[nukezero]

I just switched from BMW 5w30 to Mobil 1 0w40 last october 2013. Not even 3 months later, within about 4500 miles, the oil consumption is much higher as I needed to add half a quart every month. After 6873 miles, I decided to remove the Mobil 1 oil. I usually change at 7500 miles on the BMW 5w30 but this time did it earlier. I typically only need to add about 1/2 quart of BMW 5w30 every 6000 miles (4-5 months time). But this time, I had to add 1/2 quart in under 3 months.

Immediately, I noticed that the Mobil 1 0w40 oil (european formula) is quite gunky and more thick as it came out. Usually, the BMW 5w30 was brown but came out more fluidly. The Mobil 1 flowed out a bit slower.

I'm starting to think that this oil is too cheap and can not withstand the stresses of the n54 and I might go back to using BMW 5w30. Either that, or it's "Walmart" formula......

I got the oil at Walmart for $24.97 for 5 gallons. That works out to about $5 a quart. BMW oil is $7-8 a quart.

Either that, or I may have to start changing this Mobil 1 oil more often at 5000 miles instead.

Anyone of you observed this on Mobil 1?

Yes, I am using Mobil 1 European Formula rated for LL-01 BMW spec. Yes I didn't go beyond 7000 miles. No, I don't beat on my car. It's 75% highway miles, and it never used to burn much oil until I switched over to 0w40.

[scotty_miller]

I just put mobil 1 0-40 euro formula in mine the other day. So glad I did, car seems to like it. My oil didn't feel gunky at all, it felt super fluid as I poured it. I ran bmw 5-30 and I wasn't a fan of it, felt real sluggish in the car and seemed to make it run rougher. I got the 5 quart jug and two quarts from Walmart as well. Maybe theres a difference for the n54 vs n52?

[paddy335]

Actually your thread should read Mobil 1 0-40 is not as good as Castrol 5-30. BMW is rebranded Castrol.

That aside, I find it implausible that anyone can tell the difference between two relatively similar oils without lab analysis.

[edirtaynine]

ive been using mobil1 0w40 (euro formula) since ive bought the car several yrs ago and no issues like what you mentioned. 10k in between changes and i probably only have to add 3/4 qt during those 10k miles. 78k miles on the odometer and still going strong.

[Game]

Originally Posted by paddy335

Actually your thread should read Mobil 1 0-40 is not as good as Castrol 5-30. BMW is rebranded Castrol.

That aside, I find it implausible that anyone can tell the difference between two relatively similar oils without lab analysis.

There's actually a guy on here who did a lab analysis and found the results to be exactly what the OP stated. I believe the thread is somewhere in the maintenance section.

[nukezero]

Originally Posted by Game

There's actually a guy on here who did a lab analysis and found the results to be exactly what the OP stated. I believe the thread is somewhere in the maintenance section.

I'd love to see that data. I'm very positive that I know what I'm seeing and I've done 9 oil changes on this car with the BMW 5w30 Castrol and the first time draining the Mobil 1 0w40, I can already tell that this oil is coming out thicker than usual and more sluggish. Pouring the bottle in, yes the Mobil 1 0w40 is thinner, but coming out, it has definitely quite a difference in viscosity (oil thickness).

[techietaichi]

I just use it to hold me over to the next oil change. Once my engine calls for a quart, I know an oil change is due soon.

[BluesDriver]

I think you need to consider the weight of the oils. 0w compared to 5w and 40 compared to 30. When cold, mobil1 will be thinner and when hot, mobil1 will be thicker.

If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me.

[BoostaVita]

160k miles running on M1 0w40 every 4-5k. Oil drop 1/4 quart in 4.5k with cobb aggressive (needs 1 quart every 18k miles). M1 is pretty good in my book, don't worry too much OP.

[buster84]

Originally Posted by nukezero

I just switched from BMW 5w30 to Mobil 1 0w40 last october 2013. Not even 3 months later, within about 4500 miles, the oil consumption is much higher as I needed to add half a quart every month. After 6873 miles, I decided to remove the Mobil 1 oil. I usually change at 7500 miles on the BMW 5w30 but this time did it earlier. I typically only need to add about 1/2 quart of BMW 5w30 every 6000 miles (4-5 months time). But this time, I had to add 1/2 quart in under 3 months.

Immediately, I noticed that the Mobil 1 0w40 oil (european formula) is quite gunky and more thick as it came out. Usually, the BMW 5w30 was brown but came out more fluidly. The Mobil 1 flowed out a bit slower.

I'm starting to think that this oil is too cheap and can not withstand the stresses of the n54 and I might go back to using BMW 5w30. Either that, or it's "Walmart" formula......

I got the oil at Walmart for $24.97 for 5 gallons. That works out to about $5 a quart. BMW oil is $7-8 a quart.

Either that, or I may have to start changing this Mobil 1 oil more often at 5000 miles instead.

Anyone of you observed this on Mobil 1?

Yes, I am using Mobil 1 European Formula rated for LL-01 BMW spec. Yes I didn't go beyond 7000 miles. No, I don't beat on my car. It's 75% highway miles, and it never used to burn much oil until I switched over to 0w40.

Ive used my mobile 1 0w40 for 10k miles and just did an oil change so far its been really nice to my car. The car felt immediately better and gas mileage increased when i added it.

I checked the loss in the I-drive before i changed the oil and its barley moved. It was only 3/4th from full according to my Idrive. If your oil is gunky or thick its possible that our engine is having some kind of internal issue that has yet to show up. Its also possible that its your turbos since your turbos need the same oil.

Another possibility is that you have a lot of gunk on your intake valves and during your last 7k miles some of that gunk broke of the valves and ended up being burnt then mixed into the oil.

I can't say for sure what your problem is but for me I didn't notice any issues with this oil. Its been running strong and I even ran full e85 through it in the summer months and drove its semi hard as well. No track days, but i do love to floor it getting onto the freeway or take off at a light ect...

[mike3000fl]

Originally Posted by nukezero

Pouring the bottle in, yes the Mobil 1 0w40 is thinner, but coming out, it has definitely quite a difference in viscosity (oil thickness).

0 and the 40... thin in (cold), thick out (warm)

FWIW, I had the bmw dealer oil changes the first 100K mi, the next 85,000mi have been diy and mobil one. I have had my valve cover off a couple times and the difference after mobil one was noticeable.

[chazzz]

See the article from Consumer Reports on oil consumption.

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/consumer...140000066.html

[Meeni]

Originally Posted by nukezero

the oil consumption is much higher as I needed to add half a quart every month.

Sure it's not a leak?

Immediately, I noticed that the Mobil 1 0w40 oil (european formula) is quite gunky and more thick as it came out. Usually, the BMW 5w30 was brown but came out more fluidly. The Mobil 1 flowed out a bit slower.

Color does not indicate anything. Fluidity varies widely with temperature. If you do the oil change all warmed up, it will drain more fluidly than water. In cold weather it'll look like a sludge.

Anyone of you observed this on Mobil 1?

No, using the same Walmart deal, very happy with it.

[Infamy]

Try redline oil. I really like it.

[BMW_drei]

120k miles, changed every 10-15k on M1 0w-40 (except dealer changes). Had the valve cover off last week to replace the gasket, and inside looks pristine. Mobil 1 seems to be working fine IMHO.

[TrAcK TRaP]

Am I the only one who pays only $79 for oil change at the dealer all the time?

[Killerfish2012]

'07 335I here with 114K street and hard track miles. Mobil 1 0W40 all day, every day! One of the toughest oils I've ever used. The car does seem to drink the stuff, but I can't blame the oil for that. Any BMW over 50K miles will drink oil. It's just the facts of life.

[Gizm0]

This thread is a fail! Backyard engineering at its best.... "The Mobil 1 oil looked thicker so it's junk"

Have you considered temperature? Were you changing your oil while it was cold?

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by Gizm0

This thread is a fail! Backyard engineering at its best.... "The Mobil 1 oil looked thicker so it's junk"

Have you considered temperature? Were you changing your oil while it was cold?

And if it's a true group III/IV synthetic or a mix? Just because it says synthetic don't necessarily mean squat... Straight group IV esters would be awesome.

I'm a Liqui-Moly 5W-30 (top-tec 4200) guy, changes every 7000km, following the turbo car 1L oil = 1000km idealism.

[avocet]

Originally Posted by nukezero

I'd love to see that data. I'm very positive that I know what I'm seeing and I've done 9 oil changes on this car with the BMW 5w30 Castrol and the first time draining the Mobil 1 0w40, I can already tell that this oil is coming out thicker than usual and more sluggish. Pouring the bottle in, yes the Mobil 1 0w40 is thinner, but coming out, it has definitely quite a difference in viscosity (oil thickness).

playing devils advocate, but maybe it is using more oil because it is a lighter grade.

and the oil coming out thicker and dirtier is because the more effective additive package is cleaning out your engine better and is full of contaminants from after using a less effective oil



but I have never used m-1 in my bimmer. used it(full synth mobil) with much success in my air cooled ducati(high localized head temps...) and other bikes.

always used catrol ll-01 in the bimmer

[tc535i]

Loved 0-30 in my 330, seems to work great in the n54 335 as well

[Alohaaaaa]

Originally Posted by avocet

playing devils advocate, but maybe it is using more oil because it is a lighter grade.

and the oil coming out thicker and dirtier is because the more effective additive package is cleaning out your engine better and is full of contaminants from after using a less effective oil



but I have never used m-1 in my bimmer. used it with much success in my air cooled ducati(high localed head temps...) and other bikes.

always used catrol ll-01 in the bimmer

If it's thicker and darker it means it's also experienced more thermal breakdown, usually due to a lower synthetic grade.