or Mann every 4,000 miles.

FWIW, I have been running conventional Autozone brand engine oil in my M44 for many, many miles without incident - currently at 241,600 and counting. However, I am religious about 3,000 mile change intervals, and always change the filter with the oil.

I have seen 15,000 miles on filters when my mechanic is working on customer cars, and they literally crumble in his hands when he removes them. (Nightmares of filter failure have ensued). :)

To quote a famous Mafia boss: "Ask three people, get four answers." I think this applies here to.

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[PHZ]

He used Castrol 5w30 synthetic

[PHZ]

So how long should I use this before replacing ?

[brettbimmer]

So how long should I use this before replacing ?

Sounds like factory spec oil then, as Castrol 5w-30 is what BMW recommends. Duration of use? Tons of opinions on this question. Personally I go 4,000 miles between changes with factory Castrol.

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[zj96sc]

While I respect your right to do as you please, 4,000 miles is a little aggressive IMO. Extremely high quality synthetic not done at 4k unless you are absolutley pounding the motor....I guess ultimately an oil workup would give you your answer but I'd wager you're draining good oil. I'm pretty comfortable with 7500. I think I'd be more apt to do a filter twice for every 7500 - especially with BMW's canister style filter.

[brettbimmer]

While I respect your right to do as you please, 4,000 miles is a little aggressive IMO. Extremely high quality synthetic not done at 4k unless you are absolutley pounding the motor....I guess ultimately an oil workup would give you your answer but I'd wager you're draining good oil. I'm pretty comfortable with 7500. I think I'd be more apt to do a filter twice for every 7500 - especially with BMW's canister style filter.

Totally agree. I'm just crazy about having really clean oil. I'm in the minority at that early interval I realize.

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[danewilson77]

While I respect your right to do as you please, 4,000 miles is a little aggressive IMO. Extremely high quality synthetic not done at 4k unless you are absolutley pounding the motor....I guess ultimately an oil workup would give you your answer but I'd wager you're draining good oil. I'm pretty comfortable with 7500. I think I'd be more apt to do a filter twice for every 7500 - especially with BMW's canister style filter.

+1...7500-9000 miles is pretty common in this area OP.

Sent from Williamsburg, VA USA

[johnrando]

Yeah, eventually that should be replaced, but there is no urgency to do it. I'd probably make the change on the early side of the time/miles to change it though.

[PHZ]

Thanx. That was what I was looking for.

Thanx everyone.
Having the transmission and diff fluids flushed tomorrow at Bullet Performance, so I can start my maintenance program from a fresh start.

I'll post on "what I did..." tomorrow ;)