Engine oil

[5UG]

My handbook isn't very helpful re engine oil for top ups.
My yellow oil light is coming on when I turn the engine off.

Would Castrol Magnatec (C3) Engine Oil - 5W-30be OK, its a good deal on carparts4less.co.uk?

If not, what do members recommend?

 

[Sean d]

I seem to remember a post on here about Mr VANOS saying not to use Castrol, might have been @Nodzed

 

[Ianmc]

I use Castrol Magnatec 10W40 in the 1.9 Z3 (and our E36 2.5), Castrol Edge 10W60 in the MC (for 13 years). No issues whatsoever with Castrol.

 

[Nodzed]

I seem to remember a post on here about Mr VANOS saying not to use Castrol, might have been @Nodzed

It was I ..... he said the brown staining in my engine was due to Castrol and recommended Silkolean Race Pro (now Fuchs Titan Race Pro) and to be be fair no more brown staining. Also apparently BMW don't recommend Castrol now either??

 

[Ianmc]

It was I ..... he said the blown staining in my engine was due to Castrol and recommended Silkolean Race Pro (now Fuchs Titan Race Pro) and to be be fair no more brown staining. Also apparently BMW don't recommend Castrol now either??

Is it commercial rather than technical with BMW?

 

[EssexZed]

I use Castrol Magnatec 10W40 in the 1.9 Z3 (and our E36 2.5), Castrol Edge 10W60 in the MC (for 13 years). No issues whatsoever with Castrol.

It says BMW Recommends Castrol on the oil filler cap of my Zed! However I think BMW switched to recommending Shell in 2015. Whatever brand you use, make sure it complies with (or exceeds) the stated specification for your particular engine. Personally I use Mobil 1 ESP.

 

[Nodzed]

Oil is something that can be debated forever, we all have our favorites and will probably stick to them, I dont think there are bad oils these days so long and you stick to "good" brands and the correct specification / service intervals for your car.

 

[mwpe]

Is it commercial rather than technical with BMW?

I am sure it is commercial as they used Castrol for many years, I have always used Castrol and never had any problems. In the Zed, I use the original Castrol Edge 0W 30 and it is fine after 120500 miles, very low consumption.
If you don't know what oil is currently in the engine, I would recommend an oil change.

 

[5UG]

Thanks everyone

 

[Jack Ratt]

If you don't know or you're not sure what oil spec is currently in your car I would carry out an oil and filter change and record what you are doing

That's a lovely old Merc on your avatar

 

[5UG]

Thanks Jack
The Merc is a 1965 220SEb convertible - here’s another photo alongside my other classic, a 1962 Alfa Giulietta spider.

The 2000 Z3 is a youngster by comparison!
Alan

 

[Davyhoogy]

Thanks Jack
The Merc is a 1965 220SEb convertible - here’s another photo alongside my other classic, a 1962 Alfa Giulietta spider.

The 2000 Z3 is a youngster by comparison!
Alan

Oh my word can we be best friends!?
Those are stunning, especially the alfa!

 

[5UG]

Thanks Davy
The Alfa won the owners club Spider of the show at the Bicester Flywheel festival this year