XSeries-forum

It's not so much the temperature in this country it's the speed of oil circulation on start up so obviously a 0w will circulate quicker but 5w will be fine also.
Just one thing to mention I have been in the oil industry for many years and if you are not taking your own oil with you for service ask the question what oil do you use beware of the garages with one oil fits all !!

[quote=""lubetech""]......and if you are not taking your own oil with you for service ask the question what oil do you use beware of the garages with one oil fits all !![/quote]

Hmmm.....That'll be most BMW Dealers then.......

Interesting about the '0W' though. I would think a '5W' might cling better so less chance of any metal/metal contact but
I see what you mean about circulation as that presumably also gives a faster 'rise time' for the oil pressure...also a benefit?

Yes exactly, the additive packs that are used ensure good lubrication if it's a 0w or a 5w. We have a supposed BM specialist in my area that buys 10w40 semi Syn that goes in everything which I know to be fact as they asked me to quote so just a cautionary tale !!

i thought the whole point of having a syntec oil was to make sure it has a better protection. i did not think that 0W or 5W would make a huge difference with syntec oil. also thought that 40 would be ideal for any temp as well. i did not see a stamp on the 5-30 mobil one for bmw long life but the 0-40 had the stamp


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The important thing, is use oil that is recommended by the manufacturer so if a 5w30 or a 0w30 is recommended why use anything different, the way modern multigrade oils work is to maintain the correct viscosity during hot and cold temperatures, the X5/X3 recommendation is a 30 this ensures the correct oil flow at normal operating temperatures a 40 would be slightly thicker so the oil circulation at normal running temp would be different.
Oil companies will quote various specs on their products BMW, VW , Volvo , Ford etc on various viscosity products which means just because it has the name on the can doesn't mean it's the correct oil for your vehicle

why do we not use the turbo diesel 0w-30 edge???

Nothing stopping you using it if you want to.  The manufacturer says it's not necessary.  As long as it meets their spec then it's your choice.  BMW used to use 0W30, but not anymore it seems.  Certainly the remaining oil I have for the, now gone, E53 is Edge Turbo Diesel 0w30, but the X6 uses 5W30 as standard.

sorry i ment, on the tub its says turbo diesel, and some say just fully syn.

How much castrol LL04 5w-30 oil would I need as I just been advised I would ned 8 litres of oil for the oil change part of an inspection 2.

I bought 8 ltrs of oil, that is enough for an oil change with a bit left over for top up purposes. You state for an inspection 2. The E53 3.0 D doesn't need an inspection 2. They have oil change service, then next time have the inspection 1, then back to oil change service. It's only the petrol s that need the inspection 2.
Make sure it has the Vortex type crankcase breather, that is the must. While you are checking that, or converting that to a new type, change the air filter, as your nearly there with all the engine covers off.
The air filter should be changed every third service, a pain to do but worth it. I think a lot of garages don't bother changing the air filters at service as they are a pain to do.
The vortex type crankcase breathers were fitted as standard from mid 2005, but worth checking as a blocked bog roll type one can cause the turbo to pop its seals and wreck thE engine if you have a runaway.

Our E46 with the same engine was 6.4 litres including a filter change, so yes you need 8-litres.

Current Dealer oil (just for info) is Castrol Edge Professional 0w-30.  You can buy it in a few places, but it's not cheap.  I bought mine through Eurocarparts and got 25% off.  I got the 'FST' version which is almost the same as the dealer oil.

Richard

presume you change oil yourself?

what happens to the so called service history?

I noted it in the Service book and have the receipts for the oil & filters, drain plug washer and vortex unit etc.  It's nearly 8 years old and SORN'd in my case so would cost a fortune just get it legal for a service.  To me the key is that it's being done and I do know enough about it and where my limits are.  If it's 'proper broke' then I'll leave it to an expert and pay the bill, but for an oil change and general look over the car checking everything works and is where it should be, that doesn't need a muckanic.....

I's good wiv a spannah an a ammer I is......

Richard