which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by kjb1 »

hi all, just ordered new oil filter and currently debating which grade oil to go with for my m44 1.9 Z3. I think the original spec is 15w 40? but reading online seems others favour 5w 30?

Which oil grade would you all recommend? and how many litres would cover it? 5 litres?

Much appreciated if anyone running the 1.9 could give feedback

( ordered a mann filter and "Bosch Super 4" spark plugs. Air filter already fitted, so just plugs and oil and I should be good. )



Many thanks
Jonco
Joined: Sat 04 Jun, 2011 07:24
Posts: 402

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Cheshire

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by Jonco »

5 litres will put you just over midway on the M44 dipstick which is fine.

Personally I use Fuchs Titan SuperSyn 5w 40 available from Opie oils and have done for the last 4 years.
JeZ3
Joined: Sun 24 Jan, 2016 16:14
Posts: 15

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Milton Keynes

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by JeZ3 »

I had been suffering with poor starts when cold.

I just serviced mine with Mobil 1 0W40, I got mine from Costco I think it was just over £30 and the car starts on the button now.
Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by Del »

Fully synthetic 5W-40 is popular as is 5W-30 which many modern engines use. I have also used Mobil 1 0W-40 which helped cure the cold start (sticky valve lifter) problem that many (not all) M44 engines suffer from - I suspect a slight design fault in the oil-ways. In my view, the engine is otherwise a great one and bullet-proof.

15W-40 might be a bit thick when cold.
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kjb1
Joined: Thu 04 Feb, 2016 11:12
Posts: 238

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by kjb1 »

Del wrote:Fully synthetic 5W-40 is popular as is 5W-30 which many modern engines use. I have also used Mobil 1 0W-40 which helped cure the cold start (sticky valve lifter) problem that many (not all) M44 engines suffer from - I suspect a slight design fault in the oil-ways. In my view, the engine is otherwise a great one and bullet-proof.

15W-40 might be a bit thick when cold.
So have you stuck with 0w 40?

appreciate comments by all, so far think im leaning towards 0w40 or 5w30


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Del
Joined: Sat 19 Nov, 2011 18:35
Posts: 2136

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by Del »

Nowadays I use either 0W-40 (any brand) if on offer somewhere or often Euro Car Parts own brand 5W-40 - my car seems happy with either now. I don't like paying £60 for a 5L tub of oil :D
Trevsky
Joined: Tue 26 Jul, 2011 21:57
Posts: 140

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Leeds

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by Trevsky »

I Always use Triple QX 5W 40 Fully Synthetic. Carparts 4 less have it at £14.49 at the moment but sometimes you can it cheaper when they have an offer on. I got 2 for 1 a short while back.
I have had no problems, the car starts on the button, ticks over well and doesn't use any oil. I occasionally give it the beans round to the red line and the valves haven't come through the top yet.
Don't like paying silly prices for oil and at that price you can change it every year whether it needs it or not.
I always use a Mahle oil filter which comes with all the seals.
DC
Joined: Tue 15 Sep, 2009 17:31
Posts: 571

  Z3 roadster 1.9
Location: Inverness-shire

Re: which oil for a 1.9 1997 z3

Post by DC »

I used to use Fuchs Titan SuperSyn 5w 40 which seemed fine though the last couple of changes I've used Fuchs TITAN GT1 XTL 5W-40 fully synthetic engine oil
since when I've noticed a slightly quieter tick over and now no "sticky valve lifter noise" since changing.

OIL FILTER: UFI hydraulic oil filter element in pleated paper 25.008.00
Mahle Air Filter LX500

All when on special offer from Opie oil, nice folk to deal with and will tell you the correct stuff to use.
I change the oil and oil filter every year since I bought the car and have done 17,000 miles making 40,000 in all. It's so easy with a Pela oil pump which I checked the first time and it does get all the existing oil out.
Dave.
Dave. 1998 Arctic Silver Z3 M44 1.9 Automatic
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