Engine Oil

[Chris_08_M3]

Hi, I just purchased an 2008 M3 and wanted to do an oil change. The previous owner said that he only uses Mobil 1 5W50 and that if I searched these forums I would see that many have made the switch. I've tried searching and do not see anyone on M1 5W50....am I missing something? I've seen a lot of discussion on M1 0W40 but not a lot of on 5W50.

I've spent over weeks looking for M1 5W50 and now that I have found a shop that sells it I am hesitant to buy as it seems that no one is using it. So if anyone is using it and likes it please let me know.

The only other options I have here in Toronto are: BMW Twin Power (which is $20/L), Liqui Moly 10W60 (which is apparently too thick) and M1 0W40.

Thanks
Chris

[oolas3]

I think the old Mobil 5w50 was considered inferior to the 0w40 so that's why not many guys used it. Seen more guys mix Mobil 0w40 with 15w50 than use the 5w50.

Interestingly it appears when Mobil changed the formula on the new version of 0w40 recently, it also changed the formula with new 5w50.

[kaede]

The Old 5w50 is spec'ed for the Lexus LFA, so i am sure it will be alright. But the M1 0w40 is the oil that many M3'ers have switched to for bearing wear prevention (UOA shows less bearing wear metals when used vs oem spec 10w60).

If you're in Ontario, i will stick with 10w60 since temperature in the summer months are quite hot and you'd probably want the extra heat protection by using a thicker oil. In the winter months by all means switch to 0w40 if you feel comfortable for the added cold start up protection.

Also considering ordering oil online since it is cheaper than going to stealership for oem oil.

At the end of the day, all the oils will "work" and would not detonate your engine/bearings, just make sure your OCI is more frequent than the recommended 25k km or something ridiculous that BMW recommends. Cheers!

[Chris_08_M3]

This clarifies everything for me....thanks guys!

[Doc Oc]

I'm running it now after running 0w40 over the winter. Car seems to like it. It's a good compromise between 0w40 and 10w60. Not sure why more people aren't running it. Seems great for our application...thin enough for winter cold starts and thick enough for summer protection. It should be the most popular alternative to 10w60 IMO. Check out the voa's over on bitog. Good stuff.

[Chris_08_M3]

Thanks Doc Oc.....I think I'll be running that for the winter. I may not even drive in the winter but 5W50 will likely be in the car while in storage.

I'm going to try the new twin turbo shell stuff this week because I got a good deal from a guy who is selling them because he sold his car recently.

[Millie]

I bought the new shell twin turbo oil last week from the dealer @ $13/L. You are getting hosed bro.

[admranger]

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

I'm running it now after running 0w40 over the winter. Car seems to like it. It's a good compromise between 0w40 and 10w60. Not sure why more people aren't running it. Seems great for our application...thin enough for winter cold starts and thick enough for summer protection. It should be the most popular alternative to 10w60 IMO. Check out the voa's over on bitog. Good stuff.

Just to be clear, you're running the new mobil 1 5w-50, correct?

[dparm]

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

I'm running it now after running 0w40 over the winter. Car seems to like it. It's a good compromise between 0w40 and 10w60. Not sure why more people aren't running it. Seems great for our application...thin enough for winter cold starts and thick enough for summer protection. It should be the most popular alternative to 10w60 IMO. Check out the voa's over on bitog. Good stuff.

People are not running it because BMW does not spec it.

That being said, if you can maintain proper oil pressure with 0w40, it's probably okay.

[JFB]

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

Hi, I just purchased an 2008 M3 and wanted to do an oil change. The previous owner said that he only uses Mobil 1 5W50 and that if I searched these forums I would see that many have made the switch. I've tried searching and do not see anyone on M1 5W50....am I missing something? I've seen a lot of discussion on M1 0W40 but not a lot of on 5W50.

I've spent over weeks looking for M1 5W50 and now that I have found a shop that sells it I am hesitant to buy as it seems that no one is using it. So if anyone is using it and likes it please let me know.

The only other options I have here in Toronto are: BMW Twin Power (which is $20/L), Liqui Moly 10W60 (which is apparently too thick) and M1 0W40.

Thanks
Chris

Endras BMW has an oil change kit: 9L of BMW spec oil for your car, filter, o rings, copper washers for 125$ cad. Can't go wrong...

[BimmerRookie]

Also, nothing wrong with LM... just a heads up.

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by admranger

Just to be clear, you're running the new mobil 1 5w-50, correct?

Yup. The old variety was called peak life I think. This is the one for our cars:

https://www.ecstuning.com/ES1826717/...FVhbhgodQ-UKAA

[Chris_08_M3]

Thanks guys....this has been very helpful. Looks like I have a few options:

10W60 (BMW/Shell or LM) for the summer

Mobil 5W50 or 0W40 in the winter

or to keep it simple Mobil 5W50 year round

Chris

[kaede]

Originally Posted by Millie

I bought the new shell twin turbo oil last week from the dealer @ $13/L. You are getting hosed bro.

Wow... that is really reasonable for a Canadian Stealership... think i picked up a liter once for the trunk for top up and they charged me something like $20+...

[kaede]

Originally Posted by JFB

Endras BMW has an oil change kit: 9L of BMW spec oil for your car, filter, o rings, copper washers for 125$ cad. Can't go wrong...

That's awesome pricing... wonder if they do shipping for cheap too because for all that its really not bad at all. Local stealership charge me $25CAD/filter already lol. so 9L of oil @ $100CAD = good deal.

[kaede]

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

Thanks guys....this has been very helpful. Looks like I have a few options:

10W60 (BMW/Shell or LM) for the summer

Mobil 5W50 or 0W40 in the winter

or to keep it simple Mobil 5W50 year round

Chris

Given the choices, i will just go with M1 5w50 as long as they are readily available and not costly. Cheers!

[Doc Oc]

Originally Posted by Chris_08_M3

Thanks guys....this has been very helpful. Looks like I have a few options:

10W60 (BMW/Shell or LM) for the summer

Mobil 5W50 or 0W40 in the winter

or to keep it simple Mobil 5W50 year round

Chris

Imo 5w50 is a great year round option. It flows well for cold starts and should offer more protection in extreme heat. Personally I'll never go back to a 40. The car likes a thicker oil. Temps fluctuate less and the engine is quieter.

[JFB]

Originally Posted by kaede

That's awesome pricing... wonder if they do shipping for cheap too because for all that its really not bad at all. Local stealership charge me $25CAD/filter already lol. so 9L of oil @ $100CAD = good deal.

They do. I think they charge 10$ flat fee. At least that's what they charged me in the spring...

[dparm]

There are plenty of Xw50 oils out there. You don't have to use the Mobil 1 offering.

There's also nothing wrong with running the BMW 10w60 year round just like thousands of cars have been doing since the 2008 model year.

[nholmes]

Don't trust BMW! They'll only recommend something for your car that will damage it!

[kaede]

Originally Posted by Doc Oc

Imo 5w50 is a great year round option. It flows well for cold starts and should offer more protection in extreme heat. Personally I'll never go back to a 40. The car likes a thicker oil. Temps fluctuate less and the engine is quieter.

+1 for going for a thicker oil such as the 5w50 or 10w60 especially because of the summer heat in Toronto. Contrary to your experience, I have ran M1 0w40 before and currently on Motul 300V 5w40 and have never noticed more temp fluctuation and noise. By fluctuations you mean that the lighter weight oil cools and warms up faster than the thicker oil?

OP, I do not see the "harm" in going for a 0/5wXX for the added cold start protection in the winter/cooler months.

I am sure all the oils will "work" and will protect your engine as long as you follow a strict OCI regime. Choose based on availability, cost, and intended purposes of your m3. (when i track my car in the summer, i stick with oem oil for higher heat protection, colder months i go with thinner oil etc...) Cheers!

[Chris_08_M3]

Thank you all for your feedback....very helpful.