Quick Guide to Oil in Your E36

Very happy. In the absence of lifter ticking due to thin oil, it's pretty much impossible to detect any issues caused by running too thin of oil in the absence of conducting an oil analysis. Even though an engine may sound fine when running oil that is technically too thin, it may be prematurely wearing out the piston rings, cylinder walls, bearing journals, cam lobes, etc. That sort of wear would be detectible with an oil analysis though. Anyhow, 0W40 should do you good.

So I guess I'm safe with 5w-40 since Valvoline used 5w-30 last time they touched my car? Although I may switch to Mobil one though (0w-40) cause im too lazy to estimate using the shell big ol' gallon

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So is 0w-40 considered "special oils" in that graph?

Probably. That graph is different than the one in the owners manual, too. Either way, Mobil 1 0W-40 is approved by BMW, and has a very versatile temperature range, so it seems like an easy choice to me.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

Probably. That graph is different than the one in the owners manual, too. Either way, Mobil 1 0W-40 is approved by BMW, and has a very versatile temperature range, so it seems like an easy choice to me.

Absolutely I feel the same way about manufacturers recommendations. Funny thing is, on both my other bimmers e46 and x5 they recommended castrol...

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Absolutely I feel the same way about manufacturers recommendations. Funny thing is, on both my other bimmers e46 and x5 they recommended castrol...

They came with synthetic oil too.
E36 didn't according to the 1st post
Don't know why though

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Originally Posted by Dino1394

They came with synthetic oil too.
E36 didn't according to the 1st post
Don't know why though

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Very true! I just followed the newer brand recommendation and went with castrol. I use partial synthetic and have great results with it.

In all my other vehicles I have used valvoline with great success.

The factory fill was conventional (non-synthetic) because when these cars were designed synthetic oil technology was not what it was today. I'm currently using Rotella T6 5w-40 and some LubroMoly Oil Saver (essentially a highly concentrated ester based high mileage additive).

Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Very true! I just followed the newer brand recommendation and went with castrol. I use partial synthetic and have great results with it.

In all my other vehicles I have used valvoline with great success.

And the funnny part is if you went to those to quick lube places they say oh your car requires synthetic lol. Oh well that's what's staying in there.

I'm using rotella T6 also and it truly did make my engine sound quieter.

Don't know how don't know why but it did.

Just wished it didn't come in that weird gallon and came in quarts instead.

You guys think it'll be a good idea if got an empty quart bottle washed it out and saved it for the next oil change?

And pour the rotella in there 7 times?

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There should be a line on the side of the jug that you can use to measure the amount you have left...

One thing that is overlooked.

If your getting a 15 minute oil change (or less) thats barely any time at all for the old oil to actually drain out of the car.

The oil isn't like water its thicker and wont all come out when it feels like it. i usually let my car sit there draining for like 30-45 minutes before i put it all back together.

Maybe that's too long, but i havent had any issues yet.

No quick change shop will ever let your car drain for even 30 minutes to let all the oil drip out...

Originally Posted by Dino1394

You guys think it'll be a good idea if got an empty quart bottle washed it out and saved it for the next oil change? And pour the rotella in there 7 times?

Yes, this would be fine, but you would only have to pour from a big jug into a quart bottle three times, not seven times. If you buy your oil in the 1-gallon jugs, you can just pour the entire contents of one jug (which is 4 quarts) into the motor. At that point, you'll still need to add 2.9 quarts of oil to the engine, so that's when you open the second gallon jug and pour into your smaller 1-quart bottle, three times for a total of 6.9 quarts.

Rotella T6 also comes in quarts, I found them at Walmart. My engine is noticeably quieter on this fill than my last, which was Mobil 1 0w-40, to the point of having zero desire going back to it. Since I live in a very cold climate, I'm thinking of switching to German Castrol for the winter change, which is a thicker 0w-30.

Originally Posted by cj.surr

There should be a line on the side of the jug that you can use to measure the amount you have left...

I don't use it right lol almost over filled on accident

Originally Posted by Eight Thirty

One thing that is overlooked.

If your getting a 15 minute oil change (or less) thats barely any time at all for the old oil to actually drain out of the car.

The oil isn't like water its thicker and wont all come out when it feels like it. i usually let my car sit there draining for like 30-45 minutes before i put it all back together.

Maybe that's too long, but i havent had any issues yet.

No quick change shop will ever let your car drain for even 30 minutes to let all the oil drip out...

This. It seemed like the oil dripped forever.

Originally Posted by ZeGerman

Yes, this would be fine, but you would only have to pour from a big jug into a quart bottle three times, not seven times. If you buy your oil in the 1-gallon jugs, you can just pour the entire contents of one jug (which is 4 quarts) into the motor. At that point, you'll still need to ad 2.9 quarts of oil to the engine, so that's when you open the second gallon jug and pour into your smaller 1-quart bottle, three times for a total of 6.9 quarts.

oh: yeah you're right lol

Originally Posted by ethereal45

Rotella T6 also comes in quarts, I found them at Walmart. My engine is noticeably quieter on this fill than my last, which was Mobil 1 0w-40, to the point of having zero desire going back to it. Since I live in a very cold climate, I'm thinking of switching to German Castrol for the winter change, which is a thicker 0w-30.

I gotta check Walmart then.

I live in new England which can get pretty cold too, and the car had 5w-30 in pretty much every winter so 5w-40 would be ok then right?

I would put in 10W-30 or 10W-40 for the summer up here. It's hot out now, so you can use an oil that is heavier during startup.

5w-xx is fine in the winter, if it's very cold 0w-xx would be better. There are tons of guys over on BITOG forums who run 20w-50 in the M52 engine in the winter (most are in germany...pretty darn cold).

There's really no reason not to run 0w-xx or 5w-xx all year around, you can just get away with heavier "cold temperatures" when the ambient temperature is higher. The reason why people run things like 10w-xx/15w-xx/20w-xx is either because a) they don't understand the weight system, b) they are running a dino oil which doesn't have the viscosity variability of a synthetic, or c) cost, as expanding the viscosity range often leads to a more expensive oil.

Originally Posted by cj.surr

I would put in 10W-30 or 10W-40 for the summer up here. It's hot out now, so you can use an oil that is heavier during startup.

Wow really? I thought that would be like cyanide for my motor lol

Nvm saw post above me

And damn that's some heavy ass oil
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Originally Posted by fiveohwblow

Absolutely I feel the same way about manufacturers recommendations. Funny thing is, on both my other bimmers e46 and x5 they recommended castrol...

this is like 2 weeks old but when i read this i remembered something i saw in the past. lots of good stuff

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/arc.../t-527109.html


also, i'm running 0-40 mobil1 its good for chicago winters too, right?

Yes if you live in a colder climate you should absolutely be running a 0w-40 or possibly a 0w-30 if the 30 grade is on the heavier end of the scale (Like german castrol, which will finish out heavier than Mobil 1 0w-40, as M1 tends to shear).

Greetings Gentlemen
On the weekend I did the oil & oil filter change to my 318is. Since BMW is not making the 5W-40LL98 any more I decided to go with Castrol Syntec 5W-40 LL98.
I must mention it is the first time I noticed some power improvement after an oil change, it is really noticeable indeed. Also the engine became so silent I could not believe my ears, I had to call my neighbor to confirm this.
The car rides so smooth, silent and only with a little effort on the throttle paddle it will just go on hard. I must remember you guys I have a supercharger on the engine, which perhaps contributes to such a big difference, even does I have always used the OEM BMW Super Power 5W-40 LL98 on it and never had this great filling experience.
Cheers.



Before you say any thing about the M/// logo, it is gone!

Originally Posted by eztuner12

Before you say any thing about the M/// logo, it is gone!

Lol



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lol.


You don't have a 318is

thats a damn clean motor..... admit it everyone

I'll admit it... I'm jealous of his M44.

Yes it is. It's clean as fock.