Yeah, which brand of oil is up to personal preference (as long as it meets the requirements), but viscosity of the oil really isn't.
If you want to treat your engine right, you've got to stick with the specification of the manufacturer. After all, they done the extensive testing under all the possible climate/engine load situations and come up with the very best solution, which is why they go to the trouble of specifying it in the owner's manual.
I don't know where you live, but unless it is tropical, I would be concerned with the differences of the thicker 10W-30 vs. 5W-30 on starting on a cold winter day. The 10W-30 is just not going to flow as easily, or go through tight engine passages when the engine is cold, as 5W-30 will. That could cause additional wear or possibly other issues.
(I'm basing the 5W-30 on MINI's clear recommendation for my '02 MINI, but if this has changed with later models, please inform me).
The manual does specify 5-30 for the cold season. My thinking is that the engine having over 80k on his back could use a lil bit heavier oil for the extra space between bearings.
I think that a mileage of 80K is nothing, wear-wise, on a modern engine that has enjoyed the benefits of synthetic oil with regular changes (I'm assuming) its entire life.
LUL always someone wanting to run 0-40.
Stupid oil debates.
Next thing you know someone will want scientific proof.
Unfortunately stripped pan plugs are all too common.
For the record, i removed mine with vice grips, a torch and a bar slid over the handle of said vice grips.
Its not that they dont work, you just have to know how to use them.
My shop replaced the plug due to the OEM washer issue, with one with no washer - I believe. For Oil, I currently have the AMSOIL 5-40 full SAPS European blend now recommended by BMW - according to the shop's service bulletin. Going to the new AMSOIL 0-40 ull SAPS European blend next change.
At 73k miles, never have to add oil between changes.
No scientific proof needed all my cars have run well on 0w40. For me that is good enough. Yep these oil questions & answers can be quite interesting. At least we aren't arguing about OCI's.
