Oil change

[Cronenberged]

Amsoil now makes a 10w60 for our vehicles. Been running their 5w50 for 5 years no issues.

[9kracing]

You only get an oil change when it is within range based on CBS data. You'll get 2 oil changes unless you're putting a lot of miles on the car. Which still isn't bad but then you have the stealership trying to sell you stuff two times.

I'm not 100% sure I understand what you're saying.

They told me they can only change the oil once per year, unless you hit 10K before that.

But I put 1500 miles on the M3 last year and they didn't give me any grief when I went to change it a few months ago.... I still have one oil change left?

[ugaexploder]

Amsoil now makes a 10w60 for our vehicles. Been running their 5w50 for 5 years no issues.

I recall seeing a post about this. Will you switch over to 10w60 from them now or just continue on with the 5w50?

[Cronenberged]

I recall seeing a post about this. Will you switch over to 10w60 from them now or just continue on with the 5w50?

I would if I were going to track the car. I haven't compared their signature oil to the Euro 10w60. When I initially made the choice, it was because the 5w50 was almost comparable to Shell's and Castrol's 10w60, but it performed better in shear tests. Project Farm conducted tests and demonstrated its superiority. I'll have to find the guy who conducts parts wear tests using different oils on YouTube; he maintains an extensive Excel database with almost all the available oils.

I know that's a lengthy explanation for saying 'no,' but I thought it would be best to provide a bit more context.

[bigjae46]

I'm not 100% sure I understand what you're saying.

They told me they can only change the oil once per year, unless you hit 10K before that.

But I put 1500 miles on the M3 last year and they didn't give me any grief when I went to change it a few months ago.... I still have one oil change left?

It's based on the condition-based service data - has to show due in the service counter in the dash. Has to be due or within a certain range or 2 years. Dealerships are dumb, most service advisors are clueless...they applied the wrong interval. Turbo cars are one year. It is very possible the dealer will get charged back for your oil change from BMWNA...so might not get another free one unless its due.

I used to be a service advisor. I never sold the 3 year deal to E-chassis with an NA engine. It was a waste.

[ugaexploder]

I would if I were going to track the car. I haven't compared their signature oil to the Euro 10w60. When I initially made the choice, it was because the 5w50 was almost comparable to Shell's and Castrol's 10w60, but it performed better in shear tests. Project Farm conducted tests and demonstrated its superiority. I'll have to find the guy who conducts parts wear tests using different oils on YouTube; he maintains an extensive Excel database with almost all the available oils.

I know that's a lengthy explanation for saying 'no,' but I thought it would be best to provide a bit more context.

I really enjoy the Project Farm tests also. Appreciate the context, definitely interesting to hear your thoughts.

I always wondered why more people didn't use Amsoil in the BMW community.

[mpower22]

I use LiquiMoly as well, very high quality oil and very under rated here in the US. I would max at 7k/1yr, but with never driving it, I'm comfortable going 2 years.

[bigjae46]

I use LiquiMoly as well, very high quality oil and very under rated here in the US. I would max at 7k/1yr, but with never driving it, I'm comfortable going 2 years.

Apparently an E9X M3 facebook group hates liquiMoly. Mentioning that you use it generates comments like...you're an idiot or your engine is doomed.

[lemoose]

Apparently an E9X M3 facebook group hates liquiMoly. Mentioning that you use it generates comments like...you're an idiot or your engine is doomed.

I remember reading in this forum that liquimoly, ironically enough, has no moly additive. So unless youre buying the additive separately, you kind of are getting an inferior oil in terms of additives.

[eacmen]

I've been using Redline 15-50 in the track car. Let the roasting begin!

Although I do plan on moving to either amsoil or motul 10-60.

[mpower22]

Apparently an E9X M3 facebook group hates liquiMoly. Mentioning that you use it generates comments like...you're an idiot or your engine is doomed.

Besides the current M3 with that horrendous front end, the E9x previously held the long-running title for the least attractive of all BMWs. (See, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even those guys)

All jokes aside, it's important to remember that when the S54 came out, it took a standard weight oil - 10w30 I believe. Then when engine issues started being reported in very early models, their quick "fix" was to use a thicker oil and thus a special 10W60 formulation was born. Other car manufacturers took note of this and so this event became the benchmark for various car models to require their own "special" oil. Many often forget this and there are more that aren't even aware. I was on the waiting list for 2 years for my E46 so I had my ear to the ground and wanted to avoid a first year M3 model for reasons just like this.. So the wait was worth it.

I have a hard time believing oil manufacturers are making a special oil version or other special fluid that is specific only for this or that model car that comes out these days. It's a pure profit driver because it's not available anywhere else and the BMW stamp that comes on that bottle goes to - you guessed it - licensing fees. Meaning BMW takes a cut of every bottle sold. The increase in price likely isn't coming from Castrol, it's BMW taking a larger share (similar to the 2010 Euro bumper receipt I posted in another thread where it has since doubled in price). On the original M3Forum, I remember in the early 2010's when this oil started going up drastically in price, a very few people who didn't track or even redline their car often ran 10W40 synthetic in it with no issues and had regular testing done to prove it. I'm not saying I would personally take that risk or change weights no matter how much research was done on it, but it got my attention. Fast forward to today, various BMW factory and even aftermarket fixes have since been released to make the S54 solidly reliable. That said, BMW learned from past mistakes and improved the design on successive engines, yet 10W60 is now still required on all M engines. It's something else to think about.

After owning a few other cars through the years and experimenting with quality alternatives over the last 15 and seeing how most now require all of these "special" fluids that must be brand name with outrageous cost, where I have no problems to report - I'll take my Liqui-Moly in confidence over the E9X fanboy advice who's just posting to repeat what someone else said. I don't really take solid advice from someone who owns a car for a year, jumps on a bandwagon because they saw another post that they believe and then isn't around in another year or so..

[bigjae46]

Besides the current M3 with that horrendous front end, the E9x previously held the long-running title for the least attractive of all BMWs. (See, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, even those guys)

Oh no you didn’t! Where’s that slap emoji? 🤣

You’re talking about a viscosity change which is different from the additive package. I doubt that the 10w-30 and 10w-60 oils were different in additive or at least a special additive was made. Castrol probably just moved production to the 10w-60 line, slapped an M badge on it. And you know what happens when you put an M badge on something? It instantly gets more expensive.

I also don’t understand the hate on Liqui-Moly. If you even get into the subject on the FB group, the amateur oil experts go into why the additive package sucks and blah blah blah.

I’m willing to be that they didn’t even realize that BMW has switched from Castrol to Shell and now back to Castrol. I’m pretty sure there were differences.

I have run 0w-40 Mobil 1 in my car before. The pressures didn’t change very much from observing my gauge. The oil did get MUCH hotter but also cooled off a lot quicker.

[maupineda]

I actually do not run 10w60 at all, I have used either 0w40 or 15w50 mobil1. the car runs the same with both, and 0w40 actually runs cooler in normal use as there is less energy to displace the oil through passages and galleys. If you abuse it for long periods, on a hot day, at an incline, with AC, I have seen the needle move passed just a touch right to the middle, or 220F - 105C depending on where you live, that said, it also comes back down instantly to right of the middle point to 95C. I also use ceratec with every change. we will see how my bearings come out next year when I can do them; my car has 87k kms. I would only use 10w60 if I pounded on it all day, every day.

[Will]

...

I have run 0w-40 Mobil 1 in my car before. The pressures didn’t change very much from observing my gauge. The oil did get MUCH hotter but also cooled off a lot quicker.

Good to know the oil pressures didn't change very much with the 0w-40 M1. Was it street use / DD or on track? Also, how much hotter did it get? Thanks.

[jayjaya29]

I wonder how running a thinner oil would affect rod bearing life.