BMW B58 gen3 - Limited engine oil choices?

[ps2cho]

If you're stuck and have to have it then biting the bullet and buying at the dealer's parts counter isn't always expensive relative to autoparts stores.
The BMW OE contract went back to Castrol, but it's the approval that's important more than the brand. X is better than Y, but your engine only demands the approval, not what brand.

Yep, I would love to get the Castrol from Walmart but its out of stock, is that about the only inexpensive LL17-FE oil? Rest seem about $45-$60/5qt?

 

[FlyingTexan]

Well the Gen 3 B58 isnt the same as your Grenadier. The VANOS is electronic, the auto start stop is totally different with the 48v system built into the transmission, no alternator, fuel system and oil pumps are different etc...
That is my concern because the TU2/Gen3 is quite a bit different version of the B58. When I researched I was surprised how much is different and that running regular LL0-1, (not FE to at least bridge the gap) would be a step too far in terms of viscosity.

I know it's not the same but it's still a B58. Nothing you mentioned changes what's great for it. I guess if you don't feel comfortable running a LL01 then go to walmart.com, type in your oil spec and order it.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Well the Gen 3 B58 isnt the same as your Grenadier. The VANOS is electronic, the auto start stop is totally different with the 48v system built into the transmission, no alternator, fuel system and oil pumps are different etc...
That is my concern because the TU2/Gen3 is quite a bit different version of the B58. When I researched I was surprised how much is different and that running regular LL0-1, (not FE to at least bridge the gap) would be a step too far in terms of viscosity.

You probably have an OPF as well.

 

[chris719]

Well the Gen 3 B58 isnt the same as your Grenadier. The VANOS is electronic, the auto start stop is totally different with the 48v system built into the transmission, no alternator, fuel system and oil pumps are different etc...
That is my concern because the TU2/Gen3 is quite a bit different version of the B58. When I researched I was surprised how much is different and that running regular LL0-1, (not FE to at least bridge the gap) would be a step too far in terms of viscosity.

BMW does not want you to run non-FE oils but I don’t see any factual reason there could be harm. If it is, it’s something new we don’t know about. That said; there’s nothing wrong with the 30 grade FEs in my opinion. As mentioned earlier these bearings are IROX coated and look great on stock engines on disassembly. You don’t even have to worry about SAPS if you buy BMW TPT LL01FE oil as its basically a low SAPS formulation despite being of the 01 line.

I’m sure the 20 is fine also tbh.

 

[edyvw]

BMW does not want you to run non-FE oils but I don’t see any factual reason there could be harm. If it is, it’s something new we don’t know about. That said; there’s nothing wrong with the 30 grade FEs in my opinion. As mentioned earlier these bearings are IROX coated and look great on stock engines on disassembly. You don’t even have to worry about SAPS if you buy BMW TPT LL01FE oil as its basically a low SAPS formulation despite being of the 01 line.

I’m sure the 20 is fine also tbh.

TPT LL01FE has SA around 1.10%.
It is not low SAPS oil. But additive pack is vanilla though.

 

[chris719]

TPT LL01FE has SA around 1.10%.
It is not low SAPS oil. But additive pack is vanilla though.

Does it really though? I know what’s what the PDF says but it has low detergent for FS and 600-700 ppm ZDDP. Not sure where the SA would come from.

 

[edyvw]

Does it really though? I know what’s what the PDF says but it has low detergent for FS and 600-700 ppm ZDDP. Not sure where the SA would come from.

SA is byproduct. Just because oil has a vanilla additive pack does not mean it is low ash.
ESP 0W30 has SA at 0.8%, and Z is above 900ppm, and P is above 800ppm. It is a different type of additive they use.
Minimum TBN for LL01FE is 9.5. So, there are other things inside beyond just ZDDP. Take into consideration that with the 2022 revision, TBN for LL01FE is beefed up from a minimum of 6 to a minimum of 9.5.
If that LL01FE was low SAPS, it would be LL12FE.

 

[kschachn]

That is my concern because the TU2/Gen3 is quite a bit different version of the B58. When I researched I was surprised how much is different and that running regular LL0-1, (not FE to at least bridge the gap) would be a step too far in terms of viscosity.

Too far for what? Shear the drive gear off the oil pump?

 

[M82mike]

For what it's worth, I've got a 2026 bmw m440i with the B58 engine. Changed the oil and filter at 900 miles. No debris in the filter that we could see. I was nervous about the 0w12 oil, though.
Went with Mobil 1 ESP 0w30. Changed it after 4,000 miles. Going to do 6 month, 5,000 miles intervals going forward.

 

[edyvw]

For what it's worth, I've got a 2026 bmw m440i with the B58 engine. Changed the oil and filter at 900 miles. No debris in the filter that we could see. I was nervous about the 0w12 oil, though.
Went with Mobil 1 ESP 0w30. Changed it after 4,000 miles. Going to do 6 month, 5,000 miles intervals going forward.

I would wear helmet while driving. You never know whether engine might explode.

 

[M82mike]

I would wear helmet while driving. You never know whether engine might explode.

Hopefully, you're joking! Got it last year as my retirement gift to myself. It's fun, and, in comfort mode ,gets great gas mileage. (35 mpg). I've been reading everything I can, especially what you post.

 

[bigjl]

I personally wouldn’t use the thin fuel economy oils.

5w30 LL04 or 5w40 LL04 is what I use in my late 2020 745 Le XDrive

Always BMW OE Filters

Car is on 185k

 

[bigjl]

You probably have an OPF as well.

As far as I am aware a huge % of BMWs in the last 6-8 years have an OPF(or GPF) in the UK and EU.

Mine does.

Specced for anything from 0w20 to 5w40, anything from LL01 to LL04 and LL17FE+

Mine has ran happily on LL04 in 5w30 (Dealer and when I am short of time) and 5w40 when I have the time to source 5w40 as in LL04 you have to hunt around for it, which is why I usually order online, have always used Shell but looking at Valvoline for a change

Car is on 185k (late 2020)

 

[ps2cho]

After some thought -
What about
1) Mobil 1 0w-40 in both my N55 and S55 engines
And then
2) Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w-30 (or Mobil 1 ESP?) in the B58tu2?
(After warranty is up I’ll do one change with TPT0-20)

Keeps just two oils in the garage instead of three. Euro L is not LL17 (LL-04) but seems it’s a solid oil and I can get it at Walmart cheap and easily?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

After some thought -
What about
1) Mobil 1 0w-40 in both my N55 and S55 engines
And then
2) Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w-30 (or Mobil 1 ESP?) in the B58tu2?
(After warranty is up I’ll do one change with TPT0-20)

Keeps just two oils in the garage instead of three. Euro L is not LL17 (LL-04) but seems it’s a solid oil and I can get it at Walmart cheap and easily?

Yep or just stay within the Mobil 1 family (FS and ESP). It's not going to make a difference in the end.

 

[rainshadow57]

When I got my B58, I drained out the 0W20 after break-in and used Mobil 1 ESP 5W30. Currently running Motul X-Clean+EFE in 0W30, the engine sounds better to me on the 30wt. oils. Next oil will be Mobil 1 ESP 0W30, yummy!

 

[f355spider]

After some thought -
What about
1) Mobil 1 0w-40 in both my N55 and S55 engines
And then
2) Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w-30 (or Mobil 1 ESP?) in the B58tu2?
(After warranty is up I’ll do one change with TPT0-20)

Keeps just two oils in the garage instead of three. Euro L is not LL17 (LL-04) but seems it’s a solid oil and I can get it at Walmart cheap and easily?

Why not Mobil 1 0w-40 for them all, even easier.
I've used Pennzoil Euro L 5w30 in both my N63TU2 and M62TU2 BMWs. Just swapped to Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 in the N63TU2 last night.

 

[chris719]

After some thought -
What about
1) Mobil 1 0w-40 in both my N55 and S55 engines
And then
2) Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w-30 (or Mobil 1 ESP?) in the B58tu2?
(After warranty is up I’ll do one change with TPT0-20)

Keeps just two oils in the garage instead of three. Euro L is not LL17 (LL-04) but seems it’s a solid oil and I can get it at Walmart cheap and easily?

You could just run Ravenol VMP or ESP 5W-30 in all of them also. VMP is C3 and 3.7 HTHS. The only downside is price.

 

[Marcozi]

I run VMP. Great oil.

 

[iCurious]

I would use XW-30 Mobil ESP.