Mobile 1 Syn. or BMW oil from Dealer???

bronco · 11-09-2006, 04:14 PM

Hello guys,

I have been trying to find a definite answer on which one is better for the new 335i, but I cant.

I found a lot of good opinions about the Mobile 1, but even if it is better than the Syn. BMW Oil, wouldnt it be bad for the engine to run on two different oil brands?

Lets say I decide to go with Mobile 1, and change it every 7500 miles, when I go to the dealer to change it, at 15000 miles, they will put their BMW brand right....?

Please let me know if you have any experience using Mobile 1 or any other non-BMW syn. oil.

Thanks!

Robert · 11-09-2006, 04:49 PM

Mobil one / Mobil 1 Extend Performance are pretty much the best brand name oil you can buy out there. Unless the BMW oil has special oil ratings you can't purchase outside the dealer you will be fine.

NoMods · 11-09-2006, 04:51 PM

not much of a price difference between M1 and BMW oil. I would get the BMW oil IMO.

nhhiep · 11-09-2006, 04:58 PM

I am on the same boat, but I stick with BMW oil since there is almost no price difference, and I have a better peace of mind. plus changing oil at 7.5K miles is below the spec already.

gos · 11-09-2006, 06:25 PM

From what I understand, the BMW oil (at least in the US) is just Castrol 5W-30 synthetic. Both Castrol and Mobile One are about $6/qt. I think my dealer only charged me about $5.50/qt when I got my oil changed.

ShinBalNom · 11-09-2006, 06:36 PM

My dealer told me they're all the same... all preference... he told me he uses Castrol. =)

nyc3r · 11-09-2006, 06:48 PM

well, I bought Mobile 1 5W30 since the manual says 5W30, but then there's all these discussion about the difference between US 5W30 and euro 5W30. I end up returning the Mobil1 and got the BMW oil.. price 'difference' is about $10 for 7 qt. Also picked up a filter while I was at the dealer.

ph19 · 11-09-2006, 06:57 PM

I use 0-40 from Mobile 1 oil

mkeds · 11-09-2006, 07:35 PM

Doesnt Bimmer use Mobil SYN cause my old Mini used Mobil from the Dealer?

noro · 11-09-2006, 07:40 PM

Just FYI I've been using M1 0-40 oil in my e46 3.0L engine for the past 50K miles with great results.

fun2drive · 11-09-2006, 08:51 PM

I think as long as the oil meets the ACEA A3 spec which is for high performance engines as well as the Long Life (LL) requirement you will be fine. Check the back of the Mobil 1 containers as not all Mobil 1 meets this spec. I think the 5W30 does not so check.
These oils are so good that they can make it one year or 15K miles. I am still not able to do that however but I think 10K works.
I found this evaluation that shows some data on Mobil 1 and Amsoil.
http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/amsoil.html
Hope this helps some...

742 · 11-10-2006, 05:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bronco

...I found a lot of good opinions about the Mobile 1, but even if it is better than the Syn. BMW Oil, wouldnt it be bad for the engine to run on two different oil brands?...

In theory all oils are supposed to be compatible. However the formulations are kept secret, so who really knows? It is hard to imagine anyone actually testing all of the combinations for compatibility.

For these reasons I avoid mixing. But that is just my thing and my opinion.

As for what oil to use, and at the risk of restarting the "oil wars", look for BMW LL-01 approval. Basic names like "Mobil 1 5W-30" can be very different oils in different locations, making things a tad confusing.

compliance · 11-10-2006, 12:35 PM

I wouldn't bother switching from BMW synthetic unless you wanted to go with a real performance oil like Royal Purple or Redline. Other than that just watch out for tricky marketing that allows some companies to label highly processed mineral oil as synthetic, when it is not a true synthetic.

n3985 · 11-10-2006, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobbo

Mobil one / Mobil 1 Extend Performance are pretty much the best brand name oil you can buy out there. Unless the BMW oil has special oil ratings you can't purchase outside the dealer you will be fine.

False, German Castrol, Amsoil, Esso are probably even better as seen from oil analysis reports. www.bobistheoilguy.com is great site for info.

To answer the original question, Mobil 1 Synthetic will be fine for your car.

shragon · 11-10-2006, 01:08 PM

bmw syn is a rip off at the dealer by my house, unless it's on sale, then the price is comparable to mobil 1. on future diy oil changes, i will be using mobil 1 0w-40.

325 Baller · 11-10-2006, 01:14 PM

I got the min oil warning yesterday and ran out and bought mobile 1. I called the bmw service and they put me on with some mechanic or something and he said mobile1 is basically the same theres no differences and to get it. Plus it was more convienent.

therealm3 · 11-10-2006, 03:45 PM

If you switch over use Mobil 1 0-40. It meets the BMW requirements. I used it in my E46 for years. My M3 gets Mobil 1 15/50.

dmontic71 · 11-10-2006, 04:22 PM

I know this would never happen but, those BMW warranty folks can be real sticklers about using non BMW parts. I can't imagine that there is anything that voids a warranty by using a different brand of oil- but I wonder if they would try and play that card to void a warranty claim. Lets say your low oil sensor fails & you seize your engine.. I can picturee some warranty dude saying, "oh, it was this oil, it damaged the sensor, so we can't cover a new engine"...

AndreyATC · 11-10-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmontic71

I know this would never happen but, those BMW warranty folks can be real sticklers about using non BMW parts. I can't imagine that there is anything that voids a warranty by using a different brand of oil- but I wonder if they would try and play that card to void a warranty claim. Lets say your low oil sensor fails & you seize your engine.. I can picturee some warranty dude saying, "oh, it was this oil, it damaged the sensor, so we can't cover a new engine"...

How would they find out if you used Mobil 1 vs. Castrol?

John 070 · 11-10-2006, 04:35 PM

Is the oil change a DIY job on the E92? I mean if we want to do it in-between the service interval? Any detectors on the N54 to tell BMW that a non-authorized technician touched it? Who knows what's going on with the BMW Assist....

I know with my Nissan I prefer to do it myself because once the dealer touched it, lots of fasteners on plastic stuff was never put back, but I never checked so I have no way of knowing which dealer did it.

I would hate to do anything on the 335 that would mess up the warranty just to save $90.....

E90330iS · 05-29-2007, 07:47 PM

Where did you guys get your Mobil 1? Where is the cheapest place?

John 070 · 05-29-2007, 08:18 PM

Mobil 1 is to BMW oil, as Popeye's is to KFC, the latter leads to a triple bypass no matter how tightly the secret formula of 11 herbs and spices is guarded.

11-09-2006, 04:14 PM	#1
bronco Colonel 76 Rep 2,104 Posts Drives: e92 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0)	Mobile 1 Syn. or BMW oil from Dealer??? Hello guys, I have been trying to find a definite answer on which one is better for the new 335i, but I cant. I found a lot of good opinions about the Mobile 1, but even if it is better than the Syn. BMW Oil, wouldnt it be bad for the engine to run on two different oil brands? Lets say I decide to go with Mobile 1, and change it every 7500 miles, when I go to the dealer to change it, at 15000 miles, they will put their BMW brand right....? Please let me know if you have any experience using Mobile 1 or any other non-BMW syn. oil. Thanks! __________________ SaaS - The world of tomorrow is already here...www.saaschronicles.com
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11-09-2006, 04:49 PM	#2
Robert Major General 417 Rep 6,968 Posts Drives: 135i -> is350 -> Tesla M3 perf Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Socal iTrader: (1)	Mobil one / Mobil 1 Extend Performance are pretty much the best brand name oil you can buy out there. Unless the BMW oil has special oil ratings you can't purchase outside the dealer you will be fine.
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11-09-2006, 04:51 PM	#3
NoMods Colonel 1108 Rep 2,326 Posts Drives: 2022 M5 Join Date: May 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (10) Garage List 2022 M5 [10.00]	not much of a price difference between M1 and BMW oil. I would get the BMW oil IMO.
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11-09-2006, 04:58 PM	#4
nhhiep Captain 88 Rep 863 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO iTrader: (0)	I am on the same boat, but I stick with BMW oil since there is almost no price difference, and I have a better peace of mind. plus changing oil at 7.5K miles is below the spec already.
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11-09-2006, 06:25 PM	#5
gos Captain 27 Rep 959 Posts Drives: E90 330xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Colorado iTrader: (0)	From what I understand, the BMW oil (at least in the US) is just Castrol 5W-30 synthetic. Both Castrol and Mobile One are about $6/qt. I think my dealer only charged me about $5.50/qt when I got my oil changed. __________________ -- 330xi SG/Terra/Burl -- ZPP, ZSP, ZCW, CA, Sirius, PDC
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11-09-2006, 06:36 PM	#6
ShinBalNom Captain 23 Rep 669 Posts Drives: AW 330i Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So. CAL iTrader: (1)	My dealer told me they're all the same... all preference... he told me he uses Castrol. =) __________________ --------------------------------------------- Don't drive faster than your Angel can fly... BBS CK 19" / Eibach Pro-Kit / Koni FSD / Blacklines / M-tech
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11-09-2006, 06:48 PM	#7
nyc3r Colonel 112 Rep 2,589 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA iTrader: (24)	well, I bought Mobile 1 5W30 since the manual says 5W30, but then there's all these discussion about the difference between US 5W30 and euro 5W30. I end up returning the Mobil1 and got the BMW oil.. price 'difference' is about $10 for 7 qt. Also picked up a filter while I was at the dealer.
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11-09-2006, 06:57 PM	#8
ph19 Private First Class 5 Rep 172 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: USA Bay Area iTrader: (1)	0-40 I use 0-40 from Mobile 1 oil
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11-09-2006, 07:35 PM	#9
mkeds Second Lieutenant 23 Rep 242 Posts Drives: none Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: nowhere iTrader: (0)	Doesnt Bimmer use Mobil SYN cause my old Mini used Mobil from the Dealer?
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11-09-2006, 07:40 PM	#10
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Just FYI I've been using M1 0-40 oil in my e46 3.0L engine for the past 50K miles with great results.
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11-09-2006, 08:51 PM	#11
fun2drive BMWCCA 149159 38 Rep 847 Posts Drives: 13 128i Vert/ 14 JGC Diesel Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Florida Panhandle iTrader: (1)	I think as long as the oil meets the ACEA A3 spec which is for high performance engines as well as the Long Life (LL) requirement you will be fine. Check the back of the Mobil 1 containers as not all Mobil 1 meets this spec. I think the 5W30 does not so check. These oils are so good that they can make it one year or 15K miles. I am still not able to do that however but I think 10K works. I found this evaluation that shows some data on Mobil 1 and Amsoil. http://neptune.spacebears.com/cars/stories/amsoil.html Hope this helps some...
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11-10-2006, 12:35 PM	#13
compliance New Member 0 Rep 17 Posts Drives: 97 Camry Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: bay area, ca iTrader: (0)	I wouldn't bother switching from BMW synthetic unless you wanted to go with a real performance oil like Royal Purple or Redline. Other than that just watch out for tricky marketing that allows some companies to label highly processed mineral oil as synthetic, when it is not a true synthetic.
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11-10-2006, 01:08 PM	#15
shragon Moderator 497 Rep 27,441 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (7)	bmw syn is a rip off at the dealer by my house, unless it's on sale, then the price is comparable to mobil 1. on future diy oil changes, i will be using mobil 1 0w-40. __________________ www.cardomain.com/id/shragon
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11-10-2006, 01:14 PM	#16
325 Baller Colonel 264 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	I got the min oil warning yesterday and ran out and bought mobile 1. I called the bmw service and they put me on with some mechanic or something and he said mobile1 is basically the same theres no differences and to get it. Plus it was more convienent. __________________ ----------------------------------------------------
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11-10-2006, 03:45 PM	#17
therealm3 Lieutenant Colonel 630 Rep 1,649 Posts Drives: F30 340 MSport Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: CA, USA iTrader: (7)	If you switch over use Mobil 1 0-40. It meets the BMW requirements. I used it in my E46 for years. My M3 gets Mobil 1 15/50.
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11-10-2006, 04:22 PM	#18
dmontic71 Lieutenant 27 Rep 520 Posts Drives: 2012 F30 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2012 BMW 328i [10.00] (retired) 2009 528i [10.00] (retired) 2006 325i [10.00] (retired) 2002 325ci [10.00]	I know this would never happen but, those BMW warranty folks can be real sticklers about using non BMW parts. I can't imagine that there is anything that voids a warranty by using a different brand of oil- but I wonder if they would try and play that card to void a warranty claim. Lets say your low oil sensor fails & you seize your engine.. I can picturee some warranty dude saying, "oh, it was this oil, it damaged the sensor, so we can't cover a new engine"... __________________ 2012 F30 328i, Melbourne Red, Premium, Sportline, Steptronic, Xenon, Harmon Kardon.
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11-10-2006, 04:35 PM	#20
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Is the oil change a DIY job on the E92? I mean if we want to do it in-between the service interval? Any detectors on the N54 to tell BMW that a non-authorized technician touched it? Who knows what's going on with the BMW Assist.... I know with my Nissan I prefer to do it myself because once the dealer touched it, lots of fasteners on plastic stuff was never put back, but I never checked so I have no way of knowing which dealer did it. I would hate to do anything on the 335 that would mess up the warranty just to save $90.....
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05-29-2007, 07:47 PM	#21
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	Where did you guys get your Mobil 1? Where is the cheapest place? __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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05-29-2007, 08:18 PM	#22
John 070 Lieutenant General 1705 Rep 14,829 Posts Drives: 335i cpe Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: ZSP/ZPP/ZCW iTrader: (0)	Mobil 1 is to BMW oil, as Popeye's is to KFC, the latter leads to a triple bypass no matter how tightly the secret formula of 11 herbs and spices is guarded.
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