5w-60?

Hi guys
Just bought my E92 M3 and was looking to do an oil change relatively soon. I know that the recommended oil for our cars is 10W-60 but I read somewhere that an ideal oil would be 5W-60. Has anyone tried 5W-60 or does anyone know if this oil would be preferable to the recommended 10W-60?
Thanks in advanced.

mo0dl3 wrote

Hi guys
Just bought my E92 M3 and was looking to do an oil change relatively soon. I know that the recommended oil for our cars is 10W-60 but I read somewhere that an ideal oil would be 5W-60. Has anyone tried 5W-60 or does anyone know if this oil would be preferable to the recommended 10W-60?
Thanks in advanced.

Not sure there are many choices for 5w60. I think Penrite used to make one. My concern with such a wide viscosity spread would be the oil's tendency to shear out of grade (thin out during use).

I would stick with 10w60 since that's what BMW has specified and engineered the motor for. There's multiple good choices for this weight.

Try a Redline Oil cocktail of 5w50 with 10w60.
Works for mine.

i have run 5w50 redline for a year now, warms up slightly faster then 10w60, most noticeable in the winter. Other then that it almost matches castrol 10w60 in regards to boil points, and other temps

jeff@autocouture wrote

i have run 5w50 redline for a year now, warms up slightly faster then 10w60, most noticeable in the winter. Other then that it almost matches castrol 10w60 in regards to boil points, and other temps

If I drove my M3 year round, through the winter, I would also use Redline 5w50.
Indianapolis gets freaking hot during the summer so I still mix in a little bit of the 60.
I order from my friend Pete (co-owner) at
https://www.racerpartswholesale.com/
www.racerpartswholesale.com (new owners) and if I order a case get 10% off. And he ships it free to my door.

Thanks guys i think ill end up sticking to 10w 60 because winter isn't too much of a concern for me as it doesn't get that cold where i live.
Thanks for the help guys. Much appreciated.

Just ordered Redline 0w40 (for M54, M52TU Cars)
Case of 12, only $138.
Amazon Prime
Free 2 day shipping, no tax
Reasonable price

jeff@autocouture wrote

i have run 5w50 redline for a year now, warms up slightly faster then 10w60, most noticeable in the winter. Other then that it almost matches castrol 10w60 in regards to boil points, and other temps

Jeff, how is the thinner viscosity in traffic when you are sitting in traffic? These tend to run a little hot so I just wondered

GP0256 wrote

Jeff, how is the thinner viscosity in traffic when you are sitting in traffic? These tend to run a little hot so I just wondered

I haven't noticed any increased temps, I do sit in traffic for 20-40 min a day.

Does anyone use M1 5w30 jw if I should change

Crash n burn3 wrote

Does anyone use M1 5w30 jw if I should change

BMW specifies 10w60. 5w30 is way too thin, so yes, change it ASAP.

dparm wrote

Not sure there are many choices for 5w60. I think Penrite used to make one. My concern with such a wide viscosity spread would be the oil's tendency to shear out of grade (thin out during use).

I would stick with 10w60 since that's what BMW has specified and engineered the motor for. There's multiple good choices for this weight.

i've also read somewhere that the bigger the gap (ie. 0w50), the higher the noack evaporation

kyoo wrote

i've also read somewhere that the bigger the gap (ie. 0w50), the higher the noack evaporation

Sometimes, yes, depending on basestock and what they're doing to get the viscosity spread. I think that's less and less of an issue with the newer formulas.

So the 0w40 isn't good either and if not what brand seems to be the best 10w60 I have 89k on mine

Crash n burn3 wrote

So the 0w40 isn't good either and if not what brand seems to be the best 10w60 I have 89k on mine

Castrol and Shell are recommended (dictated) by BMW so should be a good end to start.

The more I learn about engine and lubricant development, the less I want to stray from what the factory recommends. Especially when they get super specific about it.

I think it's important to remember: the recommendation for this engine isn't "10W-60". It's one specific oil (which happens to have a viscosity grade of 10W-60). Very few engines have a specific oil that the manufacturer can point to and say "this oil was developed for this engine". Companies don't do that kind of thing for no reason.

Yeah but don't buy into that hype.
10w60 is not a generic weight and has to be a synthetic to meet that grade

Plus even though BMW wants you to believe they built the engine for Castrol 10W60, as soon as their contract went out to bid and Shell won, BMW said Shell 10W60 is fine.

Amsoil 5w50, since replacing my rod bearings all my oil samples have come back clean and I’m running 4K miles on an oil service.

amrazM wrote

Amsoil 5w50, since replacing my rod bearings all my oil samples have come back clean and I’m running 4K miles on an oil service.

What is the HTHS value of this oil?

Mobil 1 and others make 5W50 as well. I might try some. I have run 0W40 since changing bearings 5 years and 35k miles ago, with maybe 1 change using 5W40.

330indy wrote

What is the HTHS value of this oil?

4.5 based on "Lets Compare Oils" https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1439688