Doin an oil change today ...

[hamann318is]

how will it hold the synthetic? wont it leak more then normal?

I changed mine to synth right when I got the car. I checked for leaks. If a leak happens, I'd go to dino oil next time around.

I haven't had a leak since (I think it's due to the motor's low mileage), and I have continued to use synth oil.

[royalflush313]

5w30??

According to the BMW Manual, 5w30 is intended for Temps -5Celcius and lower.

Last oil change, 20w50 was poured in the car :shock:

[KenC]

Last oil change, 20w50 was poured in the car :shock:

bit thick for canadian winters, not to mention the m42

[BavarianBimmer]

you want something thin for the winter, if yoru using full synthetic, use the BMW synthetic 5w-30, if your not using synthetic, i use castrol gtx 5w-30. it's good for the winter

Way too thin.

I use 5w40 or 5w30 winter and summer in my "good old" M10 engine
it still doesn't use much oil, no leaks visible and runs still fine with +- 200k on the tach

[royalflush313]

Last oil change, 20w50 was poured in the car :shock:

bit thick for canadian winters, not to mention the m42

what would I be compromising if I used a thin oil like 5w30?

In couple weeks when school is finished, I was gonna go pick up some 10w40 and do my winter oil change, but i think you guys are changing my mind about it.

AMS Synthetic 5w40 maybe ?

http://www.604synthetics.com/products_afl.php

[KenC]

AMS Synthetic 5w40 maybe ?
http://www.604synthetics.com/products_afl.php

Exactly what I use during the Fall and Winter.

[Charlie]

Last oil change, 20w50 was poured in the car :shock:

bit thick for canadian winters, not to mention the m42

what would I be compromising if I used a thin oil like 5w30?

In couple weeks when school is finished, I was gonna go pick up some 10w40 and do my winter oil change, but i think you guys are changing my mind about it.

AMS Synthetic 5w40 maybe ?
http://www.604synthetics.com/products_afl.php

You're not compromising anything. Run Mobil 1 5w30 synthetic and you will be just fine.

-Charlie

[m42technic]

Its funny how everyone thinks lower viscosity oil is the devil...

[royalflush313]

Its funny how everyone thinks lower viscosity oil is the devil...

I don't.

Since I don't know anything, I can only assume that BMW is right, and follow their directions like a little bitch
They must have a reason they recommend certain weight oil for certain temperatures though - I'll need to educate myself a little better on the subject.

[pig4bill]

Its funny how everyone thinks lower viscosity oil is the devil...

That's because people in much colder climates are recommending it for a guy in Seattle.

Check the manufacturer's website. I was going to use Mobil 1 5w30 because Costco had it cheap. But then I checked Mobil's website, and that is too light for my car and climate.

[mgold]

I've been running Castrol GTX or Castrol High Mileage 10w40 for 5 years now. I lose about a quart every 3000 miles. But I also have 163000 miles on my ride. I run Amsoil in the tranny and rear end though.

[M-technik-3]

you want something thin for the winter, if yoru using full synthetic, use the BMW synthetic 5w-30, if your not using synthetic, i use castrol gtx 5w-30. it's good for the winter

Castrol GTX is junk. leaves to many deposits and varnishes. Prefer Valoline over Castrol just about anyday.

[M-technik-3]

Its funny how everyone thinks lower viscosity oil is the devil...

It's not, but is not adequate for protection under high stress loads. But it's perfect for winter condition.

[nando]

I've tried everything in my E30, but usually I go with 10w30 Valvoline. 160,000 miles and it doesn't burn a drop..

5w30 is probably fine for a northwest winter, even on a hot day we'll barely break 80; during the winter it rarely gets above 50.

[m42technic]

Its funny how everyone thinks lower viscosity oil is the devil...

It's not, but is not adequate for protection under high stress loads. But it's perfect for winter condition.

We are talking about synthetics, arent we? All newer BMW engines use 5W-30 synthetic, year round. If its good enough for an N62 in the middle of summer, then I would think it will be ok for my M42 this winter...