Am I buying the correct oil?

L

Larsbjerregaard

Member
Just wanted to make sure I'm getting the right oil for my 3.0 M54.

Sorry it's in German but I think it'll make sense anyways: http://www.ebay.de/itm/400764378110?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
 
Check here: http://oilselector.castrol.com/c/uk/eng/search
 
There's a whole list of oils for the Z4 listed in the TIS manual, pick one and go.

Oil choice isn't the black art most people perceive it to be - read the manual and go with BMW's recommendations. They make the things so they should know what's best to use - every car and bike forum has page after page of bollox written about what oils are best. But - that people is THE bottom line....RTFM and go with whatever the maker suggests, honestly, they've invested lots and lots of money researching it, so they will know probably better than anyone else what the engine requires - certainly more than "Forum Clive from Cleethorpes" - who uses some brew his mate down the pub says is, "Ace" but no bugger's ever heard of!

For what it's worth my car engine has Motul LL04 oil in it. It meets all the specs laid down by BMW and Motul are one of the best oil producers out there - even if they are French! I've used it in my bikes and cars for years ne'er a problem. Modern main brand engine oils are superb, the name on it is irrelevant - read the label and if it conforms to BMW specs go for it, if it doesn't put it back on the shelf.

Apologies for the rant, wife away - Guinness and Scotch on tap = lethal combination :D I is pished hic!!
 
The mechanic gave me some random brand with 5W-40. Suspicious, i looked it up and this is what i remember. As far as i understand, you want to use a full synthetic with little or no additives (which is the BMW list). I think they also have a list of "longlife" approved oils.

The viscosity(thickness) of the oil depends on the temperature. You basically want to pick something that wont be too thick when its cold and wont be too thin when its hot. The format is like #W-##
The first part (#W) is the rating for cold (Viscosity at 0 degrees C). 0W thinner & 10W thicker. => Colder weather (like freezing and snow) use 0W and hotter weather use 10W
The second part (##) is the rating for heat (viscsity at 100 degrees C). 30 is thinner & 40 is thicker. => Colder weather use 30W and hotter weather use 40W

Ive been told (so its not a fact, but just what ive heard) that thicker oil is also better for higher mileage cars. Since the seals are starting to wear out, the thicker oil tends to leak less (through the seals) and you will burn less oil.
 
JohnnyC said:
The mechanic gave me some random brand with 5W-40. Suspicious, i looked it up and this is what i remember. As far as i understand, you want to use a full synthetic with little or no additives (which is the BMW list). I think they also have a list of "longlife" approved oils.

The viscosity(thickness) of the oil depends on the temperature. You basically want to pick something that wont be too thick when its cold and wont be too thin when its hot. The format is like #W-##
The first part (#W) is the rating for cold (Viscosity at 0 degrees C). 0W thinner & 10W thicker. => Colder weather (like freezing and snow) use 0W and hotter weather use 10W
The second part (##) is the rating for heat (viscsity at 100 degrees C). 30 is thinner & 40 is thicker. => Colder weather use 30W and hotter weather use 40W

Ive been told (so its not a fact, but just what ive heard) that thicker oil is also better for higher mileage cars. Since the seals are starting to wear out, the thicker oil tends to leak less (through the seals) and you will burn less oil.
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Thank you. I've bought Castrol 5w30 which is suitable for Scandinavian summer.
 
I'm about to do an oil change this coming weekend I I currently have 4lt of Castrol Edge FST 5w-30, fully synthetic. Is this ok for the N52 3.0lt or should I be looking at 0W-30? Like people have said there seems to be so many different answers, i'd just like a point in the right direction.

Thanks.
 
Coolio. I happened to have 4lt of the stuff already so I only need to buy another 4lt. A nice little bonus.
 
Another Brucey bonus. Asda are selling 4lt of castrol edge for £30. Said £38 on shelf but self service desk scanned it as £30. Can't complain.
 
Roundozo said:
Another Brucey bonus. Asda are selling 4lt of castrol edge for £30. Said £38 on shelf but self service desk scanned it as £30. Can't complain.
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Thats a good price, i would get another two and stock up for the next oil change if you can :)
 
Already done that! Lol :thumbsup:

It's asda in chandlers ford, Hampshire if anyone else is interested. It just came up as oil on the till so I wonder if they've got the barcodes mixed up with their cheaper oil? Anyway, I'm not complaining.
 
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