Is this the right kind? I called bmw about my '97 540i with 275k miles and this is what he recommended since I don't live anywhere cold (San Diego)
>>14626671
RTFM
>>14626684
I don't have one, hence asking someone on here
wait, 20w-50? what?
i use 0w-40 in mind, specifically castrol edge in the black bottle since it's legit made in germany to german oil purity standards
maybe he saw your really high mileage engine and assumed it would need something super heavy but eh.
ask on bimmerforums dude
>>14626671
buy LL01 oil op. Mobil 1 0w40 meets that spec. Motul 5w40 will meet it, there's a castrol 5w30 with that spec and liqui-moly 5w40 meets the spec as well.
You have to read the back of the bottle for the spec. Walmart seems to be the best option for an affordable BMW oil. They carry both the mobil one and the castrol there.
>>14626708
>>14626694
O and 5 weight?
Why would a "professional bmw parts dealer" tell me 20w?
look on the sticker under the hood.
>>14626718
The w stands for "winter."
>>14626689
http://www.bmwtips.com/ownersmanuals/2000Manual-5Sedan-SportWagon.pdf
>>14626726
>>14626729
My fault, I apologize for my ignorance
>>14626718
because he thinks you have a high mileage shitbox that needs borderline gear oil to lubricate the old engine. It's not what BMW recommends and the stuff you're looking at isn't even full-synthetic.
Here's the mobil one at walmart:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/23636902?wmlspartner=wlpa&adid=22222222227017165584&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=77517086688&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=107413195968&veh=sem
>>14626718
again, i can only speculate that he heard you mention the mileage and assumed all the seals were shot to shit and suggested a relatively heavy oil to compensate.
how do you have a 275k mile 540i and not know anything about oil?
>>14626729
But if it never gets that cold here would it matter I get a lower winter?
Pennzoil Platinum or Platinum High-Mileage 5W-40 will do. Valvoline is shit tier and Mobil-1 isn't the best for the money anymore.
>>14626739
Yeah I need to replace my head gasket so that might be right
>>14626739
I bought it few years ago from a guy when it was 255k....all past oil changes were done with different brands and numbers
>>14626718
Dealers are... whatever the guy is who cucks you. The one and only time in your life you should step into a dealership is to buy a new car. Remember: dealers are the reason you aren't allowed to import cars anymore. Fags.
>>14626735
No worries. Literally 99 percent of people call it "weight." Makes me wonder how it started or why people thinks it makes sense. (Not that "winter" makes immediate sense.)
>>14626775
The API numbers aren't as important as whether the oil meets BMW approval and the interval periods. BMW has a range of viscosity they find acceptable. The oem oil is actually 5w30 but 5w40 and 0w40 are popular choices and they can still meet BMW specification for LL01. LL01 basically ensures the oil has the correct additive packages needed for BMW and that the oil is a high enough grade to be used for extended intervals as well.
