How often oil change (type of oil)

[Blaxwil]

Originally Posted by Passi-M5

Do you have experience with "Leichtlauf High Tech"?

I'll give you a little background. While my car was under warranty I used BMW's 0W30. I also performed oil analysis on every other oil change. At 10k mile intervals, the oil analysis reports were good but showed my viscosity was too low. I also needed to add a quart or 2 of oil in between changes. After my warranty expired, I switched to Liquid Moly Molygen 5W40 and immediately noticed a difference. The car ran quieter and smoother. Most importantly I purposely went 10k miles and didn't have to add a quart. The analysis showed better viscosity tolerance and more lubricants. I have now gone to 5k mile intervals despite the oil reports stating I would have no issue going longer.

I ran Leichtlauf High Tech one time due to not having the Molygen on hand and the oil analysis came back good. However it lacked the same level of lubricants per the report. I also tried Ravenol VST in the 5W40 version and it too didn't maintain viscosity and required adding a quart within 2500 miles.

I'm currently at 115k Miles, stage 2 tuned, and the car absolutely loves the LM Molygen. Wont change again. Looking forward to it holding up another 30-50k so that I can do the same with the F90.

[Passi-M5]

Originally Posted by Blaxwil

I'll give you a little background. While my car was under warranty I used BMW's 0W30. I also performed oil analysis on every other oil change. At 10k mile intervals, the oil analysis reports were good but showed my viscosity was too low. I also needed to add a quart or 2 of oil in between changes. After my warranty expired, I switched to Liquid Moly Molygen 5W40 and immediately noticed a difference. The car ran quieter and smoother. Most importantly I purposely went 10k miles and didn't have to add a quart. The analysis showed better viscosity tolerance and more lubricants. I have now gone to 5k mile intervals despite the oil reports stating I would have no issue going longer.

I ran Leichtlauf High Tech one time due to not having the Molygen on hand and the oil analysis came back good. However it lacked the same level of lubricants per the report. I also tried Ravenol VST in the 5W40 version and it too didn't maintain viscosity and required adding a quart within 2500 miles.

I'm currently at 115k Miles, stage 2 tuned, and the car absolutely loves the LM Molygen. Wont change again. Looking forward to it holding up another 30-50k so that I can do the same with the F90.

Thanks for the report.
I leave the Ravenol in and the next time I change my oil I try the LM Molygen 5W40.

The Molygen cannot be found on the homepage. Maybe it's because I'm from Germany

[danielgmanm6]

Originally Posted by calicolorado

One thing I have learned since buying my car is: oil is a vast and sometimes challenging subject to research with thousands of opinions and ideas about what's best.

In the 2015 manual I have, it says to use 0w30 with 5w30 as an alternate. Castrol is recommended in the manual and my oil cap also has the Castrol logo on it.

Other years of the F10 M5 have additional viscosities listed in their manual which confuses the heck out of me. 2013 and 2014 list 0w30, 0w40 recommended with 5w30 and 5w40 as alternates. 2016 manuals list 0w40 and 0w30. Sometime in 2015, BMW switched from Castrol to Shell/Pennzoil as their recommended oil so that confuses things even further. Based on the reading and comparing I have done (probably obsessing a bit too much during this Covid19 stuff) any of those viscosities are probably fine if changed at a reasonable interval. For me that is about 5000mi/8000km. Additionally, if you use an oil with BMW LL-01 or LL-01 FE spec you can be confident that the oil is fine for your car. Since you're in Germany, I believe LL-04 is on spec for your application.

Here's what I've done with my car (located in So California):
5w30 Motul 6100 Technosynthese with BMW LL01 A3B4 API SL certs. Exactly what the manual for my car recommends aside from the brand.

Next oil change will be with this new product:
5w30 100% synthetic Motul Specific LL01 FE (BMW LL-01 spec & A5B5)
https://www.motul.com/us/en-US/produ...ll-01-fe-5w-30

Castrol EDGE 0w40 is very similar to the German 0w30 that everyone loved, and made in Belgium-this is readily available in the US in 5qt jugs. I may try it, but the BMW LL01 cert was recently removed from the label-maybe a marketing thing since BMW's switch to Shell. Lots of great info on Bob is the Oil Guy about this oil. If an oil meets Porsche A40 or Mercedes 229.5 spec, you can be sure it's good stuff.

Hope some of that is helpful to you, cheers!

I'm currently using 0w 30 and I live in the southeast US. I think 0w 40 is the the better alternative to 5w30 or 5w 40. The 0w 30 has the better cold start protection with the added viscosity at High Temps. The thinner oil does make me worry a bit.

[M5Rick]

It's written Castrol on the PU oil fill cap so naturally I keep to Edge 0W40 and change every year or 5k miles whichever comes first, with the Bosch filter P7158 that has an extra filter guaze than the standard M one which hasn't.

[danielgmanm6]

Originally Posted by vinsanem5

my m5 is calling for oil about 1000-1500 miles currently using bmw 5w30. Im considering switching to an 0w40, what do you guys think? Live in Socal

Yes, I think that's def a good idea. I'm planning on switching as some point too. I think the cold start benefits are often overlooked.

[MarcF10]

Originally Posted by M5Rick

It's written Castrol on the PU oil fill cap so naturally I keep to Edge 0W40 and change every year or 5k miles whichever comes first, with the Bosch filter P7158 that has an extra filter guaze than the standard M one which hasn't.

Had an oil+filter change today and went with Rick's recommendation.

Castrol Edge 0w-40 and the difference is already quite obvious.

I previously used a 5w-40 spec oil and was not left satisfied - car also consumed 1lt of oil in 2500 miles of mixed use. I was not left satisfied because the 5w-40 oil took ages to warm, especially in the morning, and also because the engine was sounding rough after a few miles. Fuel consumption was average (I have seen worse tbh).

Trying to find the "perfect" oil for your car can be an obsession for some, for me it is a matter of trial and error like everything else. As each one of us has a different driving style and we live in different climates and time zones, there are more than one "correct" answers to this question.

However it is a common theme that regardless of viscosity and additives, what really matters is changing oil and filter every 5000 miles give or take. It's the golden rule for most drivers.

[apoxa2]

I am doing it every 5k miles and I use castrol 5W30 LL.

[TTV8M]

Originally Posted by Ickdeep

I change mine around 3-4k miles(4.8k to 6.4k km) . I'm using Liquid Moly 5W30.

Totally agree. No more than 5k miles. Too much snot running around in the engine and the oil gets dirty very quickly.