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The 318ti OBD-II engine...
10-19-2006 06:48 PM
Last post by Filiski120
04-24-2024 06:40 PM
210 Replies, 976,451 Views
View Poll Results: Syn Oil weights
0W-20 2 0.58%
0W-30 16 4.68%
5W-20 8 2.34%
5W-30 105 30.70%
10W-30 62 18.13%
10W-40 80 23.39%
15W-40 31 9.06%
15W-50 38 11.11%
Voters: 342. You may not vote on this poll

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Old 04-30-2009, 02:45 AM   #61
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Castrol 15w-40 because that's what VWs use and I happen to work at a VW dealership.
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Old 01-20-2010, 12:52 AM   #62
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Mobil 1 10w40. 225000 miles, between 30 and 80 degrees at the extremes. Car sees a lot of track days and autocross and runs wonderfully, although I may try out 20w50 or something to get rid of some lifter noise.
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Old 01-20-2010, 12:56 AM   #63
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15w-50 year round
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Old 01-27-2010, 03:14 PM   #64
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5W/40 either Mobil One or Castrol Syntec. All year.
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Old 02-07-2010, 09:48 PM   #65
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-1 5W-30 on last poll thread... I'm fully synthetic, 5-w30 in TX
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Old 04-25-2010, 03:25 AM   #66
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I live in Montreal so the weather goes from very cold to very hot for short periods. I am using Castrol Syntec 5w40
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Old 06-07-2010, 03:11 PM   #67
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I use Mobil1 5w-30 all year around down in hot Hellabama
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Old 06-08-2010, 10:37 PM   #68
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10w-40 castrol syntec
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1996 318ti base: m44, 5 spd, lsd - 18x8 bremmer kraft wheels w/sumitumo tires 225/40R18 & bmw locking lug studs, 10mm spacers in rear, halo headlights, cold air intake, koni str.t struts and shocks w/mounts, h&r sport springs, serp belts, control arm & tie rod kits, front sway bar links, JVC kd-x50bt headunit w/ipod hook up in the glove box, alpine sps-500(front and rear), jl audio 10" powerwedge max, jl audio 250.1 amp, motor mounts, fuel filter, passenger side window motor, drivers lower window run, muffler hanger kit, various interior bulbs, left door striker/ajar switch, lower hood latches, changed from gray vinal to black leather shift and parking brake boots, m3 weighted shift knob, ngk-r spark plugs, magnecor spark plug wires(blue),new cabin micro-filters,new headliner & a-pillar mouldings, 5w20 synth-blend oil and filter, BG Ultra Guard syn. rear end fluid & ls additive, BG Syncro Shift II syn. manual trans fluids, stainless steel braided brake lines and dot 4 fluid, extra brake light mod, new p/s reservoir and rubber hoses

need to do - fix door panels, paint job, MORE MONEY!!
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Old 01-30-2011, 10:11 PM   #69
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Default I like it (for some engines)

I'm a BMW tech (atlanta) and I tried the 5-30 bmw synthetic (castrol) in the stock lump, it didn't workout so great (seepage from seals). The normal 15-40 conventional is fine in this motor. I have regular customers that use 15-40 at the 15k interval and have 200-300k with no problems. But I am definately a fan of 5-20 synth in my other cars.
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Old 01-30-2011, 10:14 PM   #70
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gearheadE30 View Post
Mobil 1 10w40. 225000 miles, between 30 and 80 degrees at the extremes. Car sees a lot of track days and autocross and runs wonderfully, although I may try out 20w50 or something to get rid of some lifter noise.
Possibly try some dextron (1/2 qt) next change. It has more detergents in it, and I have used it successfully on a number of occasions. It won't hurt at all.
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Old 04-11-2011, 06:41 PM   #71
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Oil requirements according to the BMW manual for a 1995 318ti.

Weight / Temp range (F)
20W50 / 20 to > 90 (Their chart stops at 90F with arrows pointing higher)
15W50 / 0 to > 90
15W40 / 0 to 90
10W40 / -20 to 60
10W30 / -20 to 40
5W30 / < -20 to 20
5w20 / < -20 to 15

So in my eyes the only 2 oils that meet the normal spec of my engine are 20W50 and 15W50. Unless I'm traveling in the winter to the colder parts then the 10W40 has me covered. In 95 they did not use synthetic in the TI, it was standard oil. I switched to synth when I bought the car. at 80K miles, its now at 180K...

Avoid the "Green cleen" oils, they are reduced Zink/sulfur formula and do NOT protect tappets or followers as well as standard oil (Wich as of this year in the US does not have much zinc either... ) Important in motors that have a more mechanical valve train and rev as high as ours.

All my humble opinion...
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Old 04-11-2011, 07:10 PM   #72
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I stumbled across this thread recently and found it to be quite informative. It specifically discusses oils for the S52, but according to the referenced TIS the M42 and M44 engines are also considered to require "special oils". I'm going to be switching to Shell Rotella T 5w40 on my next oil changes based on this and other information I've seen.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1003372
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Old 04-12-2011, 02:05 AM   #73
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bullmand View Post
I stumbled across this thread recently and found it to be quite informative. It specifically discusses oils for the S52, but according to the referenced TIS the M42 and M44 engines are also considered to require "special oils". I'm going to be switching to Shell Rotella T 5w40 on my next oil changes based on this and other information I've seen.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum....php?t=1003372
I run Shell Rotell T 5-40 in my VW TDI's. Works well for the 10K interval that I use. Mobil 1 0-40 in the 318ti, and my 04 330i ZHP.
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Old 04-12-2011, 03:12 AM   #74
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Its a good idea to check the base viscosity that BMW recommends, then pick the oil, Each model and year of engine can have different main and rod bearing clearance specs, books tend to lump all engines into the latest spec, so most books will show the last year the engine was made for all engines. People are jumping on the 5w30 wagon way too quick for me... Engines built in the early 90's have their main clearances designed to operate at X amount of pressure and Y amount of clearance. Often the newer cars running on the thin oils have tighter clearances and a higher volume pump.

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Old 12-30-2011, 06:44 PM   #75
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Hey guys , Can any one help guide me on the oil change interval.I did read a lot and heard a lot about ,that I am confused now. I have a 1996 ,318 ti hatch , with 177k in it , the car drive perfect with 10w30 Mobil 1, I used to change it every 6000miles , now I did read I can go to 10000 miles between oil changes but I have to change the oil filter at 5000 . So what do u guys recommend? Thank you
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