S52 Guys - Which Oils?

Which brand, type (dino or synth) and viscosity are you running in your crankcase, gearbox and diff?

TIA,
Mark

Do a search; this subject has been discussed to death
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

Originally Posted by jmillet

Do a search; this subject has been discussed to death
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

Haha, yeah, I could have done that

Originally Posted by jmillet

Do a search; this subject has been discussed to death
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

That appears to be for the S54 engine. What about S52, as the OP requested?

My owner's manual suggests either synthetic or regular, and my mechanic suggests Castro 5w30, synthetic.

Originally Posted by ///McQ

That appears to be for the S54 engine. What about S52, as the OP requested?

My owner's manual suggests either synthetic or regular, and my mechanic suggests Castro 5w30, synthetic.

If you read the entire BMW NA Synthetic Engine Oils page you'll find it addresses all Bimmer engines:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx
The BMW NA letter is very brand and weight specific regarding approved oils and they must be LL-01 rated.
The only two other than the BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866) that are widely available on the US market are: Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 (AutoZone) and Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40 (everywhere). The other two approved oils are very difficult to find in the US. The approved Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30 is NOT the Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 you commonly find on auto supply store shelves. The same applies to the approved Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30. The one that meets LL-01 is the Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 which also is not commonly found on auto supply store shelves.

Originally Posted by jmillet

If you read the entire BMW NA Synthetic Engine Oils page you'll find it addresses all Bimmer engines:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

Jim, you are right - but that page could be better written. Everyone thinks of the S52 as an M engine. EDIT: Ok, that last sentence could have been better written. "As the S52 is an M engine, S52 owners often think they should use the 'M' oil."

The Oil page talks of two groups
1 - M vehicles equipped with S54, S62, S65 or S85 engines
2 - all other BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines

Originally Posted by jmillet

If you read the entire BMW NA Synthetic Engine Oils page you'll find it addresses all Bimmer engines:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx
The BMW NA letter is very brand and weight specific regarding approved oils and they must be LL-01 rated.
The only two other than the BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866) that are widely available on the US market are: Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 (AutoZone) and Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40 (everywhere). The other two approved oils are very difficult to find in the US. The approved Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30 is NOT the Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 you commonly find on auto supply store shelves. The same applies to the approved Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30. The one that meets LL-01 is the Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 which also is not commonly found on auto supply store shelves.

Thank you

Originally Posted by updmst

Jim, you are right - but that page could be better written. Everyone thinks of the S52 as an M engine.

The Oil page talks of two groups
1 - M vehicles equipped with S54, S62, S65 or S85 engines
2 - all other BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines

The S52 isn't an M engine? A cammed and bored M50, is it? It seems to me the site provides documentation for MY 2004 and newer. The S14 and S38 aren't mentioned, either.

Originally Posted by jmillet

If you read the entire BMW NA Synthetic Engine Oils page you'll find it addresses all Bimmer engines:
http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx
The BMW NA letter is very brand and weight specific regarding approved oils and they must be LL-01 rated.
The only two other than the BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866) that are widely available on the US market are: Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 (AutoZone) and Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40 (everywhere). The other two approved oils are very difficult to find in the US. The approved Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30 is NOT the Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 you commonly find on auto supply store shelves. The same applies to the approved Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30. The one that meets LL-01 is the Valvoline SynPower MST 5W-30 which also is not commonly found on auto supply store shelves.

Another question: Was this the official recommendation prior to BMW invoking the life-time fill policy and the coincidental implementation of their free maintenance program?

Your mechanic's suggestion is good.

Synthtic for sure. As for which kind.....you are going to open a can of worms on that one. Honestly there are many brands that will do just fine, Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, Royal Purples, AMSoil, Red Line, etc....

The thing that really matters is that you change it at regular intervals, along with a quality filter. Bav Auto or ECS tuning will display oils for your car if you want some other ideas.

I have been running Royal Purple 10w-40 with no issues. My Blackstone reports are good. 5w-30 or 10w-40 will be fine depending on your climate, I don't do a lot of winter driving with the car and it is pretty hot in OK most of the year, hence the higher viscosity.

crankcase, gearbox and diff?

Engine: over the years I've used the BMW Syntec 5W30, Amsoil Euro 5W40, Mobil one...only BMW approved is the 0W40 (black label). Trying the Elf/Total Quartz 0W/30 next.
Gearbox: Moved on from Redline MTL, using Royal Purple Synchromax...better.
Diff: Amsoil Severe Gear 75/90

Originally Posted by ///McQ

That appears to be for the S54 engine. What about S52, as the OP requested?

My owner's manual suggests either synthetic or regular, and my mechanic suggests Castro 5w30, synthetic.

Originally Posted by blairrm

Your mechanic's suggestion is good.

A good brand and readily available

Originally Posted by pwrdbym

Synthtic for sure. As for which kind.....you are going to open a can of worms on that one. Honestly there are many brands that will do just fine, Mobil 1, Castrol Syntec, Royal Purples, AMSoil, Red Line, etc....

The thing that really matters is that you change it at regular intervals, along with a quality filter. Bav Auto or ECS tuning will display oils for your car if you want some other ideas.

I have been running Royal Purple 10w-40 with no issues. My Blackstone reports are good. 5w-30 or 10w-40 will be fine depending on your climate, I don't do a lot of winter driving with the car and it is pretty hot in OK most of the year, hence the higher viscosity.

Thank you for the in-depth post, I appreciate it.

Originally Posted by elfhearse

Engine: over the years I've used the BMW Syntec 5W30, Amsoil Euro 5W40, Mobil one...only BMW approved is the 0W40 (black label). Trying the Elf/Total Quartz 0W/30 next.
Gearbox: Moved on from Redline MTL, using Royal Purple Synchromax...better.
Diff: Amsoil Severe Gear 75/90

Excellent, thank you.

Some history is in order: I am in the process of swapping a '99 M Coupe driveline (S52, ZF 5-speed, 3.23 finned diff, as you are well aware, I am sure) into my '87 325is. My knowledge of the S5X is limited, so that's why I am here. Thank you for sharing your insight/experience

Originally Posted by markseven

A good brand and readily available

Some history is in order: I am in the process of swapping a '99 M Coupe driveline (S52, ZF 5-speed, 3.23 finned diff, as you are well aware, I am sure) into my '87 325is. My knowledge of the S5X is limited, so that's why I am here. Thank you for sharing your insight/experience

I have a PDF of the Bentley E36 Service Manual, MY 1992-98. I don't know how much info would transpose for the Z3 (E 36/7), or how much it would help with an '87 325is, but if you want a copy, shoot me a message here.

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...&highlight=oil

yes we did beat this one to death a few times.

for the S52

bmw or mobil1 0-40 were the most popular

Anyone know where to get these "Euro Formulations" recommended in some of these posts?

Look up PENTOSIN oil made in the father land.

I think jmillet works for Castrol or something.

BMW "approved" oil is a bunch of BS. Any high level synthetic at the correct viscosity is fine.

Remember, BMW is the same gang that tells you it's ok to go 15k miles on an oil change, and 100k on automatic transmission fluid. And before that, it was "lifetime" fill.

Why would you believe them when they tell you what the "approved" oil is?

While you're in warranty, use what they tell you to keep them from trying to find a way out of warranty work. Once it's out of warranty, ignore them like you should be ignoring most of their fluid recommendations.

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

I think jmillet works for Castrol or something.

BMW "approved" oil is a bunch of BS. Any high level synthetic at the correct viscosity is fine.

Remember, BMW is the same gang that tells you it's ok to go 15k miles on an oil change, and 100k on automatic transmission fluid. And before that, it was "lifetime" fill.

Why would you believe them when they tell you what the "approved" oil is?

While you're in warranty, use what they tell you to keep them from trying to find a way out of warranty work. Once it's out of warranty, ignore them like you should be ignoring most of their fluid recommendations.

jmillet has been very informative and appreciate his input

See post #19 - I think we are on the same page. I sent an email to Mike Miller of Roundel Tech Talk fame, and he said that a good synthetic of the proper viscosity is more than adequate. For my drivetrain, he suggested:

Crankcase: Redline 10W/40
Gearbox: Redline MTL
Diff: Redline 75W/90 with friction modifiers

^^^^ this is what I am going with

Originally Posted by Doc Holliday

I think jmillet works for Castrol or something.
BMW "approved" oil is a bunch of BS. Any high level synthetic at the correct viscosity is fine.
Remember, BMW is the same gang that tells you it's ok to go 15k miles on an oil change, and 100k on automatic transmission fluid. And before that, it was "lifetime" fill.
Why would you believe them when they tell you what the "approved" oil is?
While you're in warranty, use what they tell you to keep them from trying to find a way out of warranty work. Once it's out of warranty, ignore them like you should be ignoring most of their fluid recommendations.

DOC: I don't give hoot what fluids you use in your Bimmers; that's your choice. I'm just trying to let folks know what the "official" BMW NA position is regarding engine oil so they can make an informed decision rather than an emotional one
And no I don't work for Castrol or anyone else for that matter

10 W 60 Synth. but its not cheap. $20 per litre here in Canada and my M Roadster takes about 6, in other words $140 per oil change (with filter) thats if I do it myself.

I run BMW 5W-30 in the engine.

I run BMW LTF2 in the tranny.

I run Mobil 1 in the diff.

I used to run Redline in the tranny and diff, but after seeing how it comes out after a short period of time, I no longer do. But I have a bunch of MTL, D4ATF and diff fluid I am willing to sell for a great price if someone likes the stuff.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

I run BMW 5W-30 in the engine.

I run BMW LTF2 in the tranny.

I run Mobil 1 in the diff.

I used to run Redline in the tranny and diff, but after seeing how it comes out after a short period of time, I no longer do. But I have a bunch of MTL, D4ATF and diff fluid I am willing to sell for a great price if someone likes the stuff.

Terry, it's been a while! How much of the MTL do you have?

I will have to check, but several bottles.

Yeah, been busy with other pursuits.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

I will have to check, but several bottles.

Yeah, been busy with other pursuits.

Let me know

Sorry, I actually don't have any MTL. I have some D4ATF, and for some reason, about 8 quarts of RedLine Power Steering Fluid?????

I do have a few cans of Super Blue I want to get rid of.