Texas Tea ... aka OIL!!!

[GrooveRyder79]

Simple questions;

Mineral oil or fully synthetic?*

How often should the oil be changed to promote a long and healthy life?

* I have been told there is a major difference in older cars due to the viscosity once the oil is at temp.

[domross]

Think semi synthetic is best for these engines every 6k (ur right that synthetic will leak from gaskets/seals at higher temps)

[snoops]

every 6k along with oil filter

[Brianmoooore]

You have lights in the cluster, thoughtfully placed there by BMW, to tell you when to change the oil.
Synthetic oil is best. If it leaks, then fix the leaks!!

[orangecurry]

I'm feeling brave this morning - I disagree with Brian

Synthetic oil is best, yes, but for an E30 engine which is doing normal driving and has regular oil changes, it is a total waste of money.

So tell me, how many of the high-mileage E30s around are running on synthetic oil, and even if they are now, they were not for the first 200,000 miles....

Semi-synthetic is more than adequate.

[Hyperion]

was never sure about what to use, i get my car serviced at the dealer... does anyone know what they use?

[GrooveRyder79]

was never sure about what to use, i get my car serviced at the dealer... does anyone know what they use?

I would take a guess and say probably not a high quality fully synthetic.

Just to add another consideration, after I posted last night I met an old mate for a drink who is an Industrial Chemist in the petro-chemical industry and he told me that even the manufacturer of the oil can make a huge difference. He sited some work they were doing for VAG, he has been trying to establish why their dry sumped V10 (the one in the Lambo and RS6) only seems to like Agip products, when used with other oil it is not a happy bunny.

So another question;

Which Brand?

[Brianmoooore]

I'm feeling brave this morning - I disagree with Brian

Synthetic oil is best,

Synthetic oil is best.

Strange way of disagreeing with me!
Yes, my tourer engine ran on non synthetic for the first 200,000 miles of it's life, but I'm concerned with the next 200,000.

[orangecurry]

flippin' heck - he's twisting my words; are you a journalist?

[Brianmoooore]

flippin' heck - he's twisting my words; are you a journalist?

No, but a few people that know me have suggested I should have become a lawyer!

[Speedtouch]

Semi-synthetic such as Castrol GTX Magnatec seems a happy medium!

[orangecurry]

Semi-synthetic such as Castrol GTX Magnatec seems a happy medium!

allegedly Magnatec isn't a semi... it's got some synthetic bits in it, that's all.

(Your witness.)

[kevin316i]

I use Duckhams 10W40 semi-synthetic in my 318is and it seems to run fine on it. Oil and filter is changed every 3,000 miles as average annual mileage is about 6,000.

[GrooveRyder79]

Duckhams ... now there is a blast from the past!!!