castrol stop start 5-30 c2 oil
- Thread starter z4dan
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Anonymous
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Why would you buy an oil optimised for stop start operations in a car that doesn’t do stop start?
I assume the car doesn’t have a stop start capability.?
I assume the car doesn’t have a stop start capability.?
North West Surrey
z4dan said:
No, it's for cars fitted with a Stop/Start system by the manufacturer to get lower emissions!
BMW started fitting it to E89 Z4s later in their production run and various other models. Basically if you are stationary with the car in neutral like at traffic lights the engine turns off, then when you press the clutch to put it in gear the engine starts.
If it states the oil meets or exceeds BMW LL04 then it should be fine.
I used stop start Castrol in mine (it was fantastically cheap from halfords, especially with a 10% discount I get through work!) and it's been absolutely fine.
I don't do many miles (it's a special occasion/weekend toy and lives in the garage) so the oil gets changed every 3000 miles anyway. Simply no point for me to spend out on the expensive edge stuff.
People can get very snooty about which oil they use without having any understanding of the science behind it. You'll find countless threads on this forum and others debating the merits of different oils.
I took the decision years ago to use an oil that meets or exceeds the spec and just change it more regularly. My diesel Passat has had nothing but Asda oil for the last four years and 40000 miles. It's on 155k now. Changed every 6k. Still running sweet and no problems with the dpf.
So don't spend 60 quid on oil, spend 20 and change it twice as often, you'll still be quids in
I used stop start Castrol in mine (it was fantastically cheap from halfords, especially with a 10% discount I get through work!) and it's been absolutely fine.
I don't do many miles (it's a special occasion/weekend toy and lives in the garage) so the oil gets changed every 3000 miles anyway. Simply no point for me to spend out on the expensive edge stuff.
People can get very snooty about which oil they use without having any understanding of the science behind it. You'll find countless threads on this forum and others debating the merits of different oils.
I took the decision years ago to use an oil that meets or exceeds the spec and just change it more regularly. My diesel Passat has had nothing but Asda oil for the last four years and 40000 miles. It's on 155k now. Changed every 6k. Still running sweet and no problems with the dpf.
So don't spend 60 quid on oil, spend 20 and change it twice as often, you'll still be quids in
Oil is crucial to all manner of engine components and is essential for engine life and performance. I cannot see why anybody would want to put cheap inferior oil in a performance car. If you cannot afford premium oil then you should probably not be running a Z4. Stick with good premium oil and your engine will repay you for it.
JamieZ4C said:If it states the oil meets or exceeds BMW LL04 then it should be fine.
I used stop start Castrol in mine (it was fantastically cheap from halfords, especially with a 10% discount I get through work!) and it's been absolutely fine.
I don't do many miles (it's a special occasion/weekend toy and lives in the garage) so the oil gets changed every 3000 miles anyway. Simply no point for me to spend out on the expensive edge stuff.
People can get very snooty about which oil they use without having any understanding of the science behind it. You'll find countless threads on this forum and others debating the merits of different oils.
I took the decision years ago to use an oil that meets or exceeds the spec and just change it more regularly. My diesel Passat has had nothing but Asda oil for the last four years and 40000 miles. It's on 155k now. Changed every 6k. Still running sweet and no problems with the dpf.
So don't spend 60 quid on oil, spend 20 and change it twice as often, you'll still be quids in
Sounds like a dose of good old common sense to me
Bimmerworld has a great article on oil for BMWs
https://www.bimmerworld.com/BMW-Engine-Oil/
And Autocar.co.uk has a nice article on stop start engines and the oil requirements for them.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/stop-start-long-term-impact-your-car-s-engine
https://www.bimmerworld.com/BMW-Engine-Oil/
And Autocar.co.uk has a nice article on stop start engines and the oil requirements for them.
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/stop-start-long-term-impact-your-car-s-engine
Jfgoldfish
Active member
Mike6 said:
I understand your point, however, cheap and inferior don't always have to go hand in hand.
If an oil is tested independently and meets/exceeds a specification then it is a suitable oil for that application - that is a fact.
There is really no merit in paying for a well known brand when quality oils can be purchased for less money and often have left the same refinery (just with a different label).
I personally go down the route of cheaper oil and more regular changes.
I have to politely disagree with this statement:
Mike6 said:
I wouldn't go there. Like I said in my last comment...Jfgoldfish said:
"People can get very snooty about which oil they use without having any understanding of the science behind it. You'll find countless threads on this forum and others debating the merits of different oils."
The debate will just go on and on and on....
Jfgoldfish
Active member
JamieZ4C said:
That is very true!
I have no intention of contributing towards some sort of heated oil debate.
I have dropped my opinion in the mix, I will leave it at that
Jfgoldfish said:
One of the points the Bimmerworld article makes is that if your car is a daily driver then big box store oil should be adequate.
I also agree with a previous post that if the oil meets the specs the auto manufacturer specifies then it is a a viable product to use.
That said it is generally true that "you get what you pay for", not always but generally.
I think a similar thought process can be taken with gasoline (petrol). Would you use "regular" 87 octane vs "premium" 93 that BMW recommends ? If you follow one recommendation but not the other...hmmm well, justify your reasoning. it's like people who claim to believe in what the Bible says but pick and chose which parts they practice and which they don't.
As for me I will use premium oil and gasoline in the Z and a good quality oil for my other vehicles.
I have several older vehicles and it is hard getting oil and fuel that they were designed to be used with...So you do the best you can, It is sort of like when they took lead out of gasoline. I have vehicles that were designed to use leaded gasoline to lubricate the valves. Modern fuel causes these engines to wear more quickly than they would were they to use the fuel they were designed around.
I remember a TV commercial from a oil filter company. The mechanic turns toward the camera and, pushing his band of oil filter, he says "pay me now or pay me later". Could perhaps the same be said for bargain basement oil vs premium oil...?
Jfgoldfish
Active member
Old-Duckman said:
My zed is a daily driver so maybe my opinion on this one does differ to those keeping a garage queen.
I put 95 octane petrol in the tank and oil that meets or exceeds BMW's recommendations in the sump.
In the end we are not talking about ignoring BMW's recommendations here at all, we are talking about personal preference.
Some people have a preference to spend more money to ensure they are getting the best, wether that is the case or not is another matter.
IMO this is a case of 'you don't always get what you pay for, but you do pay for what you get'.
Hence why someone can spend £60 on a bottle of oil whereas I will spend £20 on a comparable bottle.
I think the only folks who will truly be paying for their mistakes with regard to oil changes are those who follow BMW's ridiculous recommended oil change interval. Now that really does make me question BMW's wisdom...