SEMI-SYNTH OR MINERAL OIL?

[Foto John]

Recently I asked my main B*W dealer what type of oil I should be using in my 2002 Adventure as about three years ago I had a 1997 R1100GS which my local dealer at the time (different than the present) told me I should only ever use mineral engine oil for any BMW boxer engine, regardless of age and mileage.
My current dealer tells me that's rubbish as BMW told them to use mineral oil only for the first 10.000kms (6.000miles) and then to switch to a good semi-synthetic engine oil for the rest of the life of the engine.
What do others use? Has B*W's stance changed on oil types or am I / have I been fed wrong info?
At the end of the day I just want the best oil I can use for my bike as obviously I want it to last as long and be as responsive as it possibly can .
Many thanks in advance.
John

 

[MasterDabber]

BMW told them to use mineral oil only for the first 10.000kms (6.000miles) and then to switch to a good semi-synthetic engine oil for the rest of the life of the engine.

I got the same message a week ago when I picked up my first GS (first B*W for that matter). Having read previous threads on this matter there seems to varying views, probably coming out in favour of staying with mineral oil???

 

[Jimb]

Stay with mineral oil for the first 12,000 at least then switch to semi synth when it stops or slows down the oil use, the engine will then be run in.

 

[Keith Davies]

My dealer recommended semi-synth for the 1st 12,000 and then switched to mineral - Castrol GP at 12,000 service. But with the amount of oil being used (>1Ltr/1,000m until 12,000) it was getting a continuous oil change.

It's now down to 1Ltr/3,000 on Castrol.

Keith

 

[Gavin4333]

The recommended oil is Castrol GPS semi synthetic, its formulated for a wider, and particularly higher, temperture range that is common in air cooled engines (these might be called oil cooled but its an irregular air flow that governs temp - as opposed to a controlled water transmitter).

This oil is a deep red colour and any bike serviced by BMW should have it in - maybe worth a poll?????

Change at the 12,000 mile service.

 

[MikeO]

This oil is a deep red colour and any bike serviced by BMW should have it in - maybe worth a poll?????

Change at the 12,000 mile service.

Hmmmm..... Certainly never had red oil in mine.... 42k & counting, main dealer serviced.....

Mike

 

[gavin]

My dealer recommended semi-synth for the 1st 12,000 and then switched to mineral - Castrol GP at 12,000 service. But with the amount of oil being used (>1Ltr/1,000m until 12,000) it was getting a continuous oil change.

It's now down to 1Ltr/3,000 on Castrol.

Keith

Have you got that the wrong way round?

 

[Foto John]

I hope I'm not going to have any problems with mine then , dealer changed mine to semi-synth at 10.000kms (6.000miles) bought it second hand at 13.200kms, should I ask him to replace the oil to mineral again, at least until the 20.000kms (12.000miles) service or am I just making a fuss of nothing?
Cheers John

 

[gavin]

I hope I'm not going to have any problems with mine then , dealer changed mine to semi-synth at 10.000kms (6.000miles) bought it second hand at 13.200kms, should I ask him to replace the oil to mineral again, at least until the 20.000kms (12.000miles) service or am I just making a fuss of nothing?
Cheers John

The boxer engine takes a lot of miles to properly 'run in', 20,000 miles in some cases. Initial bedding in takes approx 1,000 miles, after that, use it normally, don't be too gentle with it, at the 6k service, semi-synth will be fine. As long as you use the correct grade of oil, with reference to viscosity and SAE/API (SG/SH) rating, as specified in the handbook, you won't go far wrong.

 

[Vern]

Just stick castrol GP in it and be done with. All this talk about posh oils is all bollox, how many miles do you want the bleedin thing to last anyway. Most people unload their bikes with paltry mileages on them, so why bother with expensive stuff. It doesn't matter how much it cost's, it still gets chucked away every 6000 miles.
Here endeth the lecture on oils.

PS I know nothing about anything really, so I just make stuff up about bikes. I can't even ride one. Doh

 

[Spanish Bob]

Belgian

the dealer I bought mine from said stick to mineral (recomended Castrol GP, but any 20-50 would do - which is convenient as I have a few litres at home). He didn´t mention changing it later, but then I didn´t ask. I asked a BMW specisalist workshop, where I used to take my airheads and he said castrol GP. So ern, well done mate good guess!

There is at least one person on this forum who works for an oil manufacurer (or did I think?) - maybe they could reveal themselves?

the dealer workshop head also said change every 10k kms o if you do lots of city riding every 5k kms.

 

[Keith Davies]

Have you got that the wrong way round?


__________________
gavin

No.

The bike was originally filled with semi-synth at the 1,000 and I continued to top-up with Motul Semi-Synth during the first 6,000 and until the 12,000 service.

When I picked the bike up after the 12,000 service I was specifically told to use Castrol GP. Seemed a bit ar*se about face to me but it's still under warranty so I follow the dealers instructions. As the oil consumption has now dropped considerably I'm not complaining.

Keith

 

[NORTHFACE]

Boxers should be run on 10/40 mineral to at least 12000 miles then it's up to you. Hans at BMW GB says that you may as well stick with mineral because as soon as you change to semi it will start blowing it out again for another 6000 miles. We only put mineral in at services unless advised otherwise.It's cheaper too!

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

My 1100 gets Halfords 10/40 - doesn't use any oil at all.

Phil

 

[Gecko]

Mine has been running on Castrol R4 Supebike oil since about 10000kms as advised by two different offical dealers. This R4 stuff is fully sythentic SAE 5w-40 (API SG, JASO MA ) so I reckon I could save a few bob by buying something cheaper such as a fully synthetic with the same API SG etc.

Here is what Castrol say about their main oils for 4 stroke bikes:

R4 Superbike
Fully synthetic 5W-40 4-stroke engine oil developed under race conditions to meet the demands of all modern, high power, multi cylinder superbike engines

GPS
Advanced semi synthetic 10W40 4-stroke engine oil. Suitable for all makes of Japanese and European motorcycle engines.

GP
High quality 10W-40 mineral engine oil, for everyday riding on a wide range of modern and classic multi and single cylinder 4-stroke motorcycles.


Here is what Mobil say about theirs:

Mobil 1 Motorcycle Oils are full synthetic, high-performance engine oils formulated specifically to meet the demanding needs of motorcycle engines. Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40 is designed primarily for on-road, high-performance, 4-cycle sport bikes, however, it may be used in other types of on and off-road 4-cycle motorcycles. Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 is formulated to offer outstanding protection in 4-cycle, V-Twin type engines, particularly those which are air cooled and tend to run hotter than other types of engines.


Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40 and Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 are recommended for 4-cycle, motorcycles which specify the use of a 10W-40 or a 20W-50 engine oil, respectively. These products will provide excellent performance in motorcycle engines that are designed with a common engine/transmission lubrication system or where the engine lubrication system is separate from the transmission system. In the case of the latter, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for the type of fluid to be used in the transmission. Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40 and Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 engine oils are also designed to provide the proper frictional characteristics necessary for wet-clutch engine/transmission systems. Mobil 1 MX4T 10W-40 and Mobil 1 V-Twin 20W-50 exceed the requirements of API Service Categories SH, SG/CF, CD and have been fully tested, both on laboratory dynamometers and in the field, to provide optimum horsepower and acceleration.


I reckon it's all petty much the same stuff.

 

[oblertone]

Castrol oil direct

After reading a similar thread on here I found any of the recommended oils hard to find. However, Castrol Oil Direct were very helpful and because I ordered enough GPS for the engine and MTX for the gearbox/final drive, the postage was free.

http://www.castrolclassicoils.co.uk/ClassicMOD_mc.htm

 

[richie]

Just stick castrol GP in it and be done with. All this talk about posh oils is all bollox, how many miles do you want the bleedin thing to last anyway. Most people unload their bikes with paltry mileages on them, so why bother with expensive stuff. It doesn't matter how much it cost's, it still gets chucked away every 6000 miles.
Here endeth the lecture on oils.

PS I know nothing about anything really, so I just make stuff up about bikes. I can't even ride one. Doh

I'm voting Vern for president at the next elections, the man is full on with good info....