Best BMW LL-01 Approved Oil?

[Audi Junkie]

Looking over the thread, I actually suggested M1 High Miles, not GC and when M1 0w-40 was considered, I didn't say not to use it, but to watch consumption, which was actually compared to M1 High Miles or the standard 5w-40, and that makes a world of sense.

In Doug's defense, he was pretty specific about the older SLX, but I was dismissive because I knew that was a long time ago and it did seem like he was making a snap judgment.

 

[Craig in Canada]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie


In Doug's defense, he was pretty specific about the older SLX, but I was dismissive because I knew that was a long time ago and it did seem like he was making a snap judgment.


I have seen Doug post several times about the first days of SLX and the problems it caused. I don't doubt what he says one bit, but I also have no doubt that SLX was changed as a result. SLX may be GC, but it isn't (for a long time now) the same product which caused Doug et al trouble in 1999.

 

[4wheels]

Originally Posted By: Medic_Coop
It is for a Supercharged Mini Cooper S. It has 40k and the previous owner changed the oil at the stealership using the oil life monitor and Mini branded oil.


I also have a s/c MCS. Ran on BMW oil during it's original free maintenance period, then Mobil 1 for a couple changes. I tracked my car for 2+ years and drove the snot out of it. They do prefer the xx-40's over the xx-30 weights, esp if you drive it hard. I switched to Amsoil Euro 5W-40 for a couple changes & noticed the valvetrain was slightly quieter. UOA's were slightly better as well. Last year I changed to the RLI 5W-40HD formula and the UOA for a couple items dropped slightly again.

 

[Mokanic]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Looking over the thread, I actually suggested M1 High Miles, not GC and when M1 0w-40 was considered, I didn't say not to use it, but to watch consumption, which was actually compared to M1 High Miles or the standard 5w-40, and that makes a world of sense.

In Doug's defense, he was pretty specific about the older SLX, but I was dismissive because I knew that was a long time ago and it did seem like he was making a snap judgment.


I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer when it comes to oil branding among different countries. Is/was Doug saying that the GC Gold that many enjoy here in the USA the same oil that was a problem there in 1999? If so, that would suggest that the Gold formula has went through "changes" if you will. I thought the Gold formula was and is a very stable shear resistant PAO based oil that has always returned very respectable oil analysis. I know nothing of the 0W40 Mobil 1 product but I have seen higher consumption in Hondas on some of M1's other offerings. The volatility numbers have mysteriously crept up on a number of their oils in recent years.

 

[Audi Junkie]

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/posts/2067442/


Originally Posted By: GhostFlame
I have a 2002 BMW X5 3.1 with 120000 miles. It runs great and it usese a qt of oil every 1200 miles. Most of its life it has seen only m1 ow/40 EF. thinking that the oil consumption has increased should I be changing to a thicker oil?

 

[edvanp]

I have an 02 530i with 115k miles on it now. I've had it for a couple of years now. It drinks a quart of oil every 3k miles, not bad. I've tried M1 0w40, GC 0w30, Val HM Syn 10-30 and M1 HM Syn 10w30. Next spring the fill will be Rousch 10w30. IMO, I thought it ran best on the M1 High Mileage Syn 10w30, but it performed fine on the other runs too. Currently it has M1 0w40 in it. All good oils. I don't follow the oil life monitor. I change it in the spring & fall (about 7k mile runs).

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: edvanp
IMO, I thought it ran best on the M1 High Mileage Syn 10w30,

Good to hear. I was actually considering this oil once I'm done with PU 5w-40 and local availability is still an issue.

 

[Trajan]

But as per thread title, HM 5/30, 10/30, 10/40 are not LL-01. Though the latter two are A3/B3 though, so they'll work.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Right, except ACEA A3-08 exceeds BMW LL-01 in all areas except oxydative thickening.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Right, except ACEA A3-08 exceeds BMW LL-01 in all areas except oxydative thickening.


Therefore it's not advisable to use the oil for extended drain intervals.

 

[Trajan]

Which makes them no good to me, as I run my A3/B3 LL-01 oil for extended drains now.

 

[Audi Junkie]

Really, thickening over long ocis is a big deal for you guys?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted By: Audi Junkie
Really, thickening over long ocis is a big deal for you guys?
Could be for the OP.

From my limited experience when it comes to BMW's I do not see a need to stray from the OEM approval when it's almost 100 percent unnecessary. It's not like there's a lack of choice.

IJS.

 

[m6pwr]

Getting back to original question. Motul 8100 X-Max 5w40. New formulation that is LL-01 approved, ester based. I'll be posting a VOA soon. Hopefully will work well in BMW's N54 twin turbo, direct injection motor.

 

[d00df00d]

Originally Posted By: m6pwr
Getting back to original question. Motul 8100 X-Max 5w40. New formulation that is LL-01 approved, ester based. I'll be posting a VOA soon. Hopefully will work well in BMW's N54 twin turbo, direct injection motor.

Good to hear. I almost got to try that oil in my car, but missed the chance. I'll be following with interest.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: m6pwr
Getting back to original question. Motul 8100 X-Max 5w40. New formulation that is LL-01 approved, ester based. I'll be posting a VOA soon. Hopefully will work well in BMW's N54 twin turbo, direct injection motor.

Good to hear. I almost got to try that oil in my car, but missed the chance. I'll be following with interest.


+1. Should be a great oil for the N54.

 

[Kevinmac]

Castrol Syntec, 5w-40 meets BMW LL-98 and Porsche

 

[m6pwr]

Originally Posted By: BMWTurboDzl
Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Originally Posted By: m6pwr
Getting back to original question. Motul 8100 X-Max 5w40. New formulation that is LL-01 approved, ester based. I'll be posting a VOA soon. Hopefully will work well in BMW's N54 twin turbo, direct injection motor.

Good to hear. I almost got to try that oil in my car, but missed the chance. I'll be following with interest.


+1. Should be a great oil for the N54.



After talking with Motul USA, found out that X-Max 5w40 is not a new formulation, it is just new to the US market, and it was reformulated about a year ago from ester-base to PAO base (so disregard all the resellers hype, e.g. Turner Motorsport and others, about ester based). I plan to use it anyway.