Which oil for your M54 engine - Poll

[Adam D]

Hiya, my Z4 with 3.0 M54 engine is approaching 38k and needs an oil change shortly. I have been topping up with Castrol Edge 0w-30 but have no idea what was in there previously - assume whatever the main dealer used at Sytner - Harold Wood.

Now I've found a great deal on mobil 1 0w-40 (11 litres for £60), which is appealing. Has anyone got any thoughts or experiences comparing the two oils - I'm probably being anal but would like to go for the best product

I doubt I will be letting BMW near the car to do the service as I know a friend who runs a MOT station/garage and would trust his work, BMW have continually screwed things up and charged a massive premium for the inconvience of doing so. At least I know he will get it done the way I want it done (and also sort my headlamp alignment out so they work better - BMW messed that up too!).

Has anybody changed their cabin filter themselves or recommend changing any other fluids for a 5 year old car - its just a minor oil service but was wondering if I should get other work done - will still work out cheaper than the main stealer at 'friends rates'.

 

[Jackcat5]

Amsoil 0w-30. I've been running it for over two years now.

 

[powerontap]

Amsoil 0w-30. I've been running it for over two years now.

I've always had a weak spot for Amsoil products. If it's good enough for the US military equipment, I guess it's good enough for my car also.

 

[Shipkiller]

The topic was discussed here: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4547

Why do you want to start using a heavier weight oil (40w) when your engine is designed for a 30w. Do you think your internals of the motor are loose and you need that extra bit of film? Just asking...

 

[WLH]

Royal Purple

 

[WaZZZZman]

Royal Puple in all my cars.

 

[Adam D]

The topic was discussed here: http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4547

Why do you want to start using a heavier weight oil (40w) when your engine is designed for a 30w. Do you think your internals of the motor are loose and you need that extra bit of film? Just asking...

Mobil 1 0w-40 is on the BMW approved oil list as it is rated LL01 hence the question, a quick google search show that it is often regarded highly for use with the M54 engine.

Unfortunately I could not find the thread you posted the link to as 'oil' returns no matches on the forum - perhaps the string is too short.

Would you suggest going for the Castrol 0w-30 then? (even the dealers over here use a mixture of castrol at some and mobil at others...).

 

[wasupdu]

I always use Mobil 1 5w-30 in all my cars. Why does everyone seem to use 0 weight? I live in the upper-midwest (United States), but my Z4 is only driven during the warmer months (between 40-100 degrees (F)).

 

[kwanmoney]

Mobil1 5w-30 up in Edmonton, AB, Canada here

 

[Adam D]

In the end I stuck with the Castrol Edge 0w-30, engine a bit quieter following the change. I am inclined to switch to a yearly oil change interval as the cost of getting this done at a local indy is only £30 labour + oil and filter which isn't bad.

 

[E85]

Amsoil. Can't remember the weight, but 5W-30 i think.

 

[sniry]

i just had to top up for the first time on my N52. got ELF 5W30 from the dealer.
anyone uses elf on thier bimmers?

 

[E85]

i used Elf before. Designed for german engines. Good stuff!