10-50 Synthetic (Castrol) OK ?

[R3LzX]

Was wondering if you guys only use the absolutely recommended oil in your m3s as I went and dropped some 10W50 Castrol synthetic in mine cause there was nothing else available and was in need.

 

[R3LzX]

err.. could i get some feedback on this question please?

 

[vlad]

Considering the extended warranty BMW has put on the M3 engines, I would not want BMW to void that warranty due to using an oil that they did not specify would meet their requirements.

 

[wood_e]

Yeah thats a large viscosity range. I wouldn't use it unless specified by BMW

 

[R3LzX]

thanks..

 

[daihard]

I believe the manual says that you could use a non-recommended oil in case of emergency and only for topping the oil.

 

[JGM3E3632]

The recommended engine oil is Castrol 10w-60. Around 9.50 a unit. You can get it at the dealership or at Bavauto.com.

 

[daihard]

The recommended engine oil is Castrol 10w-60. Around 9.50 a unit. You can get it at the dealership or at Bavauto.com.

In fact, that's the only oil BMW approves for the E46 M3. You can buy it at some independent BMW shops, too. The best price I've seen is $8.95 / litre (yes, they come in litre cans).

Like I said, though, topping off on occasions should not void the warranty. As a matter of fact, I'm not even sure BMW *can* void the engine warranty just 'cause you use non-recommended oil. Nowhere in the manual do they state that you MUST use the Castrol TWS 10W-60 in order to keep your warranty intact.

 

[alrandmae]

I dont have the specs on 10W-60 Castrol, but I bet the wide viscosity range is required because Castrol's synthetic could not provide adequate protection; I would like to compare it with Amsoil Series 2000 0w-30 or Amsoil 10W-30 Synthetic. These two oils are so far advanced they may do better than the Castrol. All we'd have to do is look at the specs...anybody have the info on the Castrol?

 

[daihard]

I dont have the specs on 10W-60 Castrol, but I bet the wide viscosity range is required because Castrol's synthetic could not provide adequate protection; I would like to compare it with Amsoil Series 2000 0w-30 or Amsoil 10W-30 Synthetic. These two oils are so far advanced they may do better than the Castrol. All we'd have to do is look at the specs...anybody have the info on the Castrol?

Spec-wise Amsoil may be a better solution, but BMW may well try to void the warranty if anything goes wrong with the engine while you're using non-recommended engine oil.