Exactly. The thinking is that any "good" 5w-30 is similar to any other -- if BMW's oil is 5w-30, then Mobil 1 5w-30 should work as well. Couldn't be further from the truth. Plenty of companies make 5w-30 oils that kick the crap out of Mobil 1 5w-30 for a similar price.

Coincidentally after all the talk about Amsoil in this thread, Amsoil ASL is probably the best overall widely-available 5w-30 oil, and it can be had for virtually the same price as Mobil 1 5w-30...

 

Can you switch over from mobil 1 to amsoil?

 

Why not? I did.

 

Mobil 1, 5w-30 every 6k miles. No problems what so ever.

 

8k, but don't rely on me. I'm lazy.

 

I've been using M1 for little over 20yrs. I broke in my cars with regular oils and switched to M1 after 10Kmiles and then switched back to regular after 100Kmiles. My current '04MaxSE just passed the 3yr mark @50Kmiles. All my other V6Nissans ('99Pathfinder & '97Max) drove better after an oil-change (no matter what oil). With my '04Max, I'venot noticed anything different after oil-changes (M1 for last 2.5yrs). I noticed the M1 5w-30 isn't clear and thin as before, but hasnot been bothered. Recently I got into a promotion on the new Valvoline Full-sync 10w30 (they don't seems to make 5w-30) for 98cents/qt. I just did a 1st oil-change w/Valvoline @50K. I was surprised as my Max runs so much better. The throtte response is almost instant. It likes I just got a 20HP bonus.
I change the oil while the gas tank is half empty, so it's not the gas. So I think I would just drop M1 from now on.
By the way, I change oil every 5Kmiles (sync or regular) using OEM oilfilters. My other '07Murano is still under break-in period, but it won't see any of M1. Since Nissan specifically recommends 5w-30 for it, I will get other brands.

 

wow i didnt think vavoline was making oil that good...i may make the switch from M1 and see how it works out

 

Unfortunately, that's no indication of how well the oil performs.

BTW. WalMart has 5w30 synthetic in 5 qt jugs for $19.xx each. At least my local one did. Rollback sale or whatever. Could be just overstock at this particular store though.

 

Amsoil is superior IF you use it that way. Ie.. FI or extended drain. If you change the oil under 5k, then either performs very well.

As far as getting it for the same price as Amsoil, good luck. WalMart's reg price for 5w30 5qt is $23.xx. It's on sale now for $19.xx each.

 

Touché. I was thinking quart bottles (OTS Mobil 1 vs. Amsoil Preferred Customer prices).

 

Probably because that oil is still a true synthetic vs thier 5w30 group III dino. It's still very good oil but not technically to BMW specs. I would also assume BMW requires a particular oil because it should have the addtive packages to run their 10,000-12,000 "free maintanance" oil change schedules

 

Yeah. I figured. Which is probably somewhat true too. Mobil 1 qt retail prices are insane and Talkinghorse's prices are very good!

 

Actually there is evidence that the 0w-40 is at least somewhat group III now. It's a great oil, though. Porsche uses it in their entire model lineup, and it definitely does meet BMW's (and Mercedes's, and Porsche's, and VW's) specs otherwise they wouldn't certify it.

One big reason people don't really like it is that it seems to cheat at the certification testing: apparently it thins out fairly quickly so that it's down to a high 30-weight for Mercedes's fuel efficiency tests (lover viscosity = less drag), and then gradually thickens so that it's back to a 40-weight by the end of the ACEA A3 test. Plus, being a sort of catch-all solution for lots of different kinds of engines, it isn't as good in any of them as a more narrowly focused oil would be.

 

It'd be interesting to see how the M1 5W-30 compares to M1 0W-40 in the UOA reports for extended drain apps. Any BITOG readers that can chime in?

I also have an Bim E46 and only use M1 0W-40 in it and change it every 9-10 months (it gets less than 7K miles/year, so change it according to time).

 

As long as your car likes 40-weight oil, Mobil 1 0w-40 is superior to Mobil 1 5w-30 in every way.

You shouldn't use Mobil 1 5w-30 in your E46, if that's what you're asking. That oil doesn't have enough viscosity under high temperature/high shear conditions.

 

Have never used M1 5W-30 in the E46.

Only use M1 0W-40 as that is the only Mobile1 oil that meets the specs of all the major Euro Manufacturers (ACEA A3/B3, etc.).

 

I change mine around 5k with full synthetic