Oil change: what brand to use?

matreyia · 11-13-2014, 12:50 AM

I just changed the oil on my e93 335i Convertible.
I used Mobil 0w40 European Car recommended and BMW approved oil.
7 quarts. Observations of driving for 38 miles after change.

1. Oil temperature reads 10º cooler even though I drove the same route and style
2. Engine noticeably quieter and smoother at idle and high load.
Ambient weather was 68º. Mixed freeway and city driving route. Normal traffic.

Previous oil was BMW BRAND oil 5w30 or something like that. In any case, this Mobil oil is clearly superior in terms of temperature handling.

Oh, I installed the "Dimple" brand magnetic oil drain plug. It was $40...so we'll see if it does anything better than other less costly plugs I have used before.

Oh almost forgot to mention, I bought the oil at Walmart...a couple of bucks cheaper than the auto parts stores.

VT

Efthreeoh · 11-13-2014, 05:16 AM

Not much of a scientific test to flat out make a statement BMW oil is worse at handling temperature than mobile 1.

shawntech · 11-13-2014, 09:46 AM

Castrol Edge 0w30 euro formula LL-01, mann filter. engine runs and everything.

ccraig13 · 11-13-2014, 10:03 AM

I've been getting Mobile from Walmart as well. Oil analysis reports have shown that mobile starts out strong then shears down to a 30...who cares. We're supposed to use She'll starting next year anyways

bender rodriguez · 11-13-2014, 10:20 AM

Whatever is cheap as possible that meets the spec. Mobile 1 happens to be the cheapest so I use that but if something else was cheaper I would use that instead.

vapore0n · 11-13-2014, 01:49 PM

Castrol or Mobil 1 0-40 European LL1 BMW approved. Those two seem to be the only ones in Walmart.
I got the Castrol one. So far engine is smooth. I got 7k miles before the next oil change, which will be done free by dealer.

Ive used Mobil 1 on my STI for 6-7k miles without issues. Next time Ill prob go for the cheaper of the two.

Welcome to NBA Jam · 11-13-2014, 02:09 PM

Mobil 1 0w40 is worth it just for this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-0W...Quart/23636902

That's even cheaper than BMW oil, and BMW oil is pretty darn cheap for a synthetic.

11-13-2014, 12:50 AM	#89
matreyia Private First Class 36 Rep 137 Posts Drives: 335i Convertible Montego Blue Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Austin iTrader: (0)	I just changed the oil on my e93 335i Convertible. I used Mobil 0w40 European Car recommended and BMW approved oil. 7 quarts. Observations of driving for 38 miles after change. 1. Oil temperature reads 10º cooler even though I drove the same route and style 2. Engine noticeably quieter and smoother at idle and high load. Ambient weather was 68º. Mixed freeway and city driving route. Normal traffic. Previous oil was BMW BRAND oil 5w30 or something like that. In any case, this Mobil oil is clearly superior in terms of temperature handling. Oh, I installed the "Dimple" brand magnetic oil drain plug. It was $40...so we'll see if it does anything better than other less costly plugs I have used before. Oh almost forgot to mention, I bought the oil at Walmart...a couple of bucks cheaper than the auto parts stores. VT
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11-13-2014, 05:16 AM	#90
Efthreeoh General 17306 Rep 18,733 Posts Drives: The E90 + Z4 Coupe & Z3 R'ster Join Date: May 2012 Location: Virginia iTrader: (0)	Not much of a scientific test to flat out make a statement BMW oil is worse at handling temperature than mobile 1.
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11-13-2014, 09:46 AM	#91
shawntech The Wolf 247 Rep 987 Posts Drives: stuff Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Midwest iTrader: (0) Garage List [0.00] 2019 BMW M850i conv ... [0.00]	Castrol Edge 0w30 euro formula LL-01, mann filter. engine runs and everything. __________________ -2019 BMW m850i convertible -2021 Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye Widebody
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11-13-2014, 10:03 AM	#92
ccraig13 Lieutenant 54 Rep 484 Posts Drives: '07 E92 328xi 6MT Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: NJ iTrader: (0)	I've been getting Mobile from Walmart as well. Oil analysis reports have shown that mobile starts out strong then shears down to a 30...who cares. We're supposed to use She'll starting next year anyways __________________ 2007 328xi E92 6MT Jet Black/Coral Red \| Tracks: NJMP
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11-13-2014, 10:20 AM	#93
bender rodriguez Banned 149 Rep 1,995 Posts Drives: Audi Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: CA iTrader: (1)	Whatever is cheap as possible that meets the spec. Mobile 1 happens to be the cheapest so I use that but if something else was cheaper I would use that instead.
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11-13-2014, 01:49 PM	#94
vapore0n Captain 40 Rep 669 Posts Drives: 2010 335i Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: MA iTrader: (0)	Castrol or Mobil 1 0-40 European LL1 BMW approved. Those two seem to be the only ones in Walmart. I got the Castrol one. So far engine is smooth. I got 7k miles before the next oil change, which will be done free by dealer. Ive used Mobil 1 on my STI for 6-7k miles without issues. Next time Ill prob go for the cheaper of the two.
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11-13-2014, 02:09 PM	#95
Welcome to NBA Jam Is it the shoes!? 3884 Rep 5,112 Posts Drives: (Sold) 2011 E92 335i ZMP 6MT Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: USA iTrader: (1)	Mobil 1 0w40 is worth it just for this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-0W...Quart/23636902 That's even cheaper than BMW oil, and BMW oil is pretty darn cheap for a synthetic.
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