Best Full Synthetic Oil for F15 X5 50i? Advice Needed.

[opasha]

Hey everyone. So, I've never changed my own oil before (my BMW is the reason I started doing everything myself ). I have the RaceChip tune installed and you saw how complicated my install was so it's pointless for me to take it all off and put it back on just for a free oil change by BMW Service, which is about an hour to an hour an a half away depending on traffic. It's easier for me to do it myself. I have about 4500 miles left before I need to change my oil.

Can any of you that have experience with BMW V8s recommend the best full synthetic oil to use on my F15 X5 50i? I own this vehicle so I want to keep the engine in the best shape possible the way I have with our previous vehicles - they all get full synthetic now, especially the ones that have over 100K miles on them: FX35 and QX56. Thanks everyone!

[MysticBlue]

I've alway liked Redline. I had a 330i that I let BMW do their changes, but I always changed it half way between their free changes. Because of this routine, I got to compare Castrol to Redline, back and forth, half a dozen times. There is no doubt the Redline made the engine smoother and quieter. I haven't used it since then because the next 2 cars I owned were M's and Redline didn't make 10w-60. (They do now). Anyway, I have 10 quarts of Redline 5w-30 sitting in my garage waiting for a post break-in change. (Probably around 2000 miles). Of course, there is nothing wrong with Castrol, (which is what the BMW oil is) but since you asked...

[opasha]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

I've alway liked Redline. I had a 330i that I let BMW do their changes, but I always changed it half way between their free changes. Because of this routine, I got to compare Castrol to Redline, back and forth, half a dozen times. There is no doubt the Redline made the engine smoother and quieter. I haven't used it since then because the next 2 cars I owned were M's and Redline didn't make 10w-60. (They do now). Anyway, I have 10 quarts of Redline 5w-30 sitting in my garage waiting for a post break-in change. (Probably around 2000 miles). Of course, there is nothing wrong with Castrol, (which is what the BMW oil is) but since you asked...

Appreciate the info, bud! Thanks .

So I should use 5w-30 or 10w-60? I have the RaceChip tune installed so will that factor in which oil to use?

[buckeyewalt]

Originally Posted by opasha

Appreciate the info, bud! Thanks .

So I should use 5w-30 or 10w-60? I have the RaceChip tune installed so will that factor in which oil to use?

I always find it an interesting read at bobistheoilguy.com regarding questions on oils and additives.

As far as your application goes consider the area you live (cold) in your final decision. I live in Tennessee and yes it does get cold here, but I have used 0W-40 and have had no issue. Mobil, Castrol, Red Line full syn.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by buckeyewalt

I always find it an interesting read at bobistheoilguy.com regarding questions on oils and additives.

As far as your application goes consider the area you live (cold) in your final decision. I live in Tennessee and yes it does get cold here, but I have used 0W-40 and have had no issue. Mobil, Castrol, Red Line full syn.

Yeah, we get all seasons in Maryland and our winter is cold. I'll be in Chicago soon for the coming winter. What do you recommend for my particular vehicle given this information? Thanks .

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by opasha

Appreciate the info, bud! Thanks .

So I should use 5w-30 or 10w-60? I have the RaceChip tune installed so will that factor in which oil to use?

5w-30. I just mentioned the 10w-60 in passing because that's what the M engines require.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by MysticBlue

5w-30. I just mentioned the 10w-60 in passing because that's what the M engines require.

Great, thank you .

[barcelona]

I paid for a 6 month change, dealer put in 9 litre. Tomorrow I get the free oil change, who knows what the invoice will say and the exact amount they use. However, for my X3 with 4 changes, 5, 6.5, 7 , 6.5 were the qty per invoice. I guess for DIY put in oil slowly & measure the oil when at operating temperature (will not read the qty when cold) using iDrive. BMW is switching to Shell oil 1/1/15.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by barcelona

I paid for a 6 month change, dealer put in 9 litre. Tomorrow I get the free oil change, who knows what the invoice will say and the exact amount they use. However, for my X3 with 4 changes, 5, 6.5, 7 , 6.5 were the qty per invoice. I guess for DIY put in oil slowly & measure the oil when at operating temperature (will not read the qty when cold) using iDrive. BMW is switching to Shell oil 1/1/15.

Thanks, bud. I talked to my friend and he said Royal Purple is one of the best oils for high octane vehicles. Anyone have any feedback on Royal Purple?

I found 2 different 5W-30 versions:

Royal Purple 51530 API-Licensed SAE 5W-30 High Performance Synthetic Motor Oil: http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-5...yal+purple+oil

Royal Purple (36530-6PK) HPS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil with Synerlec Additive Technology: http://www.amazon.com/Royal-Purple-3...yal+purple+oil

I'm assuming the one with the additive would be best for my V8 considering I have the RaceChip tune installed. Thanks for the help everyone!

[MysticBlue]

Originally Posted by barcelona

I paid for a 6 month change, dealer put in 9 litre. Tomorrow I get the free oil change, who knows what the invoice will say and the exact amount they use. However, for my X3 with 4 changes, 5, 6.5, 7 , 6.5 were the qty per invoice. I guess for DIY put in oil slowly & measure the oil when at operating temperature (will not read the qty when cold) using iDrive. BMW is switching to Shell oil 1/1/15.

Invoice isn't really an accurate way to decide how much oil should be put it in. I haven't changed it in the X5 yet, maybe the measuring method has improved, but in my M3 it had to be 8.8 liters. Not 8.5. Not 9, but exactly 8.8. And measuring it afterwards was never a straight forward exercise. One time I put in probably a little less than 8.5, and it read a little low after I got the engine up to temp so I added a couple tenths, but for a couple of days it still read low, so I added couple more tenths. A couple more days and still no difference, so added a couple more tenths. Next day it says it's overfilled. This is why I asked a while back if anyone had done an oil change on one of these F15 V8's yet, and if they knew EXACTLY what the capacity is. So far, the only answer I got was 9 liters, or 9.5 quarts. I still have never heard a justification from BMW for not having a dipstick.

[barcelona]

No definitive answer, but service & invoice again said 9 litre. They probably round up for invoice billing. I go into service bay to ask as I see the guy putting in regular air rather than nitrogen. I get booted out, so if I want to enter the bay I will get service to accompany me. Yes Nitrogen is a marketing money maker, but if the dealer charges $400 ( ride green certified) or winter tire charge with nitrogen $135, they ideally should top up with Nitrogen. I think some diesels retained the dip stick. Maybe another money maker, frustrate the diy'er with under/overfill @ operating temperatures, so they choose dealer. The 6 mth oil change $201. Good luck, too bad you can't eliminate the guessing.

[opasha]

I read a lot of reviews between Royal Purple and Redline - people seem to love Redline. The MazdaSpeedForums (very vulgar forum - really surprised) - almost every mod/higher level forum member there hates on Royal Purple.

Can any of you guys let me know what you think? I am considering Redline Motor Oil 5W-30 vs Royal Purple (36530-6PK) HPS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil with Synerlec Additive Technology. Thanks .

[buckeyewalt]

Originally Posted by opasha

Yeah, we get all seasons in Maryland and our winter is cold. I'll be in Chicago soon for the coming winter. What do you recommend for my particular vehicle given this information? Thanks .

Sorry for the late reply, was out of town, but to answer your question I would say a 5W-30. Really anything full syn in that range should be ok as long as it meets the API standard. For normal driving (no track time) I tend to stay away from the exotic blends (0W-50/5W-60 etc) even if it meets API standards.

[opasha]

Originally Posted by buckeyewalt

Sorry for the late reply, was out of town, but to answer your question I would say a 5W-30. Really anything full syn in that range should be ok as long as it meets the API standard. For normal driving (no track time) I tend to stay away from the exotic blends (0W-50/5W-60 etc) even if it meets API standards.

No worries at all. Thank you for the info, bud .

[M3MANNY]

Thanks for info

[newtlicious]

Originally Posted by opasha

I read a lot of reviews between Royal Purple and Redline - people seem to love Redline. The MazdaSpeedForums (very vulgar forum - really surprised) - almost every mod/higher level forum member there hates on Royal Purple.

Can any of you guys let me know what you think? I am considering Redline Motor Oil 5W-30 vs Royal Purple (36530-6PK) HPS 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil with Synerlec Additive Technology. Thanks .

I'm about to do a 1500 mile break in oil change. I was looking at the Royal Purple with Synerlec at the link you provided and it seems to specifically say that it is not for "vehicles under warranty" and that warrantied vehicles should use the regular Royal Purple with the API license instead.

I used Redline religiously in my Porsches but I don't think I will be driving my X6 nearly as hard so I'm looking to save a few bucks ($60 per 12 quarts) by using Royal Purple. I think you and I should use the regular API stuff, Opasha!

- Patrick

[ajob]

[5w-30. I just mentioned the 10w-60 in passing because that's what the M engines require.]

Please check if this is still applicable.

According to BMW, starting with the F85/86 the oil is now the same used for the F15/16.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by opasha

Can any of you that have experience with BMW V8s recommend the best full synthetic oil to use on my F15 X5 50i?

Shell Helix. 0w30.
If you do not want to hunt it down you can just buy the "BMW Twin Turbo" at the parts department. From what I have been told it is just a re-branded version. (I have used Shell Helix 10w60 in every other BMW I have owned and love the oil. The dip stick comes out super clean and never had any oil consumption issues.)

[wifesbimmer]

I would not use Redline for a daily driver. I use Redline full synthetic for my M3 which is designed for a high revving sports cars, not for SUV's. Redline also lacks additives that prevent rusts and things which makes it inappropriate for daily cars. I would personally just stick with OEM oil.

[opasha]

Haha, such an old thread, but thanks for the input everyone. I've just had dealer oil changes. Going to take all this into account when it's out of warranty.

[newtlicious]

Originally Posted by wifesbimmer

I would not use Redline for a daily driver. I use Redline full synthetic for my M3 which is designed for a high revving sports cars, not for SUV's. Redline also lacks additives that prevent rusts and things which makes it inappropriate for daily cars. I would personally just stick with OEM oil.

How on earth does it get an API endorsement and meet all the Porsche/VW/MB specs without those essential additives? I have used redline in every car I've owned since 2006... Something doesn't smell right with this statement.

- Patrick

[JNoSol]

BMW Full Synthetic Oil, no guessing needed and BMW can't come after if there are any engine internal wear/issues.

Royal Purple, Redline, Amsoil, etc are just great at marketing. If you look at all their data statistic, they all use different parameters that favor their brand.

Unless you plan on keep your X5M past 150k miles, no need to over pay for oil. Your electronics, turbos, and other components will fry way before the motor will. The more important part is always use OEM filters.

I love those who say "I've always used x brands,.. so it works" what does that even mean? Just because you never ruined a motor in your life doesn't mean that oil was the best. I'm sure BMW stress test the crap out of their oil before approving it, since they have millions of cars under warranty that counts on the oil to perform.