bmw 5w-30 vs gc 0w-30

[aaron0558]

Switched to the gc approx. 30 thousand miles ago and notice I burn much less oil b/t changes. Also seem to notice that oil consumption decreases with mileage increase. Anyone shed some light???

[JCL]

Lots of articles and posts on Bob is the Oil Guy forums if you want to debate the differences between this and other Castrol (BMW) oils. Last time this came up Vig and I got into far too much detail, so I will just say that I don't recognize any significant difference between this oil and the BMW 5W-30 made by Castrol.

So do you attribute your reduced oil consumption to the different oil, or the increased mileage? Oil consumption should decrease with mileage, then bottom out, then eventually start to climb as the engine wears more.

[motordavid]

Ah, another Oil Thread, , but maybe from a different angle: consumption.

I don't keep meticulous notes on consumption, on any of our
6 rides in the stable; I do keep loose records of mileage & dates
of oil changes done on our 3 cars & 3 m'cycles.

The m'cycles' "consumption" is nil, as they get changed once in
spring & again in late fall, regardless, and the mileage put on them
in a "season" is decreasing with their age and, with mine.

The CR-V pos uses a couple qts per year, (~10,000 miles+),
the '02 Vette uses less than half a qt a year, (~5,000), and
the X5 is the shining mystery:

Our '01 3.0 X5 is showing noticeably less consumption the past
year or so. It now has ~73,000 miles, and where it used to run
through a "quartish" every 2-3,000 miles, it now consumes ~ a half
quart or less, every 3,000 miles.

Nothing is really "different" conditions-wise that I can identify,
as it gets used/driven in about the same manner it has for most
of its "life". And, I have used various oil grades/brands over that
nearly 8 year span.

So, no conclusions, other than I am probably on the consumption
low end "plateau", as JCL suggested, but I am pleased to see the
oil consumption, (and coolant consumption!), is a shadow of its
former self. This car has the old fashioned 5 spd manual, too...
which equals considerably RPMs at highway speeds.

Nothing scientific and, I am not trying to precipitate another
Oil Thread, but glad my usage is reduced and just wanted to
pass on my anecdotal point.
GL,mD

[aaron0558]

When I say mileage increase i'm referring to the fact I burn more oil the 1st 2 thousand miles after an oil change than I do the the second 2 thousand?? Not really trying to compare the differences b/t the 2 oils b/c it's been beat to death, guess I should've chosen a new header/title. Just wondering if anybody had any insight as to why I would burn less oil with the german castrol b/c there is a marked difference??

[JCL]

Originally Posted by aaron0558

Just wondering if anybody had any insight as to why I would burn less oil with the german castrol b/c there is a marked difference??

Originally Posted by jcl

So do you attribute your reduced oil consumption to the different oil, or the increased mileage?

I understood the question, I wonder whether you have considered switching back to the BMW oil to see if your oil consumption increases. Perhaps it is just because of the engine having settled in, which should cause it to burn less oil.

[AzNMpower32]

Driving habits perhaps?