Motor oil for BMW 645ci/2004/E63 - Recommendations
Discussion
My oil level is a touch on the low end of the dipstick.
I'm looking at motor oils appropriate for BMW 2004 645ci/E63 and have seen suggestions of 5w-30 and 5w-40. Castrol Edge comes up, but some good reviews on TRIPLE QX Fully Synthetic (Low Saps C3) Engine Oil - 5W-30.
Anyone got any advice on what would be right for my car given it's 2004 but only has 18,500 miles on the clock?
I the car at 17,800 miles and it mostly does short journeys during the week and every 2-3 weeks will do a long motorway journey.
The Triple QX one I mentioned above is on Europarts and it's 4 litres.
I want 1 litre, and the 1 litre listing on Europarts (which seems to be the cheapest with free delivery) isn't called 'Low Saps C3' it called 'Triple QX SAE 5W30 Fully Synthetic'.
Any real difference in either of these oils?
Anyone with the same car or engine, in your opinion, would the 1 litre be appropriate for my car?
Thanks for any advice.
ClaireG
I'm looking at motor oils appropriate for BMW 2004 645ci/E63 and have seen suggestions of 5w-30 and 5w-40. Castrol Edge comes up, but some good reviews on TRIPLE QX Fully Synthetic (Low Saps C3) Engine Oil - 5W-30.
Anyone got any advice on what would be right for my car given it's 2004 but only has 18,500 miles on the clock?
I the car at 17,800 miles and it mostly does short journeys during the week and every 2-3 weeks will do a long motorway journey.
The Triple QX one I mentioned above is on Europarts and it's 4 litres.
I want 1 litre, and the 1 litre listing on Europarts (which seems to be the cheapest with free delivery) isn't called 'Low Saps C3' it called 'Triple QX SAE 5W30 Fully Synthetic'.
Any real difference in either of these oils?
Anyone with the same car or engine, in your opinion, would the 1 litre be appropriate for my car?
Thanks for any advice.
ClaireG
Why do you recommend earlier? My car followed the schedule and was still running sweetly when I sold it at 130k miles.
It should also be done on time, too. But modern engine oil is so much better than 30 years ago, so why spend more on more frequent changes when there is literally no benefit. Oil sample analysis data has shown that even well after 10-15k miles modern FS oil is still doing a very good job, so why change early?
It should also be done on time, too. But modern engine oil is so much better than 30 years ago, so why spend more on more frequent changes when there is literally no benefit. Oil sample analysis data has shown that even well after 10-15k miles modern FS oil is still doing a very good job, so why change early?
E65Ross said:
Why do you recommend earlier? My car followed the schedule and was still running sweetly when I sold it at 130k miles.
It should also be done on time, too. But modern engine oil is so much better than 30 years ago, so why spend more on more frequent changes when there is literally no benefit. Oil sample analysis data has shown that even well after 10-15k miles modern FS oil is still doing a very good job, so why change early?
It should also be done on time, too. But modern engine oil is so much better than 30 years ago, so why spend more on more frequent changes when there is literally no benefit. Oil sample analysis data has shown that even well after 10-15k miles modern FS oil is still doing a very good job, so why change early?
You're right, a modern oil can be fine after 10/15k but BMWs monitoring system can leave the oil change till at least 20k and often 25K.
Maybe the oil's still OK but for the cost to change, say, every year or 10/12K why take the chance? It took me 45 minutes and cost £60 odd for oil, filter and a new drain plug for my 530D. Less than a tank of fuel.
Also owning a Mercedes it's noticeable that they still schedule annual / 12K oil changes.
When BMW have different recommendations for different continents, it should make us question why. See US recommendation: http://www.6post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=86830...
Also the v8 in you car (and mine) is prone to valve stem seal wear, which can cause plumes of blue smoke, Reported at anything from 60k and upwards. Mine started at 135k miles, even with oil changes at 9k miles. At 160k miles, I bit the bullet and had the seals replaced.
If we take a comparable product from Mercedes (E class, as per above post) oil change recommended mileage is 10k. Same quality of engineering / oils?
Oil is relative cheap, as are valve stem seals, but to get to the little buggers involved dropping the engine and gearbox.
Also the v8 in you car (and mine) is prone to valve stem seal wear, which can cause plumes of blue smoke, Reported at anything from 60k and upwards. Mine started at 135k miles, even with oil changes at 9k miles. At 160k miles, I bit the bullet and had the seals replaced.
If we take a comparable product from Mercedes (E class, as per above post) oil change recommended mileage is 10k. Same quality of engineering / oils?
Oil is relative cheap, as are valve stem seals, but to get to the little buggers involved dropping the engine and gearbox.
Edited by gf15 on Wednesday 5th April 22:04
dealers are using 0/30 in bulk or top ups which is Shell Helix Ultra inside, although 0/30 or 5/30 are ok,
the service schedule is only a minimum recommendation, just because there is a condition based service indicator it doesn't mean you can't change it more often. Also just because modern fs oils are 'still doing a good job' it isn't ever going to be as good as oil half the age. Any owners opinion of a sweet engine has also to be balanced with the on board electronics ability to adapt smooth running, and still the potential for wear and deposits to be affecting things you can't see. This is why in technical service info, certain components can be targeted for examination based on contamination before looking at changing others when running faults do occur.
For the cost of the oil, and a genuine filter that is less likely to collapse in the housing when old, vs the potential for future repairs etc, it's worth considering. So many people will run the car on a shoestring and expect the longevity of a Spanish taxi, which inevitably won't occur. Only my 2p of course :-)
the service schedule is only a minimum recommendation, just because there is a condition based service indicator it doesn't mean you can't change it more often. Also just because modern fs oils are 'still doing a good job' it isn't ever going to be as good as oil half the age. Any owners opinion of a sweet engine has also to be balanced with the on board electronics ability to adapt smooth running, and still the potential for wear and deposits to be affecting things you can't see. This is why in technical service info, certain components can be targeted for examination based on contamination before looking at changing others when running faults do occur.
For the cost of the oil, and a genuine filter that is less likely to collapse in the housing when old, vs the potential for future repairs etc, it's worth considering. So many people will run the car on a shoestring and expect the longevity of a Spanish taxi, which inevitably won't occur. Only my 2p of course :-)
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