Oil Choice
#1
Members
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: West
Posts: 120
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 535
Model Year: 2008
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
What brand of oil are people using? I have a 535 and was told that the factory oil is adequate, but not the best oil available. With the extended change intervals, what would be a better alternative?
Thanks.
Thanks.
#2
Senior Members
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2006 BMW 550i
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx
bmw recommended oils:
?Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
?Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
?Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
?Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30
bmw recommended oils:
?Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30
?Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40
?Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30
?Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30
#4
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Personally I am not a fan of Mobil 1 any more. After finding out that vast majority of oil now is a group III(highly refined conventional)oil I decided not to give them my business. From what I understand, Mobil 1 0w40 is fully synthetic that is Group IV(Polyalphaolefins-PAO)with a group III additive package and works well in BMWs. One thing a lot of BMW owners on that site have discovered that after an oil change with Mobil 1 there is a perceived increase in engine noise/clatter(don't know how true this is)and there is a large group there that have posted about the issue.
If I had to choose from the list, I would go with German Castrol 0w30 because it gives you superior protection on cold starts because its cold cranking viscosity is very low and its cold pour point is around -54 degrees. Yet when its warm it is a very heave 30 weight and very damn close to a 40 weight that Mobil 1 is. If you are to go and buy this oil, make sure to verify that in the back of the container it states "Made in Germany".
If I had to use an "unapproved" oil and my opinion to believe that its superior to any oils on the BMW LL-01 list, it would by far be Amsoil SSO 0w30. Great oil designed for extended drains and does very well in Used Oil Anaysis(UOA's)
Just my opinion and I love discussing motor oil. My family thinks I am weird though.
If I had to choose from the list, I would go with German Castrol 0w30 because it gives you superior protection on cold starts because its cold cranking viscosity is very low and its cold pour point is around -54 degrees. Yet when its warm it is a very heave 30 weight and very damn close to a 40 weight that Mobil 1 is. If you are to go and buy this oil, make sure to verify that in the back of the container it states "Made in Germany".
If I had to use an "unapproved" oil and my opinion to believe that its superior to any oils on the BMW LL-01 list, it would by far be Amsoil SSO 0w30. Great oil designed for extended drains and does very well in Used Oil Anaysis(UOA's)
Just my opinion and I love discussing motor oil. My family thinks I am weird though.
![Smile](https://5series.net/forums/images/smilies/imported/smile.gif)
#5
Contributors
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Saskatchewan Canada
Posts: 2,696
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
My Ride: 2004 530i
premium package/active steering/auto sunshade/tiag/black dakota leather/logic 7
35% tint all around
19' DPE GT7
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I thought I came across a bmw approved amsoil at the store once...
I use the German castrol 0w30 because its the easiest to find, that being said I usually wait for them to go on sale and then pick up enough to do a couple oil changes. If not on sale and I have to do an oil change I buy from the dealer, it is actually cheaper at the dealer then the regular price on the German castrol.
I use the German castrol 0w30 because its the easiest to find, that being said I usually wait for them to go on sale and then pick up enough to do a couple oil changes. If not on sale and I have to do an oil change I buy from the dealer, it is actually cheaper at the dealer then the regular price on the German castrol.
#7
Members
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 530i (Silver-Gray, Gray Lthr., Anthracite Maple) with Steptronic, Prem. Pkg., Logic 7, Xenons & Chrome factory wheels.
![Default](https://5series.net/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Personally I am not a fan of Mobil 1 any more. After finding out that vast majority of oil now is a group III(highly refined conventional)oil I decided not to give them my business.
Blame that on Castrol, who won a U.S. court ruling in 1996 that allowed this. Not acceptable in Europe, however.
From what I understand, Mobil 1 0w40 is fully synthetic that is Group IV(Polyalphaolefins-PAO)with a group III additive package and works well in BMWs. One thing a lot of BMW owners on that site have discovered that after an oil change with Mobil 1 there is a perceived increase in engine noise/clatter(don't know how true this is)and there is a large group there that have posted about the issue.
Have found that my 2005 530i is actually quieter using Mobil 1 0W-40 compared to BMW 5W-30.
Blame that on Castrol, who won a U.S. court ruling in 1996 that allowed this. Not acceptable in Europe, however.
From what I understand, Mobil 1 0w40 is fully synthetic that is Group IV(Polyalphaolefins-PAO)with a group III additive package and works well in BMWs. One thing a lot of BMW owners on that site have discovered that after an oil change with Mobil 1 there is a perceived increase in engine noise/clatter(don't know how true this is)and there is a large group there that have posted about the issue.
Have found that my 2005 530i is actually quieter using Mobil 1 0W-40 compared to BMW 5W-30.
#9
Members
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: So. Calif.
Posts: 100
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My Ride: 2005 530i (Silver-Gray, Gray Lthr., Anthracite Maple) with Steptronic, Prem. Pkg., Logic 7, Xenons & Chrome factory wheels.