Oil Weight to use - United Bimmer Community

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-23-2007, 09:28 PM

So my recent trhreads have talked about ticking lifters perhaps. I talked to a guy today who works on BMW's like alot, he owns an M3.

anyways he said everything sounds pretty normal, just normal bmw sound. but he said the fact that I was using 5w-30 Durablend half synthetic stuff. was bad and that it was too thin of an oil. causing the hydrolic lifters not to be filled up properly because the oil escapes to fast.

I mean it made sense to me? what about yall.

What oil weight should I be using then, he said like 10w 40 or something.

thanks!

**Dudesky** · 08-24-2007, 04:45 AM

A heavier weight does help with noisy valve trains. Also, the older the car gets, the faster it breaks down oil, so a heavier weight is a good idea.

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-24-2007, 09:03 AM

yeah I figured 5w-30 is WAY to thin

**94bmw325i** · 08-24-2007, 09:09 AM

I switched to 15 w 40 and the car is a lot quieter at idle, no idea if the car actually runs better, but before, the vanos or something was a little loud at idle. I haven't used synthetic in the car so I might start using mobil 1 or something..

**Mercenary(FH)** · 08-24-2007, 10:31 AM

yeah im getting 10w 40 so i should be alright

**scooter** · 08-24-2007, 12:30 PM

i used the 0w40 mobil1 euro formula and after a couple of oil changes i got the dreaded vanos rattle, switched to royal purple 20w50 and after 2 changes the car is quiet and seems to love it.
its a little pricey but worth ever penny.

**xsperf** · 08-24-2007, 07:23 PM

they dont make the 20w-50 in synthetic do theY?

**scooter** · 08-24-2007, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xsperf

they dont make the 20w-50 in synthetic do theY?

sure they do, i use royal purple but other brands are available.