Post here if you've had prematurely worn cam lobe(s) in your wethead

[ponch1]

A BMW master mechanic would be really stupid to go on record saying something like that. As you said, it's the oil specs or certified rating that matters. The owners manual says BMW recommends "Advantec Ultimate" oil which is API SN /JASO MA2. The oil actually specified by BMW is actually API SL/ JASO MA2. No where in the manual is Advantec Ultimate "Specified".

I use API SN /JASO MA2 in my 1250RT, but it's not Advantec Ultimate. I use Motul 7100 4T 5W40 which is about six bucks cheaper on Amazon than Advantec Ultimate. BMW Advantec Ultimate oil is produced by Shell. Really, if the Advantec really had some additives that the engines required, why would BMW not specify it rather than eat the cost of changing cams and cam followers? The parts alone crazy expensive.

I would not be happy paying more for Advantec Ultimate oil, but I'd shell out the extra bucks for it if BMW said I had to use it to prevent things like premature cam wear. Car makers specify specific brand types for various types of fluids all the time. Of course, that would be admitting that the cams are really substandard.

I like the guy a lot, but we disagree on a couple things. This is one of them. It's a BMW problem, not an owner issue.

[taran1900]

I like the guy a lot, but we disagree on a couple things. This is one of them. It's a BMW problem, not an owner issue.

I could not agree more

[motorama]

A BMW master mechanic would be really stupid to go on record saying something like that. As you said, it's the oil specs or certified rating that matters. The owners manual says BMW recommends "Advantec Ultimate" oil which is API SN /JASO MA2. The oil actually specified by BMW is actually API SL/ JASO MA2. No where in the manual is Advantec Ultimate "Specified".

I use API SN /JASO MA2 in my 1250RT, but it's not Advantec Ultimate. I use Motul 7100 4T 5W40 which is about six bucks cheaper on Amazon than Advantec Ultimate. BMW Advantec Ultimate oil is produced by Shell. Really, if the Advantec really had some additives that the engines required, why would BMW not specify it rather than eat the cost of changing cams and cam followers? The parts alone crazy expensive.

I would not be happy paying more for Advantec Ultimate oil, but I'd shell out the extra bucks for it if BMW said I had to use it to prevent things like premature cam wear. Car makers specify specific brand types for various types of fluids all the time. Of course, that would be admitting that the cams are really substandard.

That Master Mechanic should be held accountable, For causing a perfectly good Cam Lobe discussion to morph in to an "Oil thread".

[Blacque Jacque Shellacque]

One YT BMW master mechanic says it's oil related. Use Advantec and nothing will every go wrong. For some reason I doubt that. If an oil meets the spec, it should be good and I've heard of failures with BMWs oil too, so there's that. It's more likely a combination of heat treatment and the path of oil lubrication. Dodge Hemi's have a similar problem and some think it's the position of the lifters, some say there are other factors. Whatever the case, they should have this bucked out already.

A YT BMW master mechanic! Please sent the link.

[taran1900]

That Master Mechanic should be held accountable, For causing a perfectly good Cam Lobe discussion to morph in to an "Oil thread".