Frequently Asked Questions - BMW M coupe Engine Oil
What type of oil is in the engine?
BMW Longlife Synthetic Oil SAE 5W-40
What type of oil is recommended by BMW?
The following is from the 1999 Owner's Manual.
For M coupe:
- Always refer to the ACEA specifications when selecting oil. If no ACEA rating is available, use CCMC and API specifications. Required quality: API SH, API-SN/CD, API-SH/CE.
- For information on the "longlife oils" or "special oils" approved by BMW, consult your BMW center.
- Select the correct SAE class of oil depending on the climatic conditions in the area you will be driving.
- SAE classes for M coupe, see below:
- Special - Oils 0W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
for below -30C to > 30C, (below -22F to > 86F) - Special - Oils 10W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
for -20C to > 30C, (-4F to > 86F) - 5W - 20 for below -30C to 0C, (below -22F to 32F)
- 5W - 30 for below -30C to 10C, (below -22F to 50F)
- 10W - 30 for -20C to 10C, (-4F to 50F)
- 10W - 40 for -20C to 20C, (-4F to 68F)
- 15W - 40 -15C to > 30C, (5F to > 86F)
- Special - Oils 0W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
For Z3 coupe:
- Use approved "longlife oils" only.
- For information on the "longlife oils" or "special oils" approved by BMW, consult your BMW center.
- SAE classes for Z3 coupe, see below:
- Longlife - Oils 0W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
for below -30C to > 30C, (below -22F to > 86F) - Longlife - Oils 10W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
for -15C to > 30C, (5F to > 86F)
- Longlife - Oils 0W - X (X=30, 40 or 50)
Valvoline 5W 30 Synthetic?
Valvoline 5W 30 Synthetic does not carry the A3/B3 certification that the BMW 5W 40 synthetic has. BMW dealers do sell BMW 5W 40 synthetic by the quart. BMW 5W 40 synthetic is made by Valvoline.