BMW LL04 and LL12FE in Australia with high sulphur content in fuel?

[SydBMW]

The B-series was always approved for LL01/LL04 down to LL17fe. Choices were made based on local markets and fuels.

In the US BMW has been using LL01fe or LL17fe for B-series engines since 2018 or so. The US moved to ULSG in 2020.

IIRC Australia is going ULSG at end of 2024.

Now it seems clear that the BMW Australia response is based on their SB that if the B series engines do not have GPF, note 1 applies so that LL04, LL12FE and LL17FE+ should not be used outside EU .
I double checked my B48 engine, couldn't find the SA1DEA RDE option in the VIN decode reading. I neither could find the vacuum hose on the catalytic converter. Apparently, for B48, the GPF is integrated together with the catalytic converter, differentiated by having or not a vacuum hose and part numbers.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Now it seems clear that the BMW Australia response is based on their SB that if the B series engines do not have GPF, note 1 applies so that LL04, LL12FE and LL17FE+ should not be used outside EU .
I double checked my B48 engine, couldn't find the SA1DEA RDE option in the VIN decode reading. I neither could find the vacuum hose on the catalytic converter. Apparently, for B48, the GPF is integrated together with the catalytic converter, differentiated by having or not a vacuum hose and part numbers.

Ya. Times are changing.. I was reading that US models are going to start getting OPF

 

[edyvw]

Now it seems clear that the BMW Australia response is based on their SB that if the B series engines do not have GPF, note 1 applies so that LL04, LL12FE and LL17FE+ should not be used outside EU .
I double checked my B48 engine, couldn't find the SA1DEA RDE option in the VIN decode reading. I neither could find the vacuum hose on the catalytic converter. Apparently, for B48, the GPF is integrated together with the catalytic converter, differentiated by having or not a vacuum hose and part numbers.

As I posted earlier, no BMW is equipped with GPF in Australia. In December 2025 (i think that is what is said in paper I posted) AUS will move to 10ppm gas. That might be time when BMW moves to GPF in AUS.

 

[SR5]

My understanding is that AUS moves to ULSG in 12/2024.

I'm any case LL01 would be "okay".

But we are not at ULSG (ultra low sulphur petrol) yet, and that date has beefed pushed back before, and will probably be pushed back again.

OP, Australia has some of the worst fuel quality in the developed world, you are caught between a rock and a hard place. High SAPS (BMW LL-01) is the correct choice for our fuel but the wrong choice for your car's emission system. Low/mid SAPS (BMW LL-04) is the correct choice for your car's emissions system, but the wrong choice for our local fuel.

First, only run Premium unleaded, as it has the lowest sulphur content in Australia.
Second, you could run LL-04 but change it frequently, say every 10,000 km (6k miles), or less.

Me, I would run LL-01, but I'm happy to go against the book, and wear the consequences (often none).

 

[SR5]

Q1)What makes you suspect BMW Australia have recommended the wrong oil?

Q2)And historically emissions requirements in Australia seem to be very similar to those in Europe.

A1) Because none of the local corporate bosses understand oil or have the fortitude to go against the mothership.

A2) No they are not! We are always years behind Europe.

 

[SydBMW]

As I posted earlier, no BMW is equipped with GPF in Australia. In December 2025 (i think that is what is said in paper I posted) AUS will move to 10ppm gas. That might be time when BMW moves to GPF in AUS.

Good clarification! Wonder why BMW Aust didn't insert a page into a user manual appearing straight out of UK. Another finding is according to the BMW SB, the LL17 FE+ seems fine for both GPF or non GPF cars, don't understand why. I understand people prefers thicker oil than thinner ones, as protection over economy.

 

[SydBMW]

Second, you could run LL-04 but change it frequently, say every 10,000 km (6k miles), or less.

Fully agree. For 530e, BMW recommends 30,000 KMs/2 years interval for oil change which I think it's crazy. I am using LL04, LL19 or LL12 but limiting it to 10000Km/1 year. For PHEV, the petrol annual milage may not be high if you don't do a lot of long trips. I remember when Mobil 1 first came out, I rang their tech support for oil change advice. they told me you can have 100,000 kms or more but changing at least once a year. At the time, the cars were less complicated, non-turbo non GDI, and the oils were high percentage PAO based.

 

[edyvw]

Fully agree. For 530e, BMW recommends 30,000 KMs/2 years interval for oil change which I think it's crazy. I am using LL04, LL19 or LL12 but limiting it to 10000Km/1 year. For PHEV, the petrol annual milage may not be high if you don't do a lot of long trips. I remember when Mobil 1 first came out, I rang their tech support for oil change advice. they told me you can have 100,000 kms or more but changing at least once a year. At the time, the cars were less complicated, non-turbo non GDI, and the oils were high percentage PAO based.

Keep using 95 or higher octane if available. 95 in AUS is max 50ppm sulfur, 91 is 150.
Sulfur will obliterate TBN in oil. Your engine is DI+PHEV. Recipe for high fuel dilution.

 

[svenson]

do you have 100 octane there? if do,then use this,bcs. if fuel is as bad as some countries in Europe then in order to get 95 you must fill with 100 octane gas

 

[LordNilesStandish]

I just picked up a 2018 X4 M40i with the B58 engine. Awesome car, but I have some questions regarding BMW's recommended oil specifications.

The owners manual specifies that LL-04 and LL-12FE are the approved specifications for the car. This seems strange for an Australian market vehicle however, as I have read that these oils don't play nice with petrol that has any more than 10ppm sulphur content. Premium grade fuel here in Australia is allowed to have up to 50ppm sulphur levels, so it would seem that using the recommended oil specs here is unadvisable...?

My question is, should I be running LL01 instead, even when it isn't officially approved for use according to the owners manual?

I would appreciate some advice from more experienced individuals here, as I want to ensure the engine gets the best oil possible.

Welcome to the world of BMW ownership. You know your now ruined and will only ever own beemers now.
I have a 2017 530i M Sport in black saphire.
First off, 98 octane is not all the same here.
Stay away from the United/Puma stuff. It's dirty and doesn't run like a real 98.
BP Ultimate only, second is Ampol.
Engine idling with a bit of a miss?
Run out and fill her up with BP Ultimate and a bottle of Nulon Pro-Strength Petrol Fuel System Extreme Clean. It passes the specified BMW test, whatever it is. Running smoother now isn't it?
Next, the manual is probably just the UK version. Fun fact: B48 AND B58 were released before this FE stuff came out.
Finally, run LL01 either Castrol Edge 0/40 or Shell Helix Ultra 5W40. The Shell is currently $65.45 at Repco, but I just stocked up on Castrol for $63.
LM has products but I think these are overpriced and not necessarily better.
If the oil is wearing a BMW LL01 approval it meets the latest 2022 revision. If the oil is also wearing API SP, which it will, this also has aftertreatment standards.
Beware oils which 'meets the requirements of LL01'. There are a few of these and fine in a pinch, but they are generally the same price as the BMW approved items.
Find a good Indy BMW workshop nearby.
Do 7,500 km OCI.
I only take to the workshop for the 15,000 km service and do a mid service with one of these:
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/daytona-dfe65-65l-manual-fluid-extractor
Takes about 10 minutes to do a change without filter.
Ok now your on the right track.

 

[LordNilesStandish]

Fuel quality is irrelevant I was talking about if a GPF is fitted.

If it is then LL04 is the correct oil choice, not LL01

And since BMW Australia say use LL04 I would say they have GPFs

Online sources suggest Australian market BMWs have had GPFs since around the same time as UK/EU vehicles

https://exhaustclean.com.au/bmw.htm...owered vehicles are,more to Euro 6 standards.

That's diesels, talking petrol here

 

[edyvw]

Welcome to the world of BMW ownership. You know your now ruined and will only ever own beemers now.
I have a 2017 530i M Sport in black saphire.
First off, 98 octane is not all the same here.
Stay away from the United/Puma stuff. It's dirty and doesn't run like a real 98.
BP Ultimate only, second is Ampol.
Engine idling with a bit of a miss?
Run out and fill her up with BP Ultimate and a bottle of Nulon Pro-Strength Petrol Fuel System Extreme Clean. It passes the specified BMW test, whatever it is. Running smoother now isn't it?
Next, the manual is probably just the UK version. Fun fact: B48 AND B58 were released before this FE stuff came out.
Finally, run LL01 either Castrol Edge 0/40 or Shell Helix Ultra 5W40. The Shell is currently $65.45 at Repco, but I just stocked up on Castrol for $63.
LM has products but I think these are overpriced and not necessarily better.
If the oil is wearing a BMW LL01 approval it meets the latest 2022 revision. If the oil is also wearing API SP, which it will, this also has aftertreatment standards.
Beware oils which 'meets the requirements of LL01'. There are a few of these and fine in a pinch, but they are generally the same price as the BMW approved items.
Find a good Indy BMW workshop nearby.
Do 7,500 km OCI.
I only take to the workshop for the 15,000 km service and do a mid service with one of these:
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/daytona-dfe65-65l-manual-fluid-extractor
Takes about 10 minutes to do a change without filter.
Ok now your on the right track.

FE stuff first came out in 2009, LL12 in 2012, LL14 in 2014.

SP standard does not have aftertreatement requirements. It could be both High SAPS (Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 will be) or Mid-SAPS. Only LL04, LL17FE, LL19FE, LL22FE, and ACEA C sequences will guarantee GPF compatibility, which you do not have to worry about in AUS.

 

[LordNilesStandish]

FE stuff first came out in 2009, LL12 in 2012, LL14 in 2014.

SP standard does not have aftertreatement requirements. It could be both High SAPS (Shell Helix Ultra 5W40 will be) or Mid-SAPS. Only LL04, LL17FE, LL19FE, LL22FE, and ACEA C sequences will guarantee GPF compatibility, which you do not have to worry about in AUS.

Since SL there has been improved cat life requirements.
It's a moot point anyway as LL-FE are not readily available from retailers in Australia. If at all.
LL04 is available but there is only two retail options.
Seems Australians won't stand for their nonsense.

 

[edyvw]

Since SL there has been improved cat life requirements.
It's a moot point anyway as LL-FE are not readily available from retailers in Australia. If at all.
LL04 is available but there is only two retail options.
Seems Australians won't stand for their nonsense.

Australia still has high sulfur gas and generally is always behind EU and US in emission standards. Fuel was always of lowest quality among developed countries. Hence more robust oils.
That will change next year.

 

[LordNilesStandish]

Australia still has high sulfur gas and generally is always behind EU and US in emission standards. Fuel was always of lowest quality among developed countries. Hence more robust oils.
That will change next year.

Just depends what happens in Singapore/Malaysia where our fuel comes from. We closed most of our refineries, just one left I think, Shell at Geelong. It's a regional thing.
I'm not terribly well informed on the subject RE fuel quality, but we are part of the SE Asia trade network which makes our situation for many things different to US and Europe.

 

[LordNilesStandish]

Australia still has high sulfur gas and generally is always behind EU and US in emission standards. Fuel was always of lowest quality among developed countries. Hence more robust oils.
That will change next year.

I think though the Australian preference for thicker oils is more to do with improved wear protection (all things being equal) and engine life, and smoother operation.
By all things being equal I mean 0/5W40 LL01 vs FE12 from the same manufacturers product range.

 

[edyvw]

I think though the Australian preference for thicker oils is more to do with improved wear protection (all things being equal) and engine life, and smoother operation.
By all things being equal I mean 0/5W40 LL01 vs FE12 from the same manufacturers product range.

Absolutely. But that is in relation with the fact that emissions standards are not based on WLTP or CAFE type of regulations. So, yes, engineers prefer in these engines HTHS 3.5 to 4cP. That also addresses issue of fuel in DI engines.

 

[LordNilesStandish]

Absolutely. But that is in relation with the fact that emissions standards are not based on WLTP or CAFE type of regulations. So, yes, engineers prefer in these engines HTHS 3.5 to 4cP. That also addresses issue of fuel in DI engines.

Trust me the vehicles we get are specified for the lighter oils.
But they soon get thicker oil in my case from the dealers service department.

 

[edyvw]

Trust me the vehicles we get are specified for the lighter oils.
But they soon get thicker oil in my case from the dealers service department.

Engines can use thicker oil.
But BMW for example does specify from get gl thicker stuff in engines that use 0W20 in some markets.
Toyota does the same.

 

[Haakon]

And historically emissions requirements in Australia seem to be very similar to those in Europe.

We adopt Euro standards but we are far behind - we still only have Euro 5 in force... This is related a bit to our woeful fuel quality.

Of course we get a lot of Euro 6 cars simply because not so many still will make dirty old Euro 5 engines for our market (lots do though, especially the SUV/truck makers...).

This is changing though at last.