BMW dealers now using Mobil 1 0W-40 !

[Zeuk in Oz]

My local BMW dealer is now using (and selling) Mobil 1 0W-40 where they used to use Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40.

Very interesting !

[Paul in NZ]

they sell castrol over here

[Zeuk in Oz]

they sell castrol over here

Interestingly, most oil filler caps on E39s have Castrol in raised lettering on the plastic cap top here in Oz.

[pundit]

My local BMW dealer is now using (and selling) Mobil 1 0W-40 where they used to use Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40.

Very interesting !

I'm wondering if they're getting bitten by oil sludging problems and are now specifying synthetic to avoid sludging.

[Zeuk in Oz]

I'm wondering if they're getting bitten by oil sludging problems and are now specifying synthetic to avoid sludging.

I had the same thought. The Shell Helix Ultra is a full synthetic though.

I asked the parts bloke about it and he said BMW had decided that they needed a 0W oil.

Could still be sludge though.

[genphreak]

My local BMW dealer is now using (and selling) Mobil 1 0W-40 where they used to use Shell Helix Ultra 5W-40. Very interesting !

OW would provide less startup wear, I doubt they would care. I would say it is either something that they don't like about Castrol's synthetic, or they feel they can get Castrol to sharpen their pricing by 'teaching them a lesson'.

Perhaps its availability.

Then again, perhaps someone at BMW made a cost-based decision.

We need the good oil on this particular story... it sounds like a good story for the BMWCCA to get to the bottom of. Someone will have a good reason unless its the latter in which case whatever they say would smell a bit... like used dyno oil.