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530d Oil Type vs Service Interval

  • 24-12-2007 02:03PM
    #1
    Boots2006
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 67 ✭✭


    Hi,

    I'm looking for opinions on long-life synthetic oil with long service interval VS semi-synthetic oil and shorter service intervals. Car is an 03 E39 530d.

    Two options :
    1) Use BMW approved LL oil (0w30 I think), and service according to the green/amber/red timer ... oil change approx every 18k miles.
    or
    2) Use non-approved oil (5w30? Castrol semi-synthetic), and change oil every 6k miles, regardless of driving style etc.

    To me it seems that 18k is a very long service interval, and that the more frequent changes under option 2 would be better for the engine long-term.

    I'm assuming here that the long-life oil is put in by BMW in order to give the longer service intervals that seem to have become the norm in more modern cars???

    Any opinions appreciated.


Comments

  • #2
    JohnCleary
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,209 ✭✭✭✭JohnCleary


    I also use BMW LL approved oil on my 320d (E46). I don't care what the on board computer says, I change my oil every 8k regardless. Some might say a bit OTT but it's my choice. I also change the crankcase breather filter every SECOND oil change (ie. 16k)


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