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Old 04-26-2010, 01:27 PM
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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.
Old 04-26-2010, 02:27 PM
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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
Old 04-26-2010, 04:26 PM
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i would just go to the bmw dealer and buy their oil. it's about the same price as mobil/castrol brand. plus, you get a piece of mind.
Old 04-27-2010, 06:11 AM
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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.
Old 04-27-2010, 06:47 AM
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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.
Old 04-27-2010, 06:53 AM
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Go to a BMW dealer and buy the BMW oil with your BMWCCA 15% discount. BMW oil is seriously awesome.
Old 04-27-2010, 07:25 AM
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Originally Posted by kingofire
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.
Old 04-27-2010, 07:34 AM
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Anyone know who manufactures the BMW branded oil?
Old 04-27-2010, 07:36 AM
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Originally Posted by nell
Anyone know who manufactures the BMW branded oil?
Castrol.
Old 04-27-2010, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by turnbowm
Castrol.
+1


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