Originally Posted By: unDummy
Most low SAP oils still have the ~1:1 Z to P ratio.
I looked at some ESP UOAs and they had 700-900 ppm of Z and P.
This UOA has 500 P and
If every low SAP oil requires 600-900 PPM of BOTH, then its OK for BMW to use a factory fill that may doesn't meet their own requirements/specs?
A break in service interval is different than break in oil.
I would've given this vehicle a break in service at 1k too. On my several last new car purchases, I changed the oil/filter when I pulled in the driveway. And, all my fluids got an early 'break in' change. But, none were ever filled with special break in oil.
The only zinc-free motor oils that I've seen were from Fuchs/Silkolene. Is Fuchs the factory fill?
Here's a thread with another UOA of the BMW factory fill:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1897605&page=1
You're hitting the nail on the head.
I've been trying to understand the nature of the BMW factory fill oil - it definitely is low zinc (as shown by the OP's UOA), but it does not appear to have the same additives as what we know to be LL-04 oils, such as you mention.
How does the Fuchs zinc-free oil perform in the absence of zinc? Does anyone know what its additive package looks like?
As far as I know, BMW is using a Castrol oil for factory fill, but my conclusion is only based on the fact that they recommend Castrol and supply Castrol branded oil for their refill kits. Who the heck knows what they are really putting in the vehicles?
Edit: One last question: since we know that at least Fuchs does offer a no/low zinc LL-04, should we conclude that the factory fill oil is "bad" or a "break in oil" or could it simply be a euro low/no zinc LL-04 formulation?