oil question

[Mafiaracers]

I've got a (new to me) new 89 325is. I had the head completely rebuilt. The short block spent about 4 hours in a 280* jet washer, pressure washed, solvent dipped, then jet washed again. We're having a debate/discussion over which oil to put in it. It has about 180k on the clock, never smoked, no knocks...just did a freshen up. All new seals, gaskets etc are being installed upon re-assembly so its gonna be nice and tight!

Question is, with a "freshened" bottom end, new seals/gaskets...what oil should I put in it? I've heard delo400, castrol high mileage (green bottle)...or should I go synthetic? In my previous e30, I ran 20/50 conventional, but I want to do this one....correctly?

I want the "right" oil and I'd like to stick with it.

Thoughts?

[mrsleeve]

I run mobile one full synthetic in everything but my e30. My e30 gets Valvoline 20/50 VR1 conventional just due to its age and has has never been opened up.

[e34john]

I run Castrol dino oil in all my BMWs, same stuff as the dealer sells without the BMW sticker and markup.

[Mafiaracers]

is 20/50 the correct weight?

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^66

Yup

[bataangpinoy]

only in the summer.

[blunttech]

break it in on dino oil and switch to any big name synthetic after a couple 2k mile oil changes
it doesnt matter so much what brand as long as its clean. i like the amsoil or any brand with added zinc

[mrsleeve]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Yes new engine always dino for 4-5k then to a syn of your choice. Old engine has a small amount of build up against seals that help to seal, if you swap to syn then, the cleaner syn washes away that build up and you get leaks




Ahhhh NO only if you have temps that get below 0 F more than occasionally.

20= weight when cold 50= weight when at operating temp

at most drop to 10/40 in winter

only in the summer.

[bataangpinoy]

hes in oregon. id imagine it get fairly frosty up there. i know that here in NY its cold already.

[mrsleeve]

NOT that cold

[Mafiaracers]

Portland rarely sees temperatures in the teens...its usually right around 40 or 50 during the winter.

Where can I get this dino oil? Any baxters or auto parts shop?

[nickpdx]

Castrol GTX 20w/50...run it year round here in Oregon. Doesn't get very cold here.

[e30trooper]

chevron 20/50 all year long, and it still burns , but no leaks.

[JJ1]

mitchell said to use 5w 50, so ive been using the 5w 50 mobile 1. any thoughts?

[Mafiaracers]

somehow I knew there would be a ton of different answers lol.