Synthetic - BMW Forum

iantosca · 05-25-2004, 06:16 PM

I want to change to using synthetic oil. I have a 1998 328i ... what do I have to do in order to do this ... change the filter? if so, is that an easy task? And what is the best type of synthetic oil on the market?

Kevin325i · 05-25-2004, 08:53 PM

Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntec are both good. If your car has good maintenance history up to your current mileage you should be ok to not expose any leaks.

I changed mine to synthetic at 109k and I've come up with a leak at the back of the oil pan. Though I have NO idea why synthetic causes leaks in older more worn engines. Something about detergents?

Kevin

iantosca · 05-25-2004, 09:28 PM

Yea, I heard this too, I have 98,000 ... would that be risky?

Kevin325i · 05-25-2004, 09:45 PM

I wish I understood it more to answer your question. I'm not even sure if you can switch back if it leaks or anything.

Kevin

mikester328 · 05-25-2004, 09:51 PM

I might as well add myself to the list here... my oil change is due in 500 miles and was going to change to synthetic until I read this thread... I have 103,000 on my engine with no leaks right now... anyone here know of the information that could help us make a good decision of switching or not? Hrmm...

iantosca · 05-25-2004, 10:58 PM

Hahaha, this is interesting. Yes please, anyone?!?!

BMWJNKY · 05-25-2004, 11:23 PM

When I got my E21 a few years ago it had about 126K miles on it. I started using syn. oil in since i got the car and had no oil leak issues. If anything they slowed down. The main reason people say syn. oil causes oil leaks is cause syn. oil is thiner than conventional oil of the same weight. Even if they are rated the same on the bottle the syn. oil is thiner, I was shown this trait in the syn. oil by a BMW master tech. I use Mobile1 syn. oils in my cars cause it works well, easy to get and this........

The Mobile 1 the guy is poring in is regular off the shelf red cap 15-50, same stuff I use in my E21 and E30. Mobile 1 is the only syn. oil I've personally seen being put into a race car.

camnipotent · 05-26-2004, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mikester318@May 25 2004, 10:31 PM
I might as well add myself to the list here... my oil change is due in 500 miles and was going to change to synthetic until I read this thread... I have 103,000 on my engine with no leaks right now... anyone here know of the information that could help us make a good decision of switching or not? Hrmm...

There is no real way to know if it's going to be a good or bad idea. If the oil has been changed regularly, I would think you would be fine. Can't guarantee anything though...

Silver4evr · 05-26-2004, 01:04 AM

The forum has a FAQ on this topic. Click here<--.

iantosca · 05-26-2004, 01:40 AM

Yeah, but say I just wanted to change over to synthetic ... do i just drain the oil, replace the filter and then add the synthetic? Also, how do I know how much oil my car holds? It's a 98 328i.

camnipotent · 05-26-2004, 02:03 AM

Just like an oil change. About 6.9 quarts for your car.

BMWJNKY · 05-26-2004, 02:08 AM

Drain the oil and change the filter. Your car holds 7quarts. Make sure you undo the filter housing first and let it drain back into the oil pan cause if you don't it will hold almost a quart of oil that won't get drained. If you have any questions PM me or catch me on AIM.

iantosca · 05-26-2004, 02:18 AM

Thanks a lot.

Fadec40 · 05-26-2004, 07:05 AM

Depending on the year of some car makes, changing to synthetic sometimes is not a good idea. The main problem lies with the seals. Type of seals coupled with higher mileage might cause leaks.

Just a thought!

Furious · 05-26-2004, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Fadec40@May 26 2004, 06:45 AM
Depending on the year of some car makes, changing to synthetic sometimes is not a good idea. The main problem lies with the seals. Type of seals coupled with higher mileage might cause leaks.

Just a thought!

this is always something to consider . good point