Does consistency in type of oil matter?

sonus · 07-10-2011, 10:21 PM

Not to start a religious war here, but I have a question before I get my car (less than 4 weeks now!!).

I'm thinking I'd like to do more frequent oil changes than the recommended/free 15k. At least I definitely like the idea of a 1200 mile one after break-in.

The question is... should I make an effort to use the exact same oil that BMW will use, so that it's always consistent? Is there any effect on the engine if I do a change with Mobil 1 0W-40 and then BMW goes and uses their 5W-30?

I've heard of people (here and elsewhere) talking about "always using X kind of oil since day one" and stuff like that, and I've always wondered if it really matters how consistent you are with brand/weight/etc, and if the engine really does somehow get "settled" on a particular kind of oil or some other such magic.

And just for my own safety...
/flame suit on

Dackelone · 07-11-2011, 08:58 AM

OP - it probably does not make any difference. That said, I would stick to one type of oil brand name for the entire cars life span.

I would use what BMW reccomends: Castrol oil. And the DIY oil change kits that Tischer and United sell are darn cheap. $70 or so for everything you need. You won't be saving that much going elsewhere for oil. Plus the oil BMW sells is made by Castrol and is of the correct "BMW LL-1" rating.

Everyone has thier favorite oil brand... it does seem almost religous-like when we get into these oil debates. But I would go with what BMW reccomends.

Dackel

DriveHard · 07-11-2011, 09:56 AM

an engine oil service is included in your 1200 mile service. ( dont know if you knew that by the wording in your post. It sounded like you were more than happy to do it on your own at 1200 miles)

also, what Dackel / Track rat said is all true..
some guys just stick with one brand because there dad used it for years...

as long as its the correct type you are good in my book...

Us humans tend to like patterns...makes life simple... at the store we reach for the same oil just as we reach for the same beer...

Its all good..

p.s. word of advice for "in between" oil services... Pick a mileage and stick with it so its easy to remember... on AVERAGE a NORMAL BMW will need service APPROX some where between 12 and 15k... pick something halfway between those numbers i.e. 6,500 or 7,500 miles.

If you do very few miles a year you will be getting free oil services once a year from BMW so dont waste your money if you fall into that catogry

sonus · 07-11-2011, 01:49 PM

Thanks for the replies. I've noticed the Tischer kits too, and they seem like a great deal. In fact it's cheaper than buying stuff myself if I can't find a sale, and of known brand and quality. I think I'll probably go with those kits.

I definitely want to use a BMW-approved LL-01 oil, it was just the different weights of them that was confusing me.

As far as I know, there is no included 1200 mile service for the 128i in the US (only for the 1M). Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I've read and heard from numerous others around. You're a lucky guy if your dealer gave you a free 1200 mile service though, that's awesome

DriveHard · 07-11-2011, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonus

Thanks for the replies. I've noticed the Tischer kits too, and they seem like a great deal. In fact it's cheaper than buying stuff myself if I can't find a sale, and of known brand and quality. I think I'll probably go with those kits.

I definitely want to use a BMW-approved LL-01 oil, it was just the different weights of them that was confusing me.

As far as I know, there is no included 1200 mile service for the 128i in the US (only for the 1M). Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I've read and heard from numerous others around. You're a lucky guy if your dealer gave you a free 1200 mile service though, that's awesome

OOPS SORRY.. i read something that wasent there... my bad....

you r correct no 1200 for 128

carry on..

Kcc · 07-11-2011, 03:21 PM

Do more reach on threat and post, as i have read so far, there are different rating in different country made. The NA standard are lower than European, again, all my words are from reading.

I uses Motul 8100 myself, and if u ask me do I feel a different in driving...that's a no...but if the Motul really are better, there is no harm but gain...

Kcc

07-10-2011, 10:21 PM	#1
sonus Private First Class 18 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 Montego Blue 128i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Does consistency in type of oil matter? Not to start a religious war here, but I have a question before I get my car (less than 4 weeks now!!). I'm thinking I'd like to do more frequent oil changes than the recommended/free 15k. At least I definitely like the idea of a 1200 mile one after break-in. The question is... should I make an effort to use the exact same oil that BMW will use, so that it's always consistent? Is there any effect on the engine if I do a change with Mobil 1 0W-40 and then BMW goes and uses their 5W-30? I've heard of people (here and elsewhere) talking about "always using X kind of oil since day one" and stuff like that, and I've always wondered if it really matters how consistent you are with brand/weight/etc, and if the engine really does somehow get "settled" on a particular kind of oil or some other such magic. And just for my own safety... /flame suit on
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07-11-2011, 08:58 AM	#2
Dackelone European Editor 10532 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	OP - it probably does not make any difference. That said, I would stick to one type of oil brand name for the entire cars life span. I would use what BMW reccomends: Castrol oil. And the DIY oil change kits that Tischer and United sell are darn cheap. $70 or so for everything you need. You won't be saving that much going elsewhere for oil. Plus the oil BMW sells is made by Castrol and is of the correct "BMW LL-1" rating. Everyone has thier favorite oil brand... it does seem almost religous-like when we get into these oil debates. But I would go with what BMW reccomends. Dackel
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07-11-2011, 09:56 AM	#3
DriveHard Colonel 115 Rep 1,998 Posts Drives: X1 and R58 JCW Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Long Island iTrader: (0)	an engine oil service is included in your 1200 mile service. ( dont know if you knew that by the wording in your post. It sounded like you were more than happy to do it on your own at 1200 miles) also, what Dackel / Track rat said is all true.. some guys just stick with one brand because there dad used it for years... as long as its the correct type you are good in my book... Us humans tend to like patterns...makes life simple... at the store we reach for the same oil just as we reach for the same beer... Its all good.. p.s. word of advice for "in between" oil services... Pick a mileage and stick with it so its easy to remember... on AVERAGE a NORMAL BMW will need service APPROX some where between 12 and 15k... pick something halfway between those numbers i.e. 6,500 or 7,500 miles. If you do very few miles a year you will be getting free oil services once a year from BMW so dont waste your money if you fall into that catogry __________________ X1, R58 JCW, M2 in my future if planets align
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07-11-2011, 01:49 PM	#4
sonus Private First Class 18 Rep 123 Posts Drives: 2012 Montego Blue 128i Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies. I've noticed the Tischer kits too, and they seem like a great deal. In fact it's cheaper than buying stuff myself if I can't find a sale, and of known brand and quality. I think I'll probably go with those kits. I definitely want to use a BMW-approved LL-01 oil, it was just the different weights of them that was confusing me. As far as I know, there is no included 1200 mile service for the 128i in the US (only for the 1M). Please correct me if I'm wrong, but that's what I've read and heard from numerous others around. You're a lucky guy if your dealer gave you a free 1200 mile service though, that's awesome
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07-11-2011, 03:21 PM	#6
Kcc First Lieutenant 9 Rep 373 Posts Drives: 4 Wheels with a turbo Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Markham, Toronto iTrader: (0)	Do more reach on threat and post, as i have read so far, there are different rating in different country made. The NA standard are lower than European, again, all my words are from reading. I uses Motul 8100 myself, and if u ask me do I feel a different in driving...that's a no...but if the Motul really are better, there is no harm but gain... Kcc __________________ 135i - AW
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