Originally Posted By: HolyOilSeeker
The car is a 2011 335i with an n55 engine requiring LL01, not the FE, if that matters. So, which approval is equivalent or comparable to LL01 less the longevity? SN gf-5 or A5/B5 sounds close. If the oil has the same or better hths rating AND covers the LL01 spider area, it should be acceptable, right? The total base number correlates with longevity, but with shorter OCI, that would matter much less. Also the NOWAK % of Castro 0w-30 is 7ish and many domestic products are difficult to find NOWAKs to compare. Are there any charts that compare these stats for mainstream oils? This oil thing is addictive...trying to separate marketing from fact.
Stick STRICTLY to LL-01 and NOT LL-01 FE etc in N55!
Best oils are Castrol 0W30/40! Since you are using already Castrol 0W30, stick to it or switch to Castrol 0W40 since it is same base stock, just cheaper in Wal Mart ($26 for 5qt jug).
NOACK of Castrol 0W40 is 9.1%
0W30 is 8.1%.
Do not experiment with ILSAC GF-5 oils in N55! Also, stick to LL-01 and not Lower SAPS oils such as Mobil1 5W30 ESP etc or oils carrying BMW LL-04 approval, VW 504.00/507.00 or MB 229.51.
You wan toils that meet: BMW LL-01, MB 229.5, VW 502.00, Porsche A40!