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Oil Viscosity


diondion

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+1 on 20w-50, unless you're running it in very cold weather (below 25 degrees or so) on a regular basis; then use thinner oil until the weather warms up.  Been using that weight for 25+ years with no problems and plenty of oil pressure, even on a 225k mile original engine.

 

I've been using synthetic in my '73 since I rebuilt the engine, either 20W-50 or 15w-50; Amsoil and Pennzoil respectively.  However, Pennzoil no longer makes 15w-50 synthetic so I guess I'll go back to Amsoil.  

 

mike

'69 Nevada sunroof-Wolfgang-bought new
'73 Sahara sunroof-Ludwig-since '78
'91 Brillantrot 318is sunroof-Georg Friederich 
Fiat Topolini (Benito & Luigi), Renault 4CVs (Anatole, Lucky Pierre, Brigette) & Kermit, the Bugeye Sprite

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To quote FAQ user peterschop:

 

"For motor oil, you will want one with a high ZDDP content such as Valvoline VR1 20w50 racing oil. Brad Penn is also a good one. The old motor oils had it in them but most of the new formula oils had it taken out because it will ruin the catalytic converters. Flat tappet engines like the M10 motor need the ZDDP to protect the camshaft from wear."

 

I got mine on Amazon.

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DJ4FIPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

1973 BMW 2002 (Verona)

1975 BMW R90S (Silver Smoke)

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And search the faq.  Probably 1000 threads on oil.  

 

To answer your question. Most will say 20w-50 oil with zinc in it.  If your motor isn’t freshly built synthetic probably isn’t great for it as it usually leaks more and has more blow by.

 

i use Valvoline VR1 mostly because of the zinc.  I have had a rebuild recently so I tried Mobil 1 15w-50 synthetic (which also has zinc in it) just to see how I like it and I didn’t notice a huge difference. 

 

Used to to use Castrol 20w-50 but they removed the zinc from it. 

Edited by jrhone

1976 BMW 2002 Fjord Blue Ireland Stage II • Bilstein Sports • Ireland Headers • Weber 38 • 292 Cam • 9.5:1 Pistons • 123Tune Bluetooth 15" BBS

2016 BMW 535i M Sport

1964 Volvo Amazon Wagon
http://www.project2002.com

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5 hours ago, jrhone said:

And search the faq.  Probably 1000 threads on oil.  

+1

 

asking "what oil?" on any car forum is like asking what religion is better.  there is no right answer.  use any brand that has the viscosity specified in the manual.  and change it at the specified interval.

Edited by mlytle
  • Like 2

2xM3

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14 hours ago, jrhone said:

And search the faq.  Probably 1000 threads on oil.  

 

To answer your question. Most will say 20w-50 oil with zinc in it.  If your motor isn’t freshly built synthetic probably isn’t great for it as it usually leaks more and has more blow by.

 

i use Valvoline VR1 mostly because of the zinc.  I have had a rebuild recently so I tried Mobil 1 15w-50 synthetic (which also has zinc in it) just to see how I like it and I didn’t notice a huge difference. 

 

Used to to use Castrol 20w-50 but they removed the zinc from it. 

 

 

Ahh. The good ol' oil debate :) 

 

Jr, which Castrol were you using? I've been on the Castrol Classic 20w50 train for a while and seems to be just dandy. 

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16 hours ago, 02Les said:

You should have one of these under the hood.

DSCN3024sm.thumb.JPG.0cf5873426bcfcaf1cf0e8c303b821d7.JPG

Uh...  This is a reprint where someone didn't understand plus and minus?

 

OT, using the VR1, seems fine.  Engine burns / leaks so much that I'm starting to just use whatever I have laying around to burn through it.  (Engine is getting ready to get rebuilt...)

Dave.

'76, totally stock. Completely.

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4 hours ago, 2002Scoob said:

I've been on the Castrol Classic 20w50 train for a while and seems to be just dandy. 

 

I've never seen the Castrol Classic line, at least in my area of the USA.

https://www.castrol.com/en_gb/united-kingdom/products/cars/classic-oils/classic-engine-oils.html

 

I buy as much Valvoline VR-1 20W-50 as they have from whichever big box auto parts store has it on sale.

John in VA

'74 tii "Juanita"  '85 535i "Goldie"  '86 535i "M-POSSTR"  

'03 530i "Titan"  '06 330ci "ZHPY"

bmw_spin.gif

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2 hours ago, irdave said:

Uh...  This is a reprint where someone didn't understand plus and minus?

 

OT, using the VR1, seems fine.  Engine burns / leaks so much that I'm starting to just use whatever I have laying around to burn through it.  (Engine is getting ready to get rebuilt...)

Yes, be careful what you buy. This came as part of a set off Ebay a good while back. The fuse sticker was also bad.

Les

'74 '02 - Jade Touring (RHD)

'76 '02 - Delk's "Da Beater"

FAQ Member #17

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