Which oil is best for the 330Ci??
- Thread starter AmyG
- Start date
oil type
I used to use bmw 5w-30 full synthetic oil in my 328i as it was under warranty and changed it every 15,000 miles as the warranty said to do. however, after warranty ran out, i have changed to mobil1 5w-30. and change it every 7,500 along w/ the filter. I had to get a new valve cover gasket as oil was dropping in my garage last year. I went to my independent mechanic (excellent mechanic) and he about had a fit when he pulled off the valve cover the area there was coated w/ sludge. He asked me how often I changed the oil and I told him the warranty said every 15,000 miles. well after he flushed out the odl oil and trhen replaced it w/ new mobile 1, I now should change it every 2500 miles for the next 10,000 miles then go back to a 7500 interval. message learned- change oil before the 15,000 mile "warranty" says to do so. my 328i has 85000 miles and is as strong as she was when new. this car kicks butt just tooling on the freeway at 85 or 90.
I used to use bmw 5w-30 full synthetic oil in my 328i as it was under warranty and changed it every 15,000 miles as the warranty said to do. however, after warranty ran out, i have changed to mobil1 5w-30. and change it every 7,500 along w/ the filter. I had to get a new valve cover gasket as oil was dropping in my garage last year. I went to my independent mechanic (excellent mechanic) and he about had a fit when he pulled off the valve cover the area there was coated w/ sludge. He asked me how often I changed the oil and I told him the warranty said every 15,000 miles. well after he flushed out the odl oil and trhen replaced it w/ new mobile 1, I now should change it every 2500 miles for the next 10,000 miles then go back to a 7500 interval. message learned- change oil before the 15,000 mile "warranty" says to do so. my 328i has 85000 miles and is as strong as she was when new. this car kicks butt just tooling on the freeway at 85 or 90.
there is a way to do this it involves turning the key to the #1 posioton and also pressing the odometer button and switching the key off and on to the #1 spot. you dont start the engine you just press the trio meter and switch the key off and on. It takes a while to get the hang of it but it can be done I watched the service guy at bmw do it on my 2000 328i about 2 years ago.
![[confused]](/images/smilies/confused.png "Confused [confused]")
my vote is for the Mobil 1, 5w30 Full Synthetic. This can be found at your local Wal-Mart in a a 5qt bottle or 1 gallon, plus you need to get one extra quart. I recommend changing every 5k also. Don't let the local auto parts stores like O'reilly or Autozone fool you cuz there big oil jug is only 4 qt. not 5qt like Wal-Mart
I'm off to the dealer tomorrow to have mine reset. he STRONGLY CAUTIONED AGAINST DOING IT MYSELF (he'll do it for free). he said if it's done incorrectly, then all language turns to German. no kidding! so unless you speak German, you will then be up the proverbial autobahn w/o a paddle. not a good thing.
It is waste of time and money to change your oil more often than what BMW proscribes. I have a 2003 530i with a 5 speed manual transmission. I have changed the oil when the service indicator has dictated that it be done. I drive mostly highway miles and in my case the interval is typically about 18,000 miles. I buy the cheapest fully synthetic 5w-30 oil available - Catrol or Pennzoil. My car turned 235,000 miles this morning. I still get 29-30 mpg miles on the highway. My car does use a little oil and usage does pickup the further I get into the interval. I have to add the first quart after 5,000 miles and by the end of the interval I have to add a quart after 2,000 miles. Maybe I could keep it even longer if I had changed the oil every 5,000 miles but what is the point. Other things on your car will break down way before your engine wears out. If you drive your car this far, believe me when I say a little oil usage will be far from the biggist problem that you'll have.
Thanks for the links. My car actually has more than 120K on it right now and I am noticing a rattling sound of sorts when my car idles..... I popped the hood with the engine running and it sounds like its coming from the belts near the front grill..... any idea what this could be?
I'm scared to bring it to a shop cause I'm scared they will make up some BS and charge me something ridiculous.....