bekker 7 Report post Posted November 28, 2005 Hi folks, I'm sure this has probably been asked a hundred times. I have an 88 525ee, not exactly a rocket ship I know but a bimmer never-the-less. I havent owned it long, its in great condition and I am fastidious about maintenance. I'm going to change the engine oil soon, but I was wandering if anyone had any recommendations. The owners book lists plenty of options, all ambiant temperature dependant. I was wandering though, giving the book was written sometime in the mid eighties, whether anyone had any more up-to-date information. I was leaning towards synthetic (or semi) 10w30, possibly 10w40. Any thoughts? Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carl 3 Report post Posted November 28, 2005 (edited) Synthetic 10w40 is a winner, search through the threads in maintenance/performace on this topic, you'll have to select to view pages older then 30 days though. ps. Welcome to the site Edited November 28, 2005 by Carl Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmwsparkle 3 Report post Posted November 28, 2005 most decent mechanics who know what they're talking about usually recommend a 20w/50 for older cars, as that is what they were made to be run on, a mineral, not synthetic oil, I have found 20w/50 castrol gtx to be great in my e28, dont go penzoil, that stuff is crap now. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bekker 7 Report post Posted November 29, 2005 Thanks guys, Amsoil in the states advised me that 10w40 was the most suitable for my car. Carl, I think you tried to send a message to my email, for some reason it didnt allow it. I read somewhere that the closer together the numbers (10w30 as opposed to 5w50 for example) the better the oil because the manufacturers dont need to put so many friction modifiers and additives in the oil. Kind of makes sense to me, especially since NZ (or Wellington at least) does not have huge temperature extremes. Again thanks for all the help. I'm absolutely loving my 5 and am very impressed with this site. Cheers Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bumpstop325 0 Report post Posted November 29, 2005 (edited) ELF 10w40 rocks my face!!!! fully synthetic from memory. $46 for 5L, from Gull high grade oil for resonable money i used it in my 86 325i and now in my 335i. Edited November 29, 2005 by bumpstop325 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
m325i 705 Report post Posted November 29, 2005 Elf is "cool", but 10w40 is too thin IMO. a thicker oil will = less/no smoke. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bmwsparkle 3 Report post Posted November 29, 2005 but ur 325i burnt it hard tim, and im thinkin a thicker oil wudve been better ie 20w/50 Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Carl 3 Report post Posted November 29, 2005 The grade depends on the engine - you have to admit that Tim's engine only smoked cause it was tired Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
