Which Oil for 2013 R1200GSA?

[buddym310]

Hi, I am a new member who is a bit confused about the oil weight recommended by my dealer's service manager and what is recommended in my owner's manual. The service manager has always put BMW branded oil in the engine, but recently used what he said was a "new" 5w40 oil instead of the 15w50 oil that he has used in previous oil changes.
I tried to get an explanation from BMW America without any success...the fellow I spoke with on the phone only had access to the same service info that I did and wasn't able to refer me to anyone who could tell me why the change. It seems to me that in the absence of some official service bulletin or update, that the oil specified by the engineers who developed the engine should be followed. Can anyone shed any light on this?

 

[rangerreece]

The ADVANTEC PRO and ULTIMATE engine oils were specifically developed for BMW Motorrad high-performance engines. The ADVANTEC name directly reflects the themes of technology and progress while expressing a promise of quality for the customer: Original BMW Motorrad Engine Oils have unique formulas to guarantee long-term performance while retaining a value position to other premium competitors in the market.
Engine oil quality depends largely on its main components: the base oils. They make up approximately 75-90% of engine oil. Original BMW Engine Oils are based on the new patented PurePlus Technology TM, which refines base oils from natural gas instead of crude oil. The result, crystal clear base oils that contain virtually none of the impurities found in crude oils. PurePlus Technology TM marks a breakthrough in how engine oils are formulated to provide enhanced viscosity, reduced friction and lower volatility.

BMW Motorrad Advantec Ultimate
Best quality fully synthetic four-stroke motorcycle oil designed to ensure maximum power, performance, and durability, even under the most demanding riding condtions. BMW Motorrad Advantec Ultimate SAE 5W40 meets the highest level industry certifications (API SN, JASO MA-2), as well as BMW's stringent engine performance tests. Made from Shell PurePlus base oils with Active Cleansing Technology, this premium oil will keep your engine factory clean, improve fuel economy, and maximize your engine life.

Recommended for water-cooled boxers, K1600 series, K1300/1200S/R/GT machines, S1000 series, and G450X machines.

BMW 5W40 Advantec Ultimate Synthetic Engine Oil 1L
BMW Original Parts

 

[omega man]

Hi, I am a new member who is a bit confused about the oil weight recommended by my dealer's service manager and what is recommended in my owner's manual. The service manager has always put BMW branded oil in the engine, but recently used what he said was a "new" 5w40 oil instead of the 15w50 oil that he has used in previous oil changes.
I tried to get an explanation from BMW America without any success...the fellow I spoke with on the phone only had access to the same service info that I did and wasn't able to refer me to anyone who could tell me why the change. It seems to me that in the absence of some official service bulletin or update, that the oil specified by the engineers who developed the engine should be followed. Can anyone shed any light on this?

Welcome to the forum!
I think you are on the cusp of Hex/Cam and Water cooled.....Just checking to see iffin' you were in the right spot.
Lots of going's on in regards to oil. One of the guys will dig up the latest on the "new" oil....I think it was in the Wethead section.
Enjoy the forum.
Gary

Here it is- http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?83265-Need-help-choosing-an-oil
Good luck.

 

[rangerreece]

I hope I was helpful. Welcome to the forum and the club. There is also an article regarding the effects of quanity in a 1200 water air cooled engine in BMW motorcycle magazine page 74, you might find interesting.

 

[akbeemer]

One must try to separate the marketing hype designed to get people to pay more for the manufacturers oil, from the actual specifications found in the owners manual and subsequent service bulletins, if any are issued. If the use of a specific brand of oil was in fact specified by BMW then the documentation mentioned above would be unequivocal in saying so. BMW recommends you use their oils, I think every manufacturer does so because it makes money, but they specify oils that meet certain API and JASO standards and of viscosities for a given temperature range. Follow what I think is your inclination and use an oil that meets the specifications in your owner's manual.

 

[rangerreece]

Kevin,
Yeah, there's that. I simply tried to answer his question directly.

 

[Paladinwest]

I think that he has the last of the air/oil cooled GSA's so the oil spec'ed for the water cooled engine is probably not what he wants.

 

[ecaho]

I think that he has the last of the air/oil cooled GSA's so the oil spec'ed for the water cooled engine is probably not what he wants.

Right. the '13 GSA is the camhead/oil cooled design.

 

[galaxie]

oil

my 2011 R1200RT manual which is a oil /air design says 10-40 or 20-50.

 

[racer7]

I have seen way too much metal carved off by 5W or 0W oils that are theoretically great but a bit light on the std pressure protection test results.

The current BMW 5W-40 is a nuisance in my K1200GT. Even with the improved cam chain tensioner it leaks down from it way too fast leading to the well known startup chain slap on that model (yes it has the guard, thank goodness).

Call me a skeptic but except perhaps for current year bikes I'll stick with 15-50 syn (PAO stocks based) only for boxers. Cranks easy and no metal carving. Never seen any metal damage attributable to lube in motors using this even in race use.

If you really believe BMW has tested all of it current oils in the older motors I have a bridge for you. Some sort of engineering review maybe but we all know how well BMW does that given the number of obvious design flaws that have found their way to manufacturing over the years.

 

[PGlaves]

my 2011 R1200RT manual which is a oil /air design says 10-40 or 20-50.

20w50 unless you ride in the Arctic or North Dakota in the winter. Then 10w40 but don't forget to get a headbolt heater.

 

[rangerreece]

Blue Job followed up with a little Mothers chrome polish... Gets the headers cleaned up nice. Wait, what? What's that you say? An oil thread? I am totally lost. Where is the chrome polishing thread?

 

[akbeemer]

20w50 unless you ride in the Arctic or North Dakota in the winter. Then 10w40 but don't forget to get a headbolt heater.

The world's farthest north BMW dealer always put 20W-50 in the bikes they serviced when I lived there.

 

[racer7]

20W-50 will work IF you have something better than the stock battery in cold weather. But I sure wouldn't trust my butt to a 20W-50 / stock battery combo in freezing or sub freezing conditions if out of reach of handy service/cell service, etc....
In the cold syn pumps and cranks better than equivalent "dino" juice and I'll take any edge I can get. The few $ extra are not relevant to me.
Too bad I threw out all those old parts wrecked by 5W-X. Most looked like they'd been carved out with some sort of power chisel or grinder. Startled heck out of me first time I saw it.