Just bought E46 M3 - low mile use, Still service each year?
Discussion
HJG said:
Yes the E46 M3 has an oil temp gauge. It also has lights on the rev counter that go out one by one but I believe they are linked to coolant temp (and CSL may be different again - not sure).
The Z4M has the same set up, but because the lights work on water temperature they are all out around the time the oil temperature needle moves off it's stop - so long before the engine is up to temperature. I just work on the oil temp and ignore the lights, especially as I've got new bearing shells! I've had mine 8 years. Always done oil change when the indicator tells me it's oil change time. Always used Castrol SLX, oil quality has always remained constant year round. Bought car at 62k miles, now on 131k miles. Last few years I've done circa 3k miles a year... My car is remapped too with an Eventuri not that these should make any difference to oil. Never needed to top up oil either!
No need for yearly oil changes as mentioned.
As long yas you adhere to driving with mechanical sympathy, as in making sure the oil temp reaches optimum and not just the tach lights which as standard are only reflecting coolant water temp, then you are good. I coded my tach lights to reflect actual oil temp like how the CSL has it by default so when the lights reach 7500rpm, the oil is at optimum and I can then rev freely if desired.
OP, just make sure bearing shells are replaced at 80k miles. That is the ideal mileage range to start to think about changing them assuming the previous owners drove with mechanical sympathy so the shells should be in relatively good order. You can send an oil sample away to be tested for metal fragments which would indicate bearing health. to give you a good baseline.
Edit*
Just seen this is an ancient thread!
No need for yearly oil changes as mentioned.
As long yas you adhere to driving with mechanical sympathy, as in making sure the oil temp reaches optimum and not just the tach lights which as standard are only reflecting coolant water temp, then you are good. I coded my tach lights to reflect actual oil temp like how the CSL has it by default so when the lights reach 7500rpm, the oil is at optimum and I can then rev freely if desired.
OP, just make sure bearing shells are replaced at 80k miles. That is the ideal mileage range to start to think about changing them assuming the previous owners drove with mechanical sympathy so the shells should be in relatively good order. You can send an oil sample away to be tested for metal fragments which would indicate bearing health. to give you a good baseline.
Edited by robbiekhan on Monday 6th December 09:28
Edit*
Just seen this is an ancient thread!
Edited by robbiekhan on Monday 6th December 09:31
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