New to E30 325is What OIL?

[jeffnhiscars]

I am so glad to see that someone has FINALLY started a thread about what oil to use. This has had me baffled since I bought my first e30 almost 20 years ago. I don't know how I survived this long.

:roll:

[estoguy]

You mean you want empirical evidence for claims made on the internet??

E30 guys are way too cheap to use Blackstone haha.

I had a couple of kits from before I had my E30, and used them - it was the Canadian equivalent of Blackstone. These were results I got on test back in 2013. I'm hoping to do one after my next change. Just haven't had the extra money to be consistent with them.

I'd posted this to BF. This was with Castrol Edge 5w50, BTW

KM on car: 285816 (Approx 171500 miles)
KM Since change 15930

Iron 13, Cr 1, Mo 79, Al 5, Cu 5, Pb 11, Sn 1, Ti 0, Ni 0, Ag 0, Si 7, Na 31 (they flagged this as either coolant entry, or possible additive in oil - Glycol was negative), K 2, Zn 1254, Mg 1449, P 952, Ba 0, B 14, Ca 710, Mn 0, V 0

Soot UFM# 0, Sulf UFM# 25, Oxid UFM# 19, Nitr UFM# 15, Visc cST @ 100 C 16.43. Antifreeze NEG, % Fuel Dilution <1.0, Water NEG

Makeup oil 1.75L (there is a small leak) - Interestingly, I've gone almost 8K KM and haven't added oil yet. Last oil change, I put the first 0.75 L in at 6800 KM.

[CorvallisBMW]

BMW and VW are pretty stingy with approvals...

Serious question: Does anyone have a story of engine damage/failure which can be directly attributed to oil choice?

You mean you want empirical evidence for claims made on the internet??

E30 guys are way too cheap to use Blackstone haha.

[ELVA164]

New version of the Mobiloil PDF :

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide.pdf

It seems that as of 01/2017 the 15W50 is still a good bet.

BMW and VW are pretty stingy with approvals...

Serious question: Does anyone have a story of engine damage/failure which can be directly attributed to oil choice?

[CorvallisBMW]

nice - the TurboDiesel truck 5W-40 is also a good bet. I started using that on my M20 a while back, it's a little better if you live in a colder climate and don't really need a heavy oil. It's harder to find though.

Looks like you can get it shipped to your local WalMart for free https://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-5...-gal./17128879

[estoguy]

I've been using the Castrol Edge 5w50 on my Eta for the last 3.5 years as a year round oil in Canada. It has a good zinc package and 50 wt. No problems so far.

[nando]

nice - the TurboDiesel truck 5W-40 is also a good bet. I started using that on my M20 a while back, it's a little better if you live in a colder climate and don't really need a heavy oil. It's harder to find though.

[nmlss2006]

New version of the Mobiloil PDF :

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide.pdf

It seems that as of 01/2017 the 15W50 is still a good bet.

[ELVA164]

Cool!

[rwh11385]

I don't think so, just in a different aisle at autozone. http://news.thomasnet.com/fullstory/...cations-822081

"Delo® 400 LE SAE 15W-40 and Delo® 400 LE SAE 10W-30, which also meet API CJ-4, were introduced in October of 2006 and April of 2008"

"Delo 15w40 LE will have about 1200ppm of ZDDP." -BITOG forums

https://cglapps.chevron.com/msdspds/PDSDetailPage.aspx?docDataId=415568&docFormat=PDF

[ELVA164]

That new? What's the ZDDP content? Also I always get anxious when I see this thread pop up, haha.

[rwh11385]

Our most recent favorite: http://www.walmart.com/ip/16940138

[ELVA164]

^ Yep. That and the 0W-40 have sufficient ZDDP.

[SFF]

I thought I might add something to the everlasting discussion on oil types. The Mobil 1 site shows all of their oils and the characteristics. For those concerned with high zinc content, the 15W-50 has approximately 1300 ppm. The chart was updated in Feb 2016.

https://mobiloil.com/~/media/amer/us/pvl/files/pdfs/mobil-1-oil-product-specs-guide-2016.pdf

[nando]

it has nothing to do with modern oils and how much better they work M20 take 20w-50 in warmer weather such as above 50 F and 10w-40 in the winters. i dont care how much better the oils are now adays, oil weights are oil weights. listen to the engineers who built the motor.

you registered just to bump up a 7 year old thread to post this?

gee, thanks! :p