Mobil1 5w30 at Costco

[Nat Brown]

For those who have a Costco nearby, I've noticed that mine recently started carrying 5w30 weight Mobil1. At $22 for 6 quarts, it's the cheapest you're likely to find for your DIY oil change. Before, Costco only carried 10w30.

To give you an example of the price difference, a case of 5w30 at my local auto parts store costs $30 ($4.95/qrt).

--gary

[Raffi]

Thanks for the info. That's about the same price as getting the BMW 5W30 at the stealer with the CCA discount.

[Pinecone]

Realise that if you car is still under warranty, you could void your warranty using other than BMW oil. The reason is that BMW specs oils that meet ACEA A3/B3 specs. No off the shelf xW-30 weight oil meets these specs, other than BMW 5W-30.

All the off the shelf oils only meet ACEA A1/B1 specs. Most of the xW-40 or higher weight oils do meet ACEA A3/B3.

Interestingly enough Redline does not test to ACEA specs, but one person said they asked Redline and was told that they figure they would meet ACEA A2/B2 specs only.

None of this is to say I do not think highly of Mobil 1 and Redline, just giving you something to think about if you are still under warranty.

[Nat Brown]

Originally posted by Pinecone
Realise that if you car is still under warranty, you could void your warranty using other than BMW oil. The reason is that BMW specs oils that meet ACEA A3/B3 specs. No off the shelf xW-30 weight oil meets these specs, other than BMW 5W-30.

All the off the shelf oils only meet ACEA A1/B1 specs. Most of the xW-40 or higher weight oils do meet ACEA A3/B3.

Interestingly enough Redline does not test to ACEA specs, but one person said they asked Redline and was told that they figure they would meet ACEA A2/B2 specs only.

None of this is to say I do not think highly of Mobil 1 and Redline, just giving you something to think about if you are still under warranty.


From the Irvine BMW web site:

Oil Service: Engine oil changed with the engine at operating temperature. Note: change oil at least once a year. Your BMW is factory-equipped with a newly developed synthetic engine oil. At the time of the printing of this booklet BMW High-Performance Synthetic 5W-40 Oil (Part # 07-51-0-002-545) and Mobil 1 5W-30
and 5W-40 oils are strongly recommended and approved by BMW, BMW is evaluating various synthetic oils for inclusion in our list of recommended motor oils. For the most current list of synthetic oils, please contact your BMW center, or call BMW of North America, Inc. at 1-800-831-1117. You can also obtain this information from our web site at www.bmwusa.com/.

--gary

[ouzlizard]

From poking around Mobil's web site, they seem to recommend the 0W-40 for our cars.

http://mobil1.com/supersyn/vis_0w40.jsp

The 5W-30 is tempting from a price standpoint but I think I will pass in favor of either the BMW 5W-30 or the Mobil 0W-40.

The BMW 5W-30 is rated higher than the Mobil 5W-30 in terms ACEA rating.

http://www.bmwusa.com/site_layout/models/0142/0142_oil.htm

[Kaz]

I've been looking at these ACEA things for a little while. Its interesting to note that unlike SAE Sx/Cx ratings, ACEA An/Bn do not necessarily superscede each other. i.e. an oil meeting A5/B5 doesn't necessarily mean it meets the lower numbered ones.

If in fact there is some document stating that, say, BMW M54-series engines require ACEA A3/B3, Mobil1 0W40 and 15w50 (SuperSyn) are the only ones currently rated for that spec. All other grades meet A5/B5 which appear to be similar but not identical to A3/B3. All of them meet A1/B1, as does the older TriSyn 5w30 I have on hand.

That being said, though, I have seen BMW documents specifically mentioning the use of Mobil1 in E46 engines somewhere. Also, Castrol ('recommended' by BMW) synthetics marketed here in the US currently only meet A1/B1, with the exception of 10w40 and 5w50 which meet A3/B3 but NOT A5/B5.

[JetBlack330i]

What's the verdict?
Which are recommended brands and grades for the 330 engine?
The quote from Irvine BMW is perhaps outdated. After all, BMW shipped the engine with an oil cap that says to use Castrol. How can Mobil be the only recommended brand?

[ayn]

Originally posted by JetBlack330i
What's the verdict?
Which are recommended brands and grades for the 330 engine?
The quote from Irvine BMW is perhaps outdated. After all, BMW shipped the engine with an oil cap that says to use Castrol. How can Mobil be the only recommended brand?

I use Mobile1, I've used the BMW High Performance Oil I picked up at the dealer when I bought the filter kit, it cost the same as Mobile 1. But I found out that the BMW oil isn't fully synthetic, which could be just as good as true synthetic oil, but who knows... Now I'm back with Mobil 1. I couldn't find the big 5Qt jar at Walmart anymore, so I bought them at Costco. I think I'm gonna change oil on both cars today or tomorrow...

--Andrew

[operknockity]

Originally posted by Pinecone
Realise that if you car is still under warranty, you could void your warranty using other than BMW oil.
The independent shop that did my 5K oil change will use anything I want them to, but they recommend that while the car is under warranty that I go with the BMW branded oil. Not that it is inherently better than the others, but just to avoid any hassles should the car require any warranty work. Unless you are pushing your car on the track or autoXing, or driving in other extreme conditions, I don't think the brand of oil (so long as it meets specs) will matter as much as doing regular oil/filter changes and making sure you aren't running low between changes.

[Nat Brown]

I just called the BMW 800 number. There are two approved 5w30 synthetic oils for the 330i:

Castrol Syntec
Mobil-1

--gary

[325ci.com]

Originally posted by operknockity
Unless you are pushing your car on the track or autoXing, or driving in other extreme conditions, I don't think the brand of oil (so long as it meets specs) will matter as much as doing regular oil/filter changes and making sure you aren't running low between changes.
well, i drive my car hard at autox and driver schools, and i just use mobil 1. i change often, whenever i see the color of the oil has become dark, and obsessively check my fluid levels at every race (well, it's required by tech inspection too). i still haven't gone in for my "service I" oil change as per my computer. haha. but i guess when i do, the dealer will put in BMW oil. whatever. i'll be changing it out a few months after they do it anyway.

[Nat Brown]

Originally posted by 325ci.com

well, i drive my car hard at autox and driver schools, and i just use mobil 1. i change often, whenever i see the color of the oil has become dark, and obsessively check my fluid levels at every race (well, it's required by tech inspection too). i still haven't gone in for my "service I" oil change as per my computer. haha. but i guess when i do, the dealer will put in BMW oil. whatever. i'll be changing it out a few months after they do it anyway.

It's generally considered a bad thing to mix synthetic oils, so you might want to pop for the $25 in Mobil 1 and have the BMW mechanics use it instead of Syntec. That's my plan.

--gary

[strobl]

I was talking to a friend, who worked for a BMW dealership, earlier about this and he said yes the dealerships will tell you to only use the bmw oil, but really there is no bmw oil; they just put bmw labels on oil. On my car, in one place it says to use bmw high performance synthetic oil, and then in another place it says bmw recommends castrol. As long as you use Castrol, Mobil 1, BMW label, Royal Purple, etc, you'll be ok.



edit: i am completely retarded. i just bumped a thread from 2002. sorry

[Pinecone]

No problem.

You do not have to use BMW oil, but you DO have to use oil that meets BMW specs. WHich are ACEA A3/B3 and some LL (Long Life spec).

[milobloom242]

No problem.

You do not have to use BMW oil, but you DO have to use oil that meets BMW specs. WHich are ACEA A3/B3 and some LL (Long Life spec).

Mobile 1 0w-40 meets BMW specs (says so right on the back of the bottle). Aftermarket Castrol (non-BMW Castrol) 5w-30 in the US does not meet the long life spec so you have to get the BMW Castrol which of course meets the spec.

[LDV330i]

Mobile 1 0w-40 meets BMW specs (says so right on the back of the bottle). Aftermarket Castrol (non-BMW Castrol) 5w-30 in the US does not meet the long life spec so you have to get the BMW Castrol which of course meets the spec.Mobil 1 OW-40 is the only aftermarket oil that I have been able to find that meets BMW Long Life 01. That particular version of Mobil Oil is not always found in big box retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart. You may have to go an auto parts store.

[msmtz]

I belive that the BMW oil is Castrol. At least it is for the motorcycle oil. I remember reading that BMW switched to Castrol as it's oil supplier

[LDV330i]

I belive that the BMW oil is Castrol. At least it is for the motorcycle oil. I remember reading that BMW switched to Castrol as it's oil supplierApparently Castrol has introduced in the past year a new oil to the consumer market that meets BMW LL-01. It is the Castrol Syntec 0W-30 European Formula (http://www.castrol.com/liveassets/bp_internet/castrol/castrol_usa/STAGING/local_assets/downloads/p,q/pds_syntec_usa.pdf). :thumbup:

[Pinecone]

It doesn't matter who makes the BMW branded oil, you can use ANY brand of oil, as long as it meets the specs as outlined in your owner's manual.

The only -30 oil I have found that meets the ACEA A3/B3 specs is the BMW oil. Castrol -30 oil in the US does NOT meet those specs.

[FalconGuy]

Sure it does, says so right on the bottle, Castrol Syntec 0w30

Bobistheoilguy.com has an entire forum dedicated to German Castrol. The oil analysis reports of it are very impressive, I get it cheaper than Mobil 1 or BMW oil at Autozone.

It is a fantastic product and it is approved, you just have to buy the right Castrol. Its made in Germany, I haven't seen it anywhere but Autozone though... no idea why.

[gbelton]

I was doing a search and found this from Castrol.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=8268003&contentId=6003234

GMAN

[F1Crazy]

I've run Castrol 0W-30 in my car for 2 years now and close to 50K miles and I love it :thumbup:

For the record Castrol 0W-30 meets both ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL01 specs:

http://home.comcast.net/~dsmphotos/gc/2.jpg

[milobloom242]

I've run Castrol 0W-30 in my car for 2 years now and close to 50K miles and I love it :thumbup:

For the record Castrol 0W-30 meets both ACEA A3/B3 and BMW LL01 specs:

http://home.comcast.net/~dsmphotos/gc/2.jpg

Very nice - do you get this at Autozone as well, or someplace else?

[LDV330i]

I was doing a search and found this from Castrol.

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/genericarticle.do?categoryId=8268003&contentId=6003234

GMANWhile that may be correct that Castrol supplies oil to BMW, it has only been in the past year that Castrol has marketed at the retail level in the US an oil that meets BMW LL-O1. Unfortunately the Castrol site is very misleading. When I sought a oil recommendation it recommended about 5 different formulations with only one meeting BMW LL-O1. :tsk:

[Pinecone]

Cool, had not seen that one.

So there is now ONE -30 weight other than BMW oil that meets the specs.

Personally, I just run either BMW oil (cheap, easy to get) or Mobil 1 0W-40 in the cars.

[F1Crazy]

Cool, had not seen that one.

So there is now ONE -30 weight other than BMW oil that meets the specs.

Personally, I just run either BMW oil (cheap, easy to get) or Mobil 1 0W-40 in the cars.
Castrol 0W-30 posts better results in used oil analysis than Mobil 1 0W-40, it is more stable oil. I had my first analysis of Castrol done in April '04 and it looked very promising so every chance I get to I use it. It's distributed only by AutoZone AFAIK so it may be hard to find sometimes.

[FalconGuy]

I agree, my oil analysis with this oil has been impressive, better than with the BMW oil, for a 30 weight it certainly doesn't act like one.

With the Autozone rewards card I pay 3.59 a quart, for a superior product that has the advantage of being able to get local it cant be beat.

People on the oil forums hoard this stuff, its really kinda funny, people post pics of "their stash"

The old version MYO4 was green so it got the name green castrol. Now its a more normal golden color, lots of people doubted the new version would test as well, for me it has tested better.

Cant beat it in price, performance and availability

I wouldn't hesitate to use this oil or recommend it. Nothing wrong with Mobil 1 but too many people are using the wrong Mobil 1 product that does not meet specs.

[rruiter]

anyone find 10w60 german castrol at autozone??????

[F1Crazy]

anyone find 10w60 german castrol at autozone??????
it's not offered by Castrol USA, only dealer or online retailers will carry it

[Mark_325i]

What I asked BMW Customer Relations via Owner's Circle:

Comments: What motor oil is acceptable to use besides the oil from the dealership?

The response I rec'd today:

Dear Mr. :


Thank you for contacting BMW of North America, LLC regarding oil for your 2003 BMW 325i. We appreciate your enthusiasm for our vehicles and are happy to answer your question.


BMW recommends BMW High Performance Synthetic engine oil, Castrol Synthetic, Mobil 1 Synthetic, and Valvoline High Performance Synthetic. The engine oil you choose should have a weight of SAE 5W-30.


If you have any further questions, please respond to this e-mail or contact the Customer Relations and Services Department at 1-800-831-1117, Monday through Friday from 9:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M., Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for contacting BMW.


Sincerely,


XX
Customer Relations and Services
Representative


I was curious if the Mobil 1 5W30 sold in the 5 qt jugs at Walmart was acceptable so I called BMW. I was told the above. I then emailed them thru Owner's Circle and asked the same question and rec'd the above response today. FYI

[Pinecone]

If you use it and have problems, keep the mail. :)

Mobil 1 5W-30 clearly doesn't mee the BMW standards publsihed inyour owner's manual.

Not that I think you will have any oil related problems or that I personally would be worried about running Mobil 1, but just want to be clear about what BMW NA puts out in print.

[Mark_325i]

but just want to be clear about what BMW NA puts out in print

That is what they put out in print.

[Pinecone]

But then they will tell you that is not official, only what is in your owner's manual.

Your choice. Under warranty, I put in BMW oil.