[danb1979]

Reason I ask is that I used to run 5W40 in my BMW E39 530i's and then in my 540i Sport and compared to 5W30; the engines felt smoother and sounded that bit quieter...

Obviously they were older engines etc

I change oil every 6-12months for peace of mind...

So is anyone running 5W40 in their derv F3x or are you just sticking to 5W30 etc?

Any suggestions too? I'm running Liqui Moly currently; but have run TripleQX, Fuchs, Millers etc and TBH; all very much the same...

[Watsey]

I don’t know how much difference a 40 grade would make but I’m sticking with 5W30. Recommended by a well known BMW Indy.

[Allworth]

Using 5W30 , 70k miles.

Some time ago there was a trend using more viscous oil as a car getting older. Reason for this is less leaking, better compression.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by Watsey

I don’t know how much difference a 40 grade would make but I’m sticking with 5W30. Recommended by a well known BMW Indy.

That bit thicker; so that bit quieter/that bit smoother etc... That's the thinking...

However, I'm not sure if it makes a difference with dervs whereas it did with petrols...

The N47 I has is lovely and smooth and not loud at all; but it's 2k shy of 100k miles... So that was my train of thought

[bishbosh]

I used 5w40 in my e91 with the n47. Sold it at 204k miles. It did have the timing chain and crank replaced at 100k miles, but that wasn't to do with the oil.

335d f30 currently on 152k miles and I use 5w40 in that.

Used to use Fuchs a lot but on some Shell stuff at the moment.

[peetee]

Yes. I use Millers Oils 5w40 NT +

I have a stage 2 tune though …

[danb1979]

I've stuck with Liqui Moly 5W30 for now; had an Amazon voucher to use; so it's not cost me a lot at all

Will try and get the oil change done this weekend if the weather holds off

[sunjas]

Originally Posted by danb1979

That bit thicker; so that bit quieter/that bit smoother etc... That's the thinking...

However, I'm not sure if it makes a difference with dervs whereas it did with petrols...

The N47 I has is lovely and smooth and not loud at all; but it's 2k shy of 100k miles... So that was my train of thought

I have the N47 engine too.

Never considered it to be particularly quiet or refined, especially when cold and under acceleration. Quietens down when warm and is quiet enough when cruising on the motorway - but no match for a six pot. My old E46 320d was smoother and quieter.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by sunjas

I have the N47 engine too.

Never considered it to be particularly quiet or refined, especially when cold and under acceleration. Quietens down when warm and is quiet enough when cruising on the motorway - but no match for a six pot. My old E46 320d was smoother and quieter.

Agree somewhat... My M57 E65 730D and N57 F01 730D were very smooth and refined; the F31 325D isn't as smooth/refined; but it's not clattery either...

However I know a few folk that had E46 2.0Ds and they sounded horrible! Very loud, very tractor like...

We test drove an F31 320D that was local; that sounded like a bag of spanners (it wasn't well serviced) and a 330D that felt smooth; but I didn't like how the engine sounded and its still for sale; so I'm clearly not the only one...

I've been surprised at how smooth the F31 is TBH; it has solid SH and has been well looked after and it's about to have its 2nd oil change in my ownership (bought it Jan 2023); and it'll be well looked after from hereon as well...

I've been spoiled with uber-smooth E38s and E39s with the M52/M54 engines and more recently an M62 540i V8; but the 325D doesn't leave me feeling cold at all; so far it's a superb motor and really enjoying driving it

[p-dawg]

Using Petronas 5W30 on my 2014 F30 330d. Just shy of 90k miles and still running sweet and smooth as ever.

As long as it's BMW LL-04 rated I think you're all good. I used to always swear by Castrol but recently the price of Castrol has shot up quite a fair bit so I've switched to Petronas.

Also, stick with good filters. I always use Mann or Mahle as they are OEM. Blueprint is another good option too.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by p-dawg

Using Petronas 5W30 on my 2014 F30 330d. Just shy of 90k miles and still running sweet and smooth as ever.

As long as it's BMW LL-04 rated I think you're all good. I used to always swear by Castrol but recently the price of Castrol has shot up quite a fair bit so I've switched to Petronas.

I ran TripeQX in all my E39s, E38, E65 and F01 with zero issues. Meets the LL04 specs and stuck with Mann filters. Never an issue and always smooth/quiet; but then again that's fresh oil for you

But wanted to try Liqui Moly for a while and ran it through the last oil change my F01 had and running it in the F31 now

Millers, Fuchs and Mannol are my other usual go-to's

[Tommo3]

For those that think thicker is better, and think that they know more than BMWs lubrication engineers, please would you try 20/50 and let us know how you get on over the next 200k miles.

[bishbosh]

Originally Posted by Tommo3

For those that think thicker is better, and think that they know more than BMWs lubrication engineers, please would you try 20/50 and let us know how you get on over the next 200k miles.

Well since 5w40 is an approved grade of oil by BMW then that sort of makes your argument void. And 20w50 isn't an approved grade anyway, so not sure what point you're trying to make?

[TurboWeasel]

Yeah I've been using Fuchs GT1 Flex 3 5W40 for the past 12000 miles or so. I buy it in 20L cubes for ~ £100 and Mahle filters from AutoDoc @ £9 each.

For my 20K PA commutes, I find 5W40 is better suited to our temperate climate, and sitting in stop/start traffic etc. I would only use 0W in colder climates.

I change the oil 3 times a year and let BMW do the 2 year one.

I think improved smoothness following a change of oil is largely placebo, but it's certainly running well on it. I've had numerous German cars that seem to get on with Fuchs oils, so it's my go to brand.

I'm not into additives of any kind, or super expensive racing oils with 'bits' in it (Tungsten disulphide usually), I just look for a simple, quality LL-04 approved oil from an established brand that doesn't cost anything like what BMW charge for the crappy 0W Shell stuff....and Fuchs is that oil.

[danb1979]

Oil change done, fresh 5W30 with a fresh Mann filter (plus a geo tweak this morning at my pals)

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by Tommo3

For those that think thicker is better, and think that they know more than BMWs lubrication engineers, please would you try 20/50 and let us know how you get on over the next 200k miles.

Yeah, because BMW's 'lubrication engineers' got it so right with 10W60 in the S65 and S85 engines didn't they.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Yeah, because BMW's 'lubrication engineers' got it so right with 10W60 in the S65 and S85 engines didn't they.

Meh; don't argue with stupid; they always beat you with experience

[Tommo3]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Yeah, because BMW's 'lubrication engineers' got it so right with 10W60 in the S65 and S85 engines didn't they.

That is really funny. They got it right in all of the aircraft engines that they built during and after the war, and in the millions of cars that do not have S65 or S85 engines. To bring up 0.000000001% of their total engine production just makes you look foolish, but you think that you know better.

[TurboWeasel]

Originally Posted by danb1979

Meh; don't argue with stupid; they always beat you with experience

Yep, and he retorted with even more ridiculous comments about WW2 aircraft engines

And what seems to utterly allude his basic grip of reality is, BMW actually endorse the use of 5W40!!!

But what do I know after 30 years of German car ownership and using my own choice of oil with zero issues

[bishbosh]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Yep, and he retorted with even more ridiculous comments about WW2 aircraft engines

And what seems to utterly allude his basic grip of reality is, BMW actually endorse the use of 5W40!!!

But what do I know after 30 years of German car ownership and using my own choice of oil with zero issues

Crazy isn't it? I even mentioned 5w40 being an approved grade earlier in the thread, then he comes out with some nonsense.

[danb1979]

Originally Posted by bishbosh

Crazy isn't it? I even mentioned 5w40 being an approved grade earlier in the thread, then he comes out with some nonsense.

You can't beat stupid

[Tommo3]

Originally Posted by TurboWeasel

Yep, and he retorted with even more ridiculous comments about WW2 aircraft engines

And what seems to utterly allude his basic grip of reality is, BMW actually endorse the use of 5W40!!!

But what do I know after 30 years of German car ownership and using my own choice of oil with zero issues

Don't you just love it when someone claims that he has driven German cars for 30 years is some sort of qualification in oil engineering. That must make me more qualified than him because I have been doing that for 40 plus years and was brought up in Germany. Talk about BMW owner will waving!