I've been going through this big debate with the oil weight.
This is in regards to US-Spec E36 M3 only, though feel free to talk about the Euro provided you qualify it as such.
I called BMW this afternoon. they said They use Esso 80W90 in the diffs, and refused to sell it. That really doesn't sound right, and I can only guess this guy was talking crazy.
Went out today to get some Royal Purple and they said 75W140 was nuts. I explained the situation, took the 75W90 that they actually had given that they said if I wanted the 75W140, they'll order it in custom and exchange them. Figured if I was going back anyway, I might as well take the 75W90 just in case.
I've been reading and researching lots on the issue and it seems to be a big debate, with few people actually siding with 75W140. Generally speaking it is a split of 30-to-1 of 75W90 to 75W140 in a few discussions dating back some time, and I find that a bit odd. It troubles me a bit to move to the 75W140 with such a small following in doing so.
I think the big reason is that 75W140 has only been commonplace for about 5 years and BMW only started calling for it in 99.
So the big question- should the 75W90 head back in exchange for ordering 75W140 as seems to be the case, or is this just a case of loads of mis-information.
Here are the facts that I have for public interest:
- Factory fill is Castrol SAF-XJ, and is 75W-140 viscosity with friction modifier additives for use in multi-plate LSDs., formerly with part number 83 22 9 407 870 "Final Drive gear oil MSP/A" 60L and is called for in use in the E36 including M models.
- TIS recommends a whole list of oils, all of which seem to be 75W140 weight for the diff.
- The 140 rating is intended to maintain viscosity at high temperatures exhibited in high-speed runs, track use, and other high-duty purposes. It is intended to resist wearout of long-term use at these conditions, such as 15+ minute autobahn runs.
- SAF-XO is 75W90 and BMW uses it in the non-LSDs. Articles on Pellican and other places all do the work on 318s or similar and hence all say 75W90.
- The diff would be fairly happy with either that has an LSD modifier, however the 140 will dampen some of the noise and reduce wear in high-heat situations experienced and help on higher-mileage vehicles.
- Diffsonline uses Castrol SAF-XJ, and they seem pretty reputable.
- the move to SAF-XJ seems to have been been motivated by the introduction of the E36/7 M Coupe and them moved along the rest of the line. It is also what is used in the E46 as factory. A large part of me wonders if this is BMWs way of not stocking two barrels of oil.
Assorted discussions can be found on most of the forums, with no real answers. An example is here (http://www.e36coupe.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=85886&postdays=0&postorder=asc&sta rt=15).
So what's the word, without spectating. I'm looking for first-hand direction, folks that work as mechanics, folks who work for BMW and can actually find the word from above.
Also, if it is 75W140 as I'm wondering, why does it seem almost everyone is using 75W90 that tells about it?
-M
This is in regards to US-Spec E36 M3 only, though feel free to talk about the Euro provided you qualify it as such.
I called BMW this afternoon. they said They use Esso 80W90 in the diffs, and refused to sell it. That really doesn't sound right, and I can only guess this guy was talking crazy.
Went out today to get some Royal Purple and they said 75W140 was nuts. I explained the situation, took the 75W90 that they actually had given that they said if I wanted the 75W140, they'll order it in custom and exchange them. Figured if I was going back anyway, I might as well take the 75W90 just in case.
I've been reading and researching lots on the issue and it seems to be a big debate, with few people actually siding with 75W140. Generally speaking it is a split of 30-to-1 of 75W90 to 75W140 in a few discussions dating back some time, and I find that a bit odd. It troubles me a bit to move to the 75W140 with such a small following in doing so.
I think the big reason is that 75W140 has only been commonplace for about 5 years and BMW only started calling for it in 99.
So the big question- should the 75W90 head back in exchange for ordering 75W140 as seems to be the case, or is this just a case of loads of mis-information.
Here are the facts that I have for public interest:
- Factory fill is Castrol SAF-XJ, and is 75W-140 viscosity with friction modifier additives for use in multi-plate LSDs., formerly with part number 83 22 9 407 870 "Final Drive gear oil MSP/A" 60L and is called for in use in the E36 including M models.
- TIS recommends a whole list of oils, all of which seem to be 75W140 weight for the diff.
- The 140 rating is intended to maintain viscosity at high temperatures exhibited in high-speed runs, track use, and other high-duty purposes. It is intended to resist wearout of long-term use at these conditions, such as 15+ minute autobahn runs.
- SAF-XO is 75W90 and BMW uses it in the non-LSDs. Articles on Pellican and other places all do the work on 318s or similar and hence all say 75W90.
- The diff would be fairly happy with either that has an LSD modifier, however the 140 will dampen some of the noise and reduce wear in high-heat situations experienced and help on higher-mileage vehicles.
- Diffsonline uses Castrol SAF-XJ, and they seem pretty reputable.
- the move to SAF-XJ seems to have been been motivated by the introduction of the E36/7 M Coupe and them moved along the rest of the line. It is also what is used in the E46 as factory. A large part of me wonders if this is BMWs way of not stocking two barrels of oil.
Assorted discussions can be found on most of the forums, with no real answers. An example is here (http://www.e36coupe.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=85886&postdays=0&postorder=asc&sta rt=15).
So what's the word, without spectating. I'm looking for first-hand direction, folks that work as mechanics, folks who work for BMW and can actually find the word from above.
Also, if it is 75W140 as I'm wondering, why does it seem almost everyone is using 75W90 that tells about it?
-M
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