Going to change the oil, where are the jacking pts and oil drain?

[DeanLinAZ]

I agree with ard. One common trend I have observed on forums addressing oils, particularly synthetics, is that all of the self proclaimed "oil experts" all seem to be Amsoil sellers/dealers.

[JCL]

Actually, I agree as well with Ard. There isn't much to be gained by arguing the merits of one oil over another, it is easier just to compare the API specs, and any API-SM oil will do well IMO. I think Mobil 1 or Castrol work fine.

I just saw us headed back into the "what is a synthetic oil" debate. That was settled over a decade ago, when Mobil 1 claimed that they owned the definition of the word, and lost in court to both the government and the API.

[THK]

Here is BMW's word on the oil debate.

BMW North America

[Bill K]

Originally Posted by THK

Here is BMW's word on the oil debate.

BMW North America

Thanks. Mobil 1 is listed as one of the approved oils. To double check, I can even contact my local dealer. This of course does not apply to the M3. That car is only supposed to use their TWS (10w-60) Castrol.

[IndyRon]

I don't disagree with the comments that are stated above...the door was opened earlier so I just walked through it. FYI, M1, while good enough for BMW, is no longer good enough for me but as stated it would be very hard to prove an additive or base stock type oil contributed to engine failure or wear.

[ard]

Originally Posted by Bill K

Thanks. Mobil 1 is listed as one of the approved oils. To double check, I can even contact my local dealer. This of course does not apply to the M3. That car is only supposed to use their TWS (10w-60) Castrol.

OH MY GOD

You need to learn how to read. That link lists TOP OFF OILS.

Those are NOT "approved for fresh fills".


remember, the dealer is not the warrantor, nor is what the dealer says in writing.

[JCL]

Originally Posted by ard

That link lists TOP OFF OILS.

Those are NOT "approved for fresh fills".

That seems a narrow interpretation of BMWNA's bulletin.

IMO their specific wording is only because BMWNA can't understand why anyone would change the oil in between the required scheduled changes.

BMW has carefully worded their document to not encourage additional changes. That doesn't mean that such changes void the warranty, just that BMW can't see the logic in doing them, and would prefer that customers use the dealer for service. They are very careful not to require you to use the dealer for service.

An API SM oil is approved. If it is an SM oil from a major manufacturer in the correct viscosity, it is hard to imagine BMW denying warranty simply due to the type of oil.

But if you want to eliminate absolutely all risk, and believe that BMW is looking for opportunities to void warranty on major engine failures, by all means only use the dealer for service. That is because there is more chance of damage from who does it (and if it is done properly) than which oil it is, assuming specified oils. Again, just IMO.

[ard]

Originally Posted by JCL

That seems a narrow interpretation of BMWNA's bulletin.

IMO their specific wording is only because BMWNA can't understand why anyone would change the oil in between the required scheduled changes.

BMW has carefully worded their document to not encourage additional changes. That doesn't mean that such changes void the warranty, just that BMW can't see the logic in doing them, and would prefer that customers use the dealer for service. They are very careful not to require you to use the dealer for service.

An API SM oil is approved. If it is an SM oil from a major manufacturer in the correct viscosity, it is hard to imagine BMW denying warranty simply due to the type of oil.

But if you want to eliminate absolutely all risk, and believe that BMW is looking for opportunities to void warranty on major engine failures, by all means only use the dealer for service. .

There is a very specific reason they allow 'non-bmw oil' for top off: they would be required to provide free oil under moss-magnussen...even though they spec one BMW oil, they must allow for non-BMW oil for needed top offs outside of their (way too infrequent) CBS services.

Since they pay for CBS service, under MM they can require only BMW oil for that service- and they do.



I am ABSOLUTELY NOT saying 'use the dealer for service' for the interstitial services...just that they specify ONE oil to be used to fill the car, and that is THE oil I use under warranty.

It has nothing to do with API ratings or full-synthetics or 'good enough'...it is simply one of avoiding a hassle of something unrelated to oil causes an issue and BMW sends an oil sample off somewhere.

After the warranty? I do not use BMW oils, and there is a WORLD of great choices...and the last people I trust would be a BMW Marketing Brochure written by lawyers.

Finally, BMW has published and revised this document multiple times... to think that this is written the way it is becuase they are 'confused' or 'cannot understand why' people would do extra oil changes is not believable (IMO).. indeed, they clearly understand these issues and spell out the whole 'interstitial change' issue in other documents that discuss the limits of the CBS (condition based service) intervals.

This memo is frustratingly dumb and surprisingly restrictive...People can decide that BMW really doesn't mean what it says, but they should know what it says. Narrow? yes. But it says what it says.

A

[Jeg Norge]

dont need to jack it up. the x5 has enough ground clearance for you to crawl under. it might be harder if your body build is like arnold the governator though.

[Jeg Norge]

i've been using castrol syntec 5w30/0w30 for close to about 60,000kms. everything fine.