What oil type for 2000 (E46) BMW 318i?

dudara

I'm going to change the oil in my car soon, but I'm just wondering what's the best oil type (synthetic, semi-synthetic) to use for the car?

If anyone has a brand recommendation, let me know.

Thanks

reverandkenjami

Fully Syntethic 0W-30. CastroEdge is recommended

Tipsy Mac

Id check on castrol.co.uk, it will give the recommended and the amount required.

Elessar

I have a 2001 320ci and have found that the recommended Castrol 0w-30 burns off very quickly. Every few months I was topping up the oil. I've switched to mobil 1 10w-40 semi-synth as it's thicker.

You might want to consider a thicker oil.

reverandkenjami

Elessar wrote: »

I have a 2001 320ci and have found that the recommended Castrol 0w-30 burns off very quickly. Every few months I was topping up the oil. I've switched to mobil 1 10w-40 semi-synth as it's thicker.

You might want to consider a thicker oil.

All the BMW 6 cyls seem to burn oil. Altho i'm sure there's a reason 0-30 is used instead of a thicker oil. Would the thicker oil not do damage to the engine?

Elessar

reverandkenjami wrote: »

All the BMW 6 cyls seem to burn oil. Altho i'm sure there's a reason 0-30 is used instead of a thicker oil. Would the thicker oil not do damage to the engine?

No, it has a certain mark that is recognised as being an approved oil to use in the manual. Can't remember what it is.

dudara

OK - will check out the manual.

I was just wondering if a thicker oil would be better given the age of the engine.

DublinDilbert

Elessar wrote: »

I have a 2001 320ci and have found that the recommended Castrol 0w-30 burns off very quickly. Every few months I was topping up the oil. I've switched to mobil 1 10w-40 semi-synth as it's thicker.

You might want to consider a thicker oil.

The engine in that car is an M43 engine, which when it was in the E36 they used to recommend semi-synth 10W-40. But it seems with the longer servicing intervals on the E46 they recommend fully-synth oil.

On mine i use 10-W40 and change every 10 months ( usually about 7K miles).

dudara

DublinDilbert wrote: »

On mine i use 10-W40 and change every 10 months ( usually about 7K miles).

I'd be aiming to change the oil about every 7k myself. I've driven the car about 1500 miles since I got it and it's only now that I've got the time to get around to servicing it a bit.

Thanks everyone.

Elessar

DublinDilbert wrote: »

The engine in that car is an M43 engine, which when it was in the E36 they used to recommend semi-synth 10W-40. But it seems with the longer servicing intervals on the E46 they recommend fully-synth oil.

On mine i use 10-W40 and change every 10 months ( usually about 7K miles).

Actually it's the M54 engine 2.2L 170bhp, for which BMW recommend the LL01 Castrol 0w-30.

dudara

Elessar wrote: »

Actually it's the M54 engine 2.2L 170bhp, for which BMW recommend the LL01 Castrol 0w-30.

It's the M43, 1.9 litre engine with 119 bhp. It's the early model 318i, before they got the newer engine.

Elessar

dudara wrote: »

It's the M43, 1.9 litre engine with 119 bhp. It's the early model 318i, before they got the newer engine.

Oops thought he was refering to my car :rolleyes:

dudara

Elessar wrote: »

Oops thought he was refering to my car :rolleyes:

A ha! Do you happen to know what the recommended oil is for mine? Castrol on their wesbite mention a Sport Edge (?) oil

Elessar

Check this http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-851-oils-for-my-car.aspx

Should also mention what oil types to use in the manual. Longlife01 etc.