I'm looking for a full synthetic oil that meets or exceeds BMW LL-01 that can be used in my fully deleted OM642 turbodiesel Mercedes and my wife's bone stock Mini with the 1.6 NA engine. Any recommendations?
5w-40 mixed fleet recommendations
- Thread starter charlesb2003
- Start date
Any oil that carries Longlife-01 approval. Easy as pie, Mobil 1 Full Synthetic is inexpensive at Walmart.
Don't worry about the winter rating. It's irrelevant unless you're starting at -35.
Don't worry about the winter rating. It's irrelevant unless you're starting at -35.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Even deleted you'd be better off with an LL-04 or MB 229.5x oil that covers light diesel engines than an LL01.
Go with an MB229.5 if you want the full SAPS.
Go with an MB229.5 if you want the full SAPS.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
What BMW?
Technically Mobil1 ESP 0W30 can do all.
No LL designation which some might not like, even though it would pass.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
There is ESP 5W-30 that is LL-04.
ESP 0w-30 not being LL has been discussed and doesn't matter unless you want to stick .to LL for warranty insurance and/or feel secure.
Most likely ESP 0W-30 doesn't pass the BMW oxidation level due to the high percentage of esters is all. Because I have a MB OM642 specced for MB 229.51/52 I simplified supply and I've switched Daughters 2008 N52 to it for 4 years and it hasn't blown up. My 2010 N52 would be on it, but I got a hair to try HPL Supercar.
Yes I agree that the lack of LL-04 for Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30 is no big deal, and it would do great. People will have varying degrees of comfort with this.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Yeah, 0W30 besides esters also has a higher ZDDP level.
CleanSump
Site Donor 2026
Not easily available in USA.
Most things that are worthwhile aren't easy.
Do you ever have any technical reasons for making these constant Valvoline recommendations?
Please explain why I should go through that effort, rather than just walking into Walmart and buying off-the-shelf.
I agree with you 100% .
There is no explanation !
Look at the people on this forum who live and die by the boutique oil bandwagon and there is nothing you can say that will change the minds of these people and that's there prerogative and money which they can spend freely on what ever makes them feel good.
I think like you !
Excellent oil choices at Walmart and local auto part stores for far less money and convenience .
It's a 2014 Mini Countryman with the 1.6 liter N/A engine that calls for LL-01. I've been using Castrol Euro 5w-40 in that one, and Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40 in my deleted diesel Mercedes. Both cars are out of warranty, but we are planning to keep them long term so I'm more concerned with protection than anything, which is why I'm running 5w-40 in both. We live in Florida so winter starting is not an issue.
I've considered running the Castrol in both since it meets LL-01 and MB 229.5 but I'm not sure how that oil would do in a diesel. Also considered running the Delvac 1 in both, but again not sure how that oil would perform in a gasoline engine. I can keep buying two different oils but it would be nice to just have to stock one. I'm sure I'm overthinking this, but isn't that what this forum is for?
I found this oil on Amazon so I may give it a shot. I like that it says "for gasoline and diesel" on the bottle. I also like what Valvoline has been doing lately with the Valvoline Restore and Protect line, seems interesting for keeping carbon buildup at bay. Do you know if this Euro oil has similar chemistry to Valvoline Restore and Protect, and how would it compare to either Delvac 1 or Castrol Euro when it comes to unsticking stuck rings and/or keeping rings from getting stuck? Both cars use about a quart of oil between changes which I know is probably within the acceptable range, but my OCD would like to get that amount to zero and I suspect rings may be the culprit on both engines.
There is zero reason to pay more on Amazon for that oil over something at Walmart, plus the fact that it does not have Longlife-01 approval as you were asking about. The poster goes from thread to thread shilling Valvoline products with no technical reasoning to support his constant promotions.
Valvoline has made it clear that Valvoline Restore and Protect is unique. MST is not the same as that product.
No DPF, just run Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0w40 since the countryman calls for LL-01. Cheap, ubiquitous, top shelf stuff (for retail store oils).
You're being recommended 0w oils since Mobil is known to use better (more shear-resistant) oils to hit the cold pumpability targets that requires. The ESP 0w30 has base oils (esters) which will bump up base oxidation levels, which might be why they don't have BMW approval. It's technically a better oil than the LL-04 ESP 5w30 (which would satisfy all of your requirements as well as the FS 0w40--you can use an LL-04 in a motor that specs the LL-01 full saps no problem).
That's what I would do, but that's based off my local retail selection. ESP X4 0w40 is also excellent, comes with the appropriate MB diesel approvals but lacks BMW approvals due to esters like the 0w30.
Both cars are out of warranty, but we are planning to keep them long term so I'm more concerned with protection than anything, which is why I'm running 5w-40 in both. We live in Florida so winter starting is not an issue.
You're being recommended 0w oils since Mobil is known to use better (more shear-resistant) oils to hit the cold pumpability targets that requires. The ESP 0w30 has base oils (esters) which will bump up base oxidation levels, which might be why they don't have BMW approval. It's technically a better oil than the LL-04 ESP 5w30 (which would satisfy all of your requirements as well as the FS 0w40--you can use an LL-04 in a motor that specs the LL-01 full saps no problem).
That's what I would do, but that's based off my local retail selection. ESP X4 0w40 is also excellent, comes with the appropriate MB diesel approvals but lacks BMW approvals due to esters like the 0w30.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Castrol 5W40 is average oil at best. What you looking for is HTHS, not grade. The reason why I am recommending ESP 0W30 is that it is PAO/GTL/Ester based oil. It has HTHS above 3.5cP. Only reason why it doesn’t have LL04 is that it has but higher oxidation due to presence of esters and not % of Group III base stock that BMW wants (which is actually good). Available in Wal Mart.It's a 2014 Mini Countryman with the 1.6 liter N/A engine that calls for LL-01. I've been using Castrol Euro 5w-40 in that one, and Delvac 1 ESP 5w-40 in my deleted diesel Mercedes. Both cars are out of warranty, but we are planning to keep them long term so I'm more concerned with protection than anything, which is why I'm running 5w-40 in both. We live in Florida so winter starting is not an issue.
I've considered running the Castrol in both since it meets LL-01 and MB 229.5 but I'm not sure how that oil would do in a diesel. Also considered running the Delvac 1 in both, but again not sure how that oil would perform in a gasoline engine. I can keep buying two different oils but it would be nice to just have to stock one. I'm sure I'm overthinking this, but isn't that what this forum is for?
Any oil that has MB229.51/52 is good for all your engines.
If you want LL01 Castrol, go 0W30 Euro Car. Much better stuff than Castrol 5W40.
If You still want LL01 from Wal Mart, Mobil1 0W40 is far better choice than Castrol 5W40.
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