sorry haven't found the bmw forum yet...
anyway, they sell a special BMW synthetic for the 3 series and the other beemers too I believe. my mechanic says it is actually the best for that car because of the high molecule count or so.
anyone have input on this? I'm tempted to get a good random synthetic and pour that in to be honest

I cannot reply to an oil thread due to my religion... However, http://www.bimmerforums.com/
is a good BMW forum where you might find an answer. I used it recently to get info to fix a friends brakes on her 5 series.

As far as the molecule count, I would suggest asking him just how many molecules are in there. The last time I heard a story like that was at the mattress store.

Mike

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1998 C230 330,000 miles (currently dead of second failed EIS, yours will fail too, turning you into the dealer's personal human cash machine)
1988 F150 144,000 miles (leaks all the colors of the rainbow)
Previous stars: 1981 Brava 210,000 miles, 1978 128 150,000 miles, 1977 B200 Van 175,000 miles, 1972 Vega (great, if rusty, car), 1972 Celica, 1986.5 Supra

USA BMW oil sold and used by dealers is Castrol TXT LL-01 (SAE 5W-30)

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

The owner's manual probably has a spec on recommended viscosity and classification. Follow or exceed that and you'll be fine.

aha! thanks.

I thought that was bs too, but this sm, sj sf etc etc has to have someting to do with the density and lubricisity of the oil. then again, try to find decent oil at your local parts store

Isn't it more for the 20k mile drain intervils the new cars run? Its amazing how long the new BMW's go between services.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Yeah.. as soon as BMW started the policy of covering the oil changes during the first however many miles, the oil change interval goes up... hmm...

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Off topic: I was told by mechanic that 5-30W is used to
get better MPG rating but 10-40w or 20-50w protects the engine
better.

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cult plus time equals religion

^ Oooooh boy...

Use whatever weight the manufacture calls for. Using an oil thats very heavy can cause oil starvation, and to much oil pressure. For example like an M119 blowing the oil bridge caps off.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Disclaimer: I don't work on BMWs often these days. When I do, they're either really old or belong to fanatics who bring their own oil to me.

But when I *did*, two yrs ago, we found that the BMW oil from the dealer was the most expedient, cost effective way to get the right spec. I recall that there was only one grade of Mobil 1 which met the spec, and it was not stocked by any of our vendors. It cost only 5c a quart more to order BMW oil from the dealer, than to drive over to the distributors' and get the Mobil 1. So really, BMW oil was cheaper. It may well be the best solution- but again, that's just how I remember it- jugs of BMW oil were stocked on our shelves next to the VW TXT stuff for late TDIs and Rotella for old MB diesels.

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1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D