It's an 2006, I'm at 124K right now.... 2nd owner since 85K.

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2006 X5 3.0L - Schwarz Black/Truffle Brown
Stock
But I keep it clean

OK so I shy'd away from the piston soak. I did just run a quart of trans fluid through for about 1K miles. Then drained while hot and filled with Shell Rotella T6 5w-40. Been good ever since. Done about 1100 miles so far on the new oil n filter and it's the cleanest it's ever been. Only this weekend did it start to show signs of getting dark. I've been checking it every weekend since I changed it (weekend before Thanksgiving) and it was still that golden/yellowish color on the rag.

Oil consumption in 1100 miles has only been a smidge. Like from the top 'groove' or indentation to just below the groove/indentation.

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2006 X5 3.0L - Schwarz Black/Truffle Brown
Stock
But I keep it clean

I know it feels good when the oil is a golden colour, but it simply doesn't mean anything. Oil colour doesn't correlate to cleanliness.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

Then what does it correlate to? I always thought any deviation in color from the original was largely due to blowby/carbon/dust suspension in the oil and thermal breakdown.

You're probably be regarded as the subject matter expert on this board so I welcome some ejumacation.

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2006 X5 3.0L - Schwarz Black/Truffle Brown
Stock
But I keep it clean

he meant to say color doesn't indicate effectiveness

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12 X5 M - 06 X5 4.8iS - 03 X5 4.4i - 03 M5 - 02 X5 4.6is - 99 M3 Dinan S3 - 98 M3 - 92 850i-6 - 92 850i - 91 325ix - 89 M3 2.5 - and a few parts cars

how is your pcv valve?

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2001 X5 4.4i WHITE-Loaded like a baby's diaper SOLD

You can get colouration from partices that don't contaminate the oil (what I meant by cleanliness was lack of contamination). You can also get contamination from particles that don't change the colour of the oil. Thermal breakdown isn't part of the equation.

Yes, soot colours the oil. If the oil is black, though, then the soot is in suspension, as it is supposed to be. It isn't harming your engine. If you want to keep your oil golden coloured longer, use a non-detergent oil. That won't be as good for your engine as an oil that has detergents, though.

Here is one article (I really don't like Amsoil, primarily due to their business model, but they are right in this paper): Color of Engine Oil

I let my SAE membership lapse, so don't have any access there, but this one came up on a search:

Motor Oils and Engine Lubrication Book: Motor Oil Engineers

The extract from that article makes a good point that some value can be taken from the colour of oil, notably if it has water in it and is therefore a malted-milk colour. I certainly agree with that.

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2007 X3 3.0si, 6 MT, Premium, White

Retired:
2008 535i, 6 MT, M Sport, Premium, Space Grey
2003 X5 3.0 Steptronic, Premium, Titanium Silver
2002 325xi 5 MT, Steel Grey
2004 Z4 3.0 Premium, Sport, SMG, Maldives Blue

I never did the piston soak as I mentioned a few posts ago. I did however run 1 quart of Dexron VI in the motor for about 500 miles since I was 1 quart down on a 5K mi OCI.

At that point I did an oil & filter change with the motor hot. This time I brewed another repulsive concoction. I used Shell Rotella T6 5w40. I also added 750mls of the silver can 'Engine Restore' in addition to a full 8qts.

I am now approaching 3K miles and have checked the oil levels every week since the last oil change, Nov-20th, 2010. I've only used a 'smidge' of oil. This is a drastic deviation from my oil consumption issues since owning the vehicle 2 years now & 38K miles ago. Typically I would have used a full quart by now.

I intend to take the oil change to 5K. I'll update either then or whenever i'm 1 quart down.

Next oil change will consist of just Rotella T6 5w40 and a fresh filter.

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2006 X5 3.0L - Schwarz Black/Truffle Brown
Stock
But I keep it clean

I was Looking forward to continue reading about the miracle oil restore solution!

Wayne's world, calling Wayne's world, I want to hear the continued miracle restoration of your motor! Where are you?? Come now, take everybody's time describing this big problem, you report a miracle, three years ago, and now you're gone??

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2011 X5 Xdrive50i Sport Package AD
2013 Touareg TDI
2012 Ford F250 Super Duty Powerstroke
1997 BMW M3 Sedan
1995 BMW 540i 6 Speed

Retired:
2008 Acura MDX (good car - yawn)
2002 M5 (I will miss this car forever)
1999 M3 (fun car X2)
1992 325IS DINAN (fun car)
1987 325IS (fun car)
1986 325IS (fun car)