BMW never backspec'd the LL01FE for the M54 and the min HTHS of the LL01FE approval is within the same range as VRP. That being said back in the early 2000's there were E46 owners who were running regular M1 5w30 (A5/B5) and reported no immediate issues but who knows about long term impact.
Costco as moved to TT+. The website suggests that there will eventually be only one standard. TT+ is focused on GDI and with 75% of the fleet GDI there's no reason to have two standards.
Yes. A solution was poured into the engine which hardens when heated and kills the engine. I'm sure the cars were running but I don't know how perfect they were.
Yes it's insane but people pay. Here's a quick read.
https://www.philadelphiafed.org/-/media/FRBP/Assets/Consumer-Finance/Reports/cfi-report-april-2026-do-recent-auto-loan-delinquency-rates-overstate-borrower-distress.pdf