Red Line Oil 5W30...Suggestions
 

Hey Everyone,

So it has been almost 4 years and the 2002 X5 3.0i has only had a couple hands full of problems (no complaints). I have always noticed that between oil changes, I have had to put in at most 4 quarts (about 1 quart per 1-2,000 miles) between 6-7,000 miles total. I have always used Castrol Syntec (full synthetic) 5W-30 which has been recommended and I was planning on moving to Red Line 5W-30 Full Synthetic. Does anyone have any experience with Red Line? I would appreciate any advice on what oil to use with the appropriate level of viscosity, etc. TIA.

V/R

Jake

There are literally full pages of 'oil threads' here...some reading via Search Tab will glaze the eyes and make your hair hurt.

Red Line makes good stuff by most accounts, (I use their trans stuff in my manual trans boxes), but I don't think the RL oil will reduce your oil usage.

Our '01 3.0 5 spd experiences similar consumption, esp on long fast highway trips, and has since about 'new'. Fwiw, your consumption is within BMW specs, even when it was brand new...10 years later it is not uncommon.

Change if you like, (I went to M1 0W-40 a few years ago which reduced consumption slightly), but I just don't think you will see a real difference.
My 50Cts...
GL, mD

I concur with mD, changing an oil brand isn't going to reduce consumption, atleast to the point where you are going to say, "Damn, this stuff really works" The oil consumption is within normal limits per spec. But if this is something you just noticed, you are losing it somewhere. Check around and see for any leaks. If not, then all is good in the world. That is until a window reg goes kaput. Then you curse!

I would stick with Full Synthetic Castol oil

I would stay with the Castrol, or use the BMW oil or Mobil 1. Use 5w-30.

I won't use Redline myself as it isn't API certified. It isn't necessarily a bad oil, just not a certified one. Redline says that they don't certify it on purpose, as that lets them increase certain additives beyond the API limits. I just like independent testing myself. The manufacturers agree, since using a non-API oil is one of the few things you can do that actually voids your engine warranty

Thank you everyone for the input, I appreciate and value your insight. I will take it all under consideration as I come up to my next oil change.

I have noticed the oil consumption ever since purchasing the X5 3.0i (5-speed) a little over 50,000 miles ago. I am happy to know for sure that this is normal and nothing to worry to much about.

Again, Thank you all!

bmw 5w-30(actually castrol made)

mobil 1 0w-40

the bmw oil is cheaper

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