BMW Oil Vs. Mobil 1/Castrol Syntec
07-26-2007, 04:02 AM
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Stafford, VA
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: Mystic Blue, 2004 525i
I plan on having my oil changes done at the dealership, at least until my service plan expires, (have 40,000mi on car now) then I will change it myslef or take it to my own mechanic who doesn't charge $130 an hour plus an additional $180 just to "check" the vehicle before doing an oil change (what a joke). Anyhow, is there really any difference between the BMW Synthetic oil and Mobil 1/Castrol (other than the $4-$5 a quart price difference) I don't like going 15,000 miles between oil changes with anything, I don't care what BMW says you can do. I put Mobil 1 exclusively in my 97' 328 and never had a problem, that was changing the oil myself every 5,000mi. Just looking for some opinions/experiences. Thanks.
07-26-2007, 07:40 AM
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 321
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2013 M5 - Sakhir Orange / Black Leather.
Originally Posted by BlitzburghFan' post='452135' date='Jul 26 2007, 08:02 AM
I plan on having my oil changes done at the dealership, at least until my service plan expires, (have 40,000mi on car now) then I will change it myslef or take it to my own mechanic who doesn't charge $130 an hour plus an additional $180 just to "check" the vehicle before doing an oil change (what a joke). Anyhow, is there really any difference between the BMW Synthetic oil and Mobil 1/Castrol (other than the $4-$5 a quart price difference) I don't like going 15,000 miles between oil changes with anything, I don't care what BMW says you can do. I put Mobil 1 exclusively in my 97' 328 and never had a problem, that was changing the oil myself every 5,000mi. Just looking for some opinions/experiences. Thanks.
I have no scientfic basis on which to make this statement, but I would say there's no difference, especially if your changing more frequently than indicated.
07-26-2007, 07:47 AM
#4
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chalandri/Athina/Hellas
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
I'm using Valvoline SunPower MST 5-30 (longlife 04) and I'm very happy with it. I will never buy something else.
With Castrol I've had to add 1,0 lt. on every about 10K km.
With this one (Valvoline MST) I have to add 0.5 lt. on every 20K km. ...something that I wouldn't do, because on every 20K it's time for oil and oil filter change.
With Castrol I've had to add 1,0 lt. on every about 10K km.
With this one (Valvoline MST) I have to add 0.5 lt. on every 20K km. ...something that I wouldn't do, because on every 20K it's time for oil and oil filter change.
07-26-2007, 06:31 PM
#5
Senior Members
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by BlitzburghFan' post='452135' date='Jul 26 2007, 07:02 AM
I plan on having my oil changes done at the dealership, then I will change it myslef or take it to my own mechanic who doesn't charge $130 an hour plus an additional $180 just to "check" the vehicle before doing an oil change (what a joke). A
any difference between the oil,
I don't care what BMW says you can do. I put Mobil 1 exclusively in my 97' 328 and never had a problem, that was changing the oil myself every 5,000mi. Just looking for some opinions/experiences. Thanks.
any difference between the oil,
I don't care what BMW says you can do. I put Mobil 1 exclusively in my 97' 328 and never had a problem, that was changing the oil myself every 5,000mi. Just looking for some opinions/experiences. Thanks.
If we have good experience even we can do it, Why go to dealer for >$100/-
Some recommend after 100,000 mile , Use High Mileage-Synthetic Blend, Is this true? and OK for BMW cars
( But, BMW recommends SYNTHETIC only)
07-26-2007, 10:03 PM
#7
Former Vendor
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Anaheim, CA
Posts: 19,460
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: F13 M6
ive been using catrol. i have now about 26,000 miles on my e60 and had to add 1 liter twice so far myself, once in the beginning at about the median between purchase and 1st scheduled oil change, and once more recently, maybe about 1k to 1.5k miles ago. next time i need it, ill probably try the valvoline mst that nick recommended.
07-29-2007, 07:56 PM
#8
Some facts:
European oils and US oils are different (hydrocracked vs synthetic).
Using any other oil than BMW (made by Castrol) can make BMW deny your engine warranty.
Only true synthetic oil in the US is the Castrol 0w30 (the quart states in the back Made in Germany). Hard to find.
Next best oil for BMW (other than BMW) is Mobil 1 0w40.
The reason for using Castrol 0w30 or Mobil 1 0w40 is than Mobil 1 is "thinner" than Castrol.
All in all if your car is still under warranty stick with the BMW 5W30 Castrol oil. If you are out of warranty then use German made Castrol 0w30. If you cannot find it then use Mobil 1 0w40.
If you want to spend several hours reading about oils then take a look at Bobistheoilguy.com
European oils and US oils are different (hydrocracked vs synthetic).
Using any other oil than BMW (made by Castrol) can make BMW deny your engine warranty.
Only true synthetic oil in the US is the Castrol 0w30 (the quart states in the back Made in Germany). Hard to find.
Next best oil for BMW (other than BMW) is Mobil 1 0w40.
The reason for using Castrol 0w30 or Mobil 1 0w40 is than Mobil 1 is "thinner" than Castrol.
All in all if your car is still under warranty stick with the BMW 5W30 Castrol oil. If you are out of warranty then use German made Castrol 0w30. If you cannot find it then use Mobil 1 0w40.
If you want to spend several hours reading about oils then take a look at Bobistheoilguy.com
07-29-2007, 11:18 PM
#9
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Chalandri/Athina/Hellas
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Here is the list of the approved by BMW Longlife01 oils, taken from BMW Technical Information System DVD (BMW TIS)
Longlife01 has been upgraded to Longlife04 (particle filter friendly for diesel engines) since year 2005-06. Both types are recommended by BMW (in EU) for 6 inline and V8 petrol and/or diesel engines, year 2003 onwards.
Longlife01FE is recommended for Valvetronic engines worldwide. (improves fuel economy)
Longlife04 meets and exceeds Longlife01 and Longlife01FE specifications.
...but it's not available in the US 
Conclusion: Valvoline Syn Power MST 5W-30, Full Synthetic, Longlife04, is the best oil ever
Longlife01 has been upgraded to Longlife04 (particle filter friendly for diesel engines) since year 2005-06. Both types are recommended by BMW (in EU) for 6 inline and V8 petrol and/or diesel engines, year 2003 onwards.
Longlife01FE is recommended for Valvetronic engines worldwide. (improves fuel economy)
Longlife04 meets and exceeds Longlife01 and Longlife01FE specifications.
...but it's not available in the US Conclusion: Valvoline Syn Power MST 5W-30, Full Synthetic, Longlife04, is the best oil ever
07-30-2007, 09:40 AM
#10
Members
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've switched a few high-mile BMWs to Mobile 1. They work well enough (especially the heavier weight High Mileage variety), but it invariably seems to make the motors eat a little more oil than usual? Which I suppose makes things a tad more expensive.
These motors aren't made of special materials that explode when they touch something that's not "true synthetic," just be conscious of the correct weights and the terms for your warranty.
These motors aren't made of special materials that explode when they touch something that's not "true synthetic," just be conscious of the correct weights and the terms for your warranty.