Oil Confusion

X5 Meister · #1 03-11-2009, 11:18 PM

In a friend's 2008 3 series (production date 2/2008) the recommended oil sticker in the engine compartment lists the BMW oil p/n as 07-51-0-002-545 (which is apparently High Performance Synthetic Oil 5W40). According to the dealer's current TIS/ETK, and also Tischer BMW online, that p/n has been superceded with p/n 07-51-0-017-866 (High Performance Synthetic Oil 5W30), which actually has been around for a long, long time. How is this possible?

Also when he went to pick up oil, the API classification was SL on the -866. I thought current BMW oil met SM standards and that is what is specifically called for in the new owner's manuals.

What gives?

Update: A new 2010 3 series (date of production 10/2009) also has this sticker.

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motordavid · #2 03-12-2009, 05:19 PM

Maybe they had some "older" oil from distributor, to move...SL was a fine
rating by API, until the regularly "upgraded" SM rating was introduced late
in '04. I wouldn't lose sleep over it.
GL,mD

X5 Meister · #3 03-12-2009, 05:35 PM

I'm not losing sleep over it (other things maybe)! I called several dealers already and all of them say the same thing which is that -866 is the current p/n and -545 has been superseded by -866 which is very strange given those 2 facts. The new manuals all call for API SM oil which seems strange that BMW doesn't sell.

TwinsPoppa · #4 03-12-2009, 08:19 PM

The guys that print the stickers obviously didn't get the memo!

X5 Meister · #5 03-12-2009, 08:29 PM

Clearly. (good one btw)!

JCL · #6 03-15-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by motordavid

Maybe they had some "older" oil from distributor, to move...SL was a fine rating by API, until the regularly "upgraded" SM rating was introduced late in '04.

It is minutia, either SL or SM will do fine in a 2008 model. The engine (and oil sticker) for that 3 series were both made in Germany most likely. You are buying oil in the colonies. It is BMW in the US that doesn't sell it, and they are just a local marketing arm.

Puddlejumper · #7 03-15-2009, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

It is minutia, either SL or SM will do fine in a 2008 model. The engine (and oil sticker) for that 3 series were both made in Germany most likely. You are buying oil in the colonies. It is BMW in the US that doesn't sell it, and they are just a local marketing arm.

Sounds like someone is living in the past. Is that a little jealousy, bugger?

JCL · #8 03-15-2009, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puddlejumper

Sounds like someone is living in the past. Is that a little jealousy, bugger?

No and No. New here?

TwinsPoppa · #9 03-15-2009, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Puddlejumper

Sounds like someone is living in the past. Is that a little jealousy, bugger?

That's just the way JCL posts. You just have to get used to it. Kinda like the way you gotta get used to the way motordavid posts!

Puddlejumper · #10 03-15-2009, 10:53 PM

Maybe its flag confusion. Just proved my point by adding the "new here?" comment. Always going for the bottom of the barrel and cannot own up or measure up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCL

No and No. New here?

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