BMW 3-Series E46 (1998 - 2005) - 99 1.9 petrol - which oil to use ?

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Fri 29 Feb 2008 21:01
99 1.9 petrol - which oil to use ? - hitcho
hi all on my bmw e46 w reg the amber oil light comes on just after start up stays on for about 10 secs then goes out i have been told it might be the oil sensor but to give it a oil and filter change first does anybody know what the best grade of oil will be to use cheers

Edited by Pugugly on 29/02/2008 at 21:26

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Fri 29 Feb 2008 21:19
which oil to use - Pugugly
Rather depends what engine you have, let one of us know and we'll insert it in the subject line, sorry if the site's a bit vague about that sort of thing.

Have you checked the oil level ? That's what that light is telling you, I wouldn't drive on it until its sorted.
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Fri 29 Feb 2008 21:22
which oil to use - hitcho
thanks for reply its a 316se (1.9cc) the light has been doing that for the last 4 months the level is perfect cheers
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Sat 1 Mar 2008 12:34
which oil to use - nortones2
Must be very economical to run!
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Sat 8 Mar 2008 19:37
which oil to use - keep the heap going
I guess you have to be careful here, as the lights might only be telling you oil pressure, rather than level. A friend of mine's engine was totalled as he saw the light, checked the level, found it was fine and then carried on. The oil pump was gone and a few miles later so was his engine.

Chances are BMW recommend a synthetic for that engine....its usually best to go with the manufacturers flow on this. Do't leave it in too long if you do loads of short trips.
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Thu 10 Apr 2008 15:53
which oil to use - Rich320d
Yep all BMWs for years need to use fully synthetic longlife oil. BMW have levels of approval depending on the year of production, Longlife 98 (LL98) for 1998 cars, the later ones are LL01 and LL04.

This is what you will see quoted on the back of the oil bottles. So your car being a 99, needs a BMW LL98 approved oil.

www.opieoils.co.uk sell them, Castrol Edge is the most pricey, consider Fuchs Titan and German oil of good quality and cheaper.

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