N53 - What oil are you using?

[Rabbitt]

As above, curious what oil people are using?

[d_a_n1979]

Probably whatever suits their pocket

Stick with any BMW LL04 spec'd 5W30 and Mann/Mahle/Hengst filters and that's all you need really...

Keeping it fresh is paramount

[g3org3y]

^Wot he said.

[bigdom]

What Dan said.

Oils have changed a lot of over last 30 years, but I've always used Shell, as that's what's my mates performance car garage always used.

When I had Cosworths, they had an oil change every 4k, now.my cars are done at 10k or 12 months.

Dirty/old oil kills engines & turbo's

[bmwmike]

Low saps for n53 iirc as the nox sensor or something doesn't like saps, whatever that is.

Ll04 fine, but not all ll04 are equal.

[Rabbitt]

Thanks, good to know.

Last time I put 0w30 Castrol Edge as this was what their website recommended, would it make much difference between 5w and 0w? See mixed things when googling, but I think I will change back to 5w30 next time.

I have a possible valve cover leak, just sorted the PCV valve with a new membrane and aluminium cap and replaced the oil filler cap so will see how it goes after some more miles.
Looking online it doesn't look too hard, just takes time, so may attempt it myself.

[bigdom]

0w gives better protection on cold starts as its thinner, so gets into places easier causing less wear.

[d_a_n1979]

Rabbitt said:

Thanks, good to know.

Last time I put 0w30 Castrol Edge as this was what their website recommended, would it make much difference between 5w and 0w? See mixed things when googling, but I think I will change back to 5w30 next time.

I have a possible valve cover leak, just sorted the PCV valve with a new membrane and aluminium cap and replaced the oil filler cap so will see how it goes after some more miles.
Looking online it doesn't look too hard, just takes time, so may attempt it myself.

Temps in the UK don't call for 0W; stick with 5W30 unless it's using a bit of oil/higher miles and then maybe consider 5W40

I ran 5W40 in my E39 M54s and M62 due to their age etc; but 5W30 in all my other BMWs and zero issues

I personally change oil every 6months - 2 oil & filter changes a year is about the same price as a full tank of premium fuel unless you use the more expensive oil choices etc

[Marc p]

If it’s for a car in regular use then I’d just recommend using any reputable oil brand of 5w-30 ll04, with a yearly/10k oil change(whichever is soonest). If the car is used less frequently, then I’d recommend the slightly pricier Liqui Moly Molygen oil as it will cling to surfaces and stop the cold start tapping that can prevail on the infrequently used engines.

[Rabbitt]

Funny you should mention that, I bought some liqui moly ceratec recently which I was thinking of adding, not decided yet. Reviews seem good but never sure about the additives in general.
Anyone used this?

I live in Europe so better climate than UK, so probably less need for 0w30... I think I will change it during my next trip back to UK and add 5w30, hopefully dont need to do the valve cover gasket too but probably wishful thinking...

What mileage do people recommend switching to 5w40? I did read this was recommended in alpine cars also over 100k miles I think it was.

Mine is about 130k km, so about 80k miles.

[Marc p]

Rabbitt said:

Funny you should mention that, I bought some liqui moly ceratec recently which I was thinking of adding, not decided yet. Reviews seem good but never sure about the additives in general.
Anyone used this?

I live in Europe so better climate than UK, so probably less need for 0w30... I think I will change it during my next trip back to UK and add 5w30, hopefully dont need to do the valve cover gasket too but probably wishful thinking...

What mileage do people recommend switching to 5w40? I did read this was recommended in alpine cars also over 100k miles I think it was.

Mine is about 130k km, so about 80k miles.

My business specialises in BMWs(and I have a few in the personal collection) so I’ve some experience with the additives in the engines.

Personally, I’d recommend Ceratec, I’ve used it a couple of times previously with no adverse effects, once in an N52 and once in an N53, both were low mileage 330i’s which didn’t have regular use and developed the typical cold start tapping noise. Ceratec cured this for both cars with zero adverse effect and still going strong. The Molygen oil actually has their Ceratec product already in it, so if you do use Molygen, I wouldn’t advise adding Ceratec.

In regards to the different oil spec, unless you live in a more extreme cold/hot climate, I’d say just to continue using 5w-30 and only consider a change if you notice an increase in oil consumption between oil changes.

[d_a_n1979]

Marc p said:

If it’s for a car in regular use then I’d just recommend using any reputable oil brand of 5w-30 ll04, with a yearly/10k oil change(whichever is soonest). If the car is used less frequently, then I’d recommend the slightly pricier Liqui Moly Molygen oil as it will cling to surfaces and stop the cold start tapping that can prevail on the infrequently used engines.

I'm using Liqui Moly currently as the F31 isn't used at all during the week and then maybe sometimes at the weekends etc... It does a good job and have found it makes the engine that bit quieter than other oils...

[d_a_n1979]

Rabbitt said:

Funny you should mention that, I bought some liqui moly ceratec recently which I was thinking of adding, not decided yet. Reviews seem good but never sure about the additives in general.
Anyone used this?

I live in Europe so better climate than UK, so probably less need for 0w30... I think I will change it during my next trip back to UK and add 5w30, hopefully dont need to do the valve cover gasket too but probably wishful thinking...

What mileage do people recommend switching to 5w40? I did read this was recommended in alpine cars also over 100k miles I think it was.

Mine is about 130k km, so about 80k miles.

I used Ceratec in my previous F01 730D and it made the engine much smoother and quieter, more so on cold start up etc... Not using it in my current F31 as I've got extended BMW warranty; but that runs out in Jan 2024 so will add it in the next oil change probably, which will be Jan/Feb 2024

You'll be fine to stick with 5W30 at those miles; what age is your car?

My Japanese import E39s were 19 and 20 years old, M54 and M62, so the 5W40 was mainly for the age of the internals, but it did make a difference as they were quieter on cold start ups and generally smoother overall

[bmwmike]

Would love to see a scientific objective analysis of the claims of smoother startup and smoother overall rather than subjective opinion or risk of placebo. No offence intended, but additives in general make me squeamish esp when the claims are on the high side.

[d_a_n1979]

bmwmike said:

Would love to see a scientific objective analysis of the claims of smoother startup and smoother overall rather than subjective opinion or risk of placebo. No offence intended, but additives in general make me squeamish esp when the claims are on the high side.

Nowt scientific for me, just what I heard & felt...

Will be different with everyone

[Rabbitt]

Thanks for the feedback, it matches what i've read in general online about it, most say it makes a positive difference.
The closest I found to a 'scientific' test was the following youtube video, the guy seems to know what he's doing, although not an exact science I guess

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H_mZTh5bHY&t=...

My car is a 2008 so not that new now, I think I will give it a try. It does run smooth enough already, but cant hurt surely!
It was using oil but just changed the PCV so hoping that helps, there is a slight hesitance in starting sometimes but sorts itself out quick, should maybe check the battery is ok, anything else to check for that?

I still have a few litres of 0w30 Castrol oil, I guess there's no harm mixing it with some 5w30 in the next change to not waste it? (then sticking with 5w30 afterwards, until the need to change to 5w40)

[d_a_n1979]

Rabbitt said:

Thanks for the feedback, it matches what i've read in general online about it, most say it makes a positive difference.
The closest I found to a 'scientific' test was the following youtube video, the guy seems to know what he's doing, although not an exact science I guess

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H_mZTh5bHY&t=...

My car is a 2008 so not that new now, I think I will give it a try. It does run smooth enough already, but cant hurt surely!
It was using oil but just changed the PCV so hoping that helps, there is a slight hesitance in starting sometimes but sorts itself out quick, should maybe check the battery is ok, anything else to check for that?

I still have a few litres of 0w30 Castrol oil, I guess there's no harm mixing it with some 5w30 in the next change to not waste it? (then sticking with 5w30 afterwards, until the need to change to 5w40)

I'd just stick with 5W and not mix it; keep it new/fresh... Open oil can degrade (takes time) but it can go weird...