Red Line 15W50 is one of our top recommendations for M engines or vintage engines that need thicker oil.
15W50 is our top choice for S54 engines in E46 M3, MZ3, and Z4M, the S65 engine in E9X M3, and the S85 engine in E60 M5 and E63 M6. The factory BMW 10W60 is very thick, especially when cold. The Red Line 15W is actually thinner viscosity and a lower pour point when cold than the factory 10W. This allows the oil to penetrate bearing surfaces and gaps much easier, giving better cold-start protection. It's even thinner than Red Line 10W60.
It's also used in older BMW engines equipped with rocker arms that called for 15W40 or 20W50 oil from the factory - M10, M20, M30, S14, M88, and S38. We'll use 15W50 in BMWs that see track use in very hot climates where oil temperature spikes are a problem. It has very high ratings for viscosity at high temps and HTHS resistance (High Temperature, High Sheer).
It's SL/SM/SN and ACEA A3/B3/B4 rated. Our recommended oil change interval is 5,000-6,000 miles with regular used oil analysis.
Red Line oil outperforms the factory oil when it comes to strength under stress. The latest BMW oils are engineered for efficiency and include additives to enhance lubrication, reduce emissions, and improve fuel economy. But in the high performance turbo world we live in, these oils break down faster, leaving your engine unprotected. Red Line uses a higher quality base stock for its oil products that is superior at withstanding higher temperatures and stress than other oils. Redline oil has higher levels of ZDDP (zinc and phosphorous) and a higher HTHS rating so it does a better job of lubricating, protecting, and sealing in the hotter environments our turbo engines are capable of. This is especially important as engines accumulate mileage and wear as a thinner oil won't be able to provide extra levels of protection. Red Line Oil includes the appropriate levels of anti-wear additives and ash content to ensure compatibility with factory emissions equipment.
Red Line Oil has proven over many years of use in our own track vehicles, race cars, and street cars/trucks to provide unmatched long-life protection. The more we learn about this product versus other competitors, the more we like it - Red Line exceeds our demanding standards. With BMW shifting its focus to high efficiency oil formulas, the need for a high performance motor oil is greater than ever.
The following is a very general guideline for oil weight selection. Engine designs are different and engines change as they wear. We recommend a higher weight oil for high-mileage engines or engines that show signs of significant wear - usually one grade higher. "Max Efficiency" assumes no sustained running at high rpm.
| Engine
Type |
Cold Climate or Max
Efficiency |
Normal Climate or Street
Performance |
Hot Climate or Track Days |
Racing Use |
| S54 I6, S62 V8 3/00+, S65
V8, S85 V10 |
5W40 |
10W60, 15W50 |
10W40, 15W50, 10W60 |
See "Red Line Racing Engine Oil" |
| Non-Turbo/Non-M 1992-2013
(incl S50US, S52, S62 -2/00) |
5W30, 5W40 |
10W40, 15W50 |
15W50 |
See "Red Line Racing Engine Oil" |
| Turbo 2007+ |
0W30, 5W30 |
5W40, 10W40 |
10W40 |
See "Red Line Racing Engine Oil" |
| Elder generation (M10,
M20, M30, S14, M88/S38) |
10W40 |
15W50 |
10W60, 15W50, 20W50 |
See "Red Line Racing Engine Oil" |
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