NY winters, what oil for M20?

[325ix]

So I hear it gets subzero on and off u guys think 15w50 will cover this?

When I first got my car I believe it had 5w20 and it was fine even in around -20 below

[u3b3rg33k]

What part of new york are you going to be living in?

[chadthestampede]

I'm gonna b in Watertown ny frm what I hear it's pretty bad there

[u3b3rg33k]

Sorry, missed that.

According to the BMW manual, 15w50 oil is good for temperatures extending below zero Fahrenheit. I'm also quite certain that the chart for my pre-90s bmw did not take modern synthetics into account.

I will again stress how M1 15w50 is formulated for older engines, most regular oils are not.

if it's colder than zero (in other words, extremely cold), just let the car warm up for a few minutes before driving. Both I, and BMW recommend this. You'll probably have to clear the windows anyways.

[nando]

So I hear it gets subzero on and off u guys think 15w50 will cover this?

yes

[MikeDE]

For really good snows, Nokian Hakkapolitas(sp?)(pronounced hah-kah-po-LEE-tah). I had Goodyear UltraGrip 7+'s on my Seta with no complaints, and i'll be using them up this winter on my Touring. I have an extra set of Cooper Lifeliner's for next year, they make more road noise than an 18-wheeler but they look pretty meaty, they could pass for Rally-x tires.

[u3b3rg33k]

I run Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi tires in the winter. They're simply amazing, and when you hit the brakes, you're checking your mirrors.

[Bimmerista]

David, if I were you I'd do anything in my power to not take your M-Tech up there. Your car will be the neighborhood snow plow.

One winter and the "rust free" status of your car will be over.

[Naplm00]

10w40 winter

20w50 summer

GTX conventional

/thread

[hotballs]

There is no need for a 20w50 oil ever unless you have never replaced any gaskets and you have 250k miles on your car and you want to make your engine struggle through heavy oil.

0w30 can be used year round. Anything thicker and it's just too thick.

[u3b3rg33k]

There is no need for a 20w50 oil ever unless you have never replaced any gaskets and you have 250k miles on your car and you want to make your engine struggle through heavy oil.

0w30 can be used year round. Anything thicker and it's just too thick.

BMW knows more than you. Please go away now.

As for gaskets, I don't see how pressurized hot motor oil won't leak out of a bad gasket any less easily than a thin motor oil would. Your argument appears to be based in opinion, not logic.

If you refuse to go away, at least tell us which 0w30 you're running in your M20, so I can look it up and see if it's remotely close to acceptable for an M20 valvetrain.

[structured]

Save your car and don't take it to NY. It will rust like a bitch. I went to college in Ithaca and everyone had a separate rustbucket beater for the winter. If the salt doesn't rust your car out, you'll hit a curb and f up your suspension. Front end shops do great business, and most people carry a tow rope to get hauled out of a snowbank / ditch.

When were you in Ithaca? I spent most of my life there. I remember driving through college town in my Saab with snow tires during blizzards and laughing at all of the SUVs sliding into curbs on their all seasons.


Seriously, though, any car will be fine here just don't expect to keep it clean. And, no, washing it regularly wont prevent rust.

[dude8383]

David, if I were you I'd do anything in my power to not take your M-Tech up there. Your car will be the neighborhood snow plow.

One winter and the "rust free" status of your car will be over.

I don't see how ONE winter will do that. If he keeps the car clean through out the season I find it hard to believe that it become "rusty."

I'm only saying this because what if the guy can't afford a 2nd car??

[Naplm00]

There is no need for a 20w50 oil ever unless you have never replaced any gaskets and you have 250k miles on your car and you want to make your engine struggle through heavy oil.

0w30 can be used year round. Anything thicker and it's just too thick.

I run 20w50 for 3/4 of the year in the NE, and get 25 MPG. No issues, 235k an still going strong.

[blefevre]

Does anyone know if they use salt in colorado? My car has a tad bit of rust on the rear valence were the paint was worn down from things being kicked up by the tires and it bagen to rust. I would reccomend snow tires or at least really good all seasons.

I have never seen them use pure salt here. Mostly sand. It doesn't get that icy here.

When I lived in iowa, the entire state ran out of salt once. Now that's a treat when there is a good inch of ice on EVERYTHING.

Back to the oil. I have always ran 10w40 in my older cars in the winter. I wouldn't go any thinner in a M20.