E30 Lubricants

[Michiel van Wessem <jmvw@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hi,

Here I am again with yet another question for you. I'm wondering what good
lubricants for my car are, for: 

- - engine oil. I have five quarts of 20W50 Mobil 1 already waiting to be put
in the car. The temperature range for this viscosity seems to fit best here
in New Jersey. The user manual shows an even wider temperature range for
"Special oils individually approved by BMW (low friction lubricants)".
"Contact your local BMW dealer for details". Which oils are these? If some
1987 lubricants can be used that way, then shouldn't more oils from 1998 be
good enough?

- - manual transmission oil. What do GL-4 and "non-hypoid" mean? Where can I
get this type of oil?

- - final drive oil. Bentley manual says BMW recommends to use only "a
specially formulated gear oil that is available through an authorized BMW
dealer parts department". What is this stuff? Aren't there other lubricants
on the market that are at least as good or better and possibly cheaper? 

I would like to learn a little more about oil and it's codes. I've been
looking on the web, but I've never seen anything like the gasoline faq. If
you know a good pointer, please let me know.

Thanks!

Michiel

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