What Engine Oil do you use for Trackdays?

[lavmugen]

as stated in the title. what does everyone use for trackdays?

the reason why i was asking if because i did not want to put in anything that's not on the BMW approved list. And the only type of oil I can easily access/purchase was the German Castrol 0w-30. That is probably not the most ideal oil for the amount of heat generated on the track.

What does everyone use? Do you just change just before and/or after a trackday? i just saw 266 F on my last track day when the ambient temp was around 55 F.

[pixelblue]

I use motul full synthetic and no you don't change oil every time you track. maybe once a year

[BerkTechnology]

Originally Posted by lavmugen

as stated in the title. what does everyone use for trackdays?

the reason why i was asking if because i did not want to put in anything that's not on the BMW approved list. And the only type of oil I can easily access/purchase was the German Castrol 0w-30. That is probably not the most ideal oil for the amount of heat generated on the track.

What does everyone use? Do you just change just before and/or after a trackday? i just saw 266 F on my last track day when the ambient temp was around 55 F.

Depends on how paranoid you are about your oil. I'm on the extreme end and change the oil every track weekend. If it is a particularly hot track day and we are getting lots of track time we will change the oil twice on a 3 day track event. When I got the oil analyzed by Blackstone labs my TBN ratings were still almost as high as brand new oil but the discoloration we would see didn't sit too well with me.

Am I wasting oil? Probably. But it sure does help me sleep better!

[Lubo]

I also use Motul Fully Synthetic from March to December. Usually changed at 3K miles intervals if I get 2 events done. around 5K with one event.
Also running distilled water with 2 bottles of water wetter.
Oil reached in 290s last time without limp mode

During winter antifreeze goes back in and I use BMW's 5-30. Since I do not drive much I do not change it until March regardless of mileage.

[BerkTechnology]

Using M1 or OEM BMW. Whatever is on the shelf at the moment.

[VMRWheels]

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Am I wasting oil? Probably. But it sure does help me sleep better!

I am exactly the same. Definitely makes me feel a whole lot better...

-Charles@VMRWheels

[IGoFast1589]

If it's a really hot place like out in California during the summer then I would definitely use a thicker oil. Maybe a 10W-40 oil? If you have a way of checking your oil pressure you can use that as a basis of what oil to use because if your pressure is low that may be an indicator that you need a thicker oil and vice versa.

[BerkTechnology]

Oil pressure on the 135i is extremely high, even with the factory 5-30 weight. I thought we had to step down to a thinner oil because my oil press at idle was around 70psi. If you look through the OEM repair manual this is the correct spec. 70-90psi IIRC.

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Oil pressure on the 135i is extremely high, even with the factory 5-30 weight. I thought we had to step down to a thinner oil because my oil press at idle was around 70psi. If you look through the OEM repair manual this is the correct spec. 70-90psi IIRC.

Really? That's interesting. If you went with a thinner oil that would lower your pressure even lower then 70psi leaving the pressure lower then spec, no?

On a separate note, not to thread jack too badly, but has the 1 been reliable for you guys? The Berk 135i seems to be one of the most intensely driven 1's out there and I plan on moving into a 1 that I will be driving pretty aggressively as well. I just want to know given proper maintenance and aggressive driving if it is a reliable ride all around or not.

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

It would be extremely unusual and inappropriate to have 70 PSI hot oil pressure at idle. 70 PSI cold oil pressure at a high idle yes, but not hot oil temp and normal idle speed.

Got it, that makes sense.

[BerkTechnology]

Igofast - if you take a responsible approach to tuning then yes it is a very reliable platform. Never go for broke on the dyno or with your map selection. We're using 104 octane fuel + meth on our GIAC tune that is designed for 93 oct + meth. Plus all of the aero ducting that we have in our engine bay along with the additional oil cooler.

Trackrat - I'll double check the TIS but that is what I remember. IIRC coming off a hot lap session pressures are around 65psi at idle. I do remember thinking to myself that this car's oil pressure is pretty damned high but read up on the TIS and felt better.

[IGoFast1589]

Originally Posted by BerkTechnology

Igofast - if you take a responsible approach to tuning then yes it is a very reliable platform. Never go for broke on the dyno or with your map selection. We're using 104 octane fuel + meth on our GIAC tune that is designed for 93 oct + meth. Plus all of the aero ducting that we have in our engine bay along with the additional oil cooler.

Good to hear. I had a bad tune on my STi in the past that came back to get me so I completely understand. GIAC it is when I make my move then. Thanks for the info.

[Dackelone]

Perhaps the very high oil pressure is one of the reasons why BMW says to use Castrol synthetic oil in our cars?

I know for VAG cars... like in their Deisels PD (pump duesse) they run very high oil pressure too. 200bar in the diesel fuel pump sprayer. And the high pressures can shear the oil down(molecular). This is why for almost every VAG engine they have a specific engine oil rating. Like; 505.01 or what ever.

I also know for the Audi RS6 they also require a special oil - bc of the very high stress the oil see's. What I mean is that the oil has to cope with high internal pressure AND stress for the heat of the turbos.

I am just thinking outloud but IF the 70 PSI at ilde is correct that does seems quite high to me. I would have thought 30 or 40 psi range when hot would be more like it.