Originally Posted By: RussianTech
I just purchased a 2001 BMW 330ci and did a recent oil change using Mobil 1 0w-40. My question is should I keep using the Mobil 1 or the New Pennzoil Euro? The reason I am asking is because the original owner followed the BMW 15k interval and from what I can see there is a little bit of sludge when I opened the oil cap. I wanted a get a oil that can clean it up slowely, Plus the Mobil 1 is about half the price for me. I live in SC so its usually warm around here around 90F and I will be following a 7500 OCI, Thanks.
Actually Russian Tech, there’s a couple ways you could go with this. We recommend Pennzoil Ultra Platinum or Pennzoil Platinum 5W-30 and/or 5W-40 full synthetic motor oils which are all API SN certified.
Here’s why: In the 2001 BMW 330ci Owner’s Manual, we see that the oil specified is: “high performance synthetic motor oil that carries the API SH rating and is a 5W-30 or 5W-40 viscosity grade (both viscosity grades may be used for driving in all various ambient conditions).” With that said, our API SN gasoline oils would fit that description (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum and/or Pennzoil Platinum). If you wanted a little extra anti-wear protection for your older engine, you could go with Shell Rotella T6 full synthetic 5W-40 which has a boosted anti-wear package/zinc level. The gasoline engine oils of today (API SN/ILSAC GF-5) have lowered levels of anti-wear/zinc, they are in the 800 ppm range as compared to what those levels were back in 2001. However, Shell Rotella T6’s zinc level is up in the 1,200 ppm range. We realize Shell Rotella T6 is usually advertised as a “heavy duty diesel engine oil,” but it also carries the API SM gasoline rating, so it can be used in your API SH application. Ultimately, it’s your call, but we hope this info helps! – The Pennzoil Team