X5 4.6 Build

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by tynashracing

Buy Wholesale

SlickGT1,
This suggests otherwise? In bold they say "No Minimum orders" to buy at wholesale cost. I've not tried to order or setup an account yet...but, think it's time.

Oh wow it changed. I haven't purchased anything from them for a while. $10 to become premier member, and $20 for a year to get 25% off. not bad.

[SlickGT1]

European Car Formula 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (AEL)

I'm thinking this.

[JCL]

I have never had a problem with Mobil 1 oils. I would be comfortable using them in my BMW.

On the other hand, I won't ever use an Amsoil oil, as the company just smacks of internet hucksterism. Their marketing model stresses pyramid sales strategies over product quality and importantly to me, product validation.

Amsoil products have not historically had API certifications. They try and trick readers by using phrases such as "suitable for applications that call for API xx...." when they should just come out and say they don't meet the API specs. They hide behind a wall of secrecy using the phrase "proprietary formulation of additives", which is fine, but to those of us who believe in independent validation, such as API, it just means that they are selling undocumented mystery oil, and they are free to change the formulation any time they like, and not tell their customers. That is just nonsense IMO.

Amsoil has now come out with some lower cost oils that are certified to the API spec. Good for them. Makes their previous complains that they couldn't afford to do it seem silly, since they are doing it for their cheaper oils. However, here is the catch. They advise that these oils can not last for the change intervals recommended by BMW, where as the oils with the 'secret sauce' can go several times the BMW recommendation. BS.

Slick, that Amsoil OE oil (another low price point oil that they sell) would be a really bad idea in a gasoline engine BMW in North America. It is an LL-04 spec. BMW had to issue a technical bulletin years ago advising that they were seeing oil breakdown on LL-04 oils in gasoline engines in North America, due to the fuel quality. IIRC correctly it was an interaction between the ethanol, and the sulphur level, with the additives used in an LL-04 oil. No problem on diesel. But putting that in your vehicle is a huge step backwards from a proper oil. Their internet sales model is hard at work, selling the concept of BMW certifications, when they should know full well the downside of the combination they are selling. They are just hoping their customers aren't well informed. Again, they take a hit on reputation.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by epdarks

Just to confirm, 5-30 Amsoil full syn?

Thanks.

That isn't a full Amsoil oil spec. You have to decide if you want API certified or not, LL-04 or not, etc. See my post above. They make lots of different blends of oil, and count on their customers not knowing the difference. They are free to change the blend any time they want, since they don't certify them.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by tynashracing

Yeah, over on bimmerforums...in the racing section, there were long threads years ago about avoiding Mobil 1. From memory, something about their synthetic formula had changed? Not sure if it was a patent issue or what.

What weight Amsoil are you going to use papasmurf? FWIW, I also keep hearing that Amsoil is amazing...at least with guys in the racing community.

Congrats on your new build. Stickley is the man and I'm sure that build set you back more than a few bucks.

I believe you will find that when Mobil 1 lost their suit against Castrol, who had a different process to achieve a synthetic oil, they gave up and did the same as Castrol. It is irrelevant at this point in time, since the oil formulations can change over time, as new products are released. If you are using an API-SL, SM, or SN oil from Mobil 1 then those oils didn't exist when all the ruckus was raised with Castrol years ago.

[SlickGT1]

Originally Posted by JCL

I have never had a problem with Mobil 1 oils. I would be comfortable using them in my BMW.

On the other hand, I won't ever use an Amsoil oil, as the company just smacks of internet hucksterism. Their marketing model stresses pyramid sales strategies over product quality and importantly to me, product validation.

Amsoil products have not historically had API certifications. They try and trick readers by using phrases such as "suitable for applications that call for API xx...." when they should just come out and say they don't meet the API specs. They hide behind a wall of secrecy using the phrase "proprietary formulation of additives", which is fine, but to those of us who believe in independent validation, such as API, it just means that they are selling undocumented mystery oil, and they are free to change the formulation any time they like, and not tell their customers. That is just nonsense IMO.

Amsoil has now come out with some lower cost oils that are certified to the API spec. Good for them. Makes their previous complains that they couldn't afford to do it seem silly, since they are doing it for their cheaper oils. However, here is the catch. They advise that these oils can not last for the change intervals recommended by BMW, where as the oils with the 'secret sauce' can go several times the BMW recommendation. BS.

Slick, that Amsoil OE oil (another low price point oil that they sell) would be a really bad idea in a gasoline engine BMW in North America. It is an LL-04 spec. BMW had to issue a technical bulletin years ago advising that they were seeing oil breakdown on LL-04 oils in gasoline engines in North America, due to the fuel quality. IIRC correctly it was an interaction between the ethanol, and the sulphur level, with the additives used in an LL-04 oil. No problem on diesel. But putting that in your vehicle is a huge step backwards from a proper oil. Their internet sales model is hard at work, selling the concept of BMW certifications, when they should know full well the downside of the combination they are selling. They are just hoping their customers aren't well informed. Again, they take a hit on reputation.

This is good. I always had the same feeling. Thanks man. Really taking this info to heart.

So what do you put in your high perf Euro engine?

[JCL]

Originally Posted by papasmurf

Yeah, we'll, thats life. I learned a very important lesson; Mobil 1 and BMWs don't mix.

If it was a catastrophic engine failure due to oil quality, I would check first whether your Mobil 1 was real or counterfeit. Same for the filter or any part that could have been substituted. Any parts bought from discount sources can be counterfeit, and Mobil 1 is not immune to it. People were buying Mobil 1 bottles and filling it with any oil.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by SlickGT1

This is good. I always had the same feeling. Thanks man. Really taking this info to heart.

So what do you put in your high perf Euro engine?

Castrol, Mobil 1, or BMW OE. No LL-04. API-SM. 5w-30. The BMW oil is just as easy for me, since the dealer price isn't particularly high, and they also sell real OE filters.

[X5SND]

We've always used Mobi 1 synthetic with no quarrels. The local Amsoil rep tried getting us to switch, but when asked questions about specifications of their oil would never give a straight answer. Never trusted the rep or the product quality. Just my $.02.

[tynashracing]

It's so easy to dismiss a company due to the way they market?!

I don't know, I don't have a dog in this fight. I've never used their product but have heard people exclaim how well Amsoil has worked for them.

I seem to recall though that if you're going to use Mobil 1 synthetic...look for the red capped bottles. Sounds crazy I know...but that must have been the good/real stuff prior to the change in formula. Seems the bottles are capped with silver caps now.


If one of the premier engine builders for BMW racers in the USA is touting the benefits of Amsoil and Redline....there's probably a reason. Or, is it just that he's making money off those sales and hopes that the Amsoil will prematurely destroy an engine?

I suspect he's seen his fair share of damage with those using "off the shelf" oil and has witnessed something different with Amsoil and Redline fluids?!