Liqui Moly Molygen 5w50

[Solo_M_Tech]

Interested in the communities opinion on this latest 5w50 variant. I've had several questions about it from people and I dont know alot about it. I've read the technical data but looking for more real world experiences.

https://products.liqui-moly.com/molygen-5w-50-2.html

[kyrix1st]

I've used it for my E36. Quite high moly (approx. 660ppm) Seemed like a good oil, shame the price point was way higher than Redline in my country.

[dparm]

Unimpressive.

The fact that it's API SJ shows you that this is not a very modern oil. It's basically 3-4 generations old. Another clue is the manufacturer certs: MB 229.1 is very old too.

There are plenty of excellent API SN oils out there that I would much rather use.

[kyrix1st]

Originally Posted by dparm

Unimpressive.

The fact that it's API SJ shows you that this is not a very modern oil. It's basically 3-4 generations old. Another clue is the manufacturer certs: MB 229.1 is very old too.

There are plenty of excellent API SN oils out there that I would much rather use.

Interesting.

How do you evaluate Redline? They don't carry any certifications as far as I know, but I've used them long enough to know they are good oils for at least my use.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by kyrix1st

Interesting.

How do you evaluate Redline? They don't carry any certifications as far as I know, but I've used them long enough to know they are good oils for at least my use.

Red Line is a boutique oil company and doesn't need to/want to spend money on OEM certs. They're not selling to people interested in service fills, they're selling to enthusiasts and people willing to pay for the best. They can claim to meet or exceed the certs, but they don't technically have the OEM approvals. Most of their oils are API SM/SN which are modern formulas -- a good sign, IMO.

Best way to evaluate Red Line is to use it and pay for the used oil analysis.

[Scharbag]

Not sure if I am thinking the right thing but my pee-brain thinks this way:

10 quarts of Redline 10W60 is $175 taxes paid.

10L of Castrol 5W50 Synthetic (API SN) is $78 taxes paid (on sale at Crappy tire all the time).

Filter is ~$25.

So, I can damn near change my oil twice as often with the Castrol (and get a new filter) than if I use Redline (I just put Redline in the car...).

I am leaning towards using Castrol and changing every 5000KM rather than 8000KM with BMW/TWS/Moly(not a fan of the API-SJ rating)/Redline.

I have read that the S65 is prone to fuel dilution (rich pig that it is). One more item in a long list of reasons that I will not go past 8000KM on an oil change.

Not sure if my logic makes a terrific amount of sense to you guys but my brain says it is sensicle in nature...

But it is Monday.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

Not sure if I am thinking the right thing but my pee-brain thinks this way:

Why are you comparing apples to oranges?

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by dparm

Why are you comparing apples to oranges?

I do not track my car and I live in a cooler climate. Just thinking of alternatives that may work for me.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

I do not track my car and I live in a cooler climate. Just thinking of alternatives that may work for me.

Is the 10w60 not working well for you? If so, what proof do you have?

Also, not sure where you read that the S65 is prone to fuel dilution -- most of the UOA reports I see posted on here indicate low/trace levels of fuel. Nothing to be worried about. Anyway, if you really are concerned about fuel dilution, running a thinner oil is not going to help. Fuel in the oil thins it out, so running something thinner than BMW specifies only makes the problem worse.

[doogee]

Originally Posted by Scharbag

I do not track my car and I live in a cooler climate. Just thinking of alternatives that may work for me.

Well it is a proven fact that people on forums know which oil is best for their car vs. what the engineers that designed the engine think.

[deansbimmer]

If you want a slightly thinner oil for northern climates, we've had great feedback from customers who use Redline's 5w50.

[G80indy]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

If you want a slightly thinner oil for northern climates, we've had great feedback from customers who use Redline's 5w50.

+1

[dparm]

Originally Posted by doogee

Well it is a proven fact that people on forums know which oil is best for their car vs. what the engineers that designed the engine think.

And in the case of the M3, the blenders -- the Castrol oil that would become TWS was heavily co-developed with BMW. The collaboration continued for 20+ years which is why the move to SOPUS for OEM-branded oils was a huge deal.

[oolas3]

If you want moly in your oil, buy a can of Mos2. I'm happily running Mobil FS 5w-50.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by doogee

Well it is a proven fact that people on forums know which oil is best for their car vs. what the engineers that designed the engine think.

Same engineering group that got the bearing clearances tickity boo?

As I said, just thinking about options that may work for a cooler climate and normal driving.

I will also take a look at the Redline 5w50 as I can source that here. Some of the other oils are more difficult for me to source here.

Cheers,

[Solo_M_Tech]

I find it interesting that a certain engine builder who's know for stroker S85's and S65's recommend the redline 5w50. It supposedly runs cooler and reduces oil temp spikes etc. IDK if this is entirely accurate, but I was curious what the community thought about this specific 5w50 and it's cousins in the same range.

Discuss.....

[dparm]

Originally Posted by ham_sammich

I find it interesting that a certain engine builder who's know for stroker S85's and S65's recommend the redline 5w50. It supposedly runs cooler and reduces oil temp spikes etc. IDK if this is entirely accurate, but I was curious what the community thought about this specific 5w50 and it's cousins in the same range.

Discuss.....

Like I have said before: show me the data and then we can discuss. Anecdotal evidence is of very limited use.

Not sure what else there is to say about the LM 5w50. It's an older oil, relies on an older anti-wear additive (moly), and is fairly unimpressive on paper. At least the Castrol 5w50 is API SN, though it doesn't "wow me" on paper either. HTHSV of 4.1 is a bit low for an Xw50 and the datasheet even says it's targeted at older/classic cars, whatever that means.
https://msdspds.castrol.com/bpglis/FusionPDS.nsf/Files/B85B27606403EF8080257FAA007243CB/$File/BPXE-AA5D5S.pdf

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by dparm

Like I have said before: show me the data and then we can discuss.

Anecdotal evidence is of very limited use.

I'm searching for similar evidence and or personal experience to back it up.

[deansbimmer]

You're not likely to find long term users of that specific oil finding your thread and posting in it. Even if one or two people chime in here, are you going to trust your decision to that?

dparm is one of the more respected oil guys on here. I pay attention when he says something about an oil. *Shrugs*

[Solo_M_Tech]

Originally Posted by deansbimmer

You're not likely to find long term users of that specific oil finding your thread and posting in it. Even if one or two people chime in here, are you going to trust your decision to that?

dparm is one of the more respected oil guys on here. I pay attention when he says something about an oil. *Shrugs*

I'm gonna continue using LM 10w60, but this being from the same company, I thought those that use 5w50 might benefit from the discussion.

[Scharbag]

Originally Posted by dparm

Is the 10w60 not working well for you? If so, what proof do you have?

Also, not sure where you read that the S65 is prone to fuel dilution -- most of the UOA reports I see posted on here indicate low/trace levels of fuel. Nothing to be worried about. Anyway, if you really are concerned about fuel dilution, running a thinner oil is not going to help. Fuel in the oil thins it out, so running something thinner than BMW specifies only makes the problem worse.

I was discussing oil choices with one of the engine builders on the forum. His opinion is that the S65 does have a higher fuel dilution than other engines. As you say, this may not be a problem based on the oil sample info.

One of the items that I did mention was changing the oil more often with Castrol 5w50 than with the other oils. Running Castrol (or Mobil) for 5000KM instead of the others for 8000KM+ (or the 21,000KM my car is telling me...).

Again, just thinking about options. Not saying they are great options.

Cheers,

[deansbimmer]

We offer oil analyses to our oil change customers... I don't recall any of our M3 reports coming back with high fuel dilution numbers, out of probably hundreds of thousands of miles of sample oil. Not saying someone else hasn't seen it, just for what its worth.

If it's actually an issue, I might be tempted to blame the oem piston ring package. When we rebuild these we use a multi piece oil ring set for better oil control and less blowby.