Oil Analysis Reports

[JHFW89225]

Here mines, first oil report so far

[Rich150001]

Has anyone tried any other oil analysis companies other than Blackstone?

[nholmes]

So I purchased this car on Halloween with 101,7xx on the odo. Mileage on the oil was unknown at the time of purchase. I then proceeded to drive it for 2,000 miles from Houston, Tx to San Francisco, Ca.

As part of the routine refresh I'm doing on the car in preparation for track use, I changed the oil. I made sure to grab a sample to send off to Blackstone for shits and giggles.

I'm planning on doing the rod bearings anyway, but I was curious what Blackstone was going to find with this high mileage car with who knows how many miles on the oil.

[davesaddiction]

When you only pay $20k for your car, springing a couple grand for new bearings is a no brainer! Thanks for sharing your results - sounds like they're pretty far gone, but please share the pictures of the worn ones.

Wonder if the seller decided to let the car go after a bad report...

[Cbozz]

I have a pretty interesting report just came in today from Blackstone.
Car has 70k on it, original bearings, I don't beat up on it but drive spiritually.
While the last oil was being used I had my valve cover gasket replaced twice by the dealer and I also flushed my coolant about a 1,000 miles ago!
Car is running great and not really burning oil, since last oil change about 6500 miles ago I didn't have to top it off at all!
I guess the silicone would come from the VCG, just wondering about the Potassium... can someone chime in?? thanks!

[Leonardo629]

Si is from the valve cover sealant, potassium is also used to to make sealant. I'm pretty sure potassium and si will both come down in your next sample.

Like blackstone said, if coolant was in the oil, you'd have elevated sodium since BMW coolant contains sodium hydroxide.

[Cbozz]

Originally Posted by Leonardo629

Si is from the valve cover sealant, potassium is also used to to make sealant. I'm pretty sure potassium and si will both come down in your next sample.

Like blackstone said, if coolant was in the oil, you'd have elevated sodium since BMW coolant contains sodium hydroxide.

Awesome, thats some good news! I just got my oil changed so next one in 3-5k I'm looking forward to all values wnl! thanks for reply and I will keep you posted!!

[jimk]

15W-47 custom made oil from BND automotive. The car has the ESS-550 supercharger. I had two HPDS sessions and my driving is mostly spirited. I like the increased phosphorus additive pack. Looks good overall and the car was indeed quieter. I did replace my bearings right before the oil change and the bearings looked great although only 1/10th of the overall bearing mileage was on this oil. The correct oil weight was 15W-47, ignore the 12W-37 as listed on the report.

The first sample at 4000 miles was TWS, the second at 1200 miles was Pennzoil Ultra Euro 5W40 and the last was the Quantum Blue.

[jason.wu]

Going to send my first sample in a few hundred miles. How long does it take for them to finish the oil analysis?

[jimk]

Originally Posted by jason.wu

Going to send my first sample in a few hundred miles. How long does it take for them to finish the oil analysis?

2-3 days after the've received the sample, so about a week after you mail it.

[TWiTCHY]

Has anyone ever tried to make a sale on a used pre-2011 M3 contingent on an oil analysis? Will a PPI catch bearing wear?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by TWiTCHY

Has anyone ever tried to make a sale on a used pre-2011 M3 contingent on an oil analysis? Will a PPI catch bearing wear?

It'd be tough to ascertain much unless the motor was in catastrophically-bad shape. UOAs are most useful when you have done many of them to establish trends -- all motors are a bit different so it's not of much use to just take one sample.

[e92zero]

My latest oil report:

[dparm]

Originally Posted by e92zero

My latest oil report:

Might be worthwhile to pay for TBN + TAN on the next one so you can fully understand how things look.

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by dparm

Might be worthwhile to pay for TBN + TAN on the next one so you can fully understand how things look.

I did that before and it indicate that my oil still has plenty of life left at 7500. However, I notice the engine feels/sounds different and easier to stall going up hills when the oil has around 6000+ miles on them. So I will just stick to the 7500 interval that seems to be working very well for me. Or perhaps you are thinking of something else with TBN+TAN?

[admranger]

Originally Posted by e92zero

I did that before and it indicate that my oil still has plenty of life left at 7500. However, I notice the engine feels/sounds different and easier to stall going up hills when the oil has around 6000+ miles on them. So I will just stick to the 7500 interval that seems to be working very well for me. Or perhaps you are thinking of something else with TBN+TAN?

Did you switch oil in late Sept. 2014? Moly numbers doubled.

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by admranger

Did you switch oil in late Sept. 2014? Moly numbers doubled.

Yup, I did. I used Mobil 1 0-40 for a while. Here was the thread with some details of my engine:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1074496

[dparm]

Originally Posted by e92zero

I did that before and it indicate that my oil still has plenty of life left at 7500. However, I notice the engine feels/sounds different and easier to stall going up hills when the oil has around 6000+ miles on them. So I will just stick to the 7500 interval that seems to be working very well for me. Or perhaps you are thinking of something else with TBN+TAN?

TBN + TAN is one of the best indicators if the oil needs to be changed. The particulate count isn't totally worthless, but there are things like particle streaking that can cause panic when there's no need.

If you've done TBN + TAN and things are in-check at 7500, I'd argue you could go further. But if it gives you peace-of-mind to stay with 7500, more power to you.

Just out of curiosity, what were the TBN & TAN values at 7500 for your motor? On both of my UOAs at 7500, they were both between 4 and 5.

[e92zero]

Originally Posted by dparm

TBN + TAN is one of the best indicators if the oil needs to be changed. The particulate count isn't totally worthless, but there are things like particle streaking that can cause panic when there's no need.

If you've done TBN + TAN and things are in-check at 7500, I'd argue you could go further. But if it gives you peace-of-mind to stay with 7500, more power to you.

Just out of curiosity, what were the TBN & TAN values at 7500 for your motor? On both of my UOAs at 7500, they were both between 4 and 5.

Mine was 5.4 and it was during the winter cycle. Not sure it makes a difference? I might do it again next time during the summer cycle just to see. I agree, based on that number I can probably go 10k but after some debate figure not worth it since I am keeping this car. It's 2 oil change difference every 60k miles.

[dparm]

Originally Posted by e92zero

Mine was 5.4 and it was during the winter cycle. Not sure it makes a difference? I might do it again next time during the summer cycle just to see. I agree, based on that number I can probably go 10k but after some debate figure not worth it since I am keeping this car. It's 2 oil change difference every 60k miles.

Winter time would make a difference if you're in a colder climate. High idle = more fuel contamination in the oil.

[M3an V8]

Here's my recent report.

[jimk]

Great report! What type of oil have you been using?