Expensive OIL

[gene2598]

I noticed yesterday that I had an orange oil light when I turned off my car. *only 12000 miles* No worries really. Anywho, I read the manual, confirmed my thoughts that I needed to top it off. So I went to the BMW dealer and bought a litre of oil. I know, I said litre. I live in Germany and that's what they sell it in. Here comes the kicker: 1 litre of oil cost me 20 Euros. Thats more that $22.00 for 1 litre!

I told the lady that a bottle of oil in the US would cost me about $1.65 and she was floored. She couldn't believe that it was so cheap.

Another related point: A friend of mine paid 230 Euros for his first oil change on his M3 here in Germany. The free maintenance thing doesn't apply here in Germany.

[cwsqbm]

I noticed yesterday that I had an orange oil light when I turned off my car. *only 12000 miles* No worries really. Anywho, I read the manual, confirmed my thoughts that I needed to top it off. So I went to the BMW dealer and bought a litre of oil. I know, I said litre. I live in Germany and that's what they sell it in. Here comes the kicker: 1 litre of oil cost me 20 Euros. Thats more that $22.00 for 1 litre!

I told the lady that a bottle of oil in the US would cost me about $1.65 and she was floored. She couldn't believe that it was so cheap.

Another related point: A friend of mine paid 230 Euros for his first oil change on his M3 here in Germany. The free maintenance thing doesn't apply here in Germany.

Its a bit more than $1.65 for the good stuff; I haven't bought any recently, but I remember in the neighborhood of $7/quart. Still, ouch!

[Desertnate]

Its a bit more than $1.65 for the good stuff; I haven't bought any recently, but I remember in the neighborhood of $7/quart. Still, ouch!

Around here Mobil 1 5W-30 goes for around $5.50~$5.75 a quart. The only thing in the sub $2 range is cheap dino oil.

[MG67]

I remember that Germany is soooo expensive for oil, also in France...:thumbdwn:

[Desertnate]

I remember that Germany is soooo expensive for oil, also in France...:thumbdwn:

Odd...I remember the UK being higher, but not that much higher than here...unlike the petrol.

I wonder what makes Germany and France so much worse?

[Bimmer ese]

Odd...I remember the UK being higher, but not that much higher than here...unlike the petrol.

I wonder what makes Germany and France so much worse?

I agree. I remember I had to buy a litre of oil from the Esso station for my oil-guzzling Mazda. I was shocked at the 6 quid pricetag. :yikes:

[TeamM3]

Around here Mobil 1 5W-30 goes for around $5.50~$5.75 a quart. The only thing in the sub $2 range is cheap dino oil.



you'll pay more than that at the dealer, that's where he bought his oil and it's a costly mistake unless it's something special that can't be purchased elsewhere

[gene2598]

I usually by Castrol 5W-20 for my Mazda tribute from the auto parts store on the military base and it costs me about $20 for the whole case. If I bought it out in town here in Germany it would be over $100.

[Bimmer ese]

I usually by Castrol 5W-20 for my Mazda tribute from the auto parts store on the military base and it costs me about $20 for the whole case. If I bought it out in town here in Germany it would be over $100.

I wonder if AAFES would be able to make a special order for the 5W30 motor oil (maybe some brand comparable to the BMW oil)?

[Desertnate]

I wonder if AAFES would be able to make a special order for the 5W30 motor oil (maybe some brand comparable to the BMW oil)?

I was able to buy 5W30 Mobil 1 all the time when I was there. They sold out of the stuff pretty quickly, but they did carry it. I don't think I ever saw 5W20 though...

[Pinecone]

Some dealers in the US have been charging some $14 a liter for the Castrol TWS 10W-60 used in M3s and a few others.

And we don't do VAT.

[MG67]

Odd...I remember the UK being higher, but not that much higher than here...unlike the petrol.

I wonder what makes Germany and France so much worse?I really don't know, but I do know that I had to fill up my Porsche 964 back in 1994 with 2 liters @ 35 d-mark (vs $2.00 = $35.00) per liter...:yikes:

[Mr. E]

Some dealers in the US have been charging some $14 a liter for the Castrol TWS 10W-60 used in M3s and a few others.Yep, the problem with the factory oil for the M3 is that it doesn't really seem to be available on the open market, at least here in the U.S. Fortunately my dealer gives a BMWCCA discount, so that helped a bit.

[bimmerguy]

Turner has M3 oil for 8.95 quart.

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/html/detail.asp?PRODUCT_ID=07510009420

[F1Crazy]

Odd...I remember the UK being higher, but not that much higher than here...unlike the petrol.

I wonder what makes Germany and France so much worse?
Even higher taxes :thumbdwn: .

[F1Crazy]

I remember that Germany is soooo expensive for oil, also in France...:thumbdwn:
At least they can get some decent stuff that we have to hunt for on this side of the pond.

[e46supra]

As stated before Castrol RS/TWS 10W60 and 5W30 oil used in the S62 and S54 powered vehicles ranges from $9-14 a bottle.

San Diego people, BMWSD has it priced at $9 and Cunningham at $12.

I bought two cases at BMWSD. Doesn't help that the S62 is fond of drinking oil.

Mobil 1 can be bought for $4.98 in all viscosities at Wal-Mart.

[gene2598]

How good is BMWSD? I am moving there next summer and I'll be looking for a good service center.

[Pinecone]

As stated before Castrol RS/TWS 10W60 and 5W30 oil used in the S62 and S54 powered vehicles ranges from $9-14 a bottle.

What car is speced for Castrol TWS/RS 5W-30? AFAIK, all cars running 5W-30 use the normal BMW oil, which runs about $3 a wuart with club discount around here.

A REPUTABLE dealer will sell teh 10W-60 at $8.95 per liter (which is MSRP) then discount for BMW CCA. Two dealers around here do that, 15% off the actual MSRP.

[e46supra]

I believe 01+ M5s are spec'ed for the 5W-30 oil. The 01+ S62s had a new piston ring design lowering the oil consumption compared to the 99 (Euro) and 2000 S62s (like mine).

I can check with my brethren at M5forums if you want.

[F1Crazy]

I believe 01+ M5s are spec'ed for the 5W-30 oil. The 01+ S62s had a new piston ring design lowering the oil consumption compared to the 99 (Euro) and 2000 S62s (like mine).

I can check with my brethren at M5forums if you want.
S62s produced after 3/00 may use 5W-30.