Is synthetic motor oil bad for old BMWs? Many older BMW models, such as the E30, were designed prior to the mass adoption of full synthetic or even synthetic blends. The standard rule of thumb when changing oils in vehicles is to use the same type of oil that was used when your engine was delivered from the factory. With all modern BMW engines using synthetic, the question arises: Is it safe to use synthetic oil in older model BMWs? The short answer is, yes. It is safe. Let us explain why below.

What exactly is synthetic oil?

Synthetic oils are man made, chemically engineered, to provide superior properties to that of crude oils which are drilled out of the ground and then refined. Synthetic motor oils were developed in 1929. The use of synthetic oils became essential during World War II after bombing of oil refineries and demand on crude oil. Further more, during the 1970s energy crisis in America and the western world the use of synthetics saw a high demand.

Why could there be an issue using synthetic motor oil in older BMws?

Early synthetic oils were ester based along with early engine seals. This combination often became an issue when in contact with each other. The ester based seals swell up when in contact with ester based oils. Issues that may arise are overswelling of the seal, cracking and loss of elasticity. Over time, the engine seals would break down quicker and result in oil leaks.

Can I use synthetic oil in my older BMW?

Modern synthetics have addressed the issues with the rubber seal compatibility of older engines. Chemical engineering and oil development has come a long way since the 1970s. If you decide to use a synthetic oil in an older model BMW, oil makers recommend you still stick with the recommended oil viscosity. This will ensure proper oil flow between the originally designed clearances of moving parts.

What are the advantages?

➊ Longer oil change intervals due to the oil taking longer to break down.
➋ Less oil sludge accumulation due to less impurities.
➌ Better viscosity properties for cold and hot weather climates.
➍ Better properties for turbochargers to lubricate smaller components.

Quick Links:

➊ Motor Oil Basics, Viscosity and Weights explained.
➋ How to reset E30 oil service inspection light.
➌ How to reset E36 oil service inspection light.
➍ How to reset E46 oil service inspection light.
➎ How to reset E39, E38, E53 X5 oil service inspection light.

The following BMW E36 M3 oil change information is based on the US spec S50B30 and S52B32 engines. The S50B30 was only used for the 1995 year model in the US, the first year the E36 M3 was made available to the US market. 1996 through 1999 E36 M3 models used the S52B32 engines.

How do I know when my E36 M3 needs an oil change?

The BMW E36 M3 has a series of illuminated lamps under the speedometer that decrease as the time for your next maintenance visit approaches.

A yellow lamp will indicate "OILSERVICE" or "INSPECTION" meaning maintenance is due.

A red lamp will alert you that maintenance is overdue and needs servicing immediately.

What type of oil should I use in my BMW E36 M3 engine?

Per page 103 of the BMW E36 M3 owner's manual, BMW recommends oils that meet the following API ratings:

API SG

API SH

API SG/CD

API SG/CE

API SH/CD

API SH/CE

When the E36 M3 was manufactured in the 1990s, these API ratings were the highest standards oils were produced to at the time. However, as oil technology has progressed over the years, these ratings are now obsolete and oil can no longer be purchased new at these old standards. As a result, these are the current API standards:

API SP

API SN

API SM

API SL

API SJ

Any name brand oil that meets these new standards will be sufficient for the S50B30 or S52B32 motor. Engine oil ratings can be either found on the front or back of the label on the oil container.

BIMMERtips recommends the Liqui Moly brand of oil due to their products meeting the highest of standards as well as made in Germany. The following Liqui Moly oils which meet API SL & API SN standards. For alternate oils available in your country you can always call your local BMW dealership to ask for a recommendation.

5W30 Longtime High Tech

5W40 Leichtlauf High Tech

10W40 Leichtlauf High Tech

WARNING!
FROM PAGE 103 OF THE BMW E36 M3 OWNER'S MANUAL:
BMW engines are designed to operate without oil additives; the use of additives could lead to damage in some cases. This also applies to the manual and automatic transmission, the differential and power steering system.

What viscosity oil should I use in my BMW E36 M3?

Per page 104 of the BMW E36 M3 owner's manual, oil SAE viscosity rating is based off the average seasonal air temperature of the climate in which the vehicle is driven. Refer to the below chart BMW provides in the owner's manual for viscosity ratings.

What is the OEM BMW oil filter kit part number for the S50 and S52 motor?

OEM BMW Kit Part Number: 11427833769
This OEM BMW oil filter kit costs around $20 and comes complete with (1) oil filter, (1) drain plug washer and (1) oil filter cap o-ring.

What are alternative S50 / S52 oil filter kit part numbers?

Mahle Kit Part Number: MAH-OX187D
This Mahle oil filter kit costs around $7 and comes complete with (1) oil filter, (1) drain plug washer and (1) oil filter cap o-ring.

What is the oil filter cap torque?

13mm bolt: 25Nm or 18lb-ft

What is the oil drain plug torque?

17mm bolt (M12): 25Nm or 18lb-ft

What is the oil capacity of the E36 M3?

1995 S50B30: 6.9 quarts (6.5 liters) - page 9 of supplemental owner's manual
1996 / 1999 S52B32: 6.3 quarts (6.0 liters) - page 140 of owner's manual

How do I check my E36 M3 oil level?

Per page 102 of the owner's manual: to obtain precise readings:

✔ Ideally check oil level with a cold engine, when the engine oil has drained back down to the oil pan.
✔ When checking oil level with a warm engine, wait briefly for the oil to drain back down into the oil pan (during refueling for example).

➊ Pull out the dipstick and wipe off with a lint free cloth, paper towel etc.
➋ Push the dipstick all the way into the guide tube and pull it out again.
➌ The oil level should be between the two marks on the dipstick.

How do I know when to add oil?

Per page 103 of the owner's manual:
Wait until the level has dropped to just above the lower graduation before adding oil. Never wait until the oil drops below the lower mark. The space between the two marks on the dipstick corresponds to approximately 1.1 US quarts (1.0 liter). However, do not fill beyond the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess oil harms the engine. Because it would be consumed within a short period, it would also result in an abnormally high rate of oil consumption.

What is the oil service light reset procedure?

Learn the procedure on how to reset the BMW E36 oil reset light HERE

Where can I learn more information on oil weights and viscosity?

Learn more BIMMERtips information on oil by clicking HERE

The BMW M235i features the mighty N55B30O0 engine which is a single turbocharged 3.0L inline 6 cylinder. Power output is 326hp and 322lb-ft (450Nm) of torque. BMW recommends changing the oil every 11,000 miles or once a year, whichever comes first. Ensure your engine has been warmed up prior to draining. After removal of the drain plug, let it drain for 20 - 30 minutes.

What is the oil capacity of the BMW M235i N55 engine?

6.5 liters / 6.9 quarts.

What type of oil should I use in my BMW M235i N55 engine?

BMW recommends full synthetic oils that meet BMW Longlife-01 (BMW LL-01) and BMW Longlife-01 FE (BMW LL-01 FE) standards.

BMW Longlife-01 (BMW LL-01)
Special BMW approval for fully synthetic long-life oil. Product meets ACEA A3/B3 and API: SJ/CD EC-II.

BMW Longlife-01 FE (BMW LL-01 FE)
Fully synthetic long-life oil with fuel economy properties. Oils meeting this specifications must have a low HTHS viscosity to meet the manufacturer's fuel economy requirements.

Per page 178 of the 2 series owner's manual:

SAE 0W-40

SAE 0W-30

SAE 5W-40

SAE 5W-30

The label of the oil should list the rating standards the product meets as shown in the image below:

What is the OEM BMW oil filter part number for the N55 motor?

OEM BMW Part Number: 11427953129

This OEM BMW oil filter kit costs around $15 and comes complete with (1) oil filter, (1) drail plug washer and (1) oil filter cap o-ring.

What are alternative N55 oil filter part numbers?

Mann: HU816X

Mahle: OX387DECO

Hengst: E61HD215

What is the oil filter cap torque?

25Nm or 18lb-ft

What is the oil drain plug torque?

25Nm or 18lb-ft

What is BMW oil filter cap tool part number?

OEM BMW Part Number: 83300493936
It costs around $17 new

What is the oil light reset procedure?

• ➊ Keep foot off brake pedal & press "Start / Stop" button to turn on battery
• ➋ Press and hold the "Set / Reset" button on the dash until the service indicator light appears.
• ➌ Press the "Set / Reset" button multiple times until the oil indicator is shown.
• ➍ Press and hold the "Set / Reset" button.
• ➎ When "RESET" appears, release the "Set / Reset" button.
• ➏ Press and hold the "Set / Reset" button again.
• ➐ The oil reset is now complete and your new mileage countdown will begin.

How do I check my engine oil level?

• ➊ Select "Menu" on the iDrive controller
• ➋ Select "Vehicle Info"
• ➌ Select "Vehicle Status"
• ➍ Select "Measure engine oil level"
• ➎ Select "Start measurement"

Where can I learn more information on oil weights and viscosity?

Learn more BIMMERtips information on oil by clicking HERE

How to reset BMW E30 oil service / inspection light:

After performing an oil change, the BMW E30 oil service / inspection light must be reset.  Once reset, service indicator lights will be full green and begin to countdown until the next oil service interval.

The reset procedure is straightforward and does not require any special tools or even assistance from a BMW dealer.  If you change your own oil at home, you can and must reset your indicator light through the steps below. The only "tool" required is a jumper wire.

What are the steps?

➊ Locate the DLC (Data Link Connector) usually found around the oil dip stick on the 6 cylinder model and near the firewall on the 4 cylinder model. You are looking for a circular cap about the diameter of a soda can, early model vehicles are slightly smaller in diameter. Unscrew this cap to expose the data ports.

➋ Obtain a small gauge wire to fit inside the pin receptacles. Ideally, approximately 2 inches is sufficient.

➌ We recommend to using a fused or inline resister with the jumper wire to prevent a surge in amperage from frying your system. Although recommended, it is not required. Proceed at your own risk.

➍ Locate pins 7 and 19 (for 1988 and newer models) or pins 7 and 1 (for 1987 and older models) and place the jumper wire inside the receptacles. The numbers are small, make sure to have the jumper in the correct pin receptacle before proceeding. The picture below shows the late model pin locations.

➎ Turn the key to the ON position, this is the first click.

➏ After 5 seconds the LEDs in the dash will light up.

➐ Turn the key off and your oil inspection light is reset.

➑ If you proceed to leave the key on longer, around 8 seconds, you will perform an inspection reset.

➒ Remove the jumper wire.

➓ Reinstall the DLC cap.

Troubleshooting issues to note:

✔ If your lights cannot be reset or the lights come on after a few days, your instrument cluster batteries may need to be replaced.
✔ If the lights do not appear after 5 seconds, ensure the jumper wire has a proper contact with the metal receptacles in the data link connector. Too thin of a jumper wire may not have proper contact with the sides which will not allow the current to travel through the wire.

Other BMW model oil service inspection light reset procedures:

✔ E46

✔ E38, E38, E53 X5

How to reset late model BMW E39, E38, E53 X5 oil service inspection light:

The below procedure works ONLY on BMW E39, E38, E53 X5 models with a build date from 09/2000 onward.

Early model E39, E38, E53 X5 oil service / inspection lights must be reset using a different method. After performing an oil change, the BMW E39, E38, E53 X5 oil service / inspection light must be reset. Once reset, the computer will then count down from 15,000 miles until the next oil change.

The reset procedure is straight forward and does not require any specialty BMW tools or a need for BMW dealership involvement. If you change your own oil at home you can and must reset your indicator light through the steps below.

What are the steps?

• ➊ Turn the ignition key in the "off" position.
• ➋ Press and hold the lower left button on the instrument cluster, which is the trip odometer button.
• ➌ While the trip odometer button is pressed, turn the ignition key to the FIRST position (KLR).
• ✔ IMPORTANT:  DO NOT GO TO THE SECOND POSITION, if you do, remove the key and start over
• ➍ Keep the trip odometer button pressed for approximately 5 seconds until one of the following words appear in the display: "OIL SERVICE" or "INSPECTION" or "RESET SIA:" illuminates.
• ➎ Release the trip odometer button and press and hold it until "RESET" flashes and release your finger.
• ➏ While the display is flashing, press the left button briefly to reset the service interval.
• ➐ The oil service interval is now reset.
• ➑ A Clock Symbol will appear indicating the brake fluid renewal interval.
• ➒ Press the left button to skip the brake fluid renewal interval reset menu.
• ➓ "END SIA" will appear, press the left button one last time and the process is now complete.

✔ The system can only be reset again after 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel have been consumed or has been driven 50 to 75 miles.

Other BMW model oil service inspection light reset procedures:

• E46
• E30

The topic of oil is very complex and can go into many different topics such as viscosity, conventional, synthetic, blends, additives…the list goes on. We are going to keep this post simple and only talk about the naming convention of oils and what they mean as many people do not understand the basics. To learn the basics of fuel octane ratings, click the link HERE.

What does the W in oil ratings such as 10W-40 stand for?

The W stands for “Winter” not weight. This W with a number before it refers to the cold weather viscosity of the oil. This first number represents the oil’s resistance to flow at 0 deg F. The higher the number the more viscous (thick) your oil will be. On the contrary, the lower the number the number the less viscous the oil will be at lower temperatures.

What does the second number stand for in the oil naming convention?

The number following the W designation is the viscosity of the oil at 212 deg F. Again, the higher the number the more viscous the oil is. The lower the number the less viscous the oil is.

What is viscosity?

Viscosity is a measure of how much resistance a fluid has to flow at a designated temperature. The two temperatures viscosity is measured with motor oil is 0 deg F and 212 deg F.

When would you want to change oil viscosities?

Higher mileage vehicles have larger gaps between moving parts due to excessive wear. If using too thin of oil these large gaps can be poorly lubricated, thus a thicker weight oil would be ideal.

How is viscosity measured?

Oil is heated to a specific temperature and then flowed through a calibrated size hole. The length of time it takes for a select amount of oil to flow out through the hole will determine a viscosity number. Thinner oils will flow through quickly (think water) as opposed to a thicker oil which will take longer (think syrup).

Why are different viscosity ratings important?

Your engine needs thin oil on cold startups to allow the parts to be lubricated. Too thick of oil on cold starts would create excessive wear between the moving parts. Once the vehicle is at a normal operating temperature a thicker oil property is needed to allow oil to stick to the moving parts. Too thin of oil would run off the parts too quickly and create wear.

Oil changes viscosity with temperature changes. Oil flows quicker at higher temperatures and slower at lower temperatures. This is why it is important to change your oil with a warm engine (not hot or cold). Too hot and you could burn yourself, too cold the oil is too thick where the old oil will not all flow out of the pan.

Which weight oil should you use?

Check your owners manual. The older 80s and 90s BMWs display different oil viscosities for different climates per the owner's manual. Colder climates will require thinner oil and hotter climates will require thicker oil.

Where can I learn more BMW fun facts?

Learn more BMW fun facts by clicking HERE

How to reset BMW E46 oil service / inspection oil light:

After performing an oil change, the BMW E46 oil service / inspection light must be reset.  Once reset, the computer will then count down from 15,000 miles until the next oil change.  The below procedure works on every BMW E46 model produced from 9/99 onward.

The reset procedure is straightforward and does not require any special tools or even for the vehicle to be brought to a dealer.  If you change your own oil at home you can and must reset your indicator light through the steps below.

What are the steps?

• ➊ Turn the ignition key in the "off" position.
• ➋ Press and hold the lower left button on the instrument cluster, which is the trip odometer button.
• ➌ While the trip odometer button is pressed, turn the ignition key to the FIRST position (KLR).
• ✔ IMPORTANT:  DO NOT GO TO THE SECOND POSITION, if you do, remove the key and start over.
• ➎ Keep the trip odometer button pressed for approximately 5 seconds until one of the following words appear in the display: "OIL SERVICE" or "INSPECTION" with "rESET" illuminated above.
• ➏ Release the trip odometer button and press and hold it until "rESET" flashes.
• ➐ While the display is flashing, press the left button briefly to reset the service interval.
• ➑ After the display has shown the new interval, the following will appear: "END SIA".

✔ The system can only be reset again after 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel have been consumed.

Other BMW model oil service inspection light reset procedures:

• E38, E38, E53 X5
• E30

BMW oil filler gasket ring, valve cover:

Removing the plastic cover over the valve cover is routine work for BMW maintenance. If upon removal there are traces of oil over the coil packs or down in the spark plug openings, there is a great chance there is a missing or cracked rubber gasket ring around the filler opening.

When topping off your engine with oil it is common to have some spillage around the filler in the valve cover. There should exist a rubber gasket around the opening. This ring seals between the metal valve cover opening and the plastic cover. Often times this seal is completely missing or it is cracked, preventing a functional seal.

Some owners may not notice this gasket ring is missing and some may not realize it should be there to begin with. Either way, luckily the replacement ring is cheap and easy to install. Your local BMW dealership should carry the part or any online parts dealer.

You will have to remove the entire plastic cover for proper replacement/installation but once completed you will be glad you did. Ensuring a proper seal around the oil filler opening prevents debris, oil and moisture from entering the top of your valve cover. Under the plastic cover is critical engine components that could be damage and need to be protected.

BMW oil cap o-ring:

The oil cap itself also has an o-ring on it to seal against the valve cover when tightened down.  When removing the oil cap, it is recommended to place the cap on a rag face down.  This will allow oil to drain off of the cap and onto the rag, preventing oil from seeping under the oil ring on the cap.  If oil seeps under the cap while upside down, the oil can seep out onto the valve cover once installed right side up.

What is the BMW oil filler gasket ring part number?

11127526447

What BMW models / engines will it fit?

This part fits all M50, M52 and M54 powered BMWs.
3’ E36 - M50, M52, S50, S52
3’ E46 - M52, M54
5’ E34 - M50
5’ E39 - M52, M54
5’ E60 - M54
5’ E61 - M54
7’ E38 - M52
7’ E65 - M54
7’ E66 - M54
X3 E83 - M54
X5 E53 - M54
Z3 E36 - M52, M54, S54
Z4 E85 - M54

Where can I learn more BMW pro tips?

Learn more BMW pro tips HERE