Thread: What oil for 1999 BMW S52 engine? - Bob Is The Oil Guy

thx MVA!

Thanks for all the replies. The car is a very late, 4/99 M3 build, so it's an S52. I'm going to start by trying the M1 0W/40 and see what happens. If it sucks, I'll try the next suggestion and take it from there. Let you know...thanks!!!

ARB1977 M1 0W40 is readily available in the U.S. A lot of guys on U.S BMW forums use it. Cheers...s

In the U.S., the '99 M3 was available as the last of the E36 coupe/convertibles with the S52 single-VANOS engine. The same engine was also available in the Z3 M models in MY99-2000. The S54 didn't appear in the U.S. market until 2001, when it was fitted to the E46 M3 and (rare) 2001 Z3 Ms. There was no '99 M5. The S62-equipped M5 didn't appear until the 2000 MY. Those models are unique because that production run predated...

 Originally Posted By: Carmudgeon The S62-equipped M5 didn't appear until the 2000 MY. You're right. I was thinking about S62, even though the OP was talking about S52. My bad. :)

 Originally Posted By: edvanp I've heard good things about the M1 5w40 in these cars. How bad of a hit mileage wise did you take using the 5w50? was this question directed at me? i honestly don't know, because i drive my M3 the way it was built to be driven and I rarely check the MPG except on long trips.

 Originally Posted By: bmwpower Is Mobil1 0-w40 an approved oil (or one that passes the specs)? BMW LL-01 approved. You might want to look into replacing your PCV valve though, if oil consumption is that bad. If the consumption doesn't go away, I'd consider Castrol Edge or LiquiMoly 10W-60, or possibly a 5W-50 oil.

Reviving an old thread as it is relatively pertinent. I have an S50 powered M3 (95) that has run lubro-moly 0w-40 for years upon years. I have another change coming up and wanted to try GC out as it is locally available, however I have hestitations due to the doom and gloom stories on some M3 boards members have about 30 weight oils (M1 5W-30) in these motors not providing enough protection and contributing to some failures on heavily used...

 Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete  Originally Posted By: Carmudgeon Taking into consideration the OP's screen name, and the title of the thread, I'd wager they have a '99 M3 or M Coupe, which has an S52. Probably an M5. M3 had an S54 engine, AFAIK. Ooops. I could have sworn I saw M52 when I replied. a) The E34 M5 is S38 b) The E39 M5 is S62 c) E36 M3 was S50 and S52, plus the US-version shenanigans d)...

If the M1 0W-40 does not reduce the somewhat common oil consumption experienced when these engines are run on reg M1 5W-30, you could try: M1 High Mileage 10W-30 or 10W-40 or Mobil 1 TDT 5W-40 (don't be afraid of the diesel specs listed. The M1 0W-40 is also rated for some diesel engines.) These are readily available at some auto parts stores and Wal-Mart. One more good, but relatively inexpensive synthetic to try would be Rotella 5W-40...