Comments on: What type of oil should I use for my BMW E36?

By: janko

janko — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 17:10:26 +0000

i was lookong for perfect oil for about 2 days, ifound useful this pages:

(for engineers )http://www.infineum.com/information/viscosity.html
(maybe good reference?) https://www.opieoils.co.uk/
i choose from last oil and becouse :)http://forum.bmwslo.com/archive/index.php/t-54.html
page is slovenian language, simply use googletranslator

i have 1999 coupe e36 (316i) and 3rd owner 190k km, used to have castrol txt 5w-40 (must have label bmw longlife), ill use it again!
btw love your site

By: Dave

Dave — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 00:58:36 +0000

Hi
I have a 1995 E38 7 series w/140K, it runs perfectly. The gas station that’s finally lost my business from ripping me off one last time has been putting synthetic oil in for the last few years. I don’t know what was used prior to that as I bought the car 5 years ago. I’m going to a new place tomorrow, should I insist on synthetic or will any quality oil at the correct weight work? Thanks in advance.

By: Mag

Mag — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 17:45:07 +0000

hey guys, I have a 1998 328i with 78000 miles and using castoil 10w-30 and its burning oil. Switching to Mobile 53-40 will it help me.

What would you recommend?

By: Jesse A.

Jesse A. — Sun, 18 Jan 2009 06:09:10 +0000

Hi,
Since we are talking about oil, i was wondering if changing ATF(Auto Trans. Fluid)is bad for the transmission. People had said to me that it is bad because of the mileage that it has which my 1995 325is only has 137k miles. Also my transmission doesnt work properly in first and second gear and i was thinkin it might be the trans. oil that hasnt been changed. Any Help =] Thx

By: John T

John T — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:16:50 +0000

Hi, I own a 2001 325I and want other BMW owners to know that BMW USA’s website lists Valvoline Synpower 5W-30 synthetic as an acceptable Substitute. So when I ran to Advance Auto to get 5 quarts of it on sale for $30.00 with a filter no less, I thought it was a bargain.
Before buying it though, I noticed it did not have the BMW LL rating and only an ACEA a1/A5 Rating. So I didnt buy it. After visiting valvoline’s website (see below) for their Synpower Specs, The Synpower you DO want to use is 5w-30MST and NOT their plain Synpower 5w-30.
You can also use the Synpower 5w-40 which is BMW approved. But in my case, both of these synpower grades arent readily
available so Im going to stick with using Mobil1 0w-40 since its the oil thats most readily available in the large auto chain stores.

SAE 5W-30: Is the most recommended grade in today’s new cars. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturers’ warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where an API SM, SL, or CF oil is recommended. SynPower 5W-30 exceeds the requirements of ILSAC GF-3 and GF-4 for API Gasoline Engine Oils and meets Energy Conserving Standards and ACEA A1/A5.

SAE 5W-30 MST: Exceeds European ACEA A3/B3/B4/C3 and meets or exceeds the engine performance requirements for BMW, Jaguar, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls Royce, Volkswagen, Volvo and other high performance vehicles.

SAE 5W-40: Provides the widest range of protection available in the SynPower motor oil line. Delivers outstanding cold temperature pumpability for rapid oil circulation at start-up. Provides a thick oil film for ultimate wear protection. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturers’ warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where an API SL, SM or CF oil is recommended. SynPower 5W-40 exceeds European ACEA A3/B3/B4/C3 requirements and is approved for Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. SynPower 5W-40 also meets the engine performance requirements for BMW, Jaguar, Porsche, Lexus, Rolls Royce, Volvo and other high performance vehicles.

By: Marty

Marty — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 19:30:40 +0000

I assume the oils you refer to are for the petrol variants e36’s.

What about my humble diesel 318tds with 100k+……?

What would you recommend?

By: Jeremy Robbins

Jeremy Robbins — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:19:45 +0000

What about the Mobil 1 “High Performance” they make now, saying it will last 15,000 miles? Is this worth the extra money? I have a 98 BMW 328i convertible.

By: ali

ali — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 10:42:15 +0000

hey guyz i just bought a 93 bmw 318i i live in toronto canada i just changed the oil in my car i used 15w50 and aftermarket fram oil filter but now when i start the engine in the morning i hear the engine knock for a bit but the knocking stops after 10 mins of idiling
im not sure if i should just keep using this oil or change to 5w40 which i was recomended by mr lube

By: Michellin_E36

Michellin_E36 — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:20:15 +0000

Hey Guys,I have been living in california for 10 years and been back to this stupid island Singapore for 5 years now…However i have been using “Schaeffer oils 9000 fully synthetic with a quart and a half of “EP-Moly” which has MOS2 to protect and coat hte engine block during high revs….and i tell you it is Fuxxking good stuff …
Been using it for my current rides and you guys should check it out!!

By: Shane

Shane — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:21:45 +0000

Regular E36 owners: DO NOT switch to synthetic oil! Always use conventional 5W30 oil from BMW, as the VANOS (variable valve timing intake) units on the M50/M52 engines were designed to use the conventional oil slight pastiness/buildup as lubricant – thus a full synthetic is not advised for this application.

E36 M3 owners, use synthetic. Which one? view this very detailed thread:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1003372&highlight=oil