E46 M3 - can I top up with 10/40?

[trackdemon]

Acquired E46 M3 last week, and promptly threw it into a tour of europe... Great car for this kind of trip, and in Phoenix it still gets some looks despite mixing it up with Ferrari's and Lambo's. I've noticed the low oil level warning light comes on occasionally, and it looks like it's at the lower end of the dipstick so want to top it up - it's done 1500miles since purchase and I understand they can consume a little bit. Problem is I'm unable to find the precise 10/60 that is recommended, so wondered if I'm ok to top up with a quality synth Castrol GTX or similar - 10/40 IIRC. Will be getting service in 3k miles anyway. I assume it's better to top up with slightly different grade than not at all...?

[RichardM5]

Best to top up with Castrol 10W-60 TWS if you possibly can. Next best would be the closest Castrol fully synthetic you can find, last resort is some semi synthetic. BMW dealers should have 10W60 available, it's possible they will only have Shell now.

[trackdemon]

Won't happen today but we're heading to Monaco tomorrow, sure there must be a dealer there or in Nice I can grab some... Otherwise I'll put a dash of the best Castrol fully synth I can find.

[RWD cossie wil]

Anything other than the recommended oil will ruin the valve train, don't do it!!

[andyman_2006]

I would be wary of putting anything less than 10W60 in it...

You can buy the Castrol from supermarkets (Even Tesco petrol stations sell it here in UK @ £14.99 per/l)

Look for the Castrol TWS or Edge.

Andy

[AW10]

If all else fails go to http://www.bmw.fr/fr/index.html and click on "Trouver un concessionaire" (find a dealer) near the bottom and then enter your location.

[NickXX]

Should be fine, the manual states:

Alternative oil types:

Should it not be possible to purchase
an oil approved by BMW, you can also
use other oils for adding smaller quantities
between oil changes as an exception.
The following information must be
specified on the package:

1. Viscosity
preferred: SAE 10W-60
or as an alternative: SAE 5W-40 or
SAE 10W-40

2. Specification
preferred: API SJ/CF
or as an alternative: API SJ
(also SK, SL, S etc.)

[trackdemon]

Excellent thanks! I figured adding 0.5l would not be an issue....

[rev-erend]

The old addage some oil rather than no oil is usually very true.

[SPORTSTER]

10w40 or even 5w30 will be fine ( remember the early cars ran on 5w30 until the bearings issues, then changed oil to 10w60)