Year
Grade SAE
all-season +25 to -25 °C
winter -30 to +5 °C
summer -5 to +45 °C
Gasoline API
Diesel API
Oil Type
Recommended Brand 1978
15W-20 10W-30
5W-20 10W-20
20W-20 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Motul, Mannol, Total, Kendall, Lliqui-Moly
1979
15W-20 10W-30
5W-20 10W-30
20W-20 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Kixx, Exxon, Mannol, Chevron, Lliqui-Moly, Motul 1980
15W-20 10W-20 10W-30
5W-20 10W-20
20W-20 25W-30 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Mannol, Chevron, Total, Kendall, Lliqui-Moly 1981
15W-30 10W-30
10W-20
20W-30 20W-20 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Exxon, Mannol, Chevron, Total, Kendall, Lliqui-Moly 1982
15W-20 10W-30
5W-30 10W-20 10W-30
20W-20 25W-30
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Motul, Mannol, Chevron 1983
15W-20 10W-30
5W-20 10W-30
20W-30 25W-30
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Motul, Exxon, Mannol, Chevron 1984
15W-30 10W-30
5W-30 10W-20
20W-30 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Kixx, Exxon, Mannol, Chevron 1985
15W-30 15W-40 10W-40
5W-30 10W-40
20W-20 20W-30 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Lucas Oil, Valvoline, Kixx, Exxon, Royal Purple 1986
15W-30 15W-40 10W-40
5W-30 10W-40
20W-20 20W-30 20W-40
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Mobil, Kixx, Exxon, Mannol, Chevron 1987
15W-20 15W-40
5W-30 10W-40
20W-30 20W-40 25W-20
SJ SH
CH-4 CG-4
mineral
Pentosin, Lucas Oil, Valvoline, Kixx
Data close to recommended in BMW
To buy the right oil you need to know
SAE Viscosity Grade and
API Quality Index oil for diesel or gasoline engine. You can select any Brand from the listed.
Example: for gasoline engines BMW 7 (E23) 1977, suitable multigrade mineral oil 10W-20 quality SJ, SH.
For bodies made in 1987, for the cold season, well suited mineral 5W-30 \ SJ, SH.
If possible, check the selected oil for compliance with the manufacturers specifications and service intervals.
Checking the Engine Oil condition
Good Oil
Medium used Oil
Used engine Oil
Used oil with mechanical impurities
Used oil in middle condition
Used oil in bad condition
Very bad Oil
Oil with an overheated engine
Other info