0w-40 or 15w-50 from Mobil1?

[m3f_andres_2313]

Officially my first post... I think:



So im due on an oil change, im just wondering if I should get the mobil1 0w-40 or the 15w-50? any advice?



I live in miami (hottttt during the day easily 90 degrees)

11/95 build 100,800 miles on the car



P.s. my vanos is acting up, and im planning on fixing it soon, but regardless i gotta change the oil.... and the previous owner used amsoil 5w-40...?

[m3f_fiveightan_7e37700daf]

Neither are the recommended oil viscosity for your car.


But in your position (and between those 2 only), i'd run the 15W50 over the 0W40. I'm not a big fan of the 0W oils. I just don't know how much i'd trust it not to denature down to a base stock that's much thinner than the out of container viscosity.


Also, i've personally had issues with lifter noise on cold startup in the warm months with 5Wxx oils. I wouldn't put a 0W in my car due to this.

[m3f_andres_2313]

thanks a lot nick. I had heard about the 0w but was just curious to ask. i was really leaning towards the 15w-50 though... ive heard a lot of mixed reviews on the subject... im curious to see what others think as well.

[m3f_Richardspe_ff9fba485e]

I've used the 15-50 for years with no issues.

[m3f_cstern_8f12f914a2]

I have used both. Burned more oil with the 0w-40. Lost a mpg or two switching to 15w-50, but burn much less oil.



I will still probably switch back to 0w-40 in the winter months as this is a daily driver.

[m3f_das borgen_362acec4fe]

stick with the Amsoil 5W-40



I ve had no issues running it on mine for the past 9k miles

[m3f_///M3 Madn_262f2d6171]

I use Mobil 1. 15W50 in the summer and 5W30 in the winter. Mid Atlantic area. For your climate, my vote is for 15W50.

[m3f_M3n00b_e01f72a830]

I'm running castrol syntec 10w-40 because it seems to be closest to the hard to find, 15w-40. :clueless:

[m3f_cstern_8f12f914a2]

I'm running castrol syntec 10w-40 because it seems to be closest to the hard to find, 15w-40. :clueless:



The only 15w-40 I can find in my area is RP and its like $9/quart. It might be at one autozone and not at another. Hard to track down. No gallon or 5 qt. jugs available.

[m3f_///Nick_c9d600704e]

I am currently running 15w-40 RP. I used the Mobil 1 15w-50, with the gold cap, but I cannot find it anywhere anymore. Plus I wanted to try out the RP. If you search the internet you can find great deals on the RP.

[m3f_cmcon98_d61dd8ea87]

Does anyone use diesel oils like Rotella T? I think I've seen those in 15w-40 in 5-liter jugs at chain auto parts stores.



I'm running 10w-40 Shell dino now, and I get very very slight lifter noise at idle (which may be the injectors clicking, too) but burn zero oil over 3000 miles with 103,000 on the engine.



Next oil change I'm switching to a synthetic oil, but I'm curious about the Rotella. Any advice?

[m3f_JPoland_e17b491a3d]

In Georgia, I see the 5 gallon jugs of RP 15W-40 at Autozone and O'Reilly autoparts both inside and pretty far outside of Atlanta. Could be you just need to ask the guy at the counter to order it for you.



I've done Mobile 1 15W-50 and now RP 15W-40. I've got one more change with RP 15W-40 and then I may look at Amsoil, I need to do some more research for myself first.

[m3f_andres_2313]

I wouldn't know where to look for the amsoil since I didn't see it at the advance auto parts. But I'm undecided cuz I've heard so many different things. I'm really leaning towards the m1 15w-50... And do our cars really take 7quarts? At least for the s50?

[m3f_adema24_dccc53569a]

6.9 quarts for the s50. For Amsoil, it's best to sign up for the free 6 months trial and order a lot of stuff a wholesale price, which is 15-25% off. After 6 months, you can pay $20 a year for the preferred program and order at wholesale prices, if you want to.

[m3f_bigfeller_2f4b603012]

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=265292



It has all sorts of oil info goodness.



PS- I run the BMW Synthetic 5W30 because it's definitely approved for the M3 and I only pay $6.50/ litre for it.