"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
10/24/2016 at 10:50 • Filed to: None
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"Matt Nichelson" (whoismatt)
10/24/2016 at 10:50 • Filed to: None | 1
| 23 |
It’s closing in on time for my next oil change and plan to do it myself this time. I know what is recommended as far as type, but what brand should I use?
For reference, my car is a 2009 BMW 328i with almost 80k miles. I know some recommend using the BMW brand, but from what I understand it is just rebranded Castrol or Mobil 1.
I’ve done a little research on some of the brands out there. Of course there have been good and bad comments on just about everything. Amsoil sounds like a good one to go with. Royal Purple seems good for some but others have given really bad reviews as well. Same goes for Mobil 1 and some others. I plan to stick with 5W-30, so what is Oppo’s opinion?
BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:52 |
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Liquid Moly is my choice for German cars.
petebmwm
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:53 |
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5w30, how often do you change it? Bmw says 15k, thats bullshit, change at 7k, i always used the castrol synthetic in my 328xi..
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:54 |
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As for BMW oil it is probably re-branded Castrol. My Mini has a marking on the plastic covering the fuel rail which says “MINI recommends Castrol”.
TheHondaBro
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:56 |
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Crisco.
gawdzillla
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:57 |
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pennzoil ultra platinum
Nibby
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:58 |
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jimz
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 10:59 |
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you’re going to get a hundred different answers, and they’re all correct.
adamftw
> jimz
10/24/2016 at 11:01 |
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This x1000000
crowmolly
> BrianGriffin thinks “reliable” is just a state of mind
10/24/2016 at 11:04 |
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That’s my cousin, he’s a good dude.
LongbowMkII
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 11:09 |
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I (and my dad as I grew up) use Mobil 1 with good results. Another anecdote, my FiL has had two kia’s (sportage, serranto) go over 400k on walmart supertech.
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Matt Nichelson
> petebmwm
10/24/2016 at 11:12 |
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I change mine every 7k as well. I don’t feel right going much further than that. I’ve heard about Castrol having a European version of their synthetic. Is that what you use or just the US version?
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petebmwm
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 11:16 |
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The european version is for the m cars.. you can use the regular, its the same, bmw uses shell now, i always liked the castrol..
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> LongbowMkII
10/24/2016 at 11:25 |
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Kias would probably do 400k if you lubricated them with soap.
Textured Soy Protein
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 11:28 |
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Any decent 5w-30 synthetic should do the trick. Castrol, Mobil 1, etc. Some folks switch to 5w-40 for added smoothness and less noise. Main thing to look for if you want to be particular about it is if it’s BMW LL-01 certified.
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Matt Nichelson
> Textured Soy Protein
10/24/2016 at 11:46 |
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I may try 5W-40 then if it does that. Either way, it doesn’t necessarily have to be certified. I just want something that has a good track record for the kind of car I am putting it in.
While on the subject, do you have a certain filter that you prefer over others?
CaptDale - is secretly British
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 11:56 |
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Well per my owners manual and oil testing (best non additive oil you can buy) I use Mobil 1 5w-30.
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Matt Nichelson
> CaptDale - is secretly British
10/24/2016 at 12:01 |
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Several places I have looked at mentioned using that.
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Textured Soy Protein
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 12:29 |
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There’s a lot of oil that is LL-01 certified though. Not hard to find.
Personally I haven’t really worried about it yet because my 135is was in the maintenance plan and the only time I’ve needed oil on my 335xi was when my mechanic filled up my new longblock for the first time. I can’t even remember what oil he used to be honest, some kind of synthetic. I wasn’t picky about it at the time. Same deal with filters.
Now since you posted about it I’ve bothered to look into it, and I’m pretty sure I’ll be running Shell Rotella T6 5W-40. It’s not BMW LL-01 but it carries the similar Mercedes 229.5 certification. The 5W-40 has a bit wider of an operating temp range, it’s supposed to help with valve ticking noise, and some stuff about how the Rotella T6 is formulated should help with my turbo & direct injection.
Someone had a lab report run on it from a sample pulled from their N54 and it looked pretty impressive.
For filters, the OE BMW ones can be had relatively cheap, otherwise stuff like Mahle and Mann are suitable OE substitutes.
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CaptDale - is secretly British
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 12:49 |
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Good oil and available almost everywhere.
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Matt Nichelson
> Textured Soy Protein
10/24/2016 at 13:31 |
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That spreadsheet is perfect. I have some more options now at least from that and the Rotella. Thanks for sharing all of that!
Needmoargarage
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 14:14 |
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Honestly I think it is less about the brand and more about the fluid properties. I’ve been happy with Mobil 1 full synthetic, but certain forums will scream about how it is a terrible oil. I would go with something economical but decent quality, and if you are concerned about it run a simple oil analysis at your next change.
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Matt Nichelson
> Needmoargarage
10/24/2016 at 16:00 |
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I agree. The post wasn’t meant as a form of brand snobbery. I don’t care as long as it’s a good product. 5W-30 or 40 is what I am going with, so the main thing is just which choice is best.
wafflesnfalafel
> Matt Nichelson
10/24/2016 at 21:46 |
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I love the Napa branded full synth - and if you are lucky you can get it on sale. Noticeably better than any organic and all other synth i’ve tried - no BS, my Mazda loves the stuff. I have a case of it along with a couple filters sitting the garage right now.