BMW Engine Oil (118D)

AthlonTom

AthlonTom

AthlonTom

Suspended
Joined
22 Oct 2004
Posts
1,884
Just about to embark on a rather long drive at the end of this week, just checked the Oil in the car (just broke 12K miles) and it appears to be just touching the minimum bit.

So whats best to get thats BMW approved and most likely to be already in it?

Fully synthetic Castrol leaps to mind


Cheers
 
I work in a BMW service centre but mostly work on MINI's.

We use what is labeled as Castrol 0-30 slx on everything.

No idea what anyone else would recomend though as this is all we ever use.
 
Osian said:
I work in a BMW service centre but mostly work on MINI's.

We use what is labeled as Castrol 0-30 slx on everything.

No idea what anyone else would recomend though as this is all we ever use.
Click to expand...

That'l do - not bothered what it is as long as it works, as I dont own it :)

Cheers
 
Sorry i've just read nicks post then re-read yours and I somehow managed to completely ignore the fact it's a deisel :o , I cant remember if we use something different in the deisels as i havn't ever done one (due to the low amount of BM's we do).

I would wait for someone else to confirm or use Nicks suggestion.

my bad.
 
Read the handbook.

The diesels will be 5w30 or 0w30 depending on where the balancer shafts are
 
Simon said:
Read the handbook.

The diesels will be 5w30 or 0w30 depending on where the balancer shafts are
Click to expand...

All it says in the book is: Please Check with a BMW approved yadayada


But I just bought a bottle of 0w40 fully Synthetic Mobil1 though - as it was all Hafrauds had.

I've not tipped it in yet though. So I may wait a bit :)

EDIT: Which appears to be what NickXX used in his 330D
 
0w40 Castrol SLX is what is used in 3 series diesels, t'is the approved long life stuff, and with 16k oil change intervals on a turbo motor i'd want the absolute best!
 
Clarkey said:
0w40 Castrol SLX is what is used in 3 series diesels, t'is the approved long life stuff, and with 16k oil change intervals on a turbo motor i'd want the absolute best!
Click to expand...

It's not, it's 0w30 although a minority of dealers are using 0w40.
 
Simon said:
0w30 is in the 2.0d N47
Click to expand...
:( Thats a new one :p

Millers XFD or XFE fully or semi synth is fine for the M47 and comes in 5w40 or 10w40 either of which is ideal and keeps the engine smooth. Use 0w if you like the VAG sound and service every 15k. :(

Both of the above are on BMWs approved list and carry the correct A3 and B3 ratings.
 
Basically - chucking this what apears to be pint size bottle of 0w40 in there isn't really going to do any harm is it :confused:

Or does it really have to be the exact right stuff?
 
AthlonTom said:
Basically - chucking this what apears to be pint size bottle of 0w40 in there isn't really going to do any harm is it :confused:

Or does it really have to be the exact right stuff?
Click to expand...

Provided it's BMW approved, it will be fine. So regardless of the fact your dealer probably use Castrol Edge 0w30, Mobil 1 0w40 will be fine.
 
helpimcrap said:
trusty old diesel eh? stick a litre of old gearbox oil in it... :p
Click to expand...

I was tempted by the the Halfrauds own brand - but everything else I've ever bought with a halfords logo on seems to be, well rubbish!
 
Butters said:
:( Thats a new one :p

Millers XFD or XFE fully or semi synth is fine for the M47 and comes in 5w40 or 10w40 either of which is ideal and keeps the engine smooth. Use 0w if you like the VAG sound and service every 15k. :(

Both of the above are on BMWs approved list and carry the correct A3 and B3 ratings.
Click to expand...

5w and 10w grades are too thick for these engines. The balancer shafts are in the oil and create massive amounts of drag on cold starts from being in the oil. You need the correct viscosity.

Stick with Edge 0w30. There is Castrol on the oil filler cap for a reason
 
Simon said:
5w and 10w grades are too thick for these engines. The balancer shafts are in the oil and create massive amounts of drag on cold starts from being in the oil. You need the correct viscosity.

Stick with Edge 0w30. There is Castrol on the oil filler cap for a reason
Click to expand...

I agree and disagree i'm afraid. I can't see their being any problem whatsoever using a 5w or 10w as these are both listed as approved by BMW even more so for their higher mileage engines.

As an engine wears it loosens up. The gap between piston rings & pistons becomes slightly increased and a thinner oil will be more likely to pass through these gaps and into the upper area of the cylinder. This increases the black smoke produced and the amount of oil consumed.

Its a common misconception that 10W oils are somehow lower tech and therefore lower protection than 0W oils. This is complete nonsense. Sure the 0W oil will freeze at -50 as opposed to -38 or so. If it gets that cold, I'll be leaving the country. It'll allow changes every 30k miles.

It increases fuel economy by less than 1%. How does it achieve that increase? By reduced friction on the oil bearing surfaces due to the thinner oil. This is also why the engine is noisier when run on thin oil.

10W40 may have a shorter drain interval but its still way above 7500 miles. It stays slightly thicker at operating temp thereby reducing noise. Its only one weight grade up on 0W40, 0W40 and 5W40 are actually the same consistency. Its only the freezing point that differs.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom