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2Addicts | BMW 2-Series forum Technical Topics Mechanical Maintenance and TSBs: Break-in | Oil & Fluids | Servicing | TSB First oil change at home and Blackstone

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      02-23-2017, 10:29 AM   #1
SteveInfante
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First oil change at home and Blackstone

So I'm at just under 49K miles in my 14' 228i 6MT. I end up driving about 2K miles per month give or take. I primarily use my car for my daily to and from work. So far it's been flawless and fun with overly decent gas mileage to boot.

I picked up some Castrol EDGE 0W-40 Euro blend from Wally World, 3 5 qt jugs for $66. I ordered the oil filter cap wrench, BMW filter kit, and a magnetic drain plug.

The first time I attempted to do the oil change I got the car up and everything set up and slid underneath only to find that the oil drain plug is a 10mm hex drive instead of the 17mm bolt style. Well, I just so didn't have one so I put everything away and went on about my week. (If anyone want to take the plug off my hands for a small fee let me know, I can't use it).

I got the change to do it again and bought the hex I needed and got set up again. I have read a ton on getting your oil tested by Blackstone Labs in the E9x series M community and decided to get it done for my 228. Couldn't hurt. I'm in charge of sampling all the equipment that we use at work with oil samples so I'm very aware of what kind of insurance it can provide you.

The BMW 5W-30 oil that came out was pretty bad. By bad I mean overly dark and a little burnt smelling I see oil every day at work so I have a good nose for trouble. But I don't know, I'm not an expert, just a guy who works on mining equipment where the results of your sample could save you 100K on a rear end explosion. I decided to go 0W-40 because it gets super hot here in SC and it's a turbo car. I plan to stick with this for some time and keep testing it with every oil change to see how it does. I will post the results when I get them back in a couple of weeks.

I got the car buttoned up and back down and filled it with about 6.5L of new oil. I let it drain until it stopped and had it up on all 4 corners so it was level. Took a ride around the block to warm the oil up and pulled back in the garage. Ran the oil level test and it was right at perfect. Cool.

Anyone else use Blackstone Labs regularly? Have a great day.

Prost!!!!
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      02-23-2017, 11:52 AM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveInfante View Post

I got the car buttoned up and back down and filled it with about 6.5L of new oil. I let it drain until it stopped and had it up on all 4 corners so it was level. Took a ride around the block to warm the oil up and pulled back in the garage. Ran the oil level test and it was right at perfect. Cool.

Anyone else use Blackstone Labs regularly? Have a great day.

Prost!!!!

Are you sure about that 6.5 liters of oil? As far as I know the N20 takes 5L.That is what I used for the break in change and the oil test said 100%. The dealer also used 5L on the first oil service the car received last Spring.
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      02-23-2017, 01:05 PM   #3
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I haven't gotten a warning and when I've checked it since it's been right on 100%.

It was hot oil and I let it drain for almost an hour.
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      02-25-2017, 04:25 PM   #4
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did you end up sending the oil for analysis? I've noticed the same thing when I change out the oil in my car. i change it every 4-5k, and it's very dark, but I've never observed any flakes or other impurities.

I want to switch to 5w-40 myself, but I'm stuck on the BMW 5w-30 until my warranty is up.

I'm in for results
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      02-25-2017, 04:40 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by goodNIGHT View Post
did you end up sending the oil for analysis? I've noticed the same thing when I change out the oil in my car. i change it every 4-5k, and it's very dark, but I've never observed any flakes or other impurities.

I want to switch to 5w-40 myself, but I'm stuck on the BMW 5w-30 until my warranty is up.

I'm in for results
I'm just waiting for the results to come back.
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      03-27-2017, 12:31 PM   #6
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I have used Blackstone since my 128i was new in 2009. Based on the analysis Blackstone thinks that some times the dealer didn't do the annual oil change because I only put 5,000 miles on the car. Who knows where the oil sample they gave me came from? Since I started changing the oil myself the Aluminum, Iron, and Molybdenum levels have come way down.

It will be interesting to see your report.
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      03-27-2017, 05:51 PM   #7
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Many Approved Oils in 5W-40

Quote:
Originally Posted by goodNIGHT View Post
did you end up sending the oil for analysis? I've noticed the same thing when I change out the oil in my car. i change it every 4-5k, and it's very dark, but I've never observed any flakes or other impurities.

I want to switch to 5w-40 myself, but I'm stuck on the BMW 5w-30 until my warranty is up.

I'm in for results
BMW is using Shell 5W-30 then in between free oil put in Shell/Pennzoil 5W-40 and you are set. It is a light 40wt and meets all the BMW required specs and will not void warranty.
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      03-30-2017, 11:21 AM   #8
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I had the dealer do the annual maintenance service yesterday. The invoice shows 5 quarts of 0W30 oil for the oil change! The spec was still LL-01 so that's always the first consideration in oil choice. As Mike Miller says: BMW likes to make changes without communicating them to outsiders.
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      03-30-2017, 11:21 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tpeterson View Post
I had the dealer do the annual maintenance service yesterday. The invoice shows 5 quarts of 0W30 oil for the oil change! The spec was still LL-01 so that's always the first consideration in oil choice. As Mike Miller says: BMW likes to make changes without communicating them to outsiders.
BMW has specified 5w30, 0w30, 5w40 and 0w40 LL-01 oils bouncing between Castrol, Mobil and Shell as suppliers over the years. If a 0w30 oil was used, it is likely Castrol Edge 0w30 (GC or German Castrol), one of the best oils of it's weight.
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      03-31-2017, 10:43 AM   #10
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The228i owners manual specifies 5W30 that's why I see 0W30 as a change.
BTW. The oil filler cap on my 2015 model has Castrol inscribed on it even though Shell became BMW's oil supplier in MY2015. So now maybe the oil matches the cap!

Last edited by Tpeterson; 03-31-2017 at 11:00 AM..
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      03-31-2017, 05:24 PM   #11
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Since I live in SC and it's as hot as the face of the sun and humid like the devil's butt crack I opted to use an oil that's a little thicker.
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      04-24-2017, 10:09 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tpeterson View Post
The228i owners manual specifies 5W30 that's why I see 0W30 as a change.
BTW. The oil filler cap on my 2015 model has Castrol inscribed on it even though Shell became BMW's oil supplier in MY2015. So now maybe the oil matches the cap!
The oil spec is going to be different depending on if you have the n20 or n26 engine.

When I went to the dealer they scanned my car and came back with 0w30 for my n26. I think the 0w30 is purely for MPG and nothing else but that's what I have to do.
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      04-26-2017, 03:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i View Post
The oil spec is going to be different depending on if you have the n20 or n26 engine.
Well, I have an N20 engine and they put 0W30 in it.I think it is the spec oil for the new B46 and the dealers are using for all 3 engines. l
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      04-28-2017, 07:43 AM   #14
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I have about 700 miles left till my 2nd oil change out of warranty. I'm at 53,700 miles now.
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      05-17-2017, 04:38 AM   #15
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So here is what I got back from the first sample I had done. It's the last time factory oil from the dealer was in my engine. I switched to Euro spec Castro Edge 0W-30 since. Unfortunately the brainiac at the post office sent the second sample to my home we instead of to Blackstone even though they were mailed at the same time.

Overall I'm happy with how my motor is wearing. There has been a BMS Stage 1 tune on my car for 2500 miles of this oil. I'm not easy on my car either.

Enjoy
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      05-17-2017, 09:00 PM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveInfante View Post
So here is what I got back from the first sample I had done. It's the last time factory oil from the dealer was in my engine. I switched to Euro spec Castro Edge 0W-30 since. Unfortunately the brainiac at the post office sent the second sample to my home we instead of to Blackstone even though they were mailed at the same time.

Overall I'm happy with how my motor is wearing. There has been a BMS Stage 1 tune on my car for 2500 miles of this oil. I'm not easy on my car either.

Enjoy
I use Backstone for my other car. They are very thorough. I like the "nice engine" comment!
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      05-18-2017, 07:39 PM   #17
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Better pictures. I liked it too.
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