What engine oil do most 50i owners use?

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by puckybadger

Oil is cheap so don't be cheap. Use OEM

Oem? Bmw don't make their oil.

[Stev_chu]

Originally Posted by turboawd

Oem? Bmw don't make their oil.

There are peoples talking about a brand with the bmw logo on it..but personally I never seen one myself yet

[perry8912]

Anyone tried Liqui Moly Special tec 5w-30? Our local indy shop has been using this for a long time.

[Stev_chu]

Originally Posted by perry8912

Anyone tried Liqui Moly Special tec 5w-30? Our local indy shop has been using this for a long time.

Not yet..heard some good things about it too

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by Stev_chu

There are peoples talking about a brand with the bmw logo on it..but personally I never seen one myself yet

It's a bottle of oil sold in one liter bottles looks like this:

[Stev_chu]

Originally Posted by alphaod

It's a bottle of oil sold in one liter bottles looks like this:
Attachment 1945517

Haha I think so..anyone know the history to this?

[turboawd]

Originally Posted by Stev_chu

Haha I think so..anyone know the history to this?

It's oil you buy at the dealer

[Maverik259]

Originally Posted by Stev_chu

Haha I think so..anyone know the history to this?

History to what? BMW is a car company not a fossil fuel drilling company. No auto manufacturer makes their own oil. It's all rebranded stuff they can get for cheap that meats their specs.

And as much as I love threads that continue to cover topics that have been thoroughly vetted time over time (not for you but whoever resurrected this thread) Right now bmw recommends Castrol (and is what their 0W-30 is relabeled from if I recall, no shell) where it used to be Mobil 1 as Mobil has changed their formula. 0w-30 or 40 or 5w-30 etc is dependent upon where you drive and the season. I choose 0W-40 cuz that's what I got and have always used in my German cars and I love in coastal VA where it rarely gets below freezing. But there are several options. Oil types also differ from dealer to dealer. I promise that not every dealer is using 0w-30.
Many will use 5w-30 cuz it's cheaper and workable across all platforms and they come in giant drums. They don't pull from small quarts that you see on the shelf.

So no you don't need to drain your oil just cuz they put in 5w-30. It will not damage your engine but for the next oil change I would use at least a eurospec or bmw LL-01.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by Stev_chu

Haha I think so..anyone know the history to this?

It's just oil. Like any major manufacturer they choose suppliers for a range of stuff. Most of the parts in your engine are made by some supplier that isn't BMW themselves.

For something like oil BMW had a list of requirements for what they want to buy and for a while they used Castrol and now they use Shell. They also sell stuff like car wash soap and T-shirts; these suppliers change too. End of the day oil is just oil, but they don't want their customers confused why today the bottle says Shell, the one they used to sell says Castrol. So they put them in custom made bottles that say BMW. Tons of companies rebrand goods.

[iconoclast]

Whoever they have a marketing deal with at that time is who they recommend. You'll find stickers in the engine on older BMW stating the preference of one brand oil and a few years later a different brand. My personal preference is Shell Helix or Castrol Edge Euro Formula. The one I keep in the trunk for if and when an emergency arises is whatever the dealer parts department stocks at the time and recommended for the vehicle.

Same thing just rebranded:






Except when it comes to Blinker Fluid:


Shell Euro Formula:


For everything else:

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by iconoclast

For everything else:

I put the same BMW 5W30 for the Bimmer in my lawnmower, pressure washer, and snowblower.

[iconoclast]

Hahaha... OEM or bust!

[Almandee26]

[CT335xi]

Originally Posted by alphaod

It's a bottle of oil sold in one liter bottles looks like this:
Attachment 1945517

That’s what I use. Get it right at the dealer.

[turboawd]

I didn't realize the shitbox oil was actually real. Lol aussies.

[kanvas]

50i owner here following dealer maintenance schedule. Would you guys recommend going beyond the regular maintenance schedule and doing oil changes more often ?

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by kanvas

50i owner here following dealer maintenance schedule. Would you guys recommend going beyond the regular maintenance schedule and doing oil changes more often ?

My honest opinion is that it's a great unknown. If you following a CBS that's going 8,000-10,000 miles, might be fine. If you going 15,000 (in an older CBS recommendation) might not be as fine.

In the old days with regular oil, oil was changed regularly. These days, that habit has been passed on even to younger generation of car buyers with more advanced oil, engines, etc.

I say better safe than sorry. Perhaps I'm just throwing money into a pit for no real benefit.

I also drive the way I want. I don't baby the throttle. I floor that shit whenever I get the chance.

[CT335xi]

Originally Posted by kanvas

50i owner here following dealer maintenance schedule. Would you guys recommend going beyond the regular maintenance schedule and doing oil changes more often ?

I actually change mine every 5k , I know it might be over doing it but I know it’s not hurting it.

[Road Carnage]

Originally Posted by CT335xi

I actually change mine every 5k , I know it might be over doing it but I know it’s not hurting it.

I also change every 5,000. Seems to me fresh oil is cheap insurance against engine wear.

[iconoclast]

Originally Posted by CT335xi

I actually change mine every 5k , I know it might be over doing it but I know it’s not hurting it.

i have always done a oil change in-between the "free" bmw scheduled maintenance. next time do an oil analysis between 5k interval and a 7500 mile interval and compare the findings from blackstone. i suspect you could probably stretch it out to the 7-8k area without issue.

[kanvas]

I'll start doing oil changes every 5k miles. I hope it's not too late to start! Thanks fellas.

[alphaod]

Originally Posted by kanvas

I'll start doing oil changes every 5k miles. I hope it's not too late to start! Thanks fellas.

Better late than never.

Oil:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZEK6Z64/
(You need 9L/9.5Qt per service)

Filter:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AFVT5OQ/
OR
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DYVLFOC/