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      08-27-2014, 09:33 AM   #45
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThatRWD View Post
Castrol burns less than mobil 1 imo, mobil 1 is known to burn faster than most oils. I'm testing pennzoil ultra platinum.

I don't think it matters much unless you are tracking it hard or planning to keep it for 200k+ but the transmission will likely die out way earlier, making it kind of pointless.
I think that it is more of an engine wear/external oil leak issue than the oil itself. I run M1 0w-40 and I never lose a considerable amount between changes.
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      08-27-2014, 09:57 AM   #46
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Another for Mobil 1 0W40. Can't beat the price at WalMart either. That's about the only thing I go to WalMart for.
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      08-27-2014, 01:23 PM   #47
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Thanks guys. I'll return what I got from Costco and look for an LL-01 type oil.
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      08-27-2014, 02:35 PM   #48
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stelvio View Post
This is interesting. In the owners manual it says 5W-30 or 5W-40 ('07 328i) so I'm considering using Shell Rotella 5W-40. I used to have an A4 1.8T and that's all I used (~$24 from walmart) and engine liked it. I think. I hope. Any evidence against this?
You should be fine...
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      08-27-2014, 03:54 PM   #49
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Hey Guys,

So i just got my BMW used from a forum member not too long ago...

Anyway, first thing i did was do an oil change and i put Lubro Moly 5W30 in there.

i don't think that the previous owner used full synthetic, is it normal that my full synthetic Lubro Moly 5W30 is burning away??

I just did a 3200km road trip with no issues, but now that i'm back a week, the oil gauge on the dash went down from in between the OK to just above the MIN line....

It's due for a change soon, debating if i should try a different brand or thicker oil to prevent the burning? or is it possible that the sensor itself is fucked?

Thoughts?

Thanks!
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      08-27-2014, 04:06 PM   #50
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrois View Post
Hey Guys,

So i just got my BMW used from a forum member not too long ago...

Anyway, first thing i did was do an oil change and i put Lubro Moly 5W30 in there.

i don't think that the previous owner used full synthetic, is it normal that my full synthetic Lubro Moly 5W30 is burning away??

I just did a 3200km road trip with no issues, but now that i'm back a week, the oil gauge on the dash went down from in between the OK to just above the MIN line....

It's due for a change soon, debating if i should try a different brand or thicker oil to prevent the burning? or is it possible that the sensor itself is fucked?

Thoughts?

Thanks!
Check to make sure you don't have a leak anywhere as well. You could be leaking from the oil filter housing gasket or something and not know it. It can be hard to notice a small leak sometimes because of the plastic cover on the bottom.
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      08-27-2014, 04:15 PM   #51
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I just changed the oil the other day. Used Mobil 1 0W-40
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      08-27-2014, 04:54 PM   #52
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Actually when i bought the car the previous owner has a huge oil leak cause he cross threaded the oil filter cap.

I had the entire engine bay shampooed and all the belts change first thing. I haven't noticed any oil leaks as of yet.


Quote:
Originally Posted by MiniXP View Post
Check to make sure you don't have a leak anywhere as well. You could be leaking from the oil filter housing gasket or something and not know it. It can be hard to notice a small leak sometimes because of the plastic cover on the bottom.
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      08-27-2014, 07:55 PM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ThatRWD
Castrol burns less than mobil 1 imo, mobil 1 is known to burn faster than most oils. I'm testing pennzoil ultra platinum.

I don't think it matters much unless you are tracking it hard or planning to keep it for 200k+ but the transmission will likely die out way earlier, making it kind of pointless.
It matters.... Keeping my "is" forever!!!!! .
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      08-27-2014, 08:01 PM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BmerMeUp
Quote:
Originally Posted by EMITTR View Post
... Speaking of oil (opening a can of worms!) - I know there is much debate about AMSOIL and AMSOIL of course touts their oil as the best among the top players. I have struggles with switching to AMSOIL because I have heard it is hype and then heard it is the best on the market (depending on who you talk to) So...does anyone really know? I am sure many have an opinion but looking for real world data.

<image>
I'm no oil geek, and mostly everything I know is from Bob the Oil Guy, but be careful! The fine print on that ball bearing test chart says it was testing 20W50 and 15W50 multigrade oils and I don't believe they are all Group IV synthetics - not at all a fair (or scientific) comparison. Also, at those grades, these would be ENTIRELY different from the 0W30/5W30 debates for our cars. Furthermore, the ball bearing test looks great for marketing but doesn't test the oil reaction in a cold-to-hot engine operating environment where pumping pressure and centistokes (never thought I'd use that word in a sentence! ha) are critical elements, not slippery balls.

Just my 2c.
Really good points!!!! I still don't trust AMSOIL. Redline has been doing the job....And I don't burn oil like typical 335s. Never need to add any between changes. Was just curious as to thoughts on AMSOIL
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      08-27-2014, 08:26 PM   #55
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Use a brand name synthetic and have your oil changed more frequently than what the maintenance schedule calls for.
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      08-28-2014, 02:48 PM   #56
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrois View Post
Hey Guys,

So i just got my BMW used from a forum member not too long ago...

Anyway, first thing i did was do an oil change and i put Lubro Moly 5W30 in there.

i don't think that the previous owner used full synthetic, is it normal that my full synthetic Lubro Moly 5W30 is burning away??

I just did a 3200km road trip with no issues, but now that i'm back a week, the oil gauge on the dash went down from in between the OK to just above the MIN line....

It's due for a change soon, debating if i should try a different brand or thicker oil to prevent the burning? or is it possible that the sensor itself is fucked?

Thoughts?

Thanks!
That gauge reads from minimum to maximum level; not from empty to full!

Knowing that your car has more or less 6 liters (~6 quarts) of oil, that gauge indicates values from 5 to 6 liter. So if at the lowest, you can add 1 liter to reach full again. It is normal that you see fluctuations in read out if the oil volume is somewhere between, say 5.5 and 5.25 liter. It is my experience, that if you drive for a longer period of time, at higher speed, the gauge will read out a lower value than at lower speeds.

So, if I understand you correctly, you went from 5.5 (maybe at city driving, after you just got the car) to 5.25 liter (measured whilst driving at higher speeds?). That would be total normal. And again, if you think about rounding off of numbers: you might have had 5.4 liter when you bought the car. Rounds off to 5.5. You may be at 5.3 liter now, rounds off to 5.25 (nearest quarter). 100ml in 3500km... Normal. 1 liter every 10,000km is still very acceptable for an older car.

Use a BMW (LL-01) preferred brand, and you should be fine. Or buy the best (in my opinion) and go for Shell. It is about the additives in the oil that make the oil best suitable for 1) cooling, 2) lubricating, 3) absorbing impurities. In the end, you pay for the type of base oil (range of viscosity over various temperatures, level of contaminants/impurities, etc.) and the additives. Branded oils typically have better viscosity and more additives. That is why a brand oil is more expensive. And that is why in 1920, people would exchange the oil of their motorcycle every 1000km... The oil was just not so refined back then.

Enjoy your new car!

Last edited by m@rco; 08-28-2014 at 02:58 PM..
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      08-28-2014, 04:54 PM   #57
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Hey,

Well I had to add a litre before my trip. I'd say my car seems to be burning 1 Quart every 5K.

Is there a different oil maybe that is less likely to burn?

I'm using Lubro Moly 5W30 full synthetic. I've heard about cars burning the first couple of oil changes if it's not used to synthetic.

Apart from my oil gauge going down, it shows absolutely no signs of burning oil, which is what's making it weird




Quote:
Originally Posted by m@rco View Post
That gauge reads from minimum to maximum level; not from empty to full!

Knowing that your car has more or less 6 liters (~6 quarts) of oil, that gauge indicates values from 5 to 6 liter. So if at the lowest, you can add 1 liter to reach full again. It is normal that you see fluctuations in read out if the oil volume is somewhere between, say 5.5 and 5.25 liter. It is my experience, that if you drive for a longer period of time, at higher speed, the gauge will read out a lower value than at lower speeds.

So, if I understand you correctly, you went from 5.5 (maybe at city driving, after you just got the car) to 5.25 liter (measured whilst driving at higher speeds?). That would be total normal. And again, if you think about rounding off of numbers: you might have had 5.4 liter when you bought the car. Rounds off to 5.5. You may be at 5.3 liter now, rounds off to 5.25 (nearest quarter). 100ml in 3500km... Normal. 1 liter every 10,000km is still very acceptable for an older car.

Use a BMW (LL-01) preferred brand, and you should be fine. Or buy the best (in my opinion) and go for Shell. It is about the additives in the oil that make the oil best suitable for 1) cooling, 2) lubricating, 3) absorbing impurities. In the end, you pay for the type of base oil (range of viscosity over various temperatures, level of contaminants/impurities, etc.) and the additives. Branded oils typically have better viscosity and more additives. That is why a brand oil is more expensive. And that is why in 1920, people would exchange the oil of their motorcycle every 1000km... The oil was just not so refined back then.

Enjoy your new car!
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      08-28-2014, 07:02 PM   #58
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I dont know if this will help but...lubro moly 5w30 is not full synthetic. Why not try a better oil?
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      08-28-2014, 09:22 PM   #59
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Mobil 1 0-40w. Going to try Mag1 5-40w full syn LL01 from Amazon.
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      08-29-2014, 06:43 AM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrois View Post
Actually when i bought the car the previous owner has a huge oil leak cause he cross threaded the oil filter cap.

I had the entire engine bay shampooed and all the belts change first thing. I haven't noticed any oil leaks as of yet.
I'm sorry, but I just don't believe cross-threading the cap is possible; it's a bit over a 1/4 turn to open and close it and it's captured anyway. I think the previous owner just mistakenly left it open.
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      08-29-2014, 07:59 AM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Geoffrois View Post
Hey,

Well I had to add a litre before my trip. I'd say my car seems to be burning 1 Quart every 5K.

Is there a different oil maybe that is less likely to burn?

I'm using Lubro Moly 5W30 full synthetic. I've heard about cars burning the first couple of oil changes if it's not used to synthetic.

Apart from my oil gauge going down, it shows absolutely no signs of burning oil, which is what's making it weird
1 quart every 5000km... How many km on the car? Did the previous owner treat the car well? Or has the car suffered from (extreme) high rmps whilst the oil was not at operating temperature (you need about 15km (!) for that). Do you do a lot of engine breaking over long, i mean, kms-long steep down-hill slopes? Ah, forget it, I don't think that can be it.

I hear many forum members speak about brands that result in more or less burning. I doubt if that has a serious effect, provided that you use the same viscosity. That would be related to the flash point of the oil. Are they really so different per oil? Could some one give a scientific clarification for that?

Last edited by m@rco; 08-29-2014 at 08:05 AM..
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      08-29-2014, 10:36 AM   #62
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what i use...
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      08-29-2014, 10:41 AM   #63
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FWIW, Costco runs a sale on the Mobil every couple of months so it's $26 for 6 quarts. I use it in my FX and I think I have a quart or two in the 335 from when I miscalculated how much oil i had for an oil change. No big deal.
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      08-29-2014, 12:36 PM   #64
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Gonna use moly top tec 5w-40 - better specs than mobile 1 0w040
Anyone used it ?
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      08-29-2014, 01:46 PM   #65
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Take it to the dealership for me. It was $80 plus tax.
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      08-29-2014, 04:10 PM   #66
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I just had mine changed at the dealership last week and they put in "Pennzoil Ultra 5W30" and it only cost $69.99.
Considering any old lube shop will charge about that much for a change with rando synthetic thats pretty decent. Plus then they have no reason to deny CPO coverage when I have them change the oil every 7k miles.
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