Type of oil

[hirschg]

Question? Is there a good alternative to using BMW oil

[DJ Downunder]

I didn't know BMW made oil?..I think they recommend Castrol..because they are in bed with them..no other reason..any other good quality oil will be ok.

DJ

[hirschg]

I guess I mean the oil the dealer recommends/ Sells under the bmw name

[acejones]

Oils oil, as long as it meets manufacturers specs.

[hirschg]

Is there any differance between automotive oil and motorcycle oil?

[hirschg]

I guess I mean the oil the dealer recommends/ Sells under the bmw name

[Airman]

Question? Is there a good alternative to using BMW oil

I quit using BMW oil because of price. No other reason. My last three oil changes have been Castrol GTX 20-50. I think it's good oil for the boxer and I can buy it for $2.18 a quart as opposed to $5 a quart for the BMW oil. It is suggested that BMW oil is made by Golden Spectro, which is even more expensive. I decided they were charging too much for oil I only keep for 3000 miles. I think there are probably automotive oils you should avoid using in your bike, but you'll have to read up on that yourself. I still use the BMW filters. From the "researchers" who have cut them up, I've seen pictures that suggest the internals are better.

[solitario11]

I think that on the R it dont matter becasue the oil does not effect the trans. I use 10w40 (mobil)on my R and motorcycle oil on others becasue of the wet trans.

[paroyboy]

I go by the book on oil. I considered using GTX 20-50 until I read up on the API letters. BMW reccommended oil is SG rated. Automotive oil sold now is SM. I figured they just keep improving the standard but thats not the case. Some stuff that is in SG might not be in the newer SM. Service guy agreed. Said you dont have to buy BMW brand oil but to be sure to use SG oil. I figure the extra $12-15 isnt going to break me every 3000 miles so I just buy the BMW stuff. Google "API Service Grades" and read about it.

[klrstix]

I recently discovered EXXON sells an oil that is SG rated in both the 20w50 and 10W40 weights. Much less expensive than the BMW stuff. I plan on going Synthetic when I cross the 12K mark and I am about half way there...