Is the best oil for the M3 still Mobile 1 synthetic?

s4play · 03-10-2013, 11:16 AM

I know my old e46 M3 specified this type of oil but not sure on the new one.

Just got the friendly "yellow" oil indicator on my car that oil is low so I need to go pick up some oil to top it off.

Read that the m3 seems to burn a lot of oil so not sure if this is common thing.

thanks!

The Automotive Enthusiast · 03-10-2013, 11:21 AM

Castrol EDGE full synthetic.

thekurgan · 03-10-2013, 11:22 AM

Um, my engine bay specifies this:

my owner's manual states the same ....

The Automotive Enthusiast · 03-10-2013, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thekurgan

Um, my engine bay specifies this:

my owner's manual states the same ....

What dipstick?

thekurgan · 03-10-2013, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShutUpandDrive

What dipstick?

This was from the E46M3, as stated in the OP posting. This hasn't changed for the E9xM3.

elm3 · 03-10-2013, 11:45 AM

I would stick with Castrol TWS Motorsports 10W-60 and just call it a day.

SMG M3 · 03-10-2013, 12:02 PM

Every time i go to dealer i make sure to leave with 1 liter of always Castrol since day 1... and yeah this engine drinks gas and eats oil something to get used to i guess.

M3takesNYC · 03-10-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s4play

I know my old e46 M3 specified this type of oil but not sure on the new one.

Just got the friendly "yellow" oil indicator on my car that oil is low so I need to go pick up some oil to top it off.

Read that the m3 seems to burn a lot of oil so not sure if this is common thing.

thanks!

Your old m3 if it was an e46 did not call for mobil 1, it called for castrol tws 10-60. Mobil 1 does not make a comparable oil. Makes a couple close ones.

Reallly no other reason to not use TWS 10-60.

Vic311 · 03-10-2013, 01:49 PM

Not sure when Mobil 1 was ever considered acceptable for use in the s65.

Castrol TWS is really it.

Rich_Jenkins · 03-10-2013, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elm3

I would stick with Castrol TWS Motorsports 10W-60 and just call it a day.

Pretty much this. ^^^.

Miss having a dipstick though.

OP - My '09 doesn't seem to burn oil (at all). Hope you don't have a huge issue w oil consumption, that would suck at the prices they charge for this stuff.

Dkhan23 · 03-10-2013, 02:07 PM

Why not go to the dealership and get it from their?

gatorfast · 03-10-2013, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vic311

Not sure when Mobil 1 was ever considered acceptable for use in the s65.

I read the thread title and was like

Never heard anyone mention Mobil 1 being used in the M3.

sensi09 · 03-10-2013, 05:34 PM

and search!

Radiation Joe · 03-11-2013, 09:25 PM

The e46 M3s did not originally specify Castrol 10W-60. They specified 5W-30 just like the M5s. When the S54s started eating bearings, BMW took the safe route and started specifying the Castrol 10W-60 sludge that they still recommend today. I refuse to put that stuff in my engine. I run a 50/50 mix of Redline 40W race and 5W-30 street oil now, and would feel fine running the 5W-30 straight if I wasn't going to track the car.

OP, the 10W-60 Castrol Edge is acceptable if you can find it. You can use the Syntec or the Titanium. I believe the Titanium is closest to what you get at the dealer (might be the exact same).

Pennzoil Ultra is the gold standard these days. It won't hurt your engine to use the 5W-40 (probably help it).

s4play · 03-12-2013, 01:08 AM

thanks guys, I will swing by the dealer!

kchu221 · 03-12-2013, 11:28 AM

im using liqui moly 10w60 this time and see how it is...

tmntmn · 03-12-2013, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchu221

im using liqui moly 10w60 this time and see how it is...

Let us know about the liqui moly read a lot of good review from the m5/m6 owners

kchu221 · 03-12-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tmntmn

Let us know about the liqui moly read a lot of good review from the m5/m6 owners

yea i wanted to try it out cuz i read alot of good reviews and my tech actually recommends it over the castrol 10w60, its only been 200-300 miles since the oil change so well see...

Z K · 03-12-2013, 12:34 PM

I run Redline 10w60 between the regular BMW oil changes. It is specifically designed for BMW M engines. Works well and it is a quality oil.

tmntmn · 03-12-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchu221

yea i wanted to try it out cuz i read alot of good reviews and my tech actually recommends it over the castrol 10w60, its only been 200-300 miles since the oil change so well see...

Notice any noise difference since i read somewhere saying its sound alot smoother

tmntmn · 03-12-2013, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

I run Redline 10w60 between the regular BMW oil changes. It is specifically designed for BMW M engines. Works well and it is a quality oil.

i read up on that also, still debating between liqui moly and red line

Radiation Joe · 03-12-2013, 09:49 PM

If you track the car use the Redline. It has the best high temperature performance of anything you can buy. For street oil, I'd run a good lighter weight oil like the Pennzoil Ultra I recommended above.

Go to bobistheoilguy.com if you want to learn about oil. Obviously, the dealership Castrol 10W-60 won't kill your engine. There's just better oils out there.

03-10-2013, 11:16 AM	#1
s4play Car Tuning Geek 581 Rep 1,475 Posts Drives: too many rides.... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	Is the best oil for the M3 still Mobile 1 synthetic? I know my old e46 M3 specified this type of oil but not sure on the new one. Just got the friendly "yellow" oil indicator on my car that oil is low so I need to go pick up some oil to top it off. Read that the m3 seems to burn a lot of oil so not sure if this is common thing. thanks! __________________ 04 GPW/Onyx NSX 08 Rio Yellow s2000 CR 16 F80 Dakar M3 15 Ferrari 458 Spider
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03-10-2013, 11:21 AM	#2
The Automotive Enthusiast Retired BMW Genius 2895 Rep 3,404 Posts Drives: 2018 Audi S5 Coupe Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: DMV iTrader: (1)	Castrol EDGE full synthetic.
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03-10-2013, 11:22 AM	#3
thekurgan Bad Lieutenant 232 Rep 3,517 Posts Drives: E90M3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Sacramento iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Um, my engine bay specifies this: my owner's manual states the same .... __________________ 02 E39M5 \| TiAg/Schwartz \| Tubi Rumore \| Ultimate Ti Pedals \| E60 SSK \| Jim Blanton 3.45 40/100% \| Coby Alcantara \| StrongStrut STB
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03-10-2013, 11:45 AM	#6
elm3 ///M Fan 366 Rep 2,159 Posts Drives: '09 E92 M3 IB/'17 f85 X5M LBB Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Canton, GA. iTrader: (1) Garage List 2017 BMW / X5M [9.00] 2009 E92 M3 [10.00] 2004 Yamaha R1 [10.00]	I would stick with Castrol TWS Motorsports 10W-60 and just call it a day. __________________ '09 E92 ///M3 Interlagos Blue,6MT,Silver Novillo Leather,CF Trim,Premium Package,Technology Package,Cold Weather Package,Premium Sound,19"Wheels,Moonroof-Toy/'17 X5M, Long Beach Blue, Executive Package,Technology Package, Lighting Package, Driver Assist, Full Mughello Red Interior, 21" wheels-Toy/'14 535i with M Sport and 19" wheels-Daily
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03-10-2013, 12:02 PM	#7
SMG M3 Private First Class 23 Rep 159 Posts Drives: 08 M3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: cental ma iTrader: (0)	Every time i go to dealer i make sure to leave with 1 liter of always Castrol since day 1... and yeah this engine drinks gas and eats oil something to get used to i guess. __________________ Jerez Black: 6MT: Lux: 35% Tint: IND gills ,grill , reflectors: K&N Filter: ACM exhaust mod: Dinan pulley
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03-10-2013, 01:49 PM	#9
Vic311 Banned 42 Rep 1,463 Posts Drives: 2011 e92 M3 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: NY iTrader: (0)	Not sure when Mobil 1 was ever considered acceptable for use in the s65. Castrol TWS is really it.
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03-10-2013, 02:07 PM	#11
Dkhan23 Banned 70 Rep 359 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Canada/USA iTrader: (0)	Why not go to the dealership and get it from their?
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03-10-2013, 05:34 PM	#13
sensi09 Lieutenant Colonel 30 Rep 1,789 Posts Drives: . Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: socal iTrader: (1)	and search!
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03-11-2013, 09:25 PM	#14
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	The e46 M3s did not originally specify Castrol 10W-60. They specified 5W-30 just like the M5s. When the S54s started eating bearings, BMW took the safe route and started specifying the Castrol 10W-60 sludge that they still recommend today. I refuse to put that stuff in my engine. I run a 50/50 mix of Redline 40W race and 5W-30 street oil now, and would feel fine running the 5W-30 straight if I wasn't going to track the car. OP, the 10W-60 Castrol Edge is acceptable if you can find it. You can use the Syntec or the Titanium. I believe the Titanium is closest to what you get at the dealer (might be the exact same). Pennzoil Ultra is the gold standard these days. It won't hurt your engine to use the 5W-40 (probably help it). __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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03-12-2013, 01:08 AM	#15
s4play Car Tuning Geek 581 Rep 1,475 Posts Drives: too many rides.... Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Norcal iTrader: (0)	thanks guys, I will swing by the dealer! __________________ 04 GPW/Onyx NSX 08 Rio Yellow s2000 CR 16 F80 Dakar M3 15 Ferrari 458 Spider
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03-12-2013, 11:28 AM	#16
kchu221 JDM whore 188 Rep 3,341 Posts Drives: 2009 997.1 Turbo Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: los angeles iTrader: (11)	im using liqui moly 10w60 this time and see how it is... __________________ 2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2
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03-12-2013, 12:34 PM	#19
Z K Major General 1889 Rep 5,506 Posts Drives: E90 M3, G20 M340i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco iTrader: (3)	I run Redline 10w60 between the regular BMW oil changes. It is specifically designed for BMW M engines. Works well and it is a quality oil. __________________ Auto Detailing Enthusiast!
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03-12-2013, 09:49 PM	#22
Radiation Joe Veni Vidi Vici 89 Rep 2,750 Posts Drives: '11 JB/BBe-6sp-e90 Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Macungie PA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 e90 M3-Sold [8.50] 2003 RS6 - Sold [0.00] 2009 e90 M3 - Gone [0.00] 2003 M3 SOLD [0.00] old 2002 [10.00]	If you track the car use the Redline. It has the best high temperature performance of anything you can buy. For street oil, I'd run a good lighter weight oil like the Pennzoil Ultra I recommended above. Go to bobistheoilguy.com if you want to learn about oil. Obviously, the dealership Castrol 10W-60 won't kill your engine. There's just better oils out there. __________________ Dinan compliment of stuff plus PF rotors and RG63s. Enough for now. Why, yes. I am an abrasive bastard.
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