Wrong oil???

[Alpha-Male]

Hi guys.

Sorry that my first post is begging for information but ive just picked up my first X5 4.6 IS and it seems to be leaking oil from somewhere which i need to take to a garage to be investigated and fixed.

The main reason im here asking for advice is that i asked the previous owner what grade of oil he has been using and he told me 10/60 fully synthetic.

I bought some 10/60 Castrol Edge which is recommended for BMW engines on the bottle but from reading on here, it looks like it should actually be 0/30 or 5/30 fully synthetic.

Am i right in believing that ive got the wrong oil in the car?

Thanks,
Gareth.

[kkx5]

As far as i know 5/30 is the right oil for this engine.

[X5Sport]

Castrol Edge 5W/30 FST fully synthetic that meets ACEA C3 would be the OEM supplied oil.  I think they buy the 'Professional' version and is hard to find retail, but the stuff you can buy is fine.

10W/60 is way off and makes me suspicious it's in there to hide a problem by using thicker oil!

Richard

[Alpha-Male]

Yes, quite clearly the wrong oil.
Just under £40 down the pan!
And more unwanted expense of changing the oil and filter.  >:(

[X5Sport]

That oil is only for 'M' cars!  You need to look for BMW LL04 spec.

Richard

[Alpha-Male]

Thanks Richard. 

[AW8]

The engine in the 4.6is is virtually same as Alpina B10 V8. (4.6is has stronger head gasket).

If you look at the following thread courtesy of Alpina forums  you will see the following info purported as originating from Alpina and via Sytner in UK who are the main UK Alpina seller and retailer.

The info makes reference to that oil being recommend for some alpina applications.

I cannot comment on the accuracy or provenance of the info and am merely providing a link

Click here

Note the reference to non suitability for valvetronic engines. (4.6is not valvetronic but facelift V8 engines are).