Oil choices

[York]

My engine rebuilder’s ( Korman)recommendation for oil
Is Redline Synthetic but I’m having difficulty finding it through the national automotive parts companies.
Which company typically stocks Redline ?
Also, which other oils , which may be more available
and contains ZDDP’s would you recommend?

[slownrusty]

I buy all my RedLine products from Summit Racing.

I am a big fan of the "new" Castrol GTX Classic which has Zinc for our older engines.

I run this in my M88 and available at my local Walmart

[York]

The owners manual for 88 m5 recommends 20-50
For temps to 120 degrees, even in South Florida
I’m not expecting more than the 105 degrees
This being said, BMW recommends 15-50 oil
What’s available in that weight ?

[turbodan]

The owner's manual is correct. 20w50, preferably something like that GTX with sufficient zinc. Most modern synthetic 15w50 oils don't have a whole lot of EP additives and are not ideal for these engines.

[vinceg101]

Ah, another oil thread.
At present there are several 20W-50 oils with high/higher ZDDP contents (zinc):
-Valvoline VR-1 (also in several other weights)
-Amsoil ZROD
-Lucas Oil
-Royal Purple HPS
-Redline
-Motul
-Summit Racing (not sure who makes this for them)
-Castrol GTX (mentioned above)
-Brad Penn

Then there is another discussion about Shell Rotella Diesel oil.
And another about conventional vs. synthetic. Common consensus says stick with conventional for these older motors.

Of those, Valvoline and Castrol are the most available in the retail world.

(Personally I use VR-1 conventional. Have lot's of it stockpiled on my shelves; best buy is in the gallon form, usually around $38 at O'Reilly's).

[York]

The best of the “easiest obtained “ go to
Valvoline VR1
Lots of good additives and availability at every
Autozone

[RonW]

I just go with Mobil 1 15W50 every 10k miles. It got my '86 535i to 585k miles before the chassis rotted out. The engine was still good and hardly used any oil. I haven't actually purchased new Mobil1 in a long time, because I hardly drive my '87 535is, but whatever Mobil 1 was 10 years ago is just fine.

[Blue Shadow]

RedLine can be found at some of your performance car independent shops. Local Porch service indy has it.

Why is this thread in M5/M535i? Something specific about oil for either of those?

[York]

The 1988 m5 had a special engine and I want the best oil.
Products change over the years and I'm interested in
keeping current

[Blue Shadow]

Can't tell ///M5 content with sigs turned off so didn't know the motor

I expect the oil recommendations to be identical in the OM of the M vs. the other E28s.

But get something with the ZDDP in it at proper concentrations.

[EuroShark]

If you look around on eBay you can find pretty decent deals on Motul 4100 15w50. It's a very sturdy oil with plenty of zinc and phosphorus.

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threa ... oa.302603/

[cinnamonandgravy]

Another vote for vr1.
Only worry is that zinc is not good for cats, as I understand it.

Used to use regular Castrol GTX.

[wkohler]

Both my S38B38 and M88 run Mobil1 15w50. I only do it because that’s what has been in there and both engines look brand new inside and neither are users.

I have cases of VR1 and 40 5qt jugs of GTX Classic for the M10, M20 and M30 cars.

[austin8753]

i've been running Red Line 10w60 in my e28m5 and e30m3 for several years, but have recently found out that Red Line was sold to the conglomerate that owns Royal Purple...

i will be switching to Total Racing 10w60, from here on out.

[41magfan]

my last oil change was Brad Penn semi synthetic 20w50. Before that, excellent use from Mobile One 15w50

[jayjaya29]

i've been running Red Line 10w60 in my e28m5 and e30m3 for several years, but have recently found out that Red Line was sold to the conglomerate that owns Royal Purple...

Got any sources to back that up? Redline is owned by Phillips66. Royal purple is owned by Calumet Specialty Products.

https://www.phillips66.com/fuels-lubricants/

[austin8753]

i've been running Red Line 10w60 in my e28m5 and e30m3 for several years, but have recently found out that Red Line was sold to the conglomerate that owns Royal Purple...

Got any sources to back that up? Redline is owned by Phillips66. Royal purple is owned by Calumet Specialty Products.

https://www.phillips66.com/fuels-lubricants/

this was straight from the mouth of our long time bulk oil supplier. so, no, i don't have any actual proof of it, but i don't know why he would lie to me about that. YMMV?

A

[York]

I guess everyone wanted to answer a question I
didn't ask. ?
I'll ask again.
" which national auto parts companies stock
Redline products " ??
We're can I walk in and purchase?

[Justin_FL]

The implication the other responders have been unhelpful is a bit amusing to me, as you asked multiple questions and received appropriate replies to your inquires:

Also, which other oils , which may be more available and contains ZDDP’s would you recommend?

This being said, BMW recommends 15-50 oil. What’s available in that weight ?

The 1988 m5 had a special engine and I want the best oil. Products change over the years and I'm interested in keeping current

As far as this goes:

" which national auto parts companies stock Redline products " ??
We're can I walk in and purchase?

Redline has a dealer locator:
https://www.redlineoil.com/where-to-buy/dealers

If it's not locally stocked at those stores then you probably have to call or talk to someone at the counter, order a case, and pick it up later. My guess is that Redline motor oils are probably not a high volume mover at a big chain store where people are more price sensitive, and the viscosity these cars need hasn't been used in anything modern for a long time. Finding 15w50 or 20w50 locally when I need it has been hit or miss for years. It seems like most places only stock the Redline transmission and differential fluids, not the motor oils.

Wine Country Motorsports in Jupiter is also a Redline dealer. They are a racing equipment supplier and should have more of their products, but call to see if it is something they have in store. They are a good business and have been around a long time. I'm sure they would order in anything for you to pickup if you really don't want to order Redline products online and have it shipped to your house.