what weight synthetic oil should I use ???

"news"wrote

I think you'll be fine with M1 0w-40. It's a factory fill for many euro cars. It does use some viscosity index improvers, but it's not something I'd worry about. This oil tends to shear to a 30 grade in turborcharged applications which are very tough on oil, but in NA engines this is not a problem, assuming you're going to change it at least every 10K miles.

Some other good oils would be Motul Ester E-tech 0w-40 or Amsoil 5w-40 euro formula, but they may be more expensive and tougher to find locally.

Mobil has also come out with M1 EP 10w-40 - for those interested in extended oil change intervals, but I am not sure if it meets the BMW specs. It'll be an interesting oil to watch, IMO.

Cheers,

Pete

For an E36 you do not have to buy oil that meets the BMW LongLife standards as those were not in force when that car (engine) was designed and the maintenance intervals (assuming that you go by the SI lights) will not be extended.

These cars originally came with, and used, conventional oil of various weights depending on the climate. That said, I use Mobil 1 5w30 in my '95 325i year round, here in New England, and it seems to like it just fine.

YMMV,

-Fred W

yea its about what can make my engine last longer and perform the best. I'd rather have overkill and have the best.

so the 0W40 isnt too th> > Hi,

MercedesBenz

No it's not. In fact it's "thicker" than 5w30 at most temperatures except stone cold.

See, the first number is how thick it is when cold, the second one when hot. So except when you first start the engine it's the second number that is most important.

-Fred W