Engine oil for X registration (year 2000) 316i Sport Compact

[James2000]

Hi All,

I have an X registration (year 2000) 316i Sport Compact, which has done 130,000 miles. Regarding engine oil, the Owner's Handbook states :-

Use only an approved grade of "long-life" oil. If, exceptionally, you are unable to find the approved grade of "long-life oil", you may also use "special oils" approved by BMW for topping up small amounts between oil changes. Only if these special oils are likewise unavailable should you use specification ACEA A3 oils for topping up. Your BMW Service point can provide details of the individual "long-life oils" or "special oils" approved by BMW.

In the past, I've always bought engine oil for topping up from a BMW Service Centre and 'trusted' them to supply the correct grade.

However, I have recently been told by a BMW Service Centre (in Farnborough) that they no longer stock the correct grade and they recommended I should use 10W40 Mineral Oil.

My questions are :-

(1) Where can I buy 10W40 Mineral Oil which meets specification ACEA A3, or does 10W40 Mineral Oil only meet specification ACEA A2 ?

(2) Is is better for the engine to use 10W40 Mineral Oil (ACEA A2), or is it better to use 10W40 Semi-Synthetic (ACEA A3), or is it not -that- critical ?

Thank you for your time and advise,

Best regards,

James

[G4VHD]

About a quater of the way down under title 'A quick guide to the different grades of oil'

HERE