Hey ya'll. I'm a proud (yet fairly new) E30 owner. I'd like to use synthetic lubracants in my engine, gearbox, and transmission. What grades are recomended? What do you guys think? I'm planning to call a dealer tomorrow, but I'll ask you ppl first. Also, additives... What do you think about REDLINE, and RESTORE products? My engine has close to 250k on it and I'd like to get that much more. What would help and what would hinder? THANKS!
Synthetic Oil? Additives? Suggestions?
- Thread starter dandigiacomo
- Start date
dandigiacomo, I don't recommend any eng or oil additives, except what's already included in your motor oil. If you think you need additives due to eng leaks or oil consumption, additives will not help. The sooner you fix the problem the better, additives will only cover up the symptoms. I would try and find out what oil grade and type has been used in the car up until now and continue with good preventive mx habits. I do recommend the synthetic gear oils and think replacing the gearbox & transmission fluid as soon as possible. I would flush and replace the coolant system. If money is not a problem, I would bring the vehicle to a well respected BMW dealership and have them give it a complete inspection. You might not get anything done there, but it will give you an idea of what's ahead if you so choose. Welcome to the forum and enjoy your ride.
I have the same opinion. I used them before, and from information from fellow board members it’s not a good idea. If you just bought the vehicle I would suggest you change the oil, brake and coolant fluids so that you know the intervals. I like Mobil1 and Redline products. Good idea to take it to the dealer to see what needs to be done. Congrats and happy[driving2]
Hey great info on additives, including RESTORE. It makes since,... the additive just glues the dirty crap onto the metal, making it run better for a very short time. But in the end it will kill my bimmer motor that is running perrrrrrfetcly now. I'll just invest in all new (high quality) lubricants and fluids. Like I said, it runs great now. I'd be happy if it ran like this for the rest of my life! So I'll just keep new oils and fluids in it. Synthetic oils are, for the most part, much better... correct? Thanks guys for all your info. The rest of what I need to know (grades, etc), I can get from a local dealer.
Here is a website that has a pretty interesting visible oil test.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com
I am not sure if the oil test this guy does is a real good one or not but it is interesting none the less. After seeing these test I will never use an oil additive again. The test the guy uses goes off the idea of oil clinging and climbing gears. I thought transmissions and differentials worked off of oil splashing for lubrication. But I may be wrong.
Later
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com
I am not sure if the oil test this guy does is a real good one or not but it is interesting none the less. After seeing these test I will never use an oil additive again. The test the guy uses goes off the idea of oil clinging and climbing gears. I thought transmissions and differentials worked off of oil splashing for lubrication. But I may be wrong.
Later
A lot of splashing is a the result of the difference in the viscosity and weight of heavy gear lube, and lets say.....Redline. Redline has the ability to moderately climb gear revolving at a rapid rate, but is also thin enough to cause a splashing effect. If anything, I would just flush the fluids, change them out with one you prefer (I use Castrol Syntec 15W50 during the summer, and 10W40 during the winter, considering the ambient outdoor air temp where I live) Redline MTL and dif lube, and standard ATF for the power steering, and regular old brake fluid.