Oil problem: the break-in...

[synclastica_86]

Altough there are many different opinions regarding how to break your car in properly, I'm sure that all would agree using the correct engine oil during this period is vital. But what is the perfect oil to use initially? Same say synthetic oil s a definate no no. Will the dealers give you the right oil to start with? Or is the oil added in the factory? What about after 1200 miles, what oil would I use now? What about tranmission fluid? There are so many stroies about dealers effing up the gearbox in the 1200miles service because the wrong fluid were used. Please help out!

[Gearhead999s]

Dont worry about what oil is your car for the breakin.The dealer will leave the factory fill in the car from the factory unless it suffers from fuel contamination in shipping.Nobody seems to know for sure what oil is used from the factory,but I would place money that it is the same Castrol 10-60 that is speced for normal use.Other manufactures that specify full sythetics fill there cars with it at the intial fill and have zero issues because of it.Those manufactures include Porsche,GM with the Vette motors.Mercedes AMG.Even my Ducati was factory filled with synthetic and after 65+ track days @21000 kms total the leakdown rate is 3% and it was run full throttle on dyno after 40 minutes for breakin.
As for the other lubricants just drive and worry about the 2000 km service to get them all changed out(if not a M-DCT).The manual trans really improves with some kms on it and mine at 10000 shifts like butter when warm.

[bigmaze]

you are correct im stationed here in germany..actually talked to a former production manerger from munich..the type of oil used is 10 w 60 castrol...thats what they use..they say its a speacial bc the only place you can get it is at an bmw service ept or an esso gas station..no ohter gas station carries that oil..well at least here in germany anyway..hope that helped..also thats what i use as well...

[sayemthree]

the 1200 mile break in is with what came with the car. someone here teted it and it seemd to be 10-60. after that use 10-60.

dont know about the m3 but in the e39 M5 it was shipped from germany with break in oil and at the delivery center it was sucked out and replaced with the spec oil.

[adamr]

exact oil they use ... 8.8Litres of it ...

[Johndoe]

I think Castrol is also called "Castrol Edge 10W-60" and they are noted to be specifically formulated for M cars but essentially a synthetic 10W-60.....

For Mobil 1 some of the Factory Filled cars from Mobi1.com website:
Aston Martin
All Bentley Vehicles
Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06
All Porsche Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vehicles
Mercedes SLR
Viper SRT-10

Will look for Mobil 1 10W-60 formulation coming out soon....until then will use Castrol

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by Johndoe

I think Castrol is also called "Castrol Edge 10W-60" and they are noted to be specifically formulated for M cars but essentially a synthetic 10W-60.....

For Mobil 1 some of the Factory Filled cars from Mobi1.com website:
Aston Martin
All Bentley Vehicles
Chevrolet Corvette C6 and Z06
All Porsche Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz AMG Vehicles
Mercedes SLR
Viper SRT-10

Will look for Mobil 1 10W-60 formulation coming out soon....until then will use Castrol

there is no Mobil 1 oil approved for use inthe BMW M3.

[synclastica_86]

Do you have to specify with the dealer?

[epoints]

My CA mentioned after 1200 mi they drained and fill it with different oil.. Not sure if he knows what he is taking about?

[BCMPOWER]

Bmw co developed the TWS oil with Castrol, that is why it is the only approved oil for the M3. Why mess with BMW and Castrol's R&D especially since our cars come with 4 years of scheduled maintenance. Trust BMW when build and develope cars!

[Ronin13]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

Altough there are many different opinions regarding how to break your car in properly, I'm sure that all would agree using the correct engine oil during this period is vital. But what is the perfect oil to use initially? Same say synthetic oil s a definate no no. Will the dealers give you the right oil to start with? Or is the oil added in the factory? What about after 1200 miles, what oil would I use now? What about tranmission fluid? There are so many stroies about dealers effing up the gearbox in the 1200miles service because the wrong fluid were used. Please help out!

A lot of questions. I think you are basically asking does BMW start with the "right" engine oil in the M3 and if dealers use the "right" engine oil for changes after break in? I don't think there is data for a definitive answer as the engine is new and the majority of owners use the BMW recommended Castrol 10w60. RE: trans fluid. I see you have a DCT car. Again, DCT is too new for a definitive answer, but BMW recommends not changing the fluid from the original factory fill.

[Johndoe]

Originally Posted by sayemthree

there is no Mobil 1 oil approved for use inthe BMW M3.

I know - that is why i will use Castrol until Mobil 1 comes out with 10W-60 specs.....then Mobil 1 all the way!

[sayemthree]

Originally Posted by Johndoe

I know - that is why i will use Castrol until Mobil 1 comes out with 10W-60 specs.....then Mobil 1 all the way!

well its been 8 years and still no Mobil1 in this grade - how much longer?

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

Do you have to specify with the dealer?

Specify what? Relax. Do you think it would come from the factory with the wrong oil? There's nothing you need to do except limit your RPM's and speed during break in per the manual, then remind them not mess with the DCT at the 1200 mile service. It can be safely assumed they know which oil to put in the engine at that time. I'm not sure what you're worried about.
After re-reading your OP, maybe, with all the opinions re break-in, you think maybe there is a "better" oil to use during break-in than what is provided by the factory, or a "better" oil to use after break-in than what is provided, and recommended by BMW. I would have to say that even if you wade through all the break-in debates, one thing that is pretty consistent is the general acceptance of using what's originally provided and recommended by BMW as far as the oil to use, both during and after break-in.

[synclastica_86]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

Specify what? Relax. Do you think it would come from the factory with the wrong oil? There's nothing you need to do except limit your RPM's and speed during break in per the manual, then remind them not mess with the DCT at the 1200 mile service. It can be safely assumed they know which oil to put in the engine at that time. I'm not sure what you're worried about.
After re-reading your OP, maybe, with all the opinions re break-in, you think maybe there is a "better" oil to use during break-in than what is provided by the factory, or a "better" oil to use after break-in than what is provided, and recommended by BMW. I would have to say that even if you wade through all the break-in debates, one thing that is pretty consistent is the general acceptance of using what's originally provided and recommended by BMW as far the oil to use.

Originally Posted by Ronin13

A lot of questions. I think you are basically asking does BMW start with the "right" engine oil in the M3 and if dealers use the "right" engine oil for changes after break in? I don't think there is data for a definitive answer as the engine is new and the majority of owners use the BMW recommended Castrol 10w60. RE: trans fluid. I see you have a DCT car. Again, DCT is too new for a definitive answer, but BMW recommends not changing the fluid from the original factory fill.

I'm sure what comes from the factory is fine. What I am worried about is when they perform the 1200mile service. I know I might sound paranoid, but after hearing stories on this forum about people needing to get their tranny replaced, I'm just a but worried.

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

I'm sure what comes from the factory is fine. What I am worried about is when they perform the 1200mile service. I know I might sound paranoid, but after hearing stories on this forum about people needing to get their tranny replaced, I'm just a but worried.

Fair enough. Easy solution: Bring it up with your SA when you take it in. If he gives the proper response, (No, we won't change the fluid in your DCT) then no worries. I know I'll bring it up when the time comes, just to be sure, but I'm not going to lose any sleep over it in the mean time.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by adamr

exact oil they use ... 8.8Litres of it ...

Asked my SA for extra bottle, exactly what they gave. Even says engineered for M cars on the bottle.

[synclastica_86]

So is the engine oil the same as tranny fluid?

[808MGuy]

Originally Posted by synclastica_86

So is the engine oil the same as tranny fluid?

After a question like that, I would say, don't ever work on your own car. Always take it to the dealer.

No it is not the same. Gear oil and motor oil are 2 totally different things.

[Ronin13]

Tons of threads on DCT fluid. SMSgt B posted a PDF copy of the TSB regarding DCT fluid changes. Unique fluid.

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthr...31#post2775231