BMW Z3 Oil Selection (M54B25)

P

Paralysisbyanalysis

Joined
Aug 25, 2023
Messages
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Hello all,

I recently picked up a 2001 Z3 2.5i as a weekend roadster. The owners manual states any oil with an API SH or newer is fine, and recommends staying within the 5w-30/5w-40 range.

It does not mention LL-01 or LL-01FE.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but all LL-01 oils carry a higher API rating than the manual requires so they should be up to the task of properly lubricating this engine.

Most sites like FCP recommend using a 5w-30 or even 0w-30 oil since those carry the latest BMW certifications. Even Amsoil’s site pushes 0w-30…..

I prefer the HT/HS characteristics of a SAE 40 weight oil so I’d like to run 5w-40. I don’t care about the efficiency gain from running a 0w-30 oil. I care about maximum protection.

As an Amsoil preferred customer, I get a smoking deal on their Euro 5w-40 oil which carries API SN, BMW LL-01, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4. This is what I’d like to run, unless anyone can prove why that isn’t a good idea.

@Pablo, can you speak into this?

Thanks!
 
Paralysisbyanalysis said:
Hello all,

I recently picked up a 2001 Z3 2.5i as a weekend roadster. The owners manual states any oil with an API SH or newer is fine, and recommends staying within the 5w-30/5w-40 range.

It does not mention LL-01 or LL-01FE.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but all LL-01 oils carry a higher API rating than the manual requires so they should be up to the task of properly lubricating this engine.

Most sites like FCP recommend using a 5w-30 or even 0w-30 oil since those carry the latest BMW certifications. Even Amsoil’s site pushes 0w-30…..

I prefer the HT/HS characteristics of a SAE 40 weight oil so I’d like to run 5w-40. I don’t care about the efficiency gain from running a 0w-30 oil. I care about maximum protection.

As an Amsoil preferred customer, I get a smoking deal on their Euro 5w-40 oil which carries API SN, BMW LL-01, ACEA A3/B3, A3/B4. This is what I’d like to run, unless anyone can prove why that isn’t a good idea.

@Pablo, can you speak into this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

LL01 in either 30 or 40 grade as the spec requires a min hths of 3.5 The M54 was not back spec'd for LL01FE.
 
Last edited:
When I had a 2003 Z4 with M54 engine and 150k miles, I was running LiquiMoly 5W40 with Ceratec mixed in. The car ran well.

If you get a smoking deal with Amsoil, I don't think it would be harmful to your engine.
 
All LL01 oils have minimum HTHS of 3.5 Go to Euro oil for a two decades was Castrol 0W30 and I used that oil in my BMW and other Euro cars and still have bunch on the shelf. So, as long as oil is LL01, you are good protection wise. LL01 XW30 oils are NOT energy conserving oils. They are borderline XW40 oils, and some actually have HTHS higher than some XW40 oils.

That is easy part. More difficult part is to check nut on oil pump on that engine!
 
Thanks everyone for the replies!

@Pablo the car has 58,000 miles and it’s been serviced annually at a local BMW dealer with OE full synthetic oil.

@edyvw I didn’t realize this was an issue. I hoping that since this is a low mileage car that hadn’t been beaten on like the guy in that video claimed to drive his car, that I won’t have that problem…
 
Paralysisbyanalysis said:
Thanks everyone for the replies!

@Pablo the car has 58,000 miles and it’s been serviced annually at a local BMW dealer with OE full synthetic oil.

@edyvw I didn’t realize this was an issue. I hoping that since this is a low mileage car that hadn’t been beaten on like the guy in that video claimed to drive his car, that I won’t have that problem…
Click to expand...
Keep an eye on it.
Also, your car does not have a lot of miles, but it is older.
Replace the coolant reservoir (OE only) and all hoses, and keep an eye on the water pump (easy job).
 
the M54 is known to have loose low friction rings. it is really important to keep the oil clean to prevent the rings from sludge, gunking up, and not sealing... hence oil consumption...
That BMW OE oil and ridiculous 10-15k OCIs really aggravate this....
I acquired my Z3 with 32K miles on it and it had the dreaded red sludge from OEM full synthetic 10 K oil changes. I ran Red Line at 3K intervals and now at 54K miles…. This is what it looks like.
(took pics when I did the valve cover for gasket replacement)

IMG_1618.webp
 
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330indy said:
the M54 is known to have loose low friction rings. it is really important to keep the oil clean to prevent the rings from sludge, gunking up, and not sealing... hence oil consumption...
That BMW OE oil and ridiculous 10-15k OCIs really aggravate this....
I acquired my Z3 with 32K miles on it and it had the dreaded red sludge from OEM full synthetic 10 K oil changes. I ran Red Line at 3K intervals and now at 54K miles…. This is what it looks like.
(took pics when I did the valve cover for gasket replacement)
Click to expand...
Looks good! I typically use a 5k oil chance interval, I figured that would be good here too.

The previous owner had the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket and front crank seal replaced over his 20 years of ownership, so the car is dry as a bone. I’m grateful for that type of maintenance, but it’s frustrating to hear about the oil pump gear nut issue mentioned above.

From my research, it’s most common on cars that spend a lot of time at high RPM and in track use. So I’m hoping I won’t have the problem. I’m starting to wonder if it gets over hyped like some of the IMS bearing issues on the 986/996 Porsche engines.

Either way, if I ever drop the pan I’ll use the safety wire nut. But I don’t peg this car on the limiter anyway, so I’m optimistic.
 
Paralysisbyanalysis said:
Looks good! I typically use a 5k oil chance interval, I figured that would be good here too.

The previous owner had the valve cover gasket, oil filter housing gasket, oil pan gasket and front crank seal replaced over his 20 years of ownership, so the car is dry as a bone. I’m grateful for that type of maintenance, but it’s frustrating to hear about the oil pump gear nut issue mentioned above.

From my research, it’s most common on cars that spend a lot of time at high RPM and in track use. So I’m hoping I won’t have the problem. I’m starting to wonder if it gets over hyped like some of the IMS bearing issues on the 986/996 Porsche engines.

Either way, if I ever drop the pan I’ll use the safety wire nut. But I don’t peg this car on the limiter anyway, so I’m optimistic.
Click to expand...
You won;t have those issues. Those engines love to be pushed.
But, again, the cooling system. That is imperative.
 
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Paralysisbyanalysis said:
Looks good! I typically use a 5k oil chance interval, I figured that would be good here too.
Click to expand...
My BMW is from the same year with the same oil requirements of LL-01. M62TU2 V8 though. But since new, I simply used the approved LL-01 oil, but cut the intervals from 15k to 7500 miles. I'm proudly at 368,200 miles as of yesterday. No oil burning, and normal maintenance. Engine doesn't even consume oil. 5k would be very conservative, and totally fine...but you can safely go longer with the appropriate approved LL-01 (or LL-04) oil.
 
I ran Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w40 in my previous E39 525i with the same engine. Anything LL-01 rated is good to go. If the Vanos seals haven't been replaced yet, I highly recommend it. Makes a huge difference in low-end torque and overall power output. Beisan Vanos Seals
 
At 150k miles and 29 years the M42 in my ti has only needed a valve cover gasket and a front seal. I've also replaced the a heater hose fitting, the pinion seal and the A/C compressor. The entire cooling system has not been touched- aside from fresh BMW coolant every two years.
 
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