In your location I would have no hesitation using Rotella (I was on my phone yesterday so did not see you were in GA)

I used a shorter drain interval the first time I used it (4k miles) and drained it hot, and refilled with 8 more quarts. I am on my normal regimen now (5k miles OR once a year with Mann filter) and all is working great. You're right, for Walmart's $42 for 2 gallons it is a huge bang for the buck. I prefer being able to buy 2 gallons as opposed to 8 individual quarts as well.

[QUOTE=Ricky Bobby;1001907] I am on my normal regimen now (5k miles OR once a year with Mann filter) and all is working great.

RB, for your location, I would do two changes per year to help avoid CCV system issues. A drain before and after winter months helps keep your crankcase moisture contamination under control. I don't have too much worry about that due to my annual mileage and the milder winters in Texas, but I still get some oil cap mayo by the time February rolls around so I'm usually scheduling an oil change by April 1st each year.

2002 X5 3.0 258,476 miles today.
2004 325i 114,000 miles last time my CEO let me drive it.

Thats a damn good idea friend, considering that my CCV system is going to be replaced this weekend most likely I will want to keep it in tip top shape. I will most likely do a November 1st drain/fill and an April 1st drain/fill, good tip!

i just switched from bmw 5w 30 to shell t6 so far its amazing, quiet, no more rattle at start up which i thought would never go away until replaced vanos, and just runs so smooth and quiet, also mann oil filter. wish i would have made the switch a year ago, wonder if it would have saved timing guide rails which broke 1 month after changing oil to m1 0-40. anyways def recommend shell t6 5w 40 to anyone in the m62 eninge

Highly doubt the M1 0-40 LL oil caused the guide failure.

Been running the M1 0-40 for the last 80k miles without issues (182k total miles, OE guides).

Glad to hear the T6 is working well for another member! If it's good enough for my Triumph, it's good enough for the X! I too noticed a smoother idle and smoother running M54 as well, on my third fill with T6 currently, using Mann/Mahle filters and on my next fill I will use a magnetic drain plug from drainplugmagnets.com

Be careful of the "T" that means for diesels, not good for gasoline engines. The DONT have friction modifiers and that's why it's good for motorcycles because it wont damage the clutch and make it slip. You should use non T in the gas engines for automobiles.

Rockit I would double check that info, T6 is rated for gasoline engines and used by many in many different kinds of vehicles with no ill effects.

I got the info on T6 from bimmerforums, it's more gas engine friendly than T5 or other diesel rated oils. Very versatile