quick question - engine oil

[Big "J"]

Originally Posted by vinuneuro

FJ, drain it into a clean container and throw it in the M3 next time it needs oil; no waste. 15W-50 is a ton more viscous that the factory spec.

Big J: Mobil1 0W-30 is a very thin oil. Towards the very bottom of the 30wt range; go with M1 5W-30. Amsoil Series 2000 0W-30 is a very very good oil. All the Amsoil products (including Air Filters) are outstanding.

Ok... I just ordered 7 qts of Amsoil 0W-30 online.

I saw they have Tranny fluid.... any of you use their synthetic tranny fluid?

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Ok... I just ordered 7 qts of Amsoil 0W-30 online.

I saw they have Tranny fluid.... any of you use their synthetic tranny fluid?

You can just find an Amsoil dealer near you. How much are you getting charged for shipping?

[Big "J"]

They just have independent sales reps near me and to save the hassle I ordered online. Shipping was $9.35.

[vinuneuro]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

They just have independent sales reps near me and to save the hassle I ordered online. Shipping was $9.35.

That's not too bad. This oil can easily go to 20k miles. My suggestion would be to change only the oil filter every 7,500 miles since they don't hold up much past that. At 15k miles send your oil for analysis to Blackstone or a similar company. It'll give you a clear idea of how long the oil is good for in your engine for future reference.

[Big "J"]

Hmmmm... very interesting!!!

Yeah, it wasn't until you mentioned a local dealer that I looked deeper and found someone near my home and I sent an email to see if they infact have motor oil with them and would sell any. Haven't gotten a reply just yet.

I mentioned it earlier... have you tried Amsoil tranny fluid?

[vinuneuro]

I've only used the MTF. Go with the BMW fluid for the auto trans.

[Tomaz]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Do you think it's better than Mobil 1 0W-30?

According to this test; http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/sso.aspx , Amsoil is twice as good as Mobile1 for wear.

[Big "J"]

Originally Posted by Tomaz

According to this test; http://www.amsoil.com/storefront/sso.aspx , Amsoil is twice as good as Mobile1 for wear.

Outstanding information!!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!

I've always heard that Mobil 1 is the "bomb" for synthetic oils and have bought their product until now.
I own an e46 (325i) as well and will convert to Amsoil too.

If there motor oil is that good, their tranny fluid should be good too, huh?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by Big "J"

Outstanding information!!!! Thanks for sharing this!!!

I've always heard that Mobil 1 is the "bomb" for synthetic oils and have bought their product until now.
I own an e46 (325i) as well and will convert to Amsoil too.

If there motor oil is that good, their tranny fluid should be good too, huh?

I respectfully disagree. I don't think this is outstanding information, but rather dubious marketing information. The 4-ball wear test (ASTM D4172) is a data point, sure, but it is not generally considered very relevant to what goes on inside an operating engine. You can improve the test results with friction modifiers that have no effect on your engine. The test is run at one temperature, at one RPM, and at one bearing load. Testing at different temperatures, RPMs, and bearing loads can produce contrary results.

Instead of tests run by oil companies, promoting their own products, consider following SAE, API, and other standards. They are at least independent. The Amsoil product in question meets API SM (0-30 listed above). I use Castrol 5-30 (which additionally meets BMW viscosity specs) and it is also an SM oil. According to the API, then, the two products are equal. Both also meet GF-4, ACEA A5, GM 4718M and 6094M, Ford WSS-M2C929-A, etc. Pretty much the same from an independent test standard.

I don't think there is anything wrong at all with the Amsoil product, as it meets the above specs. I do have a problem with oil companies using these types of marketing approaches, and so I tend to not forgive them their sins, and just blacklist them on principle. That extends to all of their products, including the transmission fluid. But that is just me

IMO, any of the name brand oils that meet current specs are fine, I don't think there is any measurable difference between them. I know you can find differences in a lab, but I am not convinced that it will show up in the real world.

[Big "J"]

Originally Posted by JCL

I respectfully disagree. I don't think this is outstanding information, but rather dubious marketing information. The 4-ball wear test (ASTM D4172) is a data point, sure, but it is not generally considered very relevant to what goes on inside an operating engine. You can improve the test results with friction modifiers that have no effect on your engine. The test is run at one temperature, at one RPM, and at one bearing load. Testing at different temperatures, RPMs, and bearing loads can produce contrary results.

Instead of tests run by oil companies, promoting their own products, consider following SAE, API, and other standards. They are at least independent. The Amsoil product in question meets API SM (0-30 listed above). I use Castrol 5-30 (which additionally meets BMW viscosity specs) and it is also an SM oil. According to the API, then, the two products are equal. Both also meet GF-4, ACEA A5, GM 4718M and 6094M, Ford WSS-M2C929-A, etc. Pretty much the same from an independent test standard.

I don't think there is anything wrong at all with the Amsoil product, as it meets the above specs. I do have a problem with oil companies using these types of marketing approaches, and so I tend to not forgive them their sins, and just blacklist them on principle. That extends to all of their products, including the transmission fluid. But that is just me

IMO, any of the name brand oils that meet current specs are fine, I don't think there is any measurable difference between them. I know you can find differences in a lab, but I am not convinced that it will show up in the real world.

Done your homework, eh? No pun intended.....

I can appreciate your input..... Call me a little naive but, I'm not a chemist, so I rely on data, marketing ploy or not, to help bring about a decision, as most consumers do.
Sure, maybe had the test been at different temps, RPM's and load the results may have been different. But as you say the true test is in our engines.....
I'm sure Mobil 1 and Castrol are great synthetic oils and perform as to their claim, but we have to take into consideration that those companies also have the influence to buy their way into car companies to recommend their products. These days not a lot of money is being made by automakers so they have to find the money in places other than sales, if you know what I mean. It's a dog eat dog world out there.

Amsoil has impressed a few of our fellow X5'rs and their input is appreciated as is yours. I'm willing to try Amsoil based on their recommendations being its worked for them.

Yeah!!!! we needed to bring more intersting topics to this forum!!!!