Basic oil question

E36 M3oil
The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.

Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.

Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
basically the same?

mcquarrie wrote:
> E36 M3oil
> The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.
>
> Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
> for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
> engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
> M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
> a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.
>
> Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
> superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
> basically the same?

Yes.

On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:55:57 -0500, admin > waffled
on about something:

>mcquarrie wrote:
>> E36 M3oil
>> The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.
>>
>> Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
>> for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
>> engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
>> M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
>> a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.
>>
>> Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
>> superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
>> basically the same?
>
>Yes.

I believe the diesel oils are actually a little tougher. They need to
resist the breaking down when exposed to diesel. Petrol is less of a
problem as it evaporates from the hot oil and doesn't mix with it.

Dodgy.
--
MUSHROOMS ARE THE OPIATE OF THE MOOSES

"mcquarrie" > wrote in message
oups.com...
> E36 M3oil
> The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.
>
> Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
> for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
> engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
> M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
> a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.
>
> Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
> superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
> basically the same?
>

No they are certainly not. The SAE standard is only a measure of viscosity.
The API standard which you should also have a value recommendation for your
car, is the measure of performance and quality. Also BMW might stipulate
their own higher standard as being compulsory along with the API standard.
Newer BMW will need an oil meeting ACEA A2 or A3 or even BMW LL98 or newer.
BMW LL is a long life oil for use with their nominal 15000 mile service
schedule so it does not apply to your car.
As I understand it, your car is an M3, so depending on climate you would
need either a 10w/40 or 15w/50 synthetic Mobil1. I know it might not
actually need synthetic but you have already found that most 15w/40 oils are
diesel specific although if you search you will easily find ones that are
'multifleet', that is they carry a combined diesel and petrol rating-
commonly APICH4 and SL.
Have a further look at what your car needs and the appropriate ratings on
the can and get them to match. The SAE viscosity is only a small part of the
equation.

Don't worry, while it is maybe not as simple as you thought, choosing an oil
is not rocket science either.

Huw

Dodgy warbled on about:

> On Tue, 21 Nov 2006 13:55:57 -0500, admin > waffled
> on about something:
>
>> mcquarrie wrote:
>>> E36 M3oil
>>> The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.
>>>
>>> Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
>>> for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
>>> engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
>>> M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
>>> a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.
>>>
>>> Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
>>> superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
>>> basically the same?
>> Yes.
>
> I believe the diesel oils are actually a little tougher. They need to
> resist the breaking down when exposed to diesel. Petrol is less of a
> problem as it evaporates from the hot oil and doesn't mix with it.
>
> Dodgy.

You're partly correct. Diesel rated oils do have higher ratings for
extreme pressure (which protects when the oil-film goes away in a
bearing..)

It's not the difference in fuel that causes the higher-sheer-breakdown
rating of diesel rated oil - it's the higher compression ratio (and the
actually detonation pressure)in a diesel engine which causes a higher
force on the tie-rod bearings. There shouldn't be any diesel oil
getting into the sump oil unless the engine has a hole in a piston..

mcquarrie wrote:
> E36 M3oil
> The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.
>
> Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
> for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
> engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
> M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
> a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.
>
> Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
> superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
> basically the same?
>

As someone already said, it is the API classification that you need to
pau attention to as well. However, I beleive most of the 15W40 oils
intended for diesel engine use are as good or better than the stuff BMW
sells.

--
-Fred W

On 21 Nov 2006 10:06:21 -0800, "mcquarrie" > wrote:

>E36 M3oil
>The BMW spec is 15W40 non-synthetic.
>
>Browsing my local Auto parts store, whose computer confirms the grade
>for my E36, all the 15W40 oils on the shelf are labelled "for diesel
>engines". I shuddered at the prospect of putting the "wrong" oil in an
>M3, so I just went and bought a case from a BMW dealer. At less than $3
>a quart I will probably do the same again. But I'm curious.
>
>Other than the additives that oil manufacturers use to claim
>superiority over rivals, are oils with the same SAE classification
>basically the same?

Like others here already said, check the other requirements and make
sure the oil meets or exceeds them. I think you are safe though.
I have been using oil rated for diesels in my motorcycle for years and
so have many friends. The oil is the shell rotella-T
It's synthetic and cheapest at wal mart by the gallon.