Type of Oil used in M5...

1761 Views 6 Replies 6 Participants Last post by kwalls, Jul 5, 2005

AFX

Discussion Starter · Jul 4, 2005

BMW Norway states that only Castrol Motorsport 10w60 oil is to be used in the M5, but I cant imagine that's true.
Would like an input with experiences on other types of oil that you guys have tested. I want to try the Shell Heliax Race Formula 10w60 oil (used by Shell racing team). Why? I got insane good prices on Shell oil hiha

Any experiences ???

/AFX

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00M5MD

· #2 · Jul 4, 2005

It varies I believe from car to car.

For example, when you pop the hood on my car, it says to "only" use Castrol TWS 10W-60 oil (6.9 Q, which is roughly about 6.5 L).

My car was built 9/99. I think it depends on when your car was built, ie, what year/month it was manufactured. I would go with whatever your car says it should use and not try anything else.

I'm new to this car, but from what I've read and heard, you shouldn't do otherwise, go with what your hood sticker says and your manual.

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AFX

Discussion Starter · #3 · Jul 4, 2005

00M5MD said:
It varies I believe from car to car.

For example, when you pop the hood on my car, it says to "only" use Castrol TWS 10W-60 oil (6.9 Q, which is roughly about 6.5 L).

My car was built 9/99. I think it depends on when your car was built, ie, what year/month it was manufactured. I would go with whatever your car says it should use and not try anything else.

I'm new to this car, but from what I've read and heard, you shouldn't do otherwise, go with what your hood sticker says and your manual.

Well, but oil is oil, with some few exceptions. Shell has the 00' M5 in it's lists. Mine was built 01/00 I believe.

/AFX

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ard

· #4 · Jul 4, 2005

00M5MD said:
, go with what your hood sticker says and your manual.

Not in the US....

Just to briefly recap what is perhaps the most popular topic on this board...

Everywhere on the planet, EXCEPT THE USA, the only oil BMW approves is the TWS10-60.

In the USA for the later model cars BMW 'recommends' 5W30. Early M5s in the US also require TWS10-60.

Confusing? Yes.

There is an emerging school of thought that the TWS10-60 may offer better protection in extreme use, although it WILL require more frequent changes than BMW recommends for the 5-30.

Other oils are likely fine, however BMW can get pissy with warranty coverage- esp since warranty law varies in some countries wrt 'mfg recommended maintenance'.

There is no "official" word on other oils, nor is there even a clear concensus....

Do a search- read the 1000 posts on it!

A

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Beamer_usa

· #5 · Jul 5, 2005

AFX said:
the Shell Heliax Race Formula 10w60 oil (used by Shell racing team). Why? I got insane good prices on Shell oil hiha

Any experiences ???

/AFX

As long as the recommended weight is used, I think the brand name is secondary - Good Luck

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Andy

· #6 · Jul 5, 2005

Beamer_usa said:
Everywhere on the planet, EXCEPT THE USA, the only oil BMW approves is the TWS10-60

This doesn't chime with the information on the TIS ~2001 which is the latest disk I have (UK).

Unfortunately I can't cut and paste from it, but I'm just looking at a spreadsheet with all the engines and oils, and it's telling me:

S62 E39 up to 02/2000, 10W60(Enclosure 7.0)
S62 E39 as of 03/2000, Longlife oil(Enclosure 5.0)

Enclosure 5.0 has a list of about 100 different recommendations all of which are SAE (0 or 5)W-30 or SAE (0 or 5) W-40, including Castrol, Mobil 1, Shell Helix Ultra, Agip to name just a few.

Enclosure 7.0 shows only Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 and Veedol Synthetic Z SAE 10W60.

It goes on to say that the trade name of the Castrol oil has been changed from "Castrol Formula RS Racinc Syntec SAE 10W-60" to "Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60"

So according to the BMW approved list, TWS is in fact not approved for 03/2000 onwards M5... Did the information change since then? Like I said, my copy of the TIS is from 2001.

Cheers
Andy

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kwalls

· #7 · Jul 5, 2005

Beamer_usa said:
As long as the recommended weight is used, I think the brand name is secondary - Good Luck

Unfortunately, if you are only looking at the label of that oil can for the viscosity rating your manual recommends, you will need more than good luck.
Without stating a brand or 'proper' oil weight (don't want to confuse anyone) any oil used in your M5 must meet BMW recommendations for correct SAE ratings and ACEA ratings according to the guidance BMW publishes.

While 'Oil may be Oil', it is the additives and things blended into each company's oil that make them different and the reason why only some are recommended for use if you desire to maintain your OEM warranty.
Ken

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