Boiled in oil!

[Choking Hazard]

:D
Oil, oil, whats yer favorite? Not sweet venezualian crude but lubricatin' the m-42. My favorite has been mobil-1 for this car, but I was told (:eek: ) that it is just another redistillation of dino fat. Same feller uses amsoil hisself, so I'm giving it a try. It has had a very curios side effect- occaisionally (NOT ALWAYS) as I accelerate through 3 k to 45 or 4700, there is a pleasent ~~Whirring~~ sound. Reminds me of the ol' Nissan Z-car. I guess it is valve train noise ??? but it doesn't sound like a problem. Curious, yes.
Anyway, whats yer poison? Mobil-1, castrol, etc.? Do ya like it? What viscosity? I know all this has been covered- at least at bf.c- b/c I remember posting in a thread...

[sheepdog]

Check the links section of the site, it has a link to aninteresting study of Amsoil and Mobil 1.

Personally, I like Castrol Syntech (semi-syynthetic). It is just a bit cheaper than Mobil 1.

Oh, Mobil sued Castrol because when it came out they claimed it was full synthetic, some versions of Syntech still do. Since they all start from crude, what makes a full synthetic versus a semi., Mobil 1 lost. Not sure about appeals though.

An interesting thing on the Mobil1/Amsoil study, they found the most wear during the first 3000 miles after changing the oil. Phillips and Ford concluded the same thing, which is one reason companies are now telling you to go further between changes. Every 3000 mile sis doing more harm to your engine, and the environment, than good.

Right now I go about 8000 miles between changes. Anything I run Mobil 1 in, I go at least 10.

[thumper3ld]

Pentosin
-Founded in 1927, Deutsche Pentosin-Werke GmbH is a German-based developer and manufacturer of mineral oil based and synthetic fluids for the automotive industry. A leader in its field, Pentosin maintains its solid position through a combination of commitment to research and development and state-of-the-art manufacturing processes. Quality control and certification are integral to the Pentosin process. Pentosin products are original fill on all European brand cars.

Pentosynth Motor Oils are available as full or partial synthetic. These oils provide the highest performance, efficiency and fuel economy even under the most severe conditions.

[silverblades181]

Castrol Synthec is not full synthetic? I thought it was...oh well, that's what I use in the 5W40 format. Says it meets the demands of BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen and an experienced BMW Mechanic I know always puts 5W40 in the bimmers he services so I said why not. Anyway, I used it on the track and it lubricated my engine just fine. Might use the 5W50 next time though. I've heard the 20W50 is a bit too thick for our 4 cyls, what do you guys think?

[bmwman91]

I've heard the 20W50 is a bit too thick for our 4 cyls, what do you guys think?

Well, it is a little heavy. If you have a noisy vallveteain it will be a lot quieter than 10W-30. I personally run 10-W40 in the hot seaon, 0-W40 in cold. I am a Mobil 1 Full Synth person myself.

Oh and Choking Hazard, were you drunk when you posted? That is the most jovial I have ever seen anyone over motor oil! :D

[bimma_318iS]

Oh and Choking Hazard, were you drunk when you posted? That is the most jovial I have ever seen anyone over motor oil! :D

I was thinking the same...

[twinpop171]

Oh and Choking Hazard, were you drunk when you posted? That is the most jovial I have ever seen anyone over motor oil! :D

He's still all geeked up from that high octane Canadian beer!!:D

Anyway back to the topic. I run Mobil 1 10W30 with no problems.
Dan.

[mgold]

I run Castrol High Mileage 10w40 in my cabrio. I've tried synthetics and didn't notice any difference. I do run Amsoil in my tranny and diff and Mobil 1 in my PS resevoir.

[sheepdog]

Castrol Synthec is not full synthetic? I thought it was...

I've heard the 20W50 is a bit too thick for our 4 cyls, what do you guys think?
Some Syntech is, there are 2 versions. Trouble is defining what is full and what is partial.

My motor hated 20w50

[D. Clay]

I was with a TransAm team that ran Lozano Brothers Porting small block Chevrolets. They tried about a dozen different oils. On a 310CI small block with a Holley 750 carburetor they said Mobil1 synthetic was good for 3 HP over everything else. This meant 633 instead of 630 HP. Not much but a couple more of those is......

[silverblades181]

Some Syntech is, there are 2 versions. Trouble is defining what is full and what is partial.

My motor hated 20w50

I looked. The Castrol Synthec 5W40 and 5W50 says "full synthetic" on the bottle. (I work at a Canadian Tire) The others don't.

[2002maniac]

I picked up 40 quarts of Mobil1 for $1.22 when they had it mismarked at target. I use that.

:D

[sheepdog]

I looked. The Castrol Synthec 5W40 and 5W50 says "full synthetic" on the bottle. (I work at a Canadian Tire) The others don't. They may have changed it since they won the lawsuit.

I will look at what is available here later this week when I go pick some up.

[Deutschbag]

What weight does BMW recommend to use in the m42? And what brand of oil filter are you guys using? I was gonna go w/ bosch from Kragen, but if there's a better brand out there I'll gladly pick that up. Anything but FRAM.

[mgold]

What weight does BMW recommend to use in the m42? And what brand of oil filter are you guys using? I was gonna go w/ bosch from Kragen, but if there's a better brand out there I'll gladly pick that up. Anything but FRAM.
Not sure what BMW specifically recommended for the M42, I run 10w40 Castrol GTX High Mileage. As for filter, don't buy Fram, Purolator or Bosch unless you're desperate. I use Mann (OEM brand) and order about 6 at a time from Bavarian Autosport.

[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.

[mgold]

I am in the NorthEast Sacramento area.
I'm in Rancho Cordova but work in Elk Grove

[sheepdog]

Amsoil has been shown to not last quite as long as M1 but may possibly be a better lube.

[sheepdog]

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.
What really costs him is the cost of servicing.
Porsche does an inspection at the same time, plus those are not easy to service.

$300 per oil change according to a client. At least in his case, he used the car though... He loved making 150mph runs in it. He sold it when the wife was bitching (about driving so fast), he claimed no point in having a car like that if you cannot use it.

[bimma_318iS]

I'm in Rancho Cordova but work in Elk Grove

I am really close. maybee 10 min from Sunrise N-N-Out. We need to make a SAC. meet sometime.(after I am done with my ride).

I am wondering what DOES BMW recommend for our cars?

[mgold]

I am really close. maybee 10 min from Sunrise N-N-Out. We need to make a SAC. meet sometime.(after I am done with my ride).
There's a gathering of BMW's at Valley Motorwerks (http://www.vmwerks.com/) on July 22nd. Here's the info...

http://www.baye30.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=4837

The BayE30.net (http://www.baye30.net/) group has a strong following in Sacramento as well as the bay area. Not too many M42 powered cars though.

[Deutschbag]

where in Norcal? i'm from Los Gatos area

Sweet, I'm in San Jose. Are there ever any meets around here? Especially m42 related ones?

[mikesjo]

Castrol 10w40.

[M42boy]

Shell Rotella T here... it only comes in 15w50 in the big jug and it's cheaper than Castrol GTX! :D

[mgold]

Shell Rotella T here... it only comes in 15w50 in the big jug and it's cheaper than Castrol GTX! :D
I know a mechanic here in town who swears by Rotella.

[Choking Hazard]

There are also major devoties of Rotella on my alter-board; 914club.com. I find the Godfatherer's mixing interesting. How did you end up with this mix? I also think that 20 k is way too long for an oil change.

[Vladi]

I was thinking about Castrol 10W60 during summer. :rolleyes: I've used 10W60 last years' summer in my 316i M40 and i've been very pleased.
Until now i ran 10W40 BMW OEM during winter and my tappets on my M40 have been kinda noisy. Should i try something else in the winter for my M42?

[///Motorsport]

so how much oil do we need? my manual is MIA since ownership and the e36 Bentley Manual is at a friends.... i bought a 5 quart jug of Mobil 1 5w-30..

[mgold]

That should be enough. I usually buy a pre-boxed six pack at Pep Boys and have one leftover to top off until the next oil change.

[///Motorsport]

no i meant like how much should i put in, exactly? ill try a search again.

as for NorCal meets, i live in Oregon now, lived in Los Gatos before the move almost two years ago. I do visit quite often so if there are any meets i just may be in the area, maybe with another car, but..

[Vladi]

So....refresh my memory. Is it recommeded to use fullsynt oil or semisynt oil in our M42's?

[Eurospec]

I would determine what to use based on driving conditions and the climate. Do you mainly drive in the city? Any frequent, short trips? Are temperature extremes common? In these types of situations, synthetics would be ideal.

[magnum2066]

I deal with extreme cold, so synthetic 5w30 for winter and straight 30 in summer. As mentioned in another thread I threw Royal Purple in my engine, but only because I want the best for the baby I'm fixing up. (Kinda expensive, cost me $38 for 5quarts.) :D

The temperatures I deal with are a frigid -5f to 10f degrees in the day, and close to -20f to -30f at night. Summers get up near 90f to 110f in good ol' North Dakota.

[Vladi]

I would determine what to use based on driving conditions and the climate. Do you mainly drive in the city? Any frequent, short trips? Are temperature extremes common? In these types of situations, synthetics would be ideal.

You've almost read my thoughts. :)
Extreme temperatures i don't have. The lowest this winter was 14F for a few days so no snow, no nuffin...Right now it's around 50F.

[nomad]

My service manual says 20-50 for oil. I've got 10-40 Mobil 1 to use thouh. I'll get some filters and a drain plug washer fom Bav Auto here shortly.