Boiled in oil!

[sheepdog]

Oil is determined by the temps in your area.

However Synthetic allows a much wider range.
Unless I lived in Phoenix or Maine/Montana I would just use 10w30 synth/semi-Synthetic. Hotter areas I would go 10w40, and colers something thinner.

All which is about 1 weight grade lower than BMW recomends for dino oil.

[Deutschbag]

I'm in California and I have a case of 10w40 Castrol Syntec Blend lying around, so I think I'll use that. I've always enjoyed Castrol for whatever reason. I'll try to find some Mann filters somewhere. What about a K&N oil filter? They have 'em and they are like 10 bucks, doesn't seem worth the price as I haven't been very impressed with anything made by K&N. I find them way overpriced.

[mgold]

I didn't think K&N made an oil filter for our motors, and $10 is a bit high for a filter.  Check with the dealer for the filter if you can't find the Mann brand locally.  Like I mentioned earlier, I order them from Bav Auto.  They even include those vinyl window decals so you remember when to change it again.

[bimma_318iS]

I am a new owner and live in NorCal. It is pretty hot in the summer but not humid and chilly in winter with rain.

I mostly use Mobil 1 Full Sunthetic (5w30)for my integra but dont know What oil I should use for the beemer.(what thickness)?

Thanks.

[///Motorsport]

where in Norcal? i'm from Los Gatos area

[Choking Hazard]

Good reading!  Thanks.  BTW, I wasn't buzzed, I'm just always a little wired.  Or is that wierd?

[zerofreez]

If you brought it to the dealership you would get bmw's synthetic 5w-30 that we put in everything.  Good for 15,000 miles.

I use mobile 1 synth 10w-30 because we dont see temps under about 20 degrees F around here.

[RED IS 91]

I ran Mobil 1  10/30  and now run Mobil 1  15/50 this summer .The engine runs quieter and smoother.
My 2 cents

[silverblades181]

I ran Mobil 1  10/30  and now run Mobil 1  15/50 this summer .The engine runs quieter and smoother.
My 2 cents

The 15W50 isn't too thick? On another note, I know a guy with a 2006 M3 and he paid like 120$ for some special Castrol Oil only available at the BMW Stealership...then again he just bought a trailer and a Porsche Cayenne to move his M3 from track to track lol...Wish I had money like that.

[bimma_318iS]

where in Norcal? i'm from Los Gatos area

I am in the NorthEast Sacramento area.

[Choking Hazard]

When I had Mobil, the 15 weight made the timing chain niosy- prolly the whirring sound I have now is a variation on the BZZZZ it useed to make with 15w50 mobil 1.  I was used to using high vis oil b/c my other car is aircooled.  I've got 10w40 in there now (for summer).

[kramerica5000]

I'm currently using Mobil-1 15w-50. If it gets colder than about 60F my engine sounds like a diesel until it warms up. I'll prolly replace the chain tensioner anyways, but I may run 10W-40 next time and 5w-40 in the winter.

Interesting note, I found out that my Uncle's Boxter takes 10qts of Mobile-1 and it gets its oil changed every 20k miles. Crazy huh. Good thing its stays in there awhile because 10qts of Mobil-1 has got to be expensive. Not to mention you can only change it on the lift. It was weird checking out a car whose engine you can't even look at because there is no hood/bonnet.

[M42boy]

^^
20k miles is ludacris!  Oil should be changed once a year regardless.  

Yeah, them Cayman's are goofy creatures, but that mid-engined layout handling has got to be sublime!

[bmwman91]

So, what is the deal with this Amsoil I have been hearing about?

The 3000 mile oil change being bad for the motor, that is interesting news.  A few years ago i started changing it every 5000 miles, just because it was easy to remember by looking at the odometer (sync'ed it with the 130000 mile mark, on my second 318iS, but I started with the first one).

What is the deal with the oil that says it is good for 15000 miles?  Is that under light-footed driving?  I do not think I could feel right leaving oil in there that long, but I suppose I was just working on my car under a different mentality.

The various Mobil 1 mixtures...European car, high mileage, high performance, etc.  What's the deal?

Anyway, my usual snake-oil mix is: 2qt Full-Synth 15-W50, 2qt Full Synth 0-W40, 1qt Rislone additive.  Seems to be the best balance between engine noise, cold-running roughness, and viscous energy robbing.

[mgold]

I ran Amsoil for a while at the recommendation of a mechanic I had been taking my cabrio to a few years back.  He said it was good for 10-12,000 miles.  I ran it for about 9,000 miles changing the filter every 3,000 and topping off 1qt when I did that.  I didn't notice any difference so I switched back to Castrol GTX.  I do continue to use Amsoil in the tranny and rear diff and it seems to work just fine.  I might change to Redline fluids the next time.