Exact oil type for M5 ?

[ColinM]

I got this info from an American website -

M5 and Z8 Oil Recommendation
M5 (S62 engine) produced up to 3/00:
-- The M5 up to 3/00 production requires a specially formulated synthetic engine oil - Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 and is the only approved oil for this engine.
-- Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil must be used on M5 models produced up to 3/00 whenever a service is necessary to avoid engine damage and is available under BMW part number 07 51 0 009 420 (1 liter bottle).
Notes: For logistical reasons Castrol Formula SAE RS 10W-60 Synthetic Oil has been renamed and is now called Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil. Since the formulation has remained the same it is sold under the same BMW part number 07 51 0 009 420.
Only if a customer needs to top up oil between oil changes and Castrol Formula RS 10W-60 Synthetic Oil or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil is not available is it permissible to use synthetic engine oils with a lower viscosity which conform to the API classification SH or higher.
However engine oil consumption will increase when Castrol Formula RS 10W-60 Synthetic Oil or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic is diluted (topped up with other low viscosity synthetic engine oils).

M5 (S62 engine) produced from 3/00 and all Z8: (Need 2000 W plate)
-- The S62 engine incorporates redesigned piston rings from 3/00 which permit the use of BMW High Performance Synthetic Engine Oil SAE 5W-30.
-- The recommended engine oil for all Z8 vehicles and M5 vehicles (produced from 3/00) is BMW High Performance Synthetic Engine Oil SAE 5W-30.
Note: Refer to Service Information bulletin 11 04 00 for S62 engine oil level checking procedure.


Does this apply to UK M5's as well ? How can I tell exactly what kind of engine a car bought on 30th March 2000 is, cos it could have been made during Feb02 I guess ?

[m-five]

If you want to play safe then stick to the 10w60 as this will cover you in most cases.

If you can find 5w60 then that would cover every possibility.

The best way is to check with your dealer, but I have found that they swap oils recommendations as frequently as I change my socks! Their recommendation for the older e34 M5 used to be Mobil 1 0w30, then Mobil 1 10w60, then Castrol RS 10w60, the (renamed) to Castrol TWS 10w60 (which is only available from BMW of course).

I ended up finding out the actual recommended oil to use from the factory (in Germany) is semi-synthetic 0w40 and not fully synthetic 10w60 after all.

I wouldn't bother paying £10/litre for the TWS either, go for a good name 10w60 or 5w40 instead (Valvolene, Miller, Shell, Esso, even Mobil 1 is cheaper).

[MattOz]

I use Castrol RS 10W60 in mine. Seems to limit usage to about 400ml per 1000 miles. Mine is a 2000 car, so it's recommended. I'd use it on all M cars to be honest as it's a great oil. I pay £25 for 4 litres.

Matt

[cheburator]

Well, I don't have M-engined cars, but I dare say that both my BMWs see the redline more often than most UK BMWs as I regularly give them an outing on the Continent and Nurburgring. I use Castrol TWS 10w60 in both and I have to say that it is amazing and well worth the money. Both cars have done around 100,000 miles with some work on the engines and they will burn through 1 litre of oil in between oil changes, which is not bad, is it?