E46 M3 oil choices

Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read, there is no practical difference between natural and synthetic oils. Like most of us here, I am not made of money and the huge price difference between the two services is a factor for me. Of course, I will use the synth if I really need to but my instinct says I don't. Your thoughts? TIA

sgfan3 wrote:
> Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read ...

Dude, you're driving the best sub-60G sports coupe on the planet! this
shouldn't be on the top of your list of worries. And as often as you
need to change it, ( unless your M3 is an oil-burner of the 7th degree -
say a quart every 1000 miles ) I dont know if that would make a REAL
difference to your bottomline dollars.

From what I've read in the past, the synthetic oils retain their
lubricational properties a bit longer than the plain old pennzoil. And I
would put my money on it, because when I switched my truck to mobil 1 my
gas mileage went up and stayed there by what I estimate to be 5-7% -
with today's gas prices - that alone will offset the costs. Although my
99 chevy is no match for your ultimate driving machine - which I think
is further reason - I would put synthetic on every car I own in a heartbeat.

With the engine problems that the E46M3 has had in the past, why risk it
by giving it another reason?

sgfan3 wrote:
> Hmmm....hadn't thought of better mileage. Has anyone else experienced an increase in MPG when using synth? I do realize I drive the best value in sport coupes (it's true! This car is amazing!!!), but it cost me just about every cent I had to own it. I won't do anything stupid or overly cheap but I do need to watch my $$$! The insurance (USA) for this thing is stupid. Try $3400 per year! You really have to want these cars! Thanks for your input Vuestra.
>

I don't have a nice new M3 but only a 1999 E46 (160k miles) but you can
bet your ass there will *always* be synthetic oil in the crankcase!

Why not just follow BMW's recommendation and have the dealer maintain
the oil services as suggested by the manufacturer? Of course, any
authorized BMW dealer would be using synthetic oil.

I've run synthetic oil in my old Jeep for a long time and it seems to
run cooler in the hot Florida summers. Also, I only would ever use
synthetic in my 2000 BMW K1200RS (55k miles) after my last valve check
and there is no indication of wear on the valve train...after this many
miles, 9,000+ rpm regular driving, and even being flogged around race
tracks some (Amsoil full synthetic motorcycle "racing" oil). I've seen
much worse in engines with far fewer miles and less stressful treatment.



>
>
> "Vuestra Merced" > wrote in message ...
>> sgfan3 wrote:
>>> Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read ...
>> Dude, you're driving the best sub-60G sports coupe on the planet! this
>> shouldn't be on the top of your list of worries. And as often as you
>> need to change it, ( unless your M3 is an oil-burner of the 7th degree -
>> say a quart every 1000 miles ) I dont know if that would make a REAL
>> difference to your bottomline dollars.
>>
>> From what I've read in the past, the synthetic oils retain their
>> lubricational properties a bit longer than the plain old pennzoil. And I
>> would put my money on it, because when I switched my truck to mobil 1 my
>> gas mileage went up and stayed there by what I estimate to be 5-7% -
>> with today's gas prices - that alone will offset the costs. Although my
>> 99 chevy is no match for your ultimate driving machine - which I think
>> is further reason - I would put synthetic on every car I own in a heartbeat.
>>
>> With the engine problems that the E46M3 has had in the past, why risk it
>> by giving it another reason?

"sgfan3" > wrote in message
...
> Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read,
there is no practical difference between natural and synthetic oils. Like
most of us here, I am not made of money and the huge price difference
between the two services is a factor for me. Of course, I will use the synth
if I really need to but my instinct says I don't. Your thoughts? TIA

AFAIK Castrol TWS is still the only oil approved for use in M3s. It still
says "Exclusively approved for use in BMW M3, M5 and Z8" on the back of the
bottle.

A $50K+ car and you want to pinch pennies on oil? Do you drive uninsured?
Are you so tight you plan to skip scheduled maintenance? Expensive high
performance cars require a bit more care (and expense) than a Japanese
econobox. That should have been part of your cost of ownership equation.

As to the value of synthetic, it has greater lubricity, shear strength and
resistance to extreme heat. Not a big deal in a beater, but it might keep
things together at 8000 RPM.

R / John

"sgfan3" > wrote in message
...
> Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read,
> there is no practical difference between natural and synthetic oils. Like
> most of us here, I am not made of money and the huge price difference
> between the two services is a factor for me. Of course, I will use the
> synth if I really need to but my instinct says I don't. Your thoughts? TIA

sgfan3 wrote:
> Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read, there is no practical difference between natural and synthetic oils. Like most of us here, I am not made of money and the huge price difference between the two services is a factor for me. Of course, I will use the synth if I really need to but my instinct says I don't. Your thoughts? TIA



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--
-Fred W

On Fri, 3 Mar 2006 14:30:36 -0500, "sgfan3" > wrote:

>Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read, there is no practical difference between natural and synthetic oils. Like most of us here, I am not made of money and the huge price difference between the two services is a factor for me. Of course, I will use the synth if I really need to but my instinct says I don't. Your thoughts? TIA

You're driving a 50K+ car and you want to use cheap oil ? Why ?
Just use synthetic and change it every 7500 miles. I would not risky
it on such a high performance engine.
Also make sure the bearings have been replaced if it is an 01 or 02
model.

On Sat, 04 Mar 2006 10:53:19 -0500, Fred W
> wrote:

>sgfan3 wrote:
>> Do I really need to use synthetic oil? Based on everything I've read, there is no practical difference between natural and synthetic oils. Like most of us here, I am not made of money and the huge price difference between the two services is a factor for me. Of course, I will use the synth if I really need to but my instinct says I don't. Your thoughts? TIA
>
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>************************************************* **
>* *
>* 5 6 *
>* *
>* 4 7 *
>* / *
>* / *
>* 3 / 8 *
>* / *
>* / *
>* 2 / 9 *
>* / *
>* / *
>* 1 _____/_____ 10 *
>* *
>* TROLL-METER *
>************************************************* **

Ok, that's just funny!