[Sail Boat]

Hi everyone,

Update to this thread from December 2017 which was an oil analysis after an oil change at 31,700 miles, or around 2,700 miles after purchasing CPO. The first analysis was completed after 5,300 miles using BMW Twin Power 5w30. I used this same oil until 50,000 miles, when I switched to Castrol 0w40. This new analysis covers oil used for just under 10,000 miles starting in the summer and throughout the winter (includes four trips to NYC and one to Charleston SC, around 3,000 miles of highway driving).

Another excellent report! This is especially good considering I did two track days this summer - M235i is looking great for long term ownership. Disregard my copper comment - I thought I had some copper/metal flakes in the oil pan but turns out it was just sand that was stuck to the underside of the oil pan. Only thing to consider is that the Castrol 0w-40 is apparently a bit thin, may consider switching back to Twin Power (shell?) or Liqui Moly Molygen next oil change.


Side by side oil analysis:

[amw896]

Thanks for doing this and sharing your results!

[123Britt]

I appreciate your report. Just changed my oil to this same oil. Picked up 7 qts from FCP Euro.
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I run the 5W-30 in winter ; however, run the PP Euro 5W-40 outside of this winter change. Ditto the Mann HU816X filters.


I also change every 5k. I know it is overkill but these engines run HOT and heat kills.
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CHEERS!

[Dylan86]

Nice results! I only use use Motul or LiquiMoly myself, but can't go wrong with OEM stuff, either. I do use the OEM BMW filter every time, though. Curious to see how mine would come back, might take part in my own survery, next year, when I hit 50k kms

Thanks for adding this! It feels good knowing we have a strong engine, that has a long life potential..

[XutvJet]

The important thing to note is that the oil is still very much within viscosity spec after 5300 miles. That's good news for those that may be running these oils for 10k before a change and using OEM oil. No silver either which means the rod and crank bearings are still holding tight.

[mcompact]

It looks like a longer OCI would not out of the question. If the TBN was above 1.0 at 10,000 miles I'd run it according to the OLM.

Just for giggles, would anyone like to guess the average OCI for this engine?
It's a 2009 328i with 108,500 miles on it:

[123Britt]

Looks dirty and burnt

[amw896]

Clearly, I don't know much....I thought it looked pretty good

Originally Posted by 123Britt

Looks dirty and burnt

[mcompact]

Originally Posted by amw896

Clearly, I don't know much....I thought it looked pretty good

As has everyone else who has seen the pictures...

[123Britt]

My only reference to go on is my prior N54 and changing the Valve Cover gasket at 105K miles.
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Look in-front of the chain and how the splashed oil is cooked and the deep gold color. Having an N54 which runs super hot & changed oil 6-7k miles it looked much brighter gold and had much less chain splash cooked oil.
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Just looks like it was covered in cooked dark oil and thus the deep rich gold color.

12k OCI was my guess

[mcompact]

Why would the oil be "cooked" or "burnt" in front of the VANOS units but not "cooked" or "burnt" around the combustion chambers? Why would the hottest point of an N52N be the front of the valve cover mating surface?

[Drpoomanchu]

Almost looks as if it's coked or very close to coking due to poor flow and high heat near the chain. It seems like there is a shelf there where the oil residue can sit and not properly drop to be recirculated causing the oil to sit and break down. In my eyes this hardly gives any indication of the overall cleanliness of the motor. Your internals could look great from this pic but have heavily worn journals and components. It goes without saying... "You can't judge a book by its cover"

[mcompact]

Well, the engine now has over 110,000 miles on it with an OCI ranging for 15,000 to 18,000 miles. I'll definitely keep an eye on that "high heat" area that's causing "coking" around the VANOS units. I wouldn't have thought those areas would get hotter than turbocharger shaft bearings, but you learn something new every day!

[DSTR]

Originally Posted by mcompact

Well, the engine now has over 110,000 miles on it with an OCI ranging for 15,000 to 18,000 miles. I'll definitely keep an eye on that "high heat" area that's causing "coking" around the VANOS units. I wouldn't have thought those areas would get hotter than turbocharger shaft bearings, but you learn something new every day!

One would think then the BMW recommended service level/timing for an engine not heavily tracked will be more than sufficient given the data about the OCI being rather long for engine that is pictured.

Modern oil is very very capable .............

[Sail Boat]

Updated for 2019 above! 60,000 mile oil change Castrol 0w-40 for 10,000 miles.

[gaijin]

Congrats on your most recent oil report. Received mine just the other day from Blackstone. 41K. Oil changed at 7K. Iron leading the pack at 13 ppm. Planning on changing at 5K next time to see if any changes. But overall, like you, I'm satisfied at the way my N55 is wearing.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Congrats on your most recent oil report. Received mine just the other day from Blackstone. 41K. Oil changed at 7K. Iron leading the pack at 13 ppm. Planning on changing at 5K next time to see if any changes. But overall, like you, I'm satisfied at the way my N55 is wearing.

what oil?

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by amw896

what oil?

BMW 5W-30 Twinpower Turbo Longlife Synthetic Oil.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by gaijin

BMW 5W-30 Twinpower Turbo Longlife Synthetic Oil.

I found the breakdown of that oil to be drastic at around 7k miles. Was dark black and uber watery.

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by amw896

I found the breakdown of that oil to be drastic at around 7k miles. Was dark black and uber watery.

Did you get this assumption from my post above regarding Iron reading at 13 ppm?

[amw896]

Originally Posted by gaijin

Did you get this assumption from my post above regarding Iron reading at 13 ppm?

nono. Before my indy switched my oil they brought me on the floor to show me the extent of oil breakdown in hot running ICE engines. These turbo motors just run hot by design and the performance demands further contribute to faster breakdown of the oil. I wasnt having noticeable issues with the car but the oil did not look good when changed. I've been running LM 5w40 now and it still has a honeyish color to it after a 6k run. Maintains viscosity much better as well.

[gaijin]

Originally Posted by amw896

n I've been running LM 5w40 now and it still has a honeyish color to it after a 6k run. Maintains viscosity much better as well.

For sure. Liqui Moly is a good oil. Now that I've FOB Stage 2 with higher demands on the powertrain, I'm giving Amsoil 5W40. Will see how it goes.