Oil Change, What Oil Is Recommended ?

[Q_BMW]

Hey guys
its time to do my first oil change and have a few quick questions. I live around chicago, its kinda warm now(70 deg) and will be getting cold really soon.
the dealer said the only synthetic oil they have 5W-30 form mobil. would that be good through the winter till december or can someone recommend something better ?

Also do i need a jack to raise the car on stands before doing the oil change ? or i could squeeze underneath ?
thanks

Quasar

[bdi_fc]

Originally posted by Q_BMW@Sep 22 2004, 10:14 AM
Hey guys
its time to do my first oil change and have a few quick questions. I live around chicago, its kinda warm now(70 deg) and will be getting cold really soon.
the dealer said the only synthetic oil they have 5W-30 form mobil. would that be good through the winter till december or can someone recommend something better ?

Also do i need a jack to raise the car on stands before doing the oil change ? or i could squeeze underneath ?
thanks

Quasar

[snapback]196724[/snapback]

0-40 Synthetic

[Furious]

im not sure how cold it gets in chi-town, but here in canada 5w30 is ok however only during very cold winters, otherwise a nice 10w30 would be ok.

[Q_BMW]

0-40 ? that wont be too thick for the midwest winter ?

[BMDub325is]

I'd say 10w 30 for chi town. I live in Cincinnati (same temp range) and that will be what i run this winter. My manual says 15w 30 for our temps though. I am running 10w 30 right now but i wish i would have went thicker for the hot weather. O well. Always run synthetics though. Blend is cheaper.

As far as squeezing under the car if you are super skinny and your oil pan is super thin you can do it. If you do jack it up you will want it level so it gets all the old oil out. Good luck (dont forget to change filter too)

[Q_BMW]

hey thanks
also so 10w 30 will be fine if i switch it now rite ? is monil the company to go with ?

anyone have good experiences with redline ?

also quick question, i would jack up the car belowe the passenger door side rite ? below the skirt ?

thanks guys
Q

[theogill]

I live in Boston, jsut had an oil change done by the dealer. They put 5w30 BMW synthetic for 80 bucks. Mine's a 98 328i, manual, 52K.
Cheers

[bdi_fc]

Originally posted by Q_BMW@Sep 22 2004, 03:17 PM
0-40 ? that wont be too thick for the midwest winter ?

[snapback]196903[/snapback]

First number is cold performance (lower the better).

Second number is hot-weather performance (higher the better).

0-40 is the end-all-be-all oil.

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.ph...5&highlight=oil

[Q_BMW]

cheers , thanks guyrs

[Furious]

i find 0-40 a hard oil to find sometimes, maybe its me, but i agree 0-40 is best choice, my suggestion for 10w30 lies in the accesability of it, and also because it works great in milder climates (mild is a loose term, i say mild because i dont think it reaches minus 40+ like it does here )

[Q_BMW]

cool, will look for 0-40....also anyone have any experience / opinions on the K&N oil filters ?? good ...bad ???
thanks
Q

[bdi_fc]

Originally posted by Q_BMW@Sep 23 2004, 07:57 AM
cool, will look for 0-40....also anyone have any experience / opinions on the K&N oil filters ?? good ...bad ???
thanks
Q

[snapback]197454[/snapback]

I found 2 boxes (12 quarts) of Mobil 1 0-40 at Pep Boys. While I was buying it, the manager mentioned the fact that she ordered it only because it was on sale, which means I probably will have to go to my local german parts shop to get 0-40 or order some online.

Definitely go for 0-40 Synthetic.

K&N is always good.