Quaker State European 5w-40 Synthetic and what the - The 7 Series (E65/E66) Message Board

After a service visit here's the email I sent to the shop (what do you think):

Hello,

I had my oil changed today among other things and noticed the use of Quaker State European 5w-40 Synthetic, I've never use this brand of oil and didn't know it was approved for my E66, when I checked the BMW site I didn't find it on the recomended list and I noticed a sticker on my windshield that states an oil change is due in 7,500 miles while my car states 15,000. Can you advice on this? Here's what I found and the link:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/Owner/SyntheticEngineOils.aspx

Required maintenance work or services should be performed for your vehicle by your authorized BMW center.

BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is recommended for scheduled engine oil changes.

BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil* (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)

* Does not apply to M vehicles - see below

BMW recommends that you check your engine oil level whenever you add fuel to your vehicle.

If you need to add oil between oil changes and BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil is unavailable, you may top up the oil level with one of the following approved synthetic oils. For information on checking your engine oil level refer to your vehicle's Owner's Manual.

The oils listed below meet BMW's Long-life rating and are acceptable for use in BMW Passenger vehicles and SAVs in the US market with gasoline engines.

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Approved Synthetic Oils for the US Market:

· Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30

· Mobil 1 SAE 0W-40

· Pennzoil Platinum European Formula Ultra SAE 5W-30

· Valvoline SynPower SAE 5W-30

Use only oils with an API rating of SM or higher.

The choice of the right SAE grade is based on the climatic conditions in the region in which you normally drive your BMW.

To best determine which SAE grade is best suited for your vehicle, contact an authorized BMW center.

The following is the only recommended and approved synthetic oil for BMW M (Motorsport) vehicles in the US market with gasoline engines, at the present time.

BMW Long-life rating LL-01 Synthetic Oils for BMW M vehicles equipped with S54, S62, S65 or S85 engines:

· Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil

· Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Engine Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 009 420)

If Castrol High Performance Synthetic Oil is not available and you need to add oil between oil changes, only use synthetic oils with the following specifications for M vehicles:

· Viscosity - preferred SAE 10W-60

· Alternative - SAE 10W-40, SAE 5W-50 or SAE 10W-50

Use only oils with an API rating of SJ/CF, SK/CF or higher.

The following is a listing of synthetic oils recommended and approved for use in the BMW B7 ALPINA in the US market:

· BMW High Performance SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (BMW part number 07 51 0 017 866)

· Castrol Syntec European Formula SAE 0W-30 Synthetic Oil

Thank you,

Here's his reply:

Thanks for the email.

Quaker State is a European blend that is used in Porsche, Mercedes, BMW . It is actually better than the oils on the recommended list. Castrol is used in the motorsports cars because Castrol is the only one that makes the 10W60 oil.

The consumer should have their oil changed in their vehicles every 6000 miles. We have seen nightmares when people wait for their “free” 15,000 mile service. The oil turns to sludge sometimes, it can ruin crank cases and vacuum hoses, etc. PLUS it is good to have someone just look over your car before 15000 miles just in case a hose is getting ready to blow, your tire pressure is off, and other things waiting to happen that the customer is unaware of. The 15000 miles service is unjust to the consumer. It is doing no one any favors except for the people who give it away for “free.”

I hope this answers your questions. If it doesn’t, let me know. Thanks a lot.