[SteveP]

I'm leaving my M5 with the dealer next week so they can fix a "whine" sound that seems to be coming from the differential (if you had it, you'd know!). While it's in for service (they'll have it for a week while I'm out of town), I want them to check a couple other things:

Radio has died on me twice. Anyone else experience the radio just "dying?" Turn it off and back on seems to have cleared it.

The air conditioner / fan comes on at high speed, even when not in “AUTO” mode. This problem only started a few weeks ago, and has become a major annoyance. It happens all the time. To experience the problem, just run the car. Set the fan on a low speed. It will develop a “mind of its own” and turn itself up and down.

My M5 was build in February 2000. It runs with Castrol 10W/60 Racing Synthetic (only!). Thankfully, it seems to have stopped burning oil after about 4K miles. I understand they made some changes to the piston rings (?), etc... to allow the M5 to run on "normal" oil.

Can someone confirm/deny this change? Is this change something they can do to my car to "retrofit" it, or is it only for new production automobiles.

 

[JEM]

My car was built mid-March, and takes 5W-30.

My understanding is that, short of getting a replacement engine, you'll be using 10W-60 forever.

 

[MEnthusiast]

friend has a X5 and has the same raido problems- unfortunately the dealer cant seem to fix it.

my m5 is may 00 build and uses 10w60. this has to do with the fact that the engines are built apart from the cars, so its possible to have a car from 3/00 with a newer (eg 5w30 engine) or a car from 5/00 with an older engine (10w60). the only difference you should have is that 10w60 costs more.

ME

 

[fais2000]

Mine is a July 2000 build. The other day i went to a dealer besides mine and I picked up a bunch of 10w60. Do you think it is safe to be using it, even though it seems the july 2000 build should be using 5w30? I I have put one quart of the 10w60, and now that i think of it i dont know what was originaly put in, could mixing the 2 different types be bad? How should I find out? My dealer obviously doesnt know the difference between his *** and a hole in the wall, so it is useless asking him. And it seems i dont know the difference either now

. Anyway if somebody knows......

 

[leebro1]

fais2000...i have a july 2000 build too....even though the manual says to use 5w-30, the dealer put the castrol 10w-60 in my car too...wonder if its good for the car or not......john

 

[marlin]

It is important to use the Engine Oil Specified under the Hood. I have a 07/00 build. I am using 5W30.

It took persistance on my part to convince the dealer to give me the correct viscosity oil.

07/00 M5 Titanium/Silverstone

[email protected]

 

[leebro1]

marlin...what kind of oil is it...do you use the castrol formula rs racing oil...if so...they have a 5w-30 for it...how much is it....thanks...john

 

[marlin]

I am using the BMW brand 5W30 synthetic. I am told it is probably made by Castrol.

A good alternative would be Mobil 1 synthetic 5w30.

07/00 M5 Titanium/Silverstone

[email protected]

 

[vapour]

What type of oil you run is determined primarily on how you drive. If you drive with your foot on the floor most of the time (like me) 10w60 is a good bet.

If your M5 is a daily driver (work and back, occasionaly stepping on it) 5w30 should be fine.

The higher viscosity 10w60 helps only under high heat conditions. Unless you drive the thing like a race car, don't worry.

Vapour.

 

[fais2000]

im sorry menthusiast i did not mean that. i really just did not know any better. But thanks for the insight, i will check and see what it required, and will see if i have done anything bad.

 

[SteveP]

Definitely only use what is recommended ON THE STICKER UNDER YOUR HOOD!! The manual is useless, as it applies to all five-series cars. Can anyone elaborate on what mid-production changes were made to the M5 engine to necessitate (facilitate?) the change in oil viscosity?

 

[fais2000]

would you say that 10w60 is the safe bet between the two oils? Marlin, you say the oil specified under the hood? Are you saying it is written somewhere? If so, could you tell me approximately where? I will take another look, but I am pretty sure that my original dealer gave me the 5w30 and i have put 10w60 after that, do you think i should find exactly what I need and get an oil change done with whatever the correct oil is? I am very upset with the unknowledgable staff at my dealership. Leebro, where did you get your beast from?

 

[MEnthusiast]

do not do the thinking for the m engineers.

if you are an accountant, would you like to have your clients re do their taxes because they could "tweak" them? NO

when you pop up the hood right in front, close to the front bumper and in bright yellow lettering on a black sticker should be there. use whatever oil is specified. 10w60 is heavier than 5w30. if you use 10w60 in a 5w30 engine youll lose some horsepower- thats your real downside. if you use 5w30 in a 10w60 engine (not for a little topping off, but for real replacement) you might end up damaging the engine.

you got your M5 because it is a fantastic car, and it is made by very smart people- there is no need to second guess them.

ME

 

[leebro1]

fais2000...i got mine at Gearhart BMW in Denville NJ.....john