Oil selection.

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dazthephot
Joined: Wed 09 Apr, 2008 18:58
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Oil selection.

Post by dazthephot »

This is a divisive topic I know so I’ll keep it light.
How different are oils these days? If I put fully synth 5w30 in instead of 5w40 if I buy a brand like Triple QX instead of Castrol what problems will I cause?

As I understand it in the most simplistic terms the 5 bit affects cold starting and the 40 bit affects running temps.

Surely oils are made to a higher standard than existed when my car was built so spending £30 on oil instead of £60 is nothing more than a marketing gimmick?

Happy to be educated.


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Last edited by dazthephot on Mon 10 Feb, 2020 12:26, edited 1 time in total.
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Gazza
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 20:58
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Location: Romford Essex

Re: Oil selection.

Post by Gazza »

I’m not a brand specific person when it comes to oil.
If it meets the required spec then it’s ok with me.
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

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dazthephot
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by dazthephot »

Gazza wrote:I’m not a brand specific person when it comes to oil.
If it meets the required spec then it’s ok with me.
I’ve seen various extra letters when looking for oil but have no idea what they mean. What’s the required spec for ours?


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Gazza
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by Gazza »

Look for LLO4
Gazza

"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car, oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car. Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall and torque is how far you take the wall with you"

Z3 S54 M roadster Image, BMW Z1, BMW M3 CSL, Z4M Coupe
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dazthephot
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by dazthephot »

Gazza wrote:Look for LLO4
Nice one Image


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woodsta888
Joined: Wed 25 May, 2011 09:26
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  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Exmouth

Re: Oil selection.

Post by woodsta888 »

These guys are a recommend https://www.opieoils.co.uk/

The search function by vehicle will give a list of all the oils recommended for your vehicle from an oil specialist. Hard to beat their prices for premium oils also. They do packs including filters etc. Worth a look.
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dazthephot
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by dazthephot »

Excellent, thank you.
Mike Fishwick
Joined: Fri 19 Jun, 2009 10:27
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by Mike Fishwick »

I would avoid 'Longlife' oils, as they are invariably very thin at the cold end of their viscosity range - such as the popular 0W - 30 SAE type. In an old engine, or a badly-run in engine they can produce high oil consumption (such as the BMW 3 litre engine) and only have a benefit for those who lack mechanical sympathy, and want to blast down a motorway on a cold engine.

I would prefer to use a 10-40 synthetic, and change it every year, ignoring the Service Indicator lights, but resetting them every time the second light goes out.
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dazthephot
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by dazthephot »

Mike Fishwick wrote:I would avoid 'Longlife' oils, as they are invariably very thin at the cold end of their viscosity range - such as the popular 0W - 30 SAE type. In an old engine, or a badly-run in engine they can produce high oil consumption (such as the BMW 3 litre engine) and only have a benefit for those who lack mechanical sympathy, and want to blast down a motorway on a cold engine.

I would prefer to use a 10-40 synthetic, and change it every year, ignoring the Service Indicator lights, but resetting them every time the second light goes out.
This is what I’ve gone for. I do try and change the oil at least once per year. I have a fair amount of sludge so I’ll be using a flush too.

https://www.carparts4less.co.uk/p/tripl ... -521776031


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Zedbedee
Joined: Sun 15 Mar, 2009 20:04
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Location: Yeovil

Re: Oil selection.

Post by Zedbedee »

I've used Triple QX for many years in many cars with no problems. Watch out for and take advantage of the many sales, the BMW LL spec is mentioned on the container.
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dazthephot
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Re: Oil selection.

Post by dazthephot »

Thanks.


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