Recommended oil for my M4 ??

[droidfan]

Hello,

As I am expecting to reach the break-in at 1250 miles quite soon, I have checked the printed User Manual and to my surprise I could read that the recommended engine oil is the SAE 0W30 with an alternative of SAE 5W30. See photo.

Talking with my dealer service parts, I have understood that they dont carry the 0W30 and just have the SAE 5W30 (which is the one that I was using for my 2013 M5). Everybody was actually surprised by the need for a 0W30 on the M4.

Can I request to get the 0W30 at the 1250 miles oil change ? Does it matter actually ? If so, in which way ?

Any suggestion / feedback would be appreciated :-)

Thx.

PS: my 2013 M5 was using 5W30 and started to "eat oil like crazy" (1 quart about every 1200 miles with normal driving conditions) after the break-in oil change. So I am a bit concerned about all of this.

[droidfan]

Here is the User Manual photo I was talking about.

[Thurman Murch]

I thought all the German made GDI/TVDI engines have an oil lubrication system that coats the top of the piston crowns w oil to prevent carbon build up. The engine then burns off the excess through the pcv system.

I have had good luck with PU (0W40) and (5W40) so I am sure their 0W30 is just as good when it comes to not burning off. M1/syntec/german Castrol has been ok. I like high TBN oils w pt and mb in them.

I see it that the more oil the engine eats the more powerful it is.

[basamx]

I had the same issue, took my car in for the break-in service and noticed that they used 5w30 when the books says 0w30. The response I got was this:

"I just wanted to give you an update on things. There are no part numbers from BMW for the 0W30 oil. In order to perform a warranty claim or have any warranty repairs, a correct BMW part number must be used. After looking at all maintenance and service information from BMW, the correct oil is 5W30. The owner’s manual is a worldwide printed manual and therefore used in all countries and markets. In Europe 0W30 is a more widely used oil, but here in America, BMW has always used the 5W30 oil, or in some cases 10W60."

[tooch]

I saw they did that to me also 5W30.....hmmmm

[M4Passion]

I had the same "problems" before my break-in cause i always bring my own oil to the Service.

First i checked with my dealer which oil to use given the VIN of my M4. System says: 0w40 or 5w30 BMW LL04(just european countries) LL01 for other countries.

But there was also a list of five pages with oil you could use as alternative.

Then i show him drivers Manual where is written that you should use 0w-30. Dealer didn`t understand.

Then i get directly in contact with the head of M4 engine development M GmbH/Garching.

He wrote me that i should use 0w30 cause they used this oil over the complete time of development. So i did.

I think Problem is that most of the Dealers and Service Center have no 0w-30 and so the use 0w40 or 5w-30

[Hobbination]

So legit question here and maybe this requires a new thread, in Germany outside Stuttgart on ED, I had my oil changed by BMW. They used 10w-60 and I have proof of course. My question is, do I have a case for another free oil change once I take re-delivery? The mechanic in me says no the $31 a quart BMW synthetic oil is fine, but I really don't know... Suggestions?

[M4Passion]

10w60 is definitly the wrong oil!

[celler]

Let me add more "oil" to the fire. I am getting ready for my 1200 mile service and the service rep (talking with the technician in the background) said that they just used 5W40 for the M4 they just did today. When I told him that I am seeing recommended usage of 0W30, he said they go by the label on the underside of the hood.

The label on my hood does not specify a grade, but contains a part number (07-51-0-002-545) which the internet tells me is BMW 5W40 synthetic. So I guess I am getting 5W40 when I go in next week.

Edit: When I actually went in today, the service ticket shows 07-51-0-017-855 which is 5W30. Service advisor explained that the old number had been superseded. Anyway, I'm happy with the 5W30.

[davem3fan]

Mobil 1?

[MaynardZed]

Originally Posted by Hobbination

So legit question here and maybe this requires a new thread, in Germany outside Stuttgart on ED, I had my oil changed by BMW. They used 10w-60 and I have proof of course. My question is, do I have a case for another free oil change once I take re-delivery? The mechanic in me says no the $31 a quart BMW synthetic oil is fine, but I really don't know... Suggestions?

Yes definately get that oil out of there. That was the oil for the last High revving M engines, and some people had the theory that it was partly to blame for the rod bearing issues in the S54, S65, and S85 engines. Oil too thick for those M engines with such tight tolerances.

They put 5w-30 in mine at break in which I'm fine with in my warm climate. If I lived in colder parts of the country I'd want the 0w-30 I think especially with winter coming.

[Hobbination]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

Yes definately get that oil out of there. That was the oil for the last High revving M engines, and some people had the theory that it was partly to blame for the rod bearing issues in the S54, S65, and S85 engines. Oil too thick for those M engines with such tight tolerances.

They put 5w-30 in mine at break in which I'm fine with in my warm climate. If I lived in colder parts of the country I'd want the 0w-30 I think especially with winter coming.

Thanks Maynard, I'll take care of this then on re delivery. Best part, or funny part rather is that on ED we have to pay (but I did get reimbursed) for this wrong oil change. $480 US, rear diff too of course.

[Mandi90TT]

The difference between 0W-30, 5W-30 and 5W-40 is not significant enough to immediately change the oil, but I would definitely drain the 10W-60 out of there. Far too thick.

[Hobbination]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

The difference between 0W-30, 5W-30 and 5W-40 is not significant enough to immediately change the oil, but I would definitely drain the 10W-60 out of there. Far too thick.

I'm in Hawaii and initially I was thinking a thicker viscosity can't hurt w the heat, but I'm pretty sure I'll be only M4 in the country running this, so I'll be dumping it soon

[F32Fleet]

In the U.S. there's not much of a difference between a 0w30 vs 5w30 other than under extreme cold starts. Both LL01/04 rated oils in this grade will have a hths over 3.5 (A3/B4, C3) which is what's the most important anyways.

[Style666M]

There is no big difference bethween 0W-30 and 5W-30 except you are living in extremly cold climate. Take a look in the picture and those oils are aproved by BMW.

As someone here mentioned I think they don't have 0W-30 as there are no part numbers from BMW for the 0W-30 oil.

I think the best option is 0W-40 which is shown on picture and they should have it in stock.

[Mauricio Palacios. MD]

Mobil 1 0W40 or http://www.ecstuning.com/ES2817517/

BMW part number: 83212365945

[Tony007]

I had the factory fill on my M4 and it was running great. I did the first service at 850 miles and I insisted they use the new Shell / BMW M TwinPower Turbo 0W-40 and they did. I put 100 miles on the car and it felt clogged up, tight, lacking alot of power, etc. Even though the engine was smooth the car felt like it didn't want to rev freely. I was not happy with the way the car was running at all!!!!

Today at 950 miles I went and had that oil dropped out and put in the Shell / BMW Twin Power Turbo 5W-30 oil.

OMFG the car is alive again. What a difference in the way the car feels and how strong it pulls. I will never ever run that 0W40 shit in this car again.

There is something very real in using the correct weight oil..

I hope this helps..

[jewels]

Originally Posted by Tony007

I had the factory fill on my M4 and it was running great. I did the first service at 850 miles and I insisted they use the new Shell / BMW M TwinPower Turbo 0W-40 and they did. I put 100 miles on the car and it felt clogged up, tight, lacking alot of power, etc. Even though the engine was smooth the car felt like it didn't want to rev freely. I was not happy with the way the car was running at all!!!!

Today at 950 miles I went and had that oil dropped out and put in the Shell / BMW Twin Power Turbo 5W-30 oil.

OMFG the car is alive again. What a difference in the way the car feels and how strong it pulls. I will never ever run that 0W40 shit in this car again.

There is something very real in using the correct weight oil..

I hope this helps..

I can see no reason why your symptoms would have anything to do with the difference between 0W-40 and 5W-30 oil.
Maybe I or someone else is missing something...Sorry it's your car but something is wrong with your above analogy

[M4UK]

Lads, which is the preferred M3/4 engine oil for us to use if we bed to top up?
Cheers!

[jewels]

Originally Posted by M4UK

Lads, which is the preferred M3/4 engine oil for us to use if we bed to top up?
Cheers!

For the original fill 5W-30 syn of your choice from above.
I never lost a drop though of the original fill up to my 1200MI first service.

[Arcoril]

Has anyone in the US had any issues with bringing their own oil to the dealer? I've had nothing but great luck with Mobil 1 0w-40 in my cars and I'd like to use the same here. It's got the LL-01 approval so there wouldn't be any warranty problems.