BMW switching to Mobil 1? - The Unofficial BMW M5 Messageboard (m5board.com)

Bart Carter · 23rd November 2001, 17:28

From what I have read in the past, Castrol was the recommended and rebranded oil for BMW, and even had Castrol imprinted on the oil cap. No longer so.

At the Spartanburg delivery, my specialist told me that now Mobil 1 was rebranded by BMW for their oil. I thought that the Mobil 1 statement was off. Then I read the 2002 Service and Warranty Information book.

Page 3, "strongly recommended and approved by BMW" are, in this order, BMW High Performance 5W-30 Synthetic Oil, Mobil 1 5W-30, Mobil 1 5W-40. It goes on to recommend Castrol for M roadster and M coupe only, in the 10W-60.

This would lead me to believe BMW is in fact now branding Mobil 1, at least in the U.S.A.

Was also told the BMW was rebranding Mequirer products such as their wheel cleaner. They highly recommend Mequirer.

FieldgateM5 · 23rd November 2001, 18:14

At my 1200 miler, the BMW agents in the UK put Havoline 5-30 in as the replacement

I had already bought (much cheaper) 5-30 Mobil-1 in France this summer and use it in both my Cerbera and now the M5.

I can't believe how much milage we take up with oil viscosity on the chat

Andy G · 23rd November 2001, 18:35

Fieldgate.
What's the Cerbera like?? I had the S2 about 10 years ago now, and loved it, but the Cerbera, when released was out of my price range, saw the report on Top gear years back, when Clarkson thought it was the Bees Knees.
I was through Harpenden last Tuesday, and saw a Cerbera, what colour is yours?
AG

DrRob · 23rd November 2001, 18:58

Very interesting, Bart.

Do you think this may be economically motivated by economics rather than Castrol being an inferior product for BMWs? Castrol has been a world renowned premium motor oil for at least three decades.

I wonder if Mobil cut a deal with BMW to supply oil for the three year - 36,000 mile maintenance program, which is out-of-pocket expense for BMW.

Interestingly Castrol 10W-60 is still recommended for those models requiring the heavier viscosity oil, probably because Castrol is the only manufacturer of this grade. The heaviest Mobil 1 offers is 15W-50. (Mobil 1 lineup includes 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 10W-30, and 15W-50 grades.)

Sounds like you cleared up the oil viscosity question issue for us in your previous post: that 5W-30 (or 5W-40) is required for all M5 engine builds after 3/2000, and 10W-60 is to be used only in early (pre 3/2000) builds. In other words, go by the sticker recommendation under the hood.

FieldgateM5 · 23rd November 2001, 19:07

Cerbera still feels a lot

faster than the M5 when you want it to be, but it doesn't have the range of talent.

Wouldn't have been mine, it hasn't seen daylight for about 3 weeks but when it is out, its a crystal blue topaz pearlescent.

Bluewater M5 · 23rd November 2001, 19:59

I work for Costco and we sell it here for $21.99 a case. That comes to $3.67 a quart. Is this a good price?

Bart Carter · 23rd November 2001, 22:52

DrRob,

I don't think quality was an issue. Like Oak said in a previous post, any good quality synthetic is OK. This gives us good choices.

Wongster 12,

That is a good price. But it is free from BMW. Can't beat that.

Steve Beswick · 23rd November 2001, 23:13

Well, Bart, that's good news ! Seems every independent oil change shop has Castrol and Mobil 1, with the Mobil usually cheaper. I'm getting my oil/filter change this week (not warranty), so I'm taking your advice on this and will use Mobil 1.

Steve Morling · 23rd November 2001, 23:47

Momentum in Houston put in Mobil 1 at 1200 (at my expense). That suits me fine since Mobil (ExxonMobil that is) writes me a pay check each month. Go Mobil 1. Seriously, Mobil 1 has long-sponsored Mercedes in F1 and I don't know if there's room for two sponsorships ....