Any recommendations for oil and filters for SWMBO's 07 328 xi, 86,000 miles on it and any other routine maintenance that I should look in to at this point? Its the first BMW for me so its all new and alien. I stopped at a quicklube to see about an oil change and the bastards tried to get me for $71 just for the oil change.
1) Do not go to quick lube places. EVER.
- DIY. A BMW is the easiest oil change on the planet.
- Or pay a decent shop that won't sneak Valvoline dino juice and a chinese paper filter in when you turn your back
2) Use a full synthetic oil like Mobil 1 0w-40
3) Buy good filters online (Mahle or MANN)
4) It's still going to cost $60+ because the filter is $10 and the oil is $7/qt
I am sorry for my ignorance on the subject but how many quarts does a 328 take?
I just found it, 6.9 quarts, damn. Lotta oil for a little car
They are designed to be run at high speed for long periods hence lots of oil. My wife's Benz takes 9 quarts for the V6 in there, I would hate to see how much it would cost to get the oil changed at a shop.
The Mart of Wal has the Mobil 1 0w40 5qt jugs for under $25. With filter and keeping a spare half jug of oil for the next oil change I think that puts you close to a reasonable $35 for a good quality oil change.
BMW apparently recommends castrol synthetic any real differences between castrol and Mobil 1?
ryanty22 wrote: BMW apparently recommends castrol synthetic any real differences between castrol and Mobil 1?
This is one of those questions that you ask 5 people you will get 7 answers. at the last euro shop I worked at we used "Total" 5W40 for all our euro cars as it met the strict VAG/MB requirements. I personally like mobil one 0w40 for my saab and if I purchase a BMW I will be using 0w40 mobil one in it.
Edit: BITOG could shed some light on the differences. but Castrol synthetic is also a quality oil. Personal preferance for me
Can't beat Walmart for oil, $23-25 for any flavor Mobil 1 and others including castrol I think. The filter selection isnt as good as O'Reilly or AutoZone though but they have Bosch, mopar and motorcraft at the one closest to my house. Oil and hot wheels are about all I buy from Walmart.
ryanty22 wrote: BMW apparently recommends castrol synthetic any real differences between castrol and Mobil 1?
Yes. You can buy Mobil 1 at Walmart for a reasonable cost or you can find Castrol occasionally at retail auto stores for lots more money or you can go to a BMW dealer and pay absurd dollars for it.
Otherwise... they are both quality oil that meet the correct specs from the Owner's manual.
3) Buy good filters online (Mahle or MANN)
The good Mahle or MANN filters are usually hard to find at the local auto parts store and are expensive at the dealer, so online ordering is the best bet. I like Blunttech for BMW parts since they're local but there are a bunch of others out there, take your pick.
Amsoil has a euro specific oil for $7.10 qt. Become a member an you can get it for less.
ryanty22 wrote: BMW apparently recommends castrol synthetic any real differences between castrol and Mobil 1?
yeah, the difference is that Castrol has a deal with BMW to get them to put that in their manuals..
In reply to stuart in mn:
I have been buying my filters at the Indy place that I had do the trans flush on the Merc. They are $12 from the shop and $24 from NAPA.
BMW owners seems to be rabid for Motul oil. Is the stuff any good?
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: 1) Do not go to quick lube places. EVER. - DIY. A BMW is the easiest oil change on the planet. - Or pay a decent shop that won't sneak Valvoline dino juice and a chinese paper filter in when you turn your back 2) Use a full synthetic oil like Mobil 1 0w-40 3) Buy good filters online (Mahle or MANN) 4) It's still going to cost $60+ because the filter is $10 and the oil is $7/qt
is the $25 per 5qt Mobil 1 at WW different from what you're recommending ?
ryanty22 wrote: BMW apparently recommends castrol synthetic any real differences between castrol and Mobil 1?
yes … Castrol starts off as dino oil… and goes from there (or so I've been reading in another forum) and Mobil 1 is pure chemistry
In reply to wbjones:
Are you sure about that? I thought all synthetics were created from organic oil.
You'll also find Internet Opinions that Mobil 1 isn't necessarily fully full synthetic anymore either and that you have to buy more expensive stuff to get proper ester based oils.
wbjones wrote: is the $25 per 5qt Mobil 1 at WW different from what you're recommending ?
I use the European Formula 0w-40 purchased in gallon containers from WallyWorld but it was quite a bit more than $25 IIRC. I think the $25 jugs are all 5w-30 and 10w-40 "High Mileage" labeled M1 whatever the hell that means.
FWIW, for my E36 328 I use Mann Filters and Rotella T6 full synthetic. I get the Mann filters 3 or 4 at a time from Rock Auto. The Rotella comes from Wally World.
I know some folks aren't on board with the Rotella in the BMW thing, but it seems to work fine and I just hit 187k. I also use the Rotella in my diesel Excursion and Ducati, so it is nice to have one oil cover three vehicles.
wbjones wrote:ryanty22 wrote: BMW apparently recommends castrol synthetic any real differences between castrol and Mobil 1?yes … Castrol starts off as dino oil… and goes from there (or so I've been reading in another forum) and Mobil 1 is pure chemistry
All oils start as Dino juice, the "synthetic" moniker is from what base oil and what percent of laboratory is involved. The exceptions are amsoil/Lucas/etc.. That are outrageous priced because they are REALLY synthetic.
Ps: This is from the shell answer guy who put in an appearance at a function I was at a couple years ago.
If you want to start row, go to BITOG and ask about Castrol GC (German Castrol).
My wife's X3 3.0Si liked the Rotella T6/Purolator filter combo that I used.
Are there any benefits from using the diesel rotella oil?
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