OIL - Mobile 1?

[330i and like it]

Do you know if the oil (BMW Oil) is actually Mobile1 ?

 

[vlad]

Nope, BMW uses Castrol. Exclussively, if I'm not mistaken. However, BMW may be using the European Castrol, which is not the same oil that is labeled as Castrol here in the states.

 

[MrElussive]

vlad, are you sure? I really thought it was Mobil 1.

 

[codex57]

I've seen Castrol signs all over. Plus, the cap in my engine says "BMW recommends Castrol."

Mobile 1 is used by Mercedes.

 

[vlad]

Well, I have never seen a owner's manual that specified Mobil1. The individual dealerships may stock it, but I do not think it has ever been documented.

Personally, I recommend Mobil1 over any other motor that you can buy in the U.S.

 

[Big Daddy]

BMW used Mobil 1 in the early 90's, my 318is came with a sticker on the valve cover stating use Mobil 1 only. They are now using Castrol, but I am not sure when the switch took place.

 

[Beemerworld]

BMW definetly use and sell Castrol and the oil you can buy in the (US) dealers in BMW labeled bottels is imported directly from Germany.

 

[William330]

Well, is it safe to use either Castrol synthetic or Mobil 1?

Mobile 1 is pretty much the best motor oil, right?

 

[MrElussive]

Mobil 1 HAS to be the best. I am basing this on the fact that Ferrari uses Mobil 1 exclussively for all their production cars.

 

[cordelli]

I always love the oil discussions. My filler cap says "BMW recommends Castrol"

That pretty much sums up which oil I put in it.

 

[lpquick]

Mobil 1 is good, but not the best. Amsoil, is better for one. The old Castrol Syntec was better before it was changed. Red Line i'm told is also very good. I own 03 325i and it came from the factory with Castrol 5w-30 fully sythetic. Even the local Dinan dealer uses Castrol or Red Line.

 

[Bryan330i]

I was looking at the oil I just got. It is "BMW High Performance” full synthetic, distributed by BMW but no indication on who makes it. The owner’s manual says use BMW oil so that is what I decided to do. But it has only used 1/4 quart in 6 months and 5,000 miles.

The “BMW” oil from the dealership was $4.00 per quart. How does that compare to other full synthetic oil? I thought $4.00 was a good price based on what the up charge is at oil change places for synthetic. I think Q-Lube is like $20.00 more for half synthetic.

 

[lpquick]

$4.00 a quart is good price for fully synthetic oil. Amsoil is over $6 and Red Line is over $7.

 

[epj3]

Mobile 1 0w-50 is what porsche uses at their factory.

 

[Bryan330i]

At a price of $4 from the dealership, do you think the oil is as good?

 

[bmw046series]

I wouldn't always trust the prices though; here it's about $3.50 a quart for Castrol Syntec, my brother-in-law lives in Minneapolis and pays about $6 a quart for the same bottle.

I only filled the engine with a quart when I reached the 6,000 mile mark, I don’t need an oil change yet, so it doesn’t make much of a difference.

Do old BMW’s tell you when you need an oil change? My Z4 says 1,500 when I start my car, indicating that’s when I need an oil change.

 

[Big Daddy]

BMW is now Castrol and was Mobil 1 up until the mid-90's, that I know for a fact.
Amsoil is better according to Amsoil and Mobil 1 is better according to Mobil 1, adn Castrol is better according to Castrol. Any FULL synthetic oil is good, and if changed properly will do the best job for your BMW. I used Redline before they priced themselves out of the market.

 

[vlad]

Is it my clouded mind, or has Castrol and Mobil1 both changed their formulations to a semi-synthetic? It seems that there's something in the back of my mind that says that Mobil1 followed Castrol Syntec.

Maybe Redline isn't out of range?

 

[Beemerworld]

All Synthetic oils are good but the best of the best is Lubro Moly.

 

[Big Daddy]

Vlad, no Castrol changed their base stock and Mobil 1 is the one that filed the complaint.