Paging the SOBMWisti

What oil do you put in yours? I'm currently using semi synthetic 10w40 ('cos
I've got a lot of it) and the bike is going through about half a litre every
500 miles or so. Would using the recommended 20w50 make any difference?

 

Yes, 20W50 makes a massive difference to the oil consumption on both the
airheads and the oilheads.

 

Possibly. Try it and see.

 

From my sample of 1, I agree.

At 18k, when my BMW dealer started using 20W/50 Castrol, my bike went from
using 500ml per 1000 miles to about 500ml between services, i.e. reduced by
five sixths.

I use an independent service bloke now and he advocates 20W/50 too. He uses
a Valvoline mineral oil. At 39k now, the oil consumption is still around
500ml between services.

Like you, I've got a can of 10W/40 in the garage, used for topping up the
car. I use this to top up the bike too.

 

I've always used "basic" 20W50 and never needed to top up between
services, but this time went for Halfords 15/40 semi synth as it was on
special offer. Based on the comments of the rest of the SOBMWisti, I'll
keep an eye on it.

 

Hm. Maybe that's why my K is using rather less oil since Brian serviced
it than it was before. I was just topping it up with 10/40, and it was
using a bit.

 

I bet he's using 10W40 or 15W40 as you normally have to request
20W50. BMW usually specifies 15W40 up to 20C so once it gets warmer they
start using oil.

 

I've been trying to get some today, it's non existant in Halfrauds and even
Asda only had a shite 20W50. Looks like I'll have to try a proper motor
shop.

--
Malc

Rusted and ropy.
Dog-eared old copy.
Vintage and classic,
or just plain Jurassic:
all words to describe me.

 

Depends on what sort of 20W50 you're after. It seems the good ones are
almost always mail order only these days.

 

Halfords sell it as "Classic Motor oil" in a tin, like the olden days.
http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/...151_storeId_10001_partNumber_537977_langId_-1
API SE CC - so fine for older BMW boxer twins like my 9 year old 1150.

The Asda, Wilco & Tesco cheap stuff does not declare an API rating so, as
you say, avoid. Any motor factor such as Partco will have a 20W/50 in stock
from Carlube, Unipart etc.

For those with wet clutches, that want a JASO approved oil, then many of the
mainstream bike oil makers have a 20W/50, often labelled "for V twins" as
Harley & Moto Guzzi specify it.
M&P carry a variety in mineral, semi & full synth flavours
http://www.mandp.co.uk/products/list/Lubricants/4-Stroke-Oil

Also http://www.opieoils.co.uk/c-785-20w-50.aspx lists some other brands

 

Bloody useful stuff. Thanks.

 

Yes.

 

I did look in their internet site yesterday. In the BMW pages under
lubricants they do list a 20W50 for not very much money so maybe I
will take a look on the way home some time.