What oil to use on new E30 325i?

[Jand3rson]

When I replace the oil pan next week, I want to use a high-grade oil, but I'm not sure what to use. I would like to use either Mobil-1 Synthetic or Castrol Synthetic. Or should I not go with synthetic at all?

I asked the previous owner what they used, and he said he couldn't remember, so god knows what is in there now. What would you guys reccomend I do?

[Skafrog]

if your car hasnt been running synthetic, I would not do it, as it tends to weep out of every tiny little crack in your engine.
However, I am sure there are people on this board who recommend it. Half swear by synthetic, half do not.

[KenC]

My M10 ran on dino forever and I had NO problems switching over to synthetic.

I use AMSOIL 5w30 in the Summer and I have absolutely no leaks. If you car already has leaks and such, it'll weep out of them for sure.

Talk to Matt (turbo Matt) about getting some AMS, he's a rep.

[Erick]

You wont be driving your car for 6 months, why bother with oil now?

Most people here use Castrol GTX ( myself included ) or Mobil 1

Edit:

http://www.r3vlimited.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=7198&highlight=oil

[M-technik-3]

Castrol GTX, makes me shudder. I find that it tends to varnish inside engine. I have had good luck with Mobil 1 and both Valvoline Durablend and know quite a few shops that use Castrol Sythentec.

But as long as you change the oil within the prescribed times you can run anything. Just follow recommend weights and times.

Now in Germany most don't change oil every 3k miles we do it it every 30k km yes every 18.6k miles. Before you scream WHAT? The factory has two filters one marked /15 and /30 which stand for the mileage on which they are changed.

Oil in Germany is 4 times what we pay a Qt.

[MR 325]

I currently am running Valvoline 20w 50 but once I drop the 2.7i in the 85, it will run on Mobil 1 synthetic most likely.

[Jon325i]

You say its "new"......but what's the mileage? Is it leaking any oil now? My high-mileage M20 (going on 225K and currently burns about 1 quart every 3K miles) gets only dino oil since its got a couple of slow leaks.....one being the rear main seal. If I were to dump in the synthetic stuff I would have a mess in the driveway. So I run Castrol GTX 20W50.

Jon

[///M42 sport]

bentley says its "healthy" to burn some oil. I would go with Mobil 1 15w-50. You can get that gallon jug for $20 at walmart.
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waffleswaffleswaffleswaffleswaffles

[Jand3rson]

The mileage is 136k.

And yes, I know I won't be driving it for 6 months, but I would like to be able to start the car periodically, and be able to take it around the block with my brother in law when I perform engine work,
so oil would be nice.

It has one oil leak, but it's from the oil filter housing, and I think it's just because it's loose.

I think I'm going to run Mobil1 15W-50. What weight would you guys reccomend for the winter? (Cold, freezing temps, lots of snow and ice)

[Matto]

My engine has used castrol gtx from day one. No leaks and it runs great.

[iXer]

I would put some of that special cleaning solution that removes crud from the engine and then put new synthetic oil in. If it leaks, you have some bad seals so put some of that additive into the engine which is meant to fix these things.. My engine leaked a little to much for me after I switched to fully synthetic and now it's leak free after the additive was put in.
Sorry, I don't remember the brand/name of the additive and the oil right now..

[KenC]

Josh,
In Bend, I'd run a 5w30 for the Winter months. It'll allow easy starts on cold mornings and provide all the protection you need.

Talk to Matt and see what he can do for you with some AMSoil; it's great stuff.

[M-technik-3]

This is for the next 6 months of limited use? Mobil oil $0.89 a QT you will be lucky to break a thousand miles. My Scirocco sat in storage for 3 years with simple Mobil oil and was just fine. It got driven every other month for 20 miles and to heat the exhaust and clean rotors.

Motor was strong as ever when I cam back to US o A.