What kind of engine oil do you guys use?

[JGM3E3632]

What kind of engine do you guys use in your E36 M3? I use Mobil 1 5w-30 in the winter and Mobil 1 15w-50 in the summer or at the track. http://www.roeblingroad.com/track.html

 

[gpoints]

15w-50 seems a bit thick. I use to run mobil 1 5-30 year round in all my cars (except my M).

 

[Big Daddy]

I use Mobil One 5-30 in my M roadster.

 

[mjbst111]

15w-50 seems a bit thick. I use to run mobil 1 5-30 year round in all my cars (except my M).

Then why does the manual list this as one of the 2 weights recommended all year round?

 

[epj3]

Then why does the manual list this as one of the 2 weights recommended all year round?

It is thick - but doesn't mean its wrong. You will notice a small negative change in power with a thicker oil, especially during the winter.

 

[gpoints]

Then why does the manual list this as one of the 2 weights recommended all year round?

Good question. Go find out and report back.

 

[selavia]

if it's too thick, will it not cause problems in cold start ups?

 

[JGM3E3632]

i found out that there are two kinds of Mobil1 15w-50. One is called performance driving formula(The one with the red cap that is sold everywhere) and the other is Motorsport formula. I have never seen or heard of the motorsport formula has anyone ever since the motorport formula?

 

[Big Daddy]

Go to the Mobil One web site for a guide

on which oil for your car:

Mobil One

 

[JGM3E3632]

I know what kind of oil to use in my car. I prefer Mobil 1, but I was just asking what you guys like to use. I was just wondering if the name for the "motorsport Mobil 1" oil was just another name for the "performance driving formula." I did not know if they were two different formulas, or if that was what it is called over in Europe. Cause if you search for this stuff on the internet. No US sites come up that sell it. I like Mobil 1 and will always use it.

 

[Big Daddy]

I have been told that the "Motorsport Formula" is the European version of our Mobil 1. However the stuff I buy has a green cap Like this

 

[gpoints]

FWIW, GERMAN castrol oil has been doing very well in the chevy community. From what I've read, Autozone is the only place carying it in the U.S. and oil analysis tests on the stuff is actually scoring higher than mobil-1. Here's a thread with test results and little more info. The results are pretty impressive:

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001362;p=

 

[Kilomph]

Lubro Molly Voll-Synthese oil. Best oil on the market hands down.

 

[JGM3E3632]

Shaffer's also makes a syn. oil that contains moly.

 

[jammer]

I use Mobil One 0-40 year round. It meets BMW's LL-01 specs. I previously used Castrol Syntec 5-30.