Min TBN for LL01FE is 9.5. I don't think it has API SP donut but it probably meets the performance requirements of SP. I couldn't find this oil on the API lookup.
BMW 0W12
- Thread starter stevestroke08
- Start date
Good points that I missed. I thought I saw it SP on a bottle but maybe I’m going crazy.
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It may very well have SP on the bottle but not the donut. We're all crazy.
The 2.0d Mercedes diesel that came out for the new shape E Class (2016 model year if I remember correctly) had issues with camchains and bottom end failure in the 1st few years of production
The older 2.1 was pretty bulletproof.
The 2.9d in the mk1 Sprinter is bulletproof, late CDi Sprinters a little bit more fragile when used in areas with poor fuel quality.
But the pick of the bunch in the mk2 was the 2.7cdi in the 416
The 3.0v6 diesel was not quite as reliable as the early 2.9d but would be my pick of the bunch.
NHS Sprinter Ambulances do up to 70k miles a year in County services away from large Cities, many have done over 500k miles
What is actually confusing is the dealer and online BMW forums tell you to run the weight specified on the sticker under the hood and it says 0W12. I believe there is a thread on hear where a gentleman bought an 2022 X7 (I believe, it was one of the first models with the TU2 engine) and the specs in the manual where the LL01FE & LL17FE and under the hood was the 0W12 sticker which doesn't meet either of those specs.
Just because it’s specced in the USA doesn’t mean the engine can only run on that oil.
The engines are the same
If you search a vehicle on any of the oil checkers and out your location as the UK or Germany you will usually see the other specs that can be used.
We just brought home a 2025 X5 with the B58TU2 and 0W12 in the case. I think I’ve read all of the relevant threads, and I don’t feel comfortable running 0w12 beyond about 1K mile break-in. I purchased LL17 0w-20 based on the 2024 owners manual before we got the car, but in our 2025- the 0W20 spec was removed from the manual. Same engine as 2024. Now it only lists 01 and 22, while it’s clear that they are trying to drive B58 owners to 0w12 and S58 owners to 0w30. I’ve also seen some potentially speculative statements on various forums about the new TU2 having oil pump changes specifically for the new oil. I prefer to use Amsoil products, although none of them are actually “approved” TMK. I am considering using the Amsoil 0w20 (AFE) I already bought - and move to AMsoil 0w30 (EOT) for 3.5 HTHS. I can use the 0w20 in another car if necessary- my thought was a slow transition to 0w30 in the wildest possible notion that heavier oil could cause a problem with this engine. Am i foolish not to use a castrol or something that has been approved?
Any changes to the oil pump were made to permit the use of lower viscosity oils without damage or excessive wear. They do not preclude the use of a higher viscosity oil. That’s never the case. If it were, then every engine would grenade when being operated at less than full operating temperature. Same reason you don’t need a “slow transition”.
Lots of threads besides this one on this very topic. Perhaps you could search them out since you’re new.
Thanks for your reply. I've been reading on this topic since March and have been lurking for years. I'm not sure I've seen anyone actually share a detailed analysis of the 0w-12 factory oil fill or close some of the other loose ends on the B58TU2 threads and LL22FE threads. A lot of the comments on here are contradictory - my concern is mostly about the comments regarding LL01FE being a high SAPS spec and potential converter damage from that. It's my first euro car ever and want to make sure the risk using "uncertified" oil that's technically outside of the manual while under warranty is a safe bet. The Amsoil threads seem to conclude that their ll01FE product is a low SAPS blend and maybe that's one of the reasons it can't technically pass. I also think most people are using the"free" maintenance and avoiding this issue for a couple years. I plan to do it myself as I always have. Thanks!
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
You won’t damage converter using LL01FE.
If your vehicle has GPF, than it is a problem. But the fact that BMW lists LL01FE means it doesn’t.
If you are concerned about High SAPS oil, you can always go LL04 which is thick version of LL22FE and LL17FE.
There is definitely some FUD out there about running heavier weight oil than the sticker under the hood calls for(0W-12).
The owners manual covers two engines, and lists the required specifications in one table. They confusingly state both LL01FE and the LL22FE++ 0W-12 as approved, but the guide clarifies that the V8 engine cannot use the LL22FE++.
Below this section, the guide clarifies that you must follow the viscosity sticker under the hood.
Collectively - that means the manual states the V8 uses LL01FE and the I6 uses LL22FE++.
Disregarding that - is it the opinion of others here that there isn't a negative consequence to using LL01FE, or even LL04, in our I6 engine - as long as the car doesn't have a GPF with high SAPS oil?
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
As long as the car is not equipped with GPF, you can use LL01FE (during warranty. After the warranty, LL01 NOT FE). If it has GPF, than LL04.
Using thicker oil is not a problem. Using thinner oil than recommended is.
I am surprised that the USA hasn’t required a GPF for years
They have been fitted to loads of BMWs and Mercedes since 2018 in Europe.
The B58 fitted to the G11/G12 745 PHEV has always had a GPF in Europe.
Interestingly the 2024 760e also uses a B58 and that’s still specced for 0w20 using the Online Shell Checker, I would assume it has the TU2 engine.
Though the Shell Lubematch doesn’t actually list all the BMW specced oils for my 745Le, it doesn’t list 5w40 for my car but the Handbook does.
The listed alternative oils are the same for 2020 745Le and for 2024 760e
No mention of 0w12.
That’s makes me think that 0w12 is a used in the USA because of some specific requirement of the UsA market.
Not to enhance the lifespan of the engine.
I can’t check the handbook of a 760e as they are pretty rare and everybody I know who had the new 7 Series has the fully electric i7
Allegedly BMW has decided to begin to include them for the US market.
CAFE.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Bcs. emission standards in the US are more focused on NOx than particles. There is pretty good argument that in gas engines cost of GPF outweighs benefits.
I think OPF is coming for MY'25 340/440 cars.
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
Maybe. There was talk about it before too. Who knows.
i guess you mean within recommended grade/hths ..mine is from 0-30 to 5-40 hths min 3,5.
can i use a 10-40 with hths 3,7 since bmw approvals are defined by hths? and this oil has an hths within my approvals?
ok, oxidation probably will be not the appropriate one thats why bmw will not approve it but as far as hths its within bmw/s approval .
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