What kind of oil do you use?

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by Scott ZHP

Mobil 1 5W-30 is marginal at the top end of the viscosity range; the guys at BITOG say it's shear specs are really iffy to be classified as a 30wt.

Mobil 1 0W-40 is a *true* poly-alpha olefin (PAO) base stock oil. Not sure about the EP 5-30, but the 5W-30 Mobil 1 was proven to be a full synthetic blend with cheaper base stock. Still good stuff, but not the "best" by a long shot. Amsoil, Rotella and Redline make some better oils, just to name a few.

^Agree with Scott regarding the M1 0w-40 vs 5w-30 - However I've been using Rotella T6 for the last 4 oil changes and the X5 seems to really like it. I change my oil every 5k miles or once a year, whichever comes first.

The above images of the 10k oil changes on the M54 make me shudder, even though I've heard that the BMW 5w-30 is a better blend than the off the shelf Castrol 5w-30.

Liqui Moly is another great brand of oil if your wallet can handle it, but then you are also into Redline, Amsoil territory. Rotella T6 is $20 a gallon at Walmart, I also use it in my 2011 1700cc P-twin Triumph Thunderbird as it has the additives for wet clutches.

I use Redline 75w-90 in the diffs, and Redline MTL in my manny tranny. You can also use D4 ATF in the manny tranny.

[dkl]

Originally Posted by Ricky Bobby

The above images of the 10k oil changes on the M54 make me shudder, even though I've heard that the BMW 5w-30 is a better blend than the off the shelf Castrol 5w-30.

I feel the same about the lengthy change interval before owning the X5. However, it has changed since. My oil change interval on the X5 averaged 9k to 10k or annual. Mine looked more like TiAgX5's the last time I opened it up for a VG replacement. It's been running BMW's Castrol during the free maintenance period and various Mobil1 from then on. Still not drinking a drop and look brand spanking new after 108k+ miles.