Correct oil for the E92 M3.....without adverts

[Tony B2]

Asking the question again.
No adverts, please...

[Schermerhorn]

Castrol Edge 10w60 / Supercar / Titanium / Motorsport.

They keep changing their branding but 10w60 is what they left the factory with.

[stevesingo]

A quick google indicates 10W-60 Castrol Edge FST Titanium is the only approved oil.

http://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/car-en...

[Tony B2]

My dealer has used "M Twin Power Turbo" 10/60.

Which might be the right viscosity index, but clearly seems to be intended for the turbocharged cars.

If the recommendation on BMW's website is different, then I'll be going back to them. Again.

[Schermerhorn]

Tony B2 said:

My dealer has used "M Twin Power Turbo" 10/60.

Which might be the right viscosity index, but clearly seems to be intended for the turbocharged cars.

If the recommendation on BMW's website is different, then I'll be going back to them. Again.

The twin turbos use a different grade and spec of oil which is 0W-30 for their M-cars.


I wouldn't kick up too much of a fuss unless they have put the wrong spec in (they may have just invoiced it wrongly). You don't wanna be losing goodwill with them for the future. When my E63 M6 had problems I never kicked up too much of a fuss as they - as with any business - can get quite funny with you and will just pull your pisser in the future.

[Tony B2]

If they have put the wrong spec in I will certainly be kicking up a fuss! Having been given a top up 1 ltr bottle this morning (as they under-filled when doing the oil change) this bottle shows 10/60, and corresponds with the oil shown on the BMW website, for M3 models from 2005.

I'll try to keep my paranoia under control now....

I have had so many bad experiences with dealers recently.

[RS250_Steve]

I wouldn't worry Tony.
It's only the E46, E39, E6x and E9x series M cars which use 10w60.
BMW have recently swapped from Castrol to Shell as their 'recommended' oil supplier. With this the bottles from the dealers are all branded 'twin power turbo' even for the 10w60 oils they supply.

Castrol edge 10w60 is the correct oil, as now is Shell Helix Ultra Racing 10w60. Shell is handily also a fair bit cheaper.

[Wills2]

Tony B2 said:

If they have put the wrong spec in I will certainly be kicking up a fuss! Having been given a top up 1 ltr bottle this morning (as they under-filled when doing the oil change) this bottle shows 10/60, and corresponds with the oil shown on the BMW website, for M3 models from 2005.

I'll try to keep my paranoia under control now....

I have had so many bad experiences with dealers recently.

Did it say +1tr Tony on the display or were you "topping up" again, I remember you and Peter were the top up kings back on M3 Torque...

Ah Facebook I must sign up!

[mikeN54]

Any good quality full ester synthetic 10w/60 will do just great.

Whether they've paid for "bmw approval" or not likely makes no difference.

Edited by mikeN54 on Wednesday 15th February 12:24

[V5Ade]

If you have a BMW warranty you must use the BMW approved oil. If you have an engine failure the engine oil may be tested and if incorrect oil was found to be used the claim can be rejected.

[Rob_R]

mikeN54 said:

Any good quality full ester synthetic 10w/60 will do just great.

Whether they've paid for "bmw approval" or not likely makes no difference.

Edited by mikeN54 on Wednesday 15th February 12:24

Ester oils seem to be the way forward here.

[Anatonic]

Just to add to this - I had a lot of people telling me not to accept BMW putting the newer Shell oil in, instead of Castrol and to supply my own Castrol for them to use, even though the oil is of same spec / viscosity etc.

I questioned with the technicians doing my work under the Service Inclusive pack (plus I have BMW insured warranty) and should anything go wrong that was down to the oil, then it's at BMWs cost anyway...

I've seen / heard the stories around the E92 M3 but I wouldn't worry too much about it if the car is maintained and driven properly IMO.

[SebringMan]

When Castrol 10W60 can be bought cheaply if you have time on your side due to an offer from a European Car Parts website it seems like the logical option to me .

[velocgee]

V5Ade said:

If you have a BMW warranty you must use the BMW approved oil. If you have an engine failure the engine oil may be tested and if incorrect oil was found to be used the claim can be rejected.

BMW doesn't actually have an approved oil. It does have an approved specification of oil 10w60 AG-something. I think most main brands would be ok. But to keep things simple just stick with Castrol Edge (NOT SPORT) as mentioned earlier. This isn't about warranty but keeping it simple as this is the oil most people are expecting to see receipts for.

[stroller]

I was trying to find this out as well. Service light on my 2012 E92 M3 just came on. Thought I'd supply my own to dealer and save a few quid... not sure if I will or not though!
Seemed to be several types of 10w 60 when searching.
I just ordered 9 litres of Castrol Edge 'Supercar' 10w 60 titanium fst, through Opie Oils. Came in at £98.85 with free delivery.

[Trigbert]

I remember Castrol Edge used to have the 'For BMW M Models' on the sticker, guess they don't bother now if BMW use different brands these days. I used to be fussy to get that bottles with that 'M' sticker so the dealer wouldn't refuse to put it in - was probably the same stuff all along (I'm not always so naïve).

[SebringMan]

Trigbert said:

I remember Castrol Edge used to have the 'For BMW M Models' on the sticker, guess they don't bother now if BMW use different brands these days. I used to be fussy to get that bottles with that 'M' sticker so the dealer wouldn't refuse to put it in - was probably the same stuff all along (I'm not always so naïve).

I believe the Castrol Edge/Supercar Bottles still have that M-approved stuff on them.

[mikeN54]

If you read the manual it will give a recommended grade of 10W/60.

Forget what your local dealer numpty tells you, RTFM.

Strictly speaking there seems to be only 3 "M engine" approved 10W/60 oils (which just means they have paid BMW for the label):

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-715-castrol-edge-titan...

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69319-shell-helix-ultr...

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-114352-castrol-edge-su...


They all say "M approved" but none of them are the superior full ester synthetics as used in race engines. I know which one I would use:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-115231-millers-oils-cf...

or

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69410-fuchs-titan-race...

Edited by mikeN54 on Wednesday 1st March 13:40

[velocgee]

mikeN54 said:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-69410-fuchs-titan-race...

Edited by mikeN54 on Wednesday 1st March 13:40

was informed by my local carparts outfit that BMW Germany actually uses FUCHS. whether this is true or not i would have no problem using it. However, i would (and have done) just stick with Castrol (which is a good oil after all) and spend time on other things.

it's like when people ask 'what about Tyre XYZ'. and they get 'No! MPSS. That's it. End of debate.'

[mikeN54]

velocgee said:

was informed by my local carparts outfit that BMW Germany actually uses FUCHS. whether this is true or not i would have no problem using it. However, i would (and have done) just stick with Castrol (which is a good oil after all) and spend time on other things.

it's like when people ask 'what about Tyre XYZ'. and they get 'No! MPSS. That's it. End of debate.'

Fuchs bought Silkolene a few years ago, the Titan Pro R is the rebadged Silkolene-R, which for many years was probably the best oil money could buy.

Agree, nothing wrong with the castrol, but when you can buy better for less some may choose too. Just don't feel you have to use Castrol because of some bought "approval" BS.

MPSS are old hat now, new Conti P6 for me