Group 3 oils and extended drain intervals??

roadfrog · #1 03-03-2011, 04:38 PM

Let's not start a "which oil is better" thread. I just want to know a couple of things......

I can get Motomaster Formula 1 synth 5w30 (Shell oil makes it for Cdn Tire). It's lots cheaper than other oils in the same grade. I'm assuming it's group 3 oil. Would a 15k mile/20k km drain interval be realistic? A lot of members recommend Castrol, but I understand it to ba a Group 3 as well. I have previously used Mobil 1 0w40, and I already know how good it is, but it's hard to find in my area and it's expensive when I do. For those of you in these parts of Canada, what do you use and how long do you go between changes?

Cheers!!

mrbmwx5 · #2 03-03-2011, 04:56 PM

I stick with BMW Castro oil. No point for me to switchto different oil seen my x5 is getting older and have a lot of miles.

JCL · #3 03-03-2011, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadfrog

Let's not start a "which oil is better" thread. I just want to know a couple of things......

...For those of you in these parts of Canada, what do you use and how long do you go between changes?

Cheers!!

I'm just down the road from you. I typically buy my oil from the dealer (Brian Jessel) because the price is competitive. When I have needed oil and didn't want to drive to the dealer, I have used Castrol 5w-30 from Lordco. About the same price. Lordco also sold the Castrol 'European Formula' when I looked, but I wouldn't pay any more for it. I would happily use Mobil 1 as well.

I just don't see any merit in the whole group 3/group 4 debate. They are both full synthetics (but watch out for Castrol Blend, that is not a full synthetic at Lordco). What is important to me is that they are 5w-30, and have an API SM rating. I don't pay any attention to the BMW LL standards, since they are so out of date and since BMW recommended not to use LL-04 in North America in gasoline engines due to shortened oil life. LL-98 and LL-01 are so old I think they are irrelevant.

Using quality oils and OE filters as above, my vehicles run great at the recommended oil change interval. If it gets much over 20,000 km on the lights I tend to do it early because of the elapsed time, I don't put a lot of km on them. My service lights are aiming for around 26,000 km these days, between the two cars.

Jeff

roadfrog · #4 03-03-2011, 09:37 PM

Thanx Jeff. It was actually your LL 01 and 04 arguments that got me asking this question. Since purchasing our X. I've specifically sought out (with little success) Long Life approved oils, hence the Mobil 1 I mentioned. Your posts had me doing some research and I've decided that an SM rated oil will suffice. The Motomaster Formula 1 (Shell formulation according to MSDS sheets), is an SM Group 3 oil. The Group 3/4 debate was my final part of the puzzle and subsequent decision. You have answered that question for me. I think I will go 15k-20k kms with whatever 5w30 synth I find. May I ask what you pay for your BMW oil for a 4 litre jug at Jessel? They're opening a new BMW dealer in Langley by next month, so I'll have better access to them.

JCL · #5 03-03-2011, 10:15 PM

An API SM oil will more than suffice. I did check the Canadian Tire website, and that oil you mentioned is noted to be an SJ oil. I wouldn't use that, myself. Perhaps their web site is just out of date. Just check the bottle. However, for only a dollar or so less than the Castrol, I wouldn't go with a rebranded department store oil.

I recall the oil being around the $10 point, but I can't find a receipt. They didn't have 4l jugs when I bought it last.

I would check and see if you have a Lordco near you. I always got a discount off sticker prices at Lordco, so the net prices were pretty good. You still have to go to the dealer for the filter, though.

roadfrog · #6 03-03-2011, 10:46 PM

No, it's definately SM rated (I have a bottle in front of me). It comes highly rated at BOTIG. A 5 liter (yes 5 not 4) jug cost me 33 dollars and often goes on sale for lees than 20. As mentioned earlier, it is made by Shell according to the MSDS sheet. I believe all Motomaster fluids are made by Shell. I will check with LORDCO on the weekend. We get a great law enforcement discount with them, but oils are usually not much cheaper, due to low markup. Can you tell me what Jessel charges for their filter? Once again I may have to go with Lordco and their Mann filter (at least I think it's a Mann).

JCL · #7 03-03-2011, 11:30 PM

Recommend you call Jessel and ask them the price for the filter.

Nothing wrong with that Motomaster rebranded oil if it is API SM. That is a good price.

Strongly recommend you buy an OE filter. Determining the quality of alternate oils is straightforward, you have independent testing and specs like API. You don't get that with a non-OE filter, you don't know what the filtering specs are and anything being sold as equivalent is essentially a "will-fit" part, ie all it has to have is the same physical dimensions. Any filter manufacturer will make various filters with different filtering media, etc. Unless the seller can provide performance specs for a filter, it isn't worth the risk IMO. Dealer filters aren't expensive. Put it this way: If Canadian Tire sold synthetic oil with no API grade or SAE viscosity on it, but claimed that it was made by Shell, and that it was just like other labelled oils, would you buy it?

CT_X5_Joe · #8 03-04-2011, 12:58 PM

How much of a saving is it? Why not just go with the brand you have used in the past and feel comfortable with?

roadfrog · #9 03-04-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

How much of a saving is it? Why not just go with the brand you have used in the past and feel comfortable with?

I have only used Mobil 1 once (we've only had the vehicle a short time) and it didn't see more than 500 kms because it puked all the oil out last week (a WHOOOLE other story). The Mobil 1 cost $10/liter up here and is hard to find. Canadian Tire flyer today adverts a 5 liter jug of Penzoil Platinum 5w30 for 23 dollars. So basically, a savings of 50 dollars or so and is easy to get my hands on. As long as it works like it should - I'll gladly save the $$.

Also, at the risk of the ire of some on this forum....I need an oil filter and Lordco quoted me 9 dollars for the Purolator. He said it's stamped "Mann" on it. I may give it a go. Next time I'm near a BMW dealer I'll pick up an OEM unit.

JCL · #10 03-04-2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roadfrog

I have only used Mobil 1 once (we've only had the vehicle a short time) and it didn't see more than 500 kms because it puked all the oil out last week (a WHOOOLE other story). The Mobil 1 cost $10/liter up here and is hard to find. Canadian Tire flyer today adverts a 5 liter jug of Penzoil Platinum 5w30 for 23 dollars. So basically, a savings of 50 dollars or so and is easy to get my hands on. As long as it works like it should - I'll gladly save the $$.

Also, at the risk of the ire of some on this forum....I need an oil filter and Lordco quoted me 9 dollars for the Purolator. He said it's stamped "Mann" on it. I may give it a go. Next time I'm near a BMW dealer I'll pick up an OEM unit.

No ire here, just wonderment

Pennzoil Platinum is listed as an LL-04 oil, which is specifically recommended against by BMW North America. It is API-SL, so it lubricates fine, it just doesn't go the distance with our fuels.

Mann bought Purolator's filter business. I think it has to do with the price point. Wonder if it is a Purolator filter with a Mann stamp, or a Mann filter in a Purolator box?

$50 savings for non-recommended oil and a mystery filter? Do whatever makes you happy.