OEM oil is no 0w-30??

[doublevanosrc]

Just went to my local dealer to pick up front brakes and an oil change kit when I was informed that it's 0w-30 oil now instead of 5w-30. Saw a few memos on my buddies desk claiming to inform all employees of this change. It's not a huge deal since it's still Longlife-01 FE still curious about the change since it doesn't get that cold here(TX), maybe Dack can shed some light on this. I can recall using 5w-30 all the way back to my E46 days.

[MightyMouseTech]

The thinner the oil at startup the better.

[iminhell1]

It's also made by Penzoil now (in the us).

[Lucky1]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

It's also made by Penzoil now (in the us).

Thought it was Shell and still 5W-30? Thats what it was when I picked some up a few months ago. Did it change again?

[iminhell1]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Thought it was Shell and still 5W-30? Thats what it was when I picked some up a few months ago. Did it change again?

The bottle that was on the counter when I was picking up parts a week ago said Penzoil on the back.
I've never use BMW oil and I don't know who made it previously.

[ignote]

Originally Posted by iminhell1

The bottle that was on the counter when I was picking up parts a week ago said Penzoil on the back.
I've never use BMW oil and I don't know who made it previously.

Previous oil was castrol.

[chris_flies]

It all depends on what you want. 0W-30 or 0W-40 is great for cold starts, but if it doesn't really get within 10 degrees of freezing, I'd shoot for a heavier oil like 10W-50, etc. that'll have stronger protection and will help keep your engine running smoothly for a long time to come.

[captain slowly]

I had that conversation with my parts department a few weeks back. BMW if phasing the 5w-30 out. So, the N55 that always called for 5w-30, is now using 0w-30 as per BMW. The interesting part is, its 2012+ N55. My car is a 2011, and that still needs 5w-30 as per BMW. Not sure what changed in the N55 past 2011, but that's the current bulletin from the BMW mothership.

Chris, why would you want a 50 weight oil in a modern engine? This isn't a 1914 Ford Model T.

[chris_flies]

Originally Posted by captain slowly

I had that conversation with my parts department a few weeks back. BMW if phasing the 5w-30 out. So, the N55 that always called for 5w-30, is now using 0w-30 as per BMW. The interesting part is, its 2012+ N55. My car is a 2011, and that still needs 5w-30 as per BMW. Not sure what changed in the N55 past 2011, but that's the current bulletin from the BMW mothership.

Chris, why would you want a 50 weight oil in a modern engine? This isn't a 1914 Ford Model T.

I was exaggerating a bit...
But seriously, running thicker oils every once in a while, especially in summer, helped keep my parent's former cars (they both have new ones ) running smoothly and flawlessly...

[Dackelone]

BMW US switching to a thinner oil "probably" has more to do with faster engine warm ups and hence lower emissions. I think IF I lived in a hotter climate I might use a slightly thicker oil of just change your oil more often. Personally I still use 0w40 LL1 Castrol oil in my 135i. But you can't go wrong with using what BMW says to use - sold at its dealers.

It would be curious to see some oil analyse on the two oils.

Dackel

[YearOneOne]

Summer is the only season that matters so 10w-40 ftw

[Mybimmer]

Depends on how cold it gets in your location. If under freezing 0-30w. If you live in an area coldest 5-10c degrees just use 5-30w or 5-40w. Castrol edge is considered the right lube these engines.

[Mybimmer]

10-40w is not right. Too thick for start up.

[tock172]

Just had an oil service performed at the dealer in December 2017. The oil used was BMW TwinPower Turbo 0W-30. My previous oil service, performed in 2016 had used the old 5W-30, which is what I keep a quart of in the trunk.

Here's a chart of semi-current BMW oil offerings. I believe M-TwinPower Turbo 0W-40 has been discontinued.

Note that the graphic says Pennzoil on it. Also, 0W-20 is the weight I run in my Honda Civic for maximum fuel economy. Perhaps BMW is using this in the 4-cylinder engines now?

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Lucky1

Thought it was Shell and still 5W-30? Thats what it was when I picked some up a few months ago. Did it change again?

Penzoil is Shell.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by tock172

Just had an oil service performed at the dealer in December 2017. The oil used was BMW TwinPower Turbo 0W-30. My previous oil service, performed in 2016 had used the old 5W-30, which is what I keep a quart of in the trunk.

Here's a chart of semi-current BMW oil offerings. I believe M-TwinPower Turbo 0W-40 has been discontinued.

Note that the graphic says Pennzoil on it. Also, 0W-20 is the weight I run in my Honda Civic for maximum fuel economy. Perhaps BMW is using this in the 4-cylinder engines now?

Sadly yes, the 0W40 has been discontinued. That is why I have gone back to Castrol.

[doublevanosrc]

Originally Posted by tock172

Just had an oil service performed at the dealer in December 2017. The oil used was BMW TwinPower Turbo 0W-30. My previous oil service, performed in 2016 had used the old 5W-30, which is what I keep a quart of in the trunk.

Here's a chart of semi-current BMW oil offerings. I believe M-TwinPower Turbo 0W-40 has been discontinued.

Note that the graphic says Pennzoil on it. Also, 0W-20 is the weight I run in my Honda Civic for maximum fuel economy. Perhaps BMW is using this in the 4-cylinder engines now?

Nice chart, thanks for posting.

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by MightyMouseTech

The thinner the oil at startup the better.

Depends where you live.

IMO 0w-30 as well as 5w30 is just too thin, 0w40 is a lot better but i will be running 5w40 all year round instead.

You need to consider cold start up, normal conditions (that apply to you) and extreme conditions (that apply to you).

If i did my research correctly, the N52B30 engine came with 5w40 oil from BMW back when new, they changed oils recently (if i am not mistaken) to 5w30 and 0w40.

[Zombie_Head]

Originally Posted by chris_flies

It all depends on what you want. 0W-30 or 0W-40 is great for cold starts, but if it doesn't really get within 10 degrees of freezing, I'd shoot for a heavier oil like 10W-50, etc. that'll have stronger protection and will help keep your engine running smoothly for a long time to come.

Originally Posted by captain slowly

I had that conversation with my parts department a few weeks back. BMW if phasing the 5w-30 out. So, the N55 that always called for 5w-30, is now using 0w-30 as per BMW. The interesting part is, its 2012+ N55. My car is a 2011, and that still needs 5w-30 as per BMW. Not sure what changed in the N55 past 2011, but that's the current bulletin from the BMW mothership.

Chris, why would you want a 50 weight oil in a modern engine? This isn't a 1914 Ford Model T.

Oil weights have to do with conditions (that apply to you) and not the age. If you do not need lower than a 10w, then why go lower? Hotter climates or more frequently tracked cars will benefit from the 50w (you need to imagine, how you red line gears all the time and constantly staying at the 4K-7K rpm range over and over again while dealing with 35c+ weather conditions).

If you open up any index chart, you need to follow what the climate and your driving style lead to. Only real thing to pay attention is the BMW long life certificate/approval, rest depends on you.

[TridenTBoy]

I've always used 0W-40. Can't remember but I think it was suggested in various places. Didn't even realize other people here used something else. :/

[tock172]

5W30 was BMW's most common weight for close to 20 years. 0W40 is a common Euro weight.

[MightyMouseTech]

Originally Posted by Zombie_Head

Depends where you live.

IMO 0w-30 as well as 5w30 is just too thin, 0w40 is a lot better but i will be running 5w40 all year round instead.

You need to consider cold start up, normal conditions (that apply to you) and extreme conditions (that apply to you).

If i did my research correctly, the N52B30 engine came with 5w40 oil from BMW back when new, they changed oils recently (if i am not mistaken) to 5w30 and 0w40.

Does not matter where you live, the thinner the oil at startup the better. It is physically impossible for any oil to be too thin at cold start. Even the thinnest 0W16 will be many times thicker at 40C than even the thickest 10W60 at operating temp (100C and up).