What oil for 1999 BMW S52 engine?

[98dakarM3]

Originally Posted By: edvanp
I've heard good things about the M1 5w40 in these cars. How bad of a hit mileage wise did you take using the 5w50?


was this question directed at me?
i honestly don't know, because i drive my M3 the way it was built to be driven and I rarely check the MPG except on long trips.

 

[bmwpower]

Well after 1000 miles with Mobil1 0W-40, it looks like I burned 1/2 quart. Not too bad.

I'll keep an eye on it....

 

[Ibrahim]

not huge since i only topped about half a liter....i do not have exact mileage but the type of routine driving i had been doing during that time.....i was filling my tank once every two weeks....but after topping 5W-50 it was more like getting my tank full with gas the 13th day...

 

[mva]

BMW Power:

Check the crankcase venting system or have someone else check it. That engine has a complex system that includes a cyclone to separate oil droplets before returning the crankcase vapours to the intake to burn.

I have a 2000 Z3M with the S52 engine. My car was using lots of oil until I unplugged the PCV system drain back to the sump via the dip stick tube.

I am having great results with Maxlife full synthetic 10W30 which is LL01 approved. I am at 2500 miles into my current OCI and the dipstick level has only dropped about 1/8"

 

[Ibrahim]

thx MVA!

 

[hcaleman]

Reviving an old thread as it is relatively pertinent. I have an S50 powered M3 (95) that has run lubro-moly 0w-40 for years upon years.

I have another change coming up and wanted to try GC out as it is locally available, however I have hestitations due to the doom and gloom stories on some M3 boards members have about 30 weight oils (M1 5W-30) in these motors not providing enough protection and contributing to some failures on heavily used cars (HPDEs, Autox, etc).

I have seen GC is closer to a standard 40 weight, but would just like to hear some chime in if they have used it on the US spec S50/S52 motors with success.

 

[sprintman]

M1 5W30 doesn't meet spec for a non-M engine (to thin and HTHS to low) amd it's so far off spec for an S52 engine it's ridiculous. Why not just put the corerct oil in it?