New service bulletin: 10-60 oil for all M cars

[Ilya Zverev]

Just spoke to my service rep and he informed me that I was right all this time... I had a long argument with him and BMW NA insisting on using 10-60 oil in my car.. (All of us who took European delivery know that that all M cars ever used in Europe. Aces Full you were right on the money)

Finally BMW NA got off their marketing/fuel economy wagon... 10-60 for all M- cars.

[M PHATIC]

I was told by my service rep that the bulletin does NOT include the M5, but the other M cars.

[se]

He is absolutely right!!!
Called my service advisor and it was confirmed!!! It is a service bulletin that all M cars use 10W-60 ... I have an appointment tomorrow afternoon to get my oil changed ... and ... cost will be $115.00 !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The oil is about $9.00 per quart ....

[Teutonaddict]

Mine's an 02/00 production with 10w60 stickers under the hood/bonnet, so I've been in this boat all along....

I HAVE had to be diligent in reminding anyone servicing the car to use 10w60 Castrol Racing Syntec, however.

Maybe with everyone else on board, they'll start charging less than $10+/litre for this stuff?! Sh*t, my BMWCCA discount still nets me $8.70/litre!

-Dave

[aces full]

I just got off the phone w/BMW of Nashville. I spoke w/my service writer (Ryan), who's original position was that BMW NA recommends 5/30, but it was my option to continue using 10/60.

However, as of today, he informs me that the postion has changed, and 10/60 is INDEED the authorized oil for all M series cars, INCLUDING the M5.

I'm glad all that has been straightened out,

[Fernando]

My dealer sad for me to use only 10/60. But Castrol has a new oil that is 0W30.Isn't it better than 10/60??Why we can't use this type of oil only 10/60.
The viscosity of 0/30 is higher.
Can anyone explain me the problem that can have using 0/30?
Regards for all

[Pio]

I had the same argument with my dealer. Question: Does the thicker oil hurt max power?
What is the beneift of using 10/60 vs 5/30?

[se]

Are you guys willing to accept to pay $115 to correct BMW NA's mistakes??
I am not willing to pay $115 and would like to know what my position as an M5 owner is regarding this.
Any advice?

[RAREM5]

I thought oil change is part of maintenance agreement.

Se,
why you have to pay $115?

[steveB]

rare, i am fighting the same battle w/ the same dealer as se. their prelim. position is that the oil indicator lights have not gone off so they can't replace the oil under the maintenance guaranty. absolutely ridiculous!!! especially since it's bwmna's fault.

we should all raise hell about this.

[se]

Rare,

Because this is not a "scheduled" oil change as per the Indicator lights, they want me to pay $115.00
I have sent Priority Email to BMW NA regarding this!!
We should raise hell about this as SteveB pointed out ...

[DrRob]

But, at last, it sounds like the 10/60 oil recommendation is becoming finalized, as I had thought. Why different recommendations for Europe and US???.

Fernando, 0-W30 is much thinner (has lower viscosity) than 10-W60. It may not be heavy enough to seal the rings for maximum compression and adequate lubrication against friction.

Pio, thicker oil will lower gas milage, while lower viscosity would likely increase fuel economy, but possibly at the expense of engine longivity. It may, in the M5 engine, increase power if it seals the rings better to increase compression, essential for engine performance. Thin oil may contribute to increased oil consumption due to ring blowby.

[dwasifar]

My dealer sad for me to use only 10/60. But Castrol has a new oil that is 0W30. Isn't it better than 10/60?? Why we can't use this type of oil only 10/60. The viscosity of 0/30 is higher.

Fernando,

DO NOT put 0W30 into your engine. You have it backward. 0W30 is LOWER viscosity than 10W60. The higher the number, the thicker the oil.

The first number is the "cold" viscosity and the second is the "hot" viscosity, compared to straight-weight oils. 10W40, for example, acts like straight 10W when cold, and like straight 40W when warm. This means that, when cold, 0W30 performs like straight-weight 0W. I have never seen straight 0W, at least not as a motor oil that I know of, but it can't be much thicker than water. I can't imagine an engine that's designed for 10W60 would get along very well with it.