Oil change frequency on S50 e30 track car

[Mikey_Boy]

I am also going to keep my gob shut on this one (I too currently work in the oil industry and have worked in engine design as well...)

But... What I will say is:

1. Always buy the best oil you can afford - it really does make a difference regardless of oil change interval
2. 5W and 0W will always piss past rings in high revving engines / older piston ring geometry
3. Oil specs do move with the markets so viscosity values will change for existing engines

So... my vote goes for the best 10W60 you can afford.

And now.... I am shutting up!

[harry_p]

just checked, and for an s14 they suggest 10w40 as a standard, 5w40 as an upgrade, and 5w40 for an s50b32

Just checked the latest BMW technical data for oil grades and it's TWS (10w60) for S14, S50 and S54.

that's good to know.

as said, i (and the previous owner ) have been using tws 10w60 in my e36 for years so i'm not worried about it causing a sudden engine failure.

i have noticed before that the oil containers themselves say suitable for all M engines from 2000 onwards, maybe they assume people with older cars arent so worried about which oil to use, or that it's just not worth advertising the fact on the packaging

[Jhonno]

just checked, and for an s14 they suggest 10w40 as a standard, 5w40 as an upgrade, and 5w40 for an s50b32

Just checked the latest BMW technical data for oil grades and it's TWS (10w60) for S14, S50 and S54.

that's good to know.

as said, i (and the previous owner ) have been using tws 10w60 in my e36 for years so i'm not worried about it causing a sudden engine failure.

i have noticed before that the oil containers themselves say suitable for all M engines from 2000 onwards, maybe they assume people with older cars arent so worried about which oil to use, or that it's just not worth advertising the fact on the packaging

According to a BMW Specialist, the 10-60 was an update to the oil spec for S54's that got applied to the older engines also.. They were originally 5-40..

I ran 10-50 Sikolene Pro-S (iirc) in my S50B30 without issue. Still going strong in another home now.

[DasChin]

i don't think its an argument fellas but good discussion so appreciate the input.

I have got some 10w 40 to get through that i got very cheap in a Tesco price mix up (£8.49 for 5 litres of Mobil S semi synth) so will use that up first. got 10 litres of it plus another 10 for the turbo diesels. what a result.

aftr that I will look at 10w 60 or even the 5w50 and change it less frequently.

ta for inputs and comments

[bss325i]

just checked, and for an s14 they suggest 10w40 as a standard, 5w40 as an upgrade, and 5w40 for an s50b32

Just checked the latest BMW technical data for oil grades and it's TWS (10w60) for S14, S50 and S54.

It has been for a very long time Bazza, Other retailers seem to quite different for some reason. I didnt want to get in to another pissing contest so I kept my mouth firmly up my arse.

I know that, I have been putting it in every M power car that has come in to the dealers I have worked at.

As you say though, it's not a pissing contest just an interesting discussion.

Intestingly the E8x 123d up until 2010 also uses 10w60 TWS but ones built after use SLX 0w30.

[Demlotcrew]

Its just purely for fuel economy. I noticed a 4mpg drop going from 0w30 to 5w40 (Euros didnt have any 0w30 when I was ordering).

Just ordered 20l of 0w30 Edge, 17k miles over due its oil service poor thing

[harry_p]

[Demlotcrew]

I know, I know, I dont drive it hard and its on the best oil possible! No excuse though! Just not had impetus to do anything (I do a lot of miles!). Been focussing more on the track car and Cecotto.

[DanThe]

Bloody hell Andrew its no wonder you left so much smoke behind you at Santa pod!

[Demlotcrew]

Thats particulate dust Dan, the engine has not used a single drop of oil, still did a good time

[bss325i]

My E30 is faster!

[Demlotcrew]

Of course it is Barry

[UweM3]

my personal best is 40k miles without an oil change. E39 528i.
sold the car for pennies to a friend (telling him about no oil service) and it is still going strong 30k miles later with over 200k on the clock.
But wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

[Jhonno]

Good old barge that was Uwe!

[Demlotcrew]

36k miles and still looks like its only been put in!



New BMW filter only!