BMW branded LL01 oil?

T

TXCarGeek

Joined
Jun 17, 2013
Messages
594
Location
Texas
Does BMW still carry an LL01 oil? Seems like some places online still sell a BMW branded 0W40 but doesn't seem widely available. Have they transitioned their entire fleet over to their 0W30 oil meeting LL01FE?

I'm curious because my dealer keeps sending me a 3 year oil change deal for $199. It's tempting but not if they're going to be using a5/b5 spec oil in my high mileage N62 engine. Guess I need to ask them.
 
In my experience my dealer says all older cars are back spec’d for 0w30 LL01FE. They also car some LL04.
My 760 uses the 0w30 LL01FE….but right now has Liqui-Moly 5w30 LL01FE.
My X7 uses 0w20 LL17FE. I have been unable to find any other brand but BMW in this spec.
My 650 uses the widest range of the three. 0w30, 5w30, 0w40 or 5w40. It is running Castrol Euro Edge 5w40 right now, which is LL01.
 
WTJackalope said:
In my experience my dealer says all older cars are back spec’d for 0w30 LL01FE. They also car some LL04.
My 760 uses the 0w30 LL01FE….but right now has Liqui-Moly 5w30 LL01FE.
My X7 uses 0w20 LL17FE. I have been unable to find any other brand but BMW in this spec.
My 650 uses the widest range of the three. 0w30, 5w30, 0w40 or 5w40. It is running Castrol Euro Edge 5w40 right now, which is LL01.
Click to expand...
I have an E60 550i with 227k miles on it. I switch back and forth between mobil 1 0w40 and Castrol 0W40/5W40.
 
That LL01FE oil is a bit too light for my liking especially with the high miles on my car. No telling if my dealer would bother to listen to me if I requested a thicker, LL01 oil...they might not even have it. I have a buddy that's a tech at a BMW dealer in DFW and he was telling me that he hasn't seen any LL01 specific oil. Just LL01FE 0W30.
 
TXCarGeek said:
Does BMW still carry an LL01 oil? Seems like some places online still sell a BMW branded 0W40 but doesn't seem widely available. Have they transitioned their entire fleet over to their 0W30 oil meeting LL01FE?

I'm curious because my dealer keeps sending me a 3 year oil change deal for $199. It's tempting but not if they're going to be using a5/b5 spec oil in my high mileage N62 engine. Guess I need to ask them.
Click to expand...
I don't know. Availability was spotty when Shell had the contract. I have not been successful in getting my dealership to pour in LL01. BMW NA moved to LL01FE around 6-7 years ago. LL01FE isn't "thin" but it's thinner than LL01. The HTHS range for LL01FE is >3.0 to 3.5. LL01 is 3.5 or above.

Does say a HTHS of 3.6 vs 3.4 really matter? Only you can decide.
 
Last edited:
BMWTurboDzl said:
I don't know. Availability was spotty when Shell had the contract. I have not been successful in getting my dealership to pour in LL01. BMW NA moved to LL01FE around 6-7 years ago. LL01FE isn't "thin" but it's thinner than LL01. The HTHS range for LL01FE is >3.0 to 3.5. LL01 is 3.5 or above.

Does say a HTHS of 3.6 vs 3.4 really matter? Only you can decide.
Click to expand...
I've mulled over this before and ultimately, with 227k miles and an engine that just loves to leak anywhere it can, I figure the higher HTHS LL01 is better for my application. If I had low miles still, I probably wouldn't mind as much.
 
I chose to stay with the higher HTHS in my 528i and with that my choice has been Ravenol VST 5w-40. It has the LL-01 and also the MB spec as well as Porsche.

Starting with 28K oil change the dealer installed "bulk oil" and labeled the work order with the BMW approval like LL-17 etc. No mention of grade was listed. Over my first 6 oil changes the dealer used a variety: LL-01, LL17Fe etc. When I called and inquired about the grade and the consistency the answers I got to me were unacceptable.

I posted to this board and was recommended to try the Ravenol VST at 5w-40. I am on my third or fourth change now with OEM filter and I am happy with the results. MPG DID NOT change from 0w-20 grade. Start up noise is reduced. Very smooth in driving at all RPM ranges.

In the past I have also enjoyed the results with Redline. I used it in my 328i and also in my motorbike were the performance was incredible for the modified air cooled v twin. I do not have a UOA or trend to support what I am saying. Just offering what my experience has been and how I have piece of mind that I can choose and control my motor oil rather than rely on a dealer to use whatever they choose.

The emphasis on HTHS should be quite high IMO. I want lowest wear and highest performance from my choices. I pay $54 for the 5L jug of Ravenol from Blauparts and it is a two day delivery. Buy two and get FREE shipping.

Best of luck in your decisions.
 
Today at dealership:
8187D4E3-BFE0-4300-A826-E1D4F4444E94.webp
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

M
BMW Longlife Specs... (LL01, LL04, LL19FE; N52 and B48)
2 3
Replies
43
Views
12K
edyvw
B
Valvoline 0w30 Euro Oil
4 5 6
Replies
110
Views
9K
edyvw
T
BMW Dealer used LL01FE instead of LL01??
Replies
17
Views
9K
edyvw
N
Using a ACEA A3/B4 oil in a A5/B5 engine
2
Replies
21
Views
5K
ka9mnx
E
Analysis paralysis - Need help choosing my next oil
Replies
19
Views
4K
BMWTurboDzl
Back
Top Bottom