Oil Question from a newbie...

Last week I purchased a lightly used 1998 Z3 with the 1.9L M44 engine. First of all I've gotta say, I absolutely love driving this car. However, I was not at all prepared for the amount of attention it attracts:
"Oh my God, it's the James Bond car. I'm Xenia Onatop, let's go for a ride!".
"uhhh... no."

I drove it back home from Annapolis last weekend and had a constant succession of kids in rice burners w/ fat mufflers pulling up beside me at stop lights wanting to race.

Anway, I've noticed BMW seems to do an excellent job of pushing their product line. The previous owner told me he only used Mobile 1 synthethic in the car, however I have yet to deduce exactly WHAT GRADE of oil I'm supposed to put in it. Page 101 in the owners manual shows an ambiguious chart with happy little arrows for 5W-30 and 15W-40 over lapping. However, no where in the manual does it say "The vehicle is shipped from the factory with 15W-40 weight oil, which is recommended for most climates". On the right hand side of the chart is an additional MAGICAL arrow representing "Special Oils* most preferable" which I'm supposed to "Contact your BMW Retailer for details".

So the question is, what weight and brand of oil have you fine folks been using in your Z3 1.9L? Do I really need to drive down to the Annapolis BMW dealer and buy some "Special Oil"?

~SailSkiDrive

Reply » Oil Question from a newbie...

I recently had an oil change at jiffylube and asked the guy to throw in the best stuff he had. I do know you need to use synthetic but I didn't know there were still differences in that

Maybe the more experienced guys on here know ;-) ...

Reply » Oil Question from a newbie...

Castrol 5w/30 Syntec oil could be used all year around. Depending on discounts (club membership, etc.) it may actually be cheaper to buy the oil from your dealer. Oil filters (replacement cartridge w/o-rings and seals) do not cost much from the dealer either.

Welcome to the 'fest and glad to hear you're enjoying your car.

Reply » Oil Question from a newbie...

thanks for the reply... and that's one incredible collection of vehiculars.... I like the Austin-Healy...very nice.

I'm looking at the chart here and it's showing 5w-30 should only be used to 50F degrees. I've been using 5w-30 in my Silverado for the last three years... the only other weight 15w-40 I don't think I've ever even seen on the shelf at the store...

Reply » Oil Question from a newbie...

5W-30 synthetic or 15W-40 conventional oil.

About the cheapest synthetic is BMW 5W-30 synthetic, especially with BMW CCA discount. Other good choices are Mobil 1 5W-30 or 0W-40, Castrol Syntec 5W-30.

BTW I would NOT take my car to Jiffy Lube. Unless you supply the filter, theirs are known to come apart and clog oil passages (enough so that many manufacturers specifically tell people that if you use Jiffy Lube, such an occurance is NOT covered under warranty), and they are VERY likely to twist off the very soft BMW oil pan bolt. Get an oil sucker, 36mm socket and do-it-yourself. LOTS of threads on this board about how to do it.

Reply » Oil Question from a newbie...

I previously had a 97 1.9 and used factory filters and the BMW 5W-30 synthetic year round. I agree with Pinecone's recommendations. Enjoy your new car.

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