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5w30 vs 5w40

  • 01-11-2015 10:34pm
    #1
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,754 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Folks, just wanted to get a quick opinion on differing oil types. I have a 318Ci, 2001 with the 1.9 litre engine. It has 5w30 in it currently and I am planning to put in 5w40, as I managed to pick it up at a good price a while back. With the age of the car and 100k on the clock, is it better/same/worse to go with 5w40. The website oil checkers seem to suggest all manner of grades.


Comments

  • #2
    5W30
    Closed Accounts Posts: 694 ✭✭✭5W30


    You can use 5W40 as long as it meets the BMW spec. I think BMW LL01 or LL04 is suitable.


  • #3
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,754 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    Thanks for the reply. I just checked and it meets LL98 spec only, designed for pre 2002 engines. It being an engine that came out in the late 90s, I would imagine it is fine, but just want to make sure I'm not doing the old girl a disservice by switching, just because I have it.


  • #4
    5W30
    Closed Accounts Posts: 694 ✭✭✭5W30


    delly wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply. I just checked and it meets LL98 spec only, designed for pre 2002 engines. It being an engine that came out in the late 90s, I would imagine it is fine, but just want to make sure I'm not doing the old girl a disservice by switching, just because I have it.

    Owner's manual should say which spec is suitable :)


  • #5
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,754 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    5W30 wrote: »
    Owner's manual should say which spec is suitable :)

    Yeah, it's as vague as ever. States BMW recommends LL fuels (no numbers given), also you can use 0w30/0w40/0w50 and 5w30/5w40/5w50. Anyhow, I'll go with it. Once nobody said I was off my head and I sound like I have some semblance of what I am doing, I'm happy. Thanks again for the input.


  • #6
    Roger Mellie Man on the Telly
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,108 ✭✭✭Roger Mellie Man on the Telly


    What's the worst that could happen if you use the wrong grade?


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  • #7
    The Sidewards Man
    Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 1,570 ✭✭✭The Sidewards Man


    As your car is over 10 years old do as Biko says and fire any kind of oil into it.


  • #8
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,754 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    The Sidewards Man wrote: »
    As your car is over 10 years old do as Biko says and fire any kind of oil into it.

    Chip oil it is then :D


  • #9
    Interslice
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,505 ✭✭✭Interslice


    In owners manuals from cars I've had from the 90's I've seen a basic spec given such as A1 or C3 or whatever and then the grade varies with climate. With 0w30 for -10 up to 15w40 for 40 degree. I used to service my old van with 5w40 at the beginning of summer and 5w30 for the winter. Not really necessary but sure didn't make any odds. Oil was the same price.


  • #10
    biko
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 81,219 ✭✭✭✭biko


    The Sidewards Man wrote: »
    As your car is over 10 years old do as Biko says and fire any kind of oil into it.
    Eh, I didn't even post in this thread :D


  • #11
    Special Circumstances
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,569 ✭✭✭Special Circumstances


    delly wrote: »
    Thanks for the reply. I just checked and it meets LL98 spec only, designed for pre 2002 engines. It being an engine that came out in the late 90s, I would imagine it is fine, but just want to make sure I'm not doing the old girl a disservice by switching, just because I have it.

    Lidl 5w40 fully synth? Specs sound familiar.
    Didn't seem to last in my subaru at all but was only using it as a top up oil so hard to say.


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  • #12
    delly
    Moderators, Home & Garden Moderators, Recreation & Hobbies Moderators Posts: 7,754 Mod ✭✭✭✭delly


    Special Circumstances wrote: »
    Lidl 5w40 fully synth? Specs sound familiar.
    Didn't seem to last in my subaru at all but was only using it as a top up oil so hard to say.

    No, it's the Halfords own brand, I got it a while back when it was on offer.


  • #13
    Special Circumstances
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,569 ✭✭✭Special Circumstances


    delly wrote: »
    No, it's the Halfords own brand, I got it a while back when it was on offer.

    I didn't rate that too highly either, although I think I was leaking a bit at a heat exchanger at the time.

    Halfords gm/vauxhall 5w30 fully synth would be my choice for our cars when there's an offer on. Was marked bmw LL01 previously but not on bottle anymore.

    That or a Total 5w30 from micksgarage.

    Unless your car has specific manufacturer specs then 5w40 should be fine. It won't be under the same stress in yours as it was in mine, turbos harder on oil.


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