BMW 3-Series Oil Questions

You need more than one UOA in order to be able to establish a trend. In the case of my Mazdaspeed 3 the wear metals didn't really settle down until it hit 30,000 miles. My wife's X3 had high Pb numbers and required

72,000 miles to get close to the universal averages:

#254 of 260 18k oil change interval by Firebird_EOU

Mar 19, 2009 (9:26 pm)

Replying to: idoc2 (May 31, 2008 2:21 pm)

I do 80 miles each day about 55 of it is highway. Computer estimates 18k miles per change and that's what I've done the first 2 free oil changes.

My 2006 330xi has 65k miles now. I last changed at around 10k interval out of pocket. I don't rev or drive the car hard.

#255 of 260 BMW 98 328 e36 by tngolfnut

May 09, 2009 (3:12 pm)

Hi, just bought this car with 76,000 miles.
Can I use Castrol 5w-30 synthetic blend?
Do I have to use BMW filters?
Can I use Wagner brake pads and rotors?
What tools should I buy?
I am a mechanic, but never worked on BMW's.
What should I be worried about?
What recommendations do you have?
Thanks for any information and recommendations for this vehicle.

Replies to this message:

#256 of 260 Re: BMW 98 328 e36 [tngolfnut] by js330xi

May 09, 2009 (4:12 pm)

Replying to: tngolfnut (May 09, 2009 3:12 pm)

I would stick with the factory parts to the degree you can - if you are BMWCCA member you can often get discounts, or shop from dealers with a large online parts presence for lower prices - most of the factory parts come with unlimited mileage 2 year warranties on the part and most of it is plug and play - as in the parts get replaced not repaired...

If you want to keep the car performing "as new" I wouldn't go substituting after market parts... if the performance can be good enough, or for transportation and doesn't matter to you then give it a try - you can always go back to oem parts..

The tools on the car are pretty simple - there are not a wide variety of fastener types... there is a special snap on trim tool for removing plastic rivets, there are a couple metric hex heads and bolts, but the main issue with tools is access - long tools to reach deep tight locations...

My car has dissappearing oil (passed leak down tests etc) of about 1qt per 1000 mi, yet drives like new, and is very fun at 8 years and 110,000 miles. I have stuck with oem parts and find the repairs costs to be reasonable, more reasonable than your average US made car...

I am not a mechanic, but I find these cars easy to take apart and put back to gether with my limited tools... but I have not gotten as daring as some...

#257 of 260 Re: BMW 98 328 e36 [tngolfnut] by shipo

May 09, 2009 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: tngolfnut (May 09, 2009 3:12 pm)

You must use a BMW LongLife-01 (aka. LL-01) certified oil, and Castrol 5W-30 is not such an oil. The three most commonly available oils for late model BMWs are as follows:

BMW 5W-30
Castrol Syntec 0W-30
Mobil 1 0W-40 (which is what I use)

Best regards,
Shipo

#258 of 260 Re: BMW 98 328 e36 [tngolfnut] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 09, 2009 (7:40 pm)

Replying to: tngolfnut (May 09, 2009 3:12 pm)

German car, German parts.

#259 of 260 Re: 2007 328i Sedan: Oil Changes [shipo] by idoc2

May 24, 2012 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 18, 2007 11:13 pm)

Shipo, does this change your opinion about the frequency of oil changes? www.eliteautocareinc.com/pages/bmw-repair-services.html

Replies to this message:

roadburner (May 24, 2012 9:01 pm)

#260 of 260 Re: 2007 328i Sedan: Oil Changes [idoc2] by roadburner

May 24, 2012 (9:01 pm)

Replying to: idoc2 (May 24, 2012 6:08 pm)

Here is what Blackstone said about my most recent run of Rotella T6 in my 2004 X3:

Universal averages for BMW's M54 I-6 are based on about 6,400 miles on the oil. You ran this oil 8,352 miles, and wear read at or below average across the board. That's the best indication we know of that an engine is in good mechanical shape internally.

The TBN was 1.7(below 1.0 is low). However, by 10,000 miles the TBN drops to 0.5-0.8. Consequently, I believe that 15,000-18,000 miles is not a safe interval for my X3 based on my UOAs. Also note that I have run LL-01 oils(M1 0W-40) as well as HDEO synthetic oils(M1 5W-40, Rotella T6 5W-40) in the X3 and they have all performed in a similar fashion.That said, 6,000 is a bit excessive; I run M1 5-30 in my Mazdaspeed 3 for 7,500 miles and I know that the turbo motor is harder on oil than the NA M54.

« Previous
1
...
22
23
24
25
26
Next »
Last

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Forum Tools

Search Forums

Enter Keyword(s):

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle

Browse by Board

Browse by Topic

View All Topics

Learn More, Do More

Edmunds Community

Explore Edmunds