BG Oil? for a BMW...is it an obscure oil?

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97tbird

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Fayetteville, NC
So I called one of the (most) reputed indep. BMW service shops to schedule and oil change (not my 1st choice shop, they're booked 3 weeks in adv), and out of curiosity I asked what oil they use: The guy says "BG oil - you can't get it anywhere in NC except at our shop"...
I ask "BG oil?". the guy confirms.
Knowing full well the answer already, I ask "so does this oil meet the LL-01 specs from BMW?"
The guy says "oh yeah it does!"...

What? I've never heard of this "BG oil" - is it from the same co. that makes BG engine cleaning stuff?
I didn't like the fact that the guy just lied to me about the BMW spec.

I don't feel like taking my car there ...

I have no idea why this shop is the highest rated BMW indep. shop.
(my 1st choice shop uses BMW (Castrol) oil, just what the dealers use)
 
Never heard of it either, but they do show it as one of their products.

"BG SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Engine Oil is formulated for superior performance in gasoline and diesel passenger cars. Its enhanced thermal and oxidative stability allow for extended drain intervals. BG SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Engine Oil flows immediately to lubricate vital engine components for easy cold weather starts and provides outstanding high temperature protection. It meets or exceeds most European performance specifications including MB 229.51; BMW LL-04; VW 502.00, 505.00, 505.01."
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird

I don't feel like taking my car there ...

Can't you just bring your own oil and tell them to use it instead?

Or just buy an oil extractor and do it all yourself. It's super easy on these engines.
 
"BG oil - you can't get it anywhere in NC except at our shop"

This is always a word of warning for me. Really? No one else in the state wants to use this stuff? Hrm...

I just got BG10w30 at an oil change shop in Illinois, I'd never heard of it either.
 
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
Well it claims to meet BMW LL-04, so assuming it's not [censored]'ing You then you'll be kosher. Right?

Actually, BMW advises against the use of LL-04 oil in gasoline engines in the US. LL-01 is what they recommend.
 
Originally Posted By: PhillyJoe
Never heard of it either, but they do show it as one of their products.

"BG SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Engine Oil is formulated for superior performance in gasoline and diesel passenger cars. Its enhanced thermal and oxidative stability allow for extended drain intervals. BG SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Engine Oil flows immediately to lubricate vital engine components for easy cold weather starts and provides outstanding high temperature protection. It meets or exceeds most European performance specifications including MB 229.51; BMW LL-04; VW 502.00, 505.00, 505.01."


If the oil the shop is using is the one above, it is NOT suitable for your 330i ZHP.
BMW LL-04 is NOT the same as BMW LL-01, nor is it backward compatible with engines made to run on BMW LL-01 in NORTH AMERICA. This is an example when "more" or "the latest and greatest" re BMW's spec is not the best for your motor. BMW specifically warns against using BMW LL-04 oils in gas engines in North America. Something to do with the sulphur in our gas and its affect on the performance of the oil. I think a call to BMW NA Customer Relations (201-307-4100) will confirm this.
 
Their page doesn't say they are API/ILSAC certified. I wonder why the dealer is using this oil. Cheapest oil that claims to meet BMW spec?
 
I know Redline is VERY popular with BMW owners in Japan. Why not here in the USA im not sure. Maybe because Redline doesn't have all the certiifications on the bottle for people with warranties? That kinda makes me chuckele because BMW would have to prove that the non cert oil caused the failure. Good luck having them prove that.

If your leasing or under warranty, just go with what they tell you to use. Dont experiement. If it was my BMW I would be calling Dave at Redline. Thats just me.

Jeff
 
Originally Posted By: Jeffs2006EvoIX
That kinda makes me chuckele because BMW would have to prove that the non cert oil caused the failure. Good luck having them prove that.

That may be true, but while BMW is taking their sweet time trying to prove it, in the meantime you're stuck with a broken car, and I'm not sure they'd offer you a loaner to hold you over.

In any case, OP's BMW is not under warranty.
 
Some things to clarify:
my car is not under warranty, but it's a very low mile car, and I want what's recommended for it.

This is not a dealer - it's an indep. shop

I might have to revert to doing it myself, although I am a bit nervous about it - haven't done anything like that for a while...

It is baffling that this place is the #1 indep. shop in the area, and might even be in the whole of NC. hundreds of 5 star reviews...even very popular with forum members of various bmw forums...

this is the place:
http://www.importmotorwerks.com/bmw

This (below this paragraph) was my 1st choice place (which uses BMW oil)...i guess I'll just wait a bit and wait till they have an opening: (They're not as convenient, but have a better rep. in more "serious" circles, and have a waiting period for an appt, and not open on wk ends, etc -they only have a few techs there, but the lead tech/owner, German, used to work for BMW in Germany, from what I heard- but they will also let you bring in your own oil if you need to):
They have a simpler, but more genuine, and small-ish way about them, I think:
http://www.stgbmwservice.com/
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: 97tbird

I don't feel like taking my car there ...

Can't you just bring your own oil and tell them to use it instead?

Or just buy an oil extractor and do it all yourself. It's super easy on these engines

Originally Posted By: 97tbird
I might have to revert to doing it myself, although I am a bit nervous about it - haven't done anything like that for a while...

I agree with Quattro Pete, get an oil extractor then you will never bother go to any place for oil change. It is so easy and quick on German engines without any mess.
 
Why not just take it to the dealer? Around here, the local BMW dealer charges $90, which isn't too unreasonable.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: toyotapriusguy
Well it claims to meet BMW LL-04, so assuming it's not [censored]'ing You then you'll be kosher. Right?

Actually, BMW advises against the use of LL-04 oil in gasoline engines in the US. LL-01 is what they recommend.


Well there You go. Thank You Quattro Pete
 
This oil is no different than AMSOIL or Redline in that they state the oil meets certain OEM specifications but it has never been submitted for approval.

Maybe it's really just rebranded AMSOIL 5w-30 euro oil?? (hehe)
 
97tbird said:
Some things to clarify:
my car is not under warranty, but it's a very low mile car, and I want what's recommended for it.
Click to expand...
97tbird said:
You just answered your question. If you want what is recommended then you already know what you need to buy.

IMO since the car is out of warranty, and the fact that oil related failures of any sort are almost non existent these days I would run Redline in this car. Its like the #1 Bimmer oil in Japan and Europe from what I hear from friends over seas.

I seriously doubt by using Redline in your Bimmer you would have ANY issues. But if you want to go by what you just stated in the above bold quote from you, then stick with what the manual says and be done with it.

Jeff
Click to expand...
 
After more communication a different tech says they use Lubro Moly syn. oil
But he also says I can bring in whatever I want, now.
 
Originally Posted By: 97tbird
After more communication a different tech says they use Lubro Moly syn. oil
But he also says I can bring in whatever I want, now.



You'd do far better with off-the-shelf Mobil 1 0w40 or Castrol Syntec 0w30. Lubro-Moly's Synthoil is overpriced for what it is.
 
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