[Rich807]

The manual gives 0-20 as the only oil that can be run in my non-M X2.

I'm very confident that's based highly on, if not entirely on, BMW needing the very best CAFE #s they can achieve. BMW isn't alone, I'd say the same thing about any current-day manufacturer, to include VW's 508/509 spec (also a 0-20 oil).

Personally, I don't care about the miniscule savings in fuel econ that the current spec'd 0-20 yeilds, I don't operate in cold climate regions, I do operate in hot desert climates, & I do care about getting max engine wear protection.

Just curious if anyone may have been running something a wee bit heavier, like a x-whatever/30 oil vs 0-20, & especially curious if anyone was & had oil analysis #s behind it.

[chowser51]

sometimes in the summer, i will run 5w30

[Rich807]

Chowser... since getting a BMW-approved-spec oil for our cars outside of 0w-20 isn't possible, do you run whatever 5w-30 you can find easily/for a good price (synthetic of course) or do you seek out say, a 'Euro Oil' as per labeled on any given oil's jug?

[chowser51]

I'm using the Liqui Moly LM20226 5W30 Molygen oil. I bought it by mistake for my daughter's car (her's is also 0W20) and decided to use it in mine.

So for summers, I use that in both our cars. For winters, we use LM 6066 Top Tec 0W20.

I get it from FCP Euro, so the first set costs me $$. Later purchases get me store credit when I return the used oil so it just costs me shipping these days for oil changes. Oh and a Subaru oil filter since FCP doesn't sell those.

Way past warranty these days. I'm past 56k and she's at 44k. I usually replace cars before 80k.

[rice_rocket88]

I'm with Chowser here.. I guess it depends on what I find... I do use the Toptech as well as the other liquimoly weights of 5w30 or 5w40 even.

I am not very superstitious on oil in terms of I don't think any of them has been really "magic". I have had zero problems with Liquimoly products so I stick with them. I used to be a Mobil1 fan but I did notice more burning etc over the years so I switched to liquimoly a decade ago without any regrets.

All I can say is that I usually drive my cars long.. my E60 6 cyl turbo made it well past 190K on the liquimoly, sold it to a relative who kept it going and just sold it this year without any burning oil or smoking so I say it works! My Honda Odyssey Minivan takes whatever synththetic is on sale and that's at 250K as well!