E36 M3 Evo-Oil and servicing recommendations

[Googie]

Guys

Would appreciate a steer on 2 points please re the above-

1-I am currently using 5w/30 engine oil but I am thinking of adopting 5w/40 on all future oil changes. I would appreciate views on the merits or otherwise of 5w/40 which seems to be the more common if not universal approach with the s50 engine.

2-can anyone recommend a good M specialist in Bucks or Oxford as there are a few engine bay rattles revealing themselves and which shouldn't come as standard!

Car is a 1996 with 128k although occasional use only now and which I think might be part of the problem!

All feedback appreciated

Regards
G

[Schermerhorn]

Is 5w30 the correct spec for the E36 M3?

I remember my customer bought it once insisting it was the right one and he came back 2 hours later saying it made the car sound like a bag of spanners. I sold him 10w60 Edge and he uses that now.

[Googie]

Thanks for that-This gives me sleepiness nights !- I thought 10w/60 was better suited to track use? You are probably right re 5w/30 but edging towards 5w/40 - I think !

[Schermerhorn]

Googie said:

Thanks for that-This gives me sleepiness nights !- I thought 10w/60 was better suited to track use? You are probably right re 5w/30 but edging towards 5w/40 - I think !

There is little difference between 5W30 and 5W40, they usually have the same ACEA spec numbers.

I've also heard of people using 0w40 for their M cars. I believer the poster Jcolley uses that in his M5.

I don't have specs to hand, but if you go on the Castrol website, check out the oil specs (ACEA numbers etc) and do a cross comparison.

Edited by Schermerhorn on Monday 23 June 22:56

[Googie]

Thanks for that- had a look on the Castrol website and by reference to my Reg Castrol recommend 5w/40. On a comparison basis 5w/30 and 5w/40 are both BMW Long Life -L04 Approved with an ACEA of C3 , however, the 5w/40 also extends to A3/B3,A3/B4,C3. This means nothing to me...! On this basis there appears to be little to choose between 5w/30 and 5w/40 as you say so am thinking 5w/40.

Thanks

[Schermerhorn]

Googie said:

Thanks for that- had a look on the Castrol website and by reference to my Reg Castrol recommend 5w/40. On a comparison basis 5w/30 and 5w/40 are both BMW Long Life -L04 Approved with an ACEA of C3 , however, the 5w/40 also extends to A3/B3,A3/B4,C3. This means nothing to me...! On this basis there appears to be little to choose between 5w/30 and 5w/40 as you say so am thinking 5w/40.

Thanks

As long as you use official guide lines and make sure the spec is exactly what is required, there is little to go wrong. Also always use good quality oil filters; none of the cheap stuff you find on Ebay. BMW's filters are cheap enough for what they are.

[Googie]

Thanks for all replies- spoke with Opie this morning and have made a selection based on 5w/40- time will tell if this was a wise move !

[Output Flange]

For servicing, you've got Phil Crouch at CPC Engineering in Amersham.

[Choppers]

Phil @ cpc is your man. I've been taking my e36 328 there for years & will def be taking me e36 evo (when I get it) there. He knows these cars inside out & he doesn't charge the earth - I couldn't recommend him more. If your not sure just google him & have a look at the reviews - good luck

[Googie]

Cheers Guys

Have heard good things re CPC so will be giving him a go!

[JamesL]

http://www.e36coupe.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=26&a...

My experience of CPC, see Reza's long post part way down.

[CornishRob]

I live in SW London and take my car to Iridium Engineering down between Southampton & Winchester.

Recently had an inspection 2 done on my Z4m and it's made the world of difference to it!

Can't recommend him enough, although he is not in your search area, but worth the travel in my opinion!