M42 Oil Type... What should I be using?

[E30m42cab]

I drive a '91 318i Cabrio with the M42 DOHC 16v with 210,000km on the clock... I want to use a full synthetic motor oil, and I used Mobil 1 10w30 last summer. Is there a different brand or viscosity that I should be using instead? I don't drive the car in the winter (November 'till the end of April) so just a summer grade will be good enough.

 

[ldzpstnr]

My bmw manual says to use 20w-50 if its 20-120 degrees farenhiet, 10w-40 from like -20 to 50, and 10w-30 from -20 to 40 degrees.

I personally use Redline Full synthetic 20w-50 year round. It never gets bellow 20 degrees in southwestern oregon. But I also have a M20 ETA engine, not an M42. My manual is from 1987 also, but it is the factory bmw owners manual.

 

[epj3]

Going with redline is probably overkill price-wise, but some people do like it. I personally used mobile 1, but have started using castrol since it's what BMW put in it since it was new...and its clean as can be.

 

[Bunker]

Always used Castrol on both my bimmers . they also do one for engines with high mileage

 

[Big Daddy]

I ran Mobil 1 20w-50 (that is what came in it) in my 91 318is with the M42, what a great car and motor!

 

[E30m42cab]

Thanks!

I don't have the manual for this car, all I have is my old 325e manual... I guess I'll run some 20w50 and see how it goes.

Cheers!