Hi members!

On Tuesday I will go to an Audi dealer with my BMW (for other reason) .
I' wondering which sort of oil my engine uses and if at Audi they could have it .
Castrol something .. ?

I changed the oil 11k km (7500 miles) ago . Never filled up .
I cover almost only highways .
But within August I have to make other 5000 km around Europe and no whim to search a dealer on trip .

Your opinion ?

Thank you!

 

full synthetic. the manual says a viscosity of 5w30. here's another thread on oil: http://forums.e60.net/index.php?showtopic=...strol+valvoline

 

Can in Audi they have it ?

 

yes the bmw dealer uses Castrol full synthetic whuch runs about $12/quart and $5/quart at Autozone. Theyre both the same. Mobil 1 has 0w 30 for European engines fully synthetic which im going to give a try next oil change.

 

My opinion is use any leading brand fully syntetic 5w-30 will do eg: Mobil, Castrol, valvoline, BP and etc. I usually do an oil change every 7k miles and then go to the dealer to have it changed again when I-Drive says so. I personally do not belive what BMW says that we need an oil change only after 15k+ miles.

 

I have sent oil in for analysis on my Honda and I do believe it. Unless you do the analysis, you are not dealing in facts on your decision to change early. My Honda went 8 k with conventional oil and still had engine protective properties left. No reason to think that synthetic shouldn't go twice that. I plan to analyze my oil on my 530 at the next interval to get the data which will be around 12 k. Otherwise, just pure subjective thinking and likely spending money that does not need to be spent.

 

I say this due to personall experience. Had a E39 which I changed my oil according to schedule and after 3 years of driving it (abt 150k miles), the valve cover started leaking, so had a change of the gasket. When the mechanic took the valve cover off.... it was all yucky and gooey. when I reached the 165k miles mark had to have the head cleaned b'cos the carbon ond oil deposit had bloked all the lubricating holes. Had a E46 and changed oil every 7k miles and its still going strong (abt 200k miles and counting). Had a friend send me his E46 318i engine photos as per attached. Only done 100k km England and you can see the engine yourself. Mind you this was taken when the car was only 3-4years on the road.

 

Check out what Bavarian Machine Specialties here in Houston has to say about the 15k oil change:
Full Article Link

"I routinely see engines at 45,000 miles that have had two oil changes and are so gunked up that the engine will have serious problems with lifters, rings and bearings before the 60,000 mile mark."


"As a general rule, we recommend oil changes depending on each customer?s driving habits. Usually the mileage period for changes is 5000 to 7500 miles. We arrived at this range based on laboratory analysis of oil we drained from customer?s cars.

For comparison, the following picture is of an engine with 82k that we have serviced for its life time."

 

+1 on that.

 

wow now that is why I have been changing my oil every 7000km for the part 3 years to keep the engine in tip top condition.
the oil gose black and think and you loss alot of mpg too.