TSW 10-60 M-Power Oil vs. CASTROL Synthetic Oil
 

Dealer recommended TSW MPower 10-60W Engine Oil....vs. CASTROL Synthetic Oil 10-60W. any suggestions? i'm thinking of switching to synthetic oil... pics soon!!

Castrol doesn't make a 10w60 unless it has just come out. Castrol DOES make the BMW labelled 10w60 and is available outside the dealer but only in Europe.

You should be using synthetic anyway. The M5 gets 10w60 if it has a build date of 3/00 or earlier. Build dates after 3/00 can use 10w60 or 5w30.

In the interest of clarity, build dates after 3/00 can use BMW TWS or BMW 5W30. Using 5W30 from any other manufacturer is a no no. Valvoline is 5W40, Castrol is 0W30, and Mobil1 is 0W40. There are others I'm sure :)

d-

Ancient thread I can see, but just had this conversation over at M5 Board. Liqui-Moly 10W60 is good alternative to Castrol and MUCH cheaper.

Just jump on the grave dig train ;) If you switch over to Liqui Moly I suggest the Race Tech GT1. There are a few variations they make, the GT1 is the correct one for the S62.

http://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/60181_x300.jpghttp://c1552172.r72.cf0.rackcdn.com/13810_x300.jpg

Wow, this stuff gets complicated doesn't it? Just like always with these cars.

Luckily, GT1 is the kind I picked up! :thumbup:

Updating thread with my writeup and pics from the oil change -- simple job: http://cparente.wordpress.com/2012/0...m5-oil-change/

That is WAY too much work Chris. In the future, consider using a topsider oil extractor and take full advantage of the E39 design of having the oil filter on top.

Liqui-Moly is my perferred choice due to the fact that the GT-1 is made of G-IV base stock, aka "True synthetic". I can't figured out what Castrol TWS is made of and have since stop using them. Full disclosure.. my employer is the US importer for Liqui-Moly (and just about everything else you can think of for a car) and I get these things for nothing..:) But I am a huge fan of Lubro Moly (and Idenmitsu for that matter).

@beewang - I've used the extraction method on my M3, prior to getting access to a lift. I like inspecting the underbody regularly, and also there is a chance that extraction doesn't get quite as much out oil out as does gravity.

But sounds like we agree on larger points -- no need to go to dealer for simple stuff like this, and no need to pay $16/l for Castrol TWS!

Oil
 

I have an 01 M5 and have been using Mobil 1 5w30 for 4 years, Why is this a no no?

Gary -- many threads on this, very subjective topic. Check out my post, has links to other discussions.

Probably nothing wrong with 5w30. But in South Carolina, there is no reason you need to go that thin, and 10w60 gives the engine better cooling due to the broader viscosity range.

I'll bite...

Based on what?


Edgy- you'd be surprised to learn the higher viscosity actually runs HOTTER, not cooler....

That oil is significantly THINNER than the recommended BMW 5w30... And THAT is way thinner than the 10-60

If you look at the actual viscosity specs of the BMW 5w30 it runs like a 5W40....which is why Doug Baker (above, 4 year ago... wave) suggested those oils. :)