What does everyone on here use that OWNS an E46 M3?

I have listened and read controversy over the two grades, and from what I understand BMW only uses Castrol 10w60, and using any other kind of oil can void the 6 yr/1000 mi warranty that comes on the motor.

Where is the best and cheapest place to order 10w60 along with an OEM oil filter? (I change mine every 7500 mi).

Thanks,
Jordan

Unless you have done an oil analysis to warrant changing it every 7500 miles... I think it is overkill, but it's your money.

10w-60 is the only oil blend that meets the requirements of the engine... if you go to the parts counter at your local BMW dealership and tell them you are a CCA member, you'll get it for probably the best price cause you save yourself the hefty shipping cost.

BMW says if you are in a pinch, you can use 5W-30 or 10W-40, but you must keep the RPM below 5500rpm as engine destruction is a high possibility.

thank you,

What exactly is a CCA member?

CCA = BMW Car Club of America
http://www.bmwcca.org/

10w60 just keeps hiking up in price everytime I visit the dealer..

stealer*

FWIW, I've used Mobil 1 15-50 in my M3 since buying it. I know the spec oil is Castrol 10-60, and I'd use it but its so dang expensive compared to even Mobil 1, and I've done a little research, and feel that if I change the oil at a reasonable 5000 mile interval, the 15-50 will do fine. I've had an analysis done and everything is good so far. And BTW, most dealers will not discount the Castrol even to a CCA member, as they claim they make very little markup on it, which may be true. BMW has all the dealers captive to this stuff, and they have no say-so on it. This is a Euro-made oil, not available through US distribution channels, cause I've tried when I was a Mobil 1 distributor.

Every dealer I have purchased from discounted me with my CCA card...

Also, 15-50 might be fine for light to normal driving but you're sacrificing on both ends. I cant imagine an M3 owner not being able to afford 10W-60 every 7500 miles.

I mean it may be expensive, but you have to put something in there. the difference between 15-50 and 10-60 is only a few bucks. So you're saving maybe $20 at best and you are putting your motor at serious risk.

You obviously have money... you have a few nice mods...

Be smart... maintenance before mods...

the whole point of the 10W-60 is its ability to stay as thin as a 10 weight oil in Winter temps 10[W]... and stay as thick as a 60 weight oil at operating temp. Also the higher the last number, the more resistant to extreme thinning while overheating.

Trust me, 15-50 is close, but if it were enough, they wouldnt void the warranty over not using 10W-60. This motor is extremely sensitive and engineered to run with no compromises...

11.5:1 compression and a 3.5 inch stroke with an 8000RPM redline = super impressive (you dont usually see that long of a stroke with such high compression and high redline)

on top of that, if you have ever seen an S54 piston... they are about 1.5 inches thick or so... no joke, they are so thin the piston rings go through the wrist pins. each wrist pin has a groove cut in it for the rings... so you have a pancake for a piston doing 8000 rpm up and down 3.5 inches with enough compression to pop the head off of most motors...

run 10W-60

I would not scalp money on oil...use 10W-60 BMW engine oil for S54...it is just not worth cutting for money on this!:nono

I just use the 10-60 in my 05, why would anyone use oil that's not recommended by the manufacturer? It's plain stupidity and being way too frugal just to save a few bucks.

FWIW, I've used Mobil 1 15-50 in my M3 since buying it. I know the spec oil is Castrol 10-60, and I'd use it but its so dang expensive compared to even Mobil 1, and I've done a little research, and feel that if I change the oil at a reasonable 5000 mile interval, the 15-50 will do fine. I've had an analysis done and everything is good so far. And BTW, most dealers will not discount the Castrol even to a CCA member, as they claim they make very little markup on it, which may be true. BMW has all the dealers captive to this stuff, and they have no say-so on it. This is a Euro-made oil, not available through US distribution channels, cause I've tried when I was a Mobil 1 distributor.

Cant afford the oil, cant afford the car....:rolleyes

Stick with the 10w-60. You drive an M3...buy the proper oil

Not to start a flaming contest here...I have sold oil for nearly 40 years and attended multiple Exxon oil schools, so I do know a little about it. I recognize the special attributes of the S54 engine in the M3, and the high-revving engine that demands a special lubricant. However, for my own purposes I feel the Mobil 1 15W-50 does an excellent job, as I hardly ever run it to redline, I live in a temperate climate that never sees extremely cold conditions, and I change it regularly. I also sample the oil between changes and have it analyzed and everything is fine with the engine, no bearings are going down or selfl-destructing. And besides, when I sold my business I kept 10 cases of Mobil 1 so I have a big supply to use before needing anything else. Should I decide to run the crap out of my car I'll spring for the Castrol, but for now I'm fine with the Mobil. BTW, Lubro Moly now has a 10W-60 synthetic oil, but the prices I've seen on it are higher than the Castrol.

lubro moly makes a 10-60

they call is race tech GT1

i use this in my car and it seems to work great.

i did a UOA at blackstone with castrol and lubro's 10-60, and they came back identical wear patterns.

lubro is a little cheaper as well. get it from worldpac and now IMC carrys it.
(wholesale only)


oh yea. shell makes a 10-60 too! guess whats its used for - ferrari enzo. and i belive all ferraris.

its supposedly UBER UBER expensive, but that will work for your enigne!

\ as I hardly ever run it to redline.

uh... sell the car???
why do you have it!