330iSportMatt Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 I have just bought a 2001 BMW 330i Sport E46 (120k miles) Now I just just need to get the oil changed. What grade is recommended for the 330i with this kind of mileage? Opie Oils generator seems to suggest 0W30 or 5W40 Fully Synthetic and around 6.5 litres of it? I have read a guide online how to change the Oil and it all seems fairly typical. How does everyone get around the 36mm socket requirement for the oil filter, do I just buy one or can I use a wrench without issue? Any guidance much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 36mm?? I swear my oil drain plug is a lot smaller than that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Main dealers use 5w30 Castrol Edge. At that mileage, you may wish to try the Opie recommended 5w40 as it will be a little thicker at operating temp, especially as we enter summer. Use fully Syntheic and go with a decent product like Fuchs Titan or Silkolene Pro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
330iSportMatt Posted March 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 36mm?? I swear my oil drain plug is a lot smaller than that! Sorry my bad, I didn't make it clear that I was talking about the oil filter cap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark330Vert Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Dont Wrench it, go Halfrauds for the 36mm i think it was like a tenner! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Sorry my bad, I didn't make it clear that I was talking about the oil filter cap Don't apologise! It was Mit's misinterpretation and general grumpiness that he should apologise for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
330iSportMatt Posted March 10, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Thanks for the super friendly replies everyone. I will pop to my local motorfactor after work tomorrow and pick up the bits. Sounds like 5W30 is the best choice, but 5W40 will sit equally happily. Planning on swapping out the filter (presumably this should come with it's own seal) and oil sump washer. I have a couple of other niggly problems to remedy, such as a slow drivers window and climate control panel only blowing hot but a quick bit of research shows this is probably the window runner cable and water heater valve respectively. So will try fixing these and post up my success (along with associated scrapes ) Thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mit Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Don't apologise! It was Mit's misinterpretation and general grumpiness that he should apologise for WTF?? I just misread it lol, my original response was just going to be "Get a socket" lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
das_flo Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Guy @ Opie oils suggested Castrol edge 0w40 to me, mine's on 111k. 0w30, 5w30 or 5w40 shouldn't hurt though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil_S Posted March 10, 2010 Report Share Posted March 10, 2010 Mobil1 0W/40 is a popular choice and IIRC what BMW now use. Rizzo 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flat6 Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Mobil1 0W/40 is a popular choice and IIRC what BMW now use. and about £22 at Costco if you know anyone with a card.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Mobil1 0W/40 is a popular choice and IIRC what BMW now use. My main dealer definitely does not use Mobil 1 - they only ever used Castrol Edge (as it suggests on the oil filler cap itself)! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jags Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Went to Sytner BMW a month back and the guy offered me Mobil 1 5w30..Use 0w40 in mine however..cold start protection and runs thicker when warm. Helped my car with its oil consumption! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keith Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Went to Sytner BMW a month back and the guy offered me Mobil 1 5w30..Use 0w40 in mine however..cold start protection and runs thicker when warm. Helped my car with its oil consumption! Must change with dealers then, but I know mine does not use Mobil. Like I said earlier - for higher mileage cars such as yours, 0 or 5w40 will be better for oil consumption and wear protection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jags Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Yeah sounds right Keith, does vary place to place. still not sure which oil is best tbh! LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
330iSportMatt Posted March 11, 2010 Author Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Oil Change...DONE! I spoke to Opie Oils for further clarification and as long as the oil is LL01 it will be fine, so any 0w XX or 5w XX, hence why people are probably seeing so much variation across the dealerships. Also managed to sort out the heater valve by applying a slight tap of the hammer , obviously just a little jammed . Makes a nice change when things are simple! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dazh Posted March 11, 2010 Report Share Posted March 11, 2010 Shell Helix Ultra Extra is a good oil, thats what I get from work anyway and its low ash and LL04 so backwards compatible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
