Educate me on BMW oil specs

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Well. I did not buy this SUV at a BMW dealer.
Went today to get info on what they would be using for my "free" oil change.
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30. Not even the Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40 which doesn't have LL-01, but would have been closer at least. AND, they used a cheapo Carquest filter that I removed that had a rupture in under 500 miles! Would be using the same for any other OCs.
So, I am done with them on oil/filter changes. They are going to "work with me" on another way to get the value equivalent.

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.

Your engine will not explode by having that Mobil 1 5W30 in it. However, BIG problem is that Carquest filter.
Get rid of that ASAP. Use BMW OEM, MAHLE, MANN, Hengst or Febi and while doing that put Castrol 0W40.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Well. I did not buy this SUV at a BMW dealer.
Went today to get info on what they would be using for my "free" oil change.
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30. Not even the Mobil 1 Euro 0w40 which doesn't have LL-01, but would have been closer at least. AND, they used a cheapo Carquest filter that I removed that had a rupture in under 500 miles! Would be using the same for any other OCs.
So, I am done with them on oil/filter changes. They are going to "work with me" on another way to get the value equivalent.

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.


It never ceases to amaze me how places that are tasked with maintaining vehicles can be so ignorant to the specifications and requirements for what they are servicing. This is a prime example of that.

I bet 7-8 out of 10 BMW's after warranty are maintained that way. Then at 100K they say: of BMW is POS, engine sludge, etc.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Well. I did not buy this SUV at a BMW dealer.
Went today to get info on what they would be using for my "free" oil change.
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30. Not even the Mobil 1 Euro 0w40 which doesn't have LL-01, but would have been closer at least. AND, they used a cheapo Carquest filter that I removed that had a rupture in under 500 miles! Would be using the same for any other OCs.
So, I am done with them on oil/filter changes. They are going to "work with me" on another way to get the value equivalent.

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.


It never ceases to amaze me how places that are tasked with maintaining vehicles can be so ignorant to the specifications and requirements for what they are servicing. This is a prime example of that.

I bet 7-8 out of 10 BMW's after warranty are maintained that way. Then at 100K they say: of BMW is POS, engine sludge, etc.


I agree with you completely. VW had a similar fiasco when their own bloody dealers were using Castrol Syntec without the VW approval because it was the same grade and cheaper. They just assumed it was a suitable substitute for the more expensive product because it was also labelled as "synthetic". Had absolutely no idea what the approvals that the manufacturer they represent meant or required, particularly in respect to the change intervals.

I would wager there are some AMG and M cars rolling around right now with GTX or Valvoline 5w30 conventional in them

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Well. I did not buy this SUV at a BMW dealer.
Went today to get info on what they would be using for my "free" oil change.
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30. Not even the Mobil 1 Euro 0w40 which doesn't have LL-01, but would have been closer at least. AND, they used a cheapo Carquest filter that I removed that had a rupture in under 500 miles! Would be using the same for any other OCs.
So, I am done with them on oil/filter changes. They are going to "work with me" on another way to get the value equivalent.

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.


It never ceases to amaze me how places that are tasked with maintaining vehicles can be so ignorant to the specifications and requirements for what they are servicing. This is a prime example of that.

I bet 7-8 out of 10 BMW's after warranty are maintained that way. Then at 100K they say: of BMW is POS, engine sludge, etc.


I agree with you completely. VW had a similar fiasco when their own bloody dealers were using Castrol Syntec without the VW approval because it was the same grade and cheaper. They just assumed it was a suitable substitute for the more expensive product because it was also labelled as "synthetic". Had absolutely no idea what the approvals that the manufacturer they represent meant or required, particularly in respect to the change intervals.

I would wager there are some AMG and M cars rolling around right now with GTX or Valvoline 5w30 conventional in them

Absolutely.
I went few weeks ago to Auto Zone to check whether they have Pentosin on slae since some Auto Zones in CA< PA and NY had it.
Enter store, guy asks me can he help. I told him what I want, for VW and BMW, and his answer? Oh we do not have Pentosin, but have some STP on sale, it is synthetic.
So someone not into oils, cars etc. buys BMW, MB etc. enters Auto Zone, next thing you know, it is exiting AZ with STP.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Not even the Mobil 1 Euro 0w40 which doesn't have LL-01, but would have been closer at least.

What a bunch of darned fools. Even a CJ-4 or a dexos2 oil would have been a more suitable choice.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30.

Told ya.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Well. I did not buy this SUV at a BMW dealer.
Went today to get info on what they would be using for my "free" oil change.
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30. Not even the Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40 which doesn't have LL-01, but would have been closer at least. AND, they used a cheapo Carquest filter that I removed that had a rupture in under 500 miles! Would be using the same for any other OCs.
So, I am done with them on oil/filter changes. They are going to "work with me" on another way to get the value equivalent.

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.

Your engine will not explode by having that Mobil 1 5W30 in it. However, BIG problem is that Carquest filter.
Get rid of that ASAP. Use BMW OEM, MAHLE, MANN, Hengst or Febi and while doing that put Castrol 0W40.

Yeah, I know it won't explode, but it is causing me to break out in a severe case of "BITOG Anxiety".

I decided to have the BMW dealer do this first oil change for me, and give the entire car a once-over.
I have the Castrol Euro 0W-40 and a Mann filter ready for the next OCI after that!
And yes, I will ONLY use Mann(OEM), Mahle, or Hengst filters, and LL-01 oil!

Thanks for the info/help.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.


It never ceases to amaze me how places that are tasked with maintaining vehicles can be so ignorant to the specifications and requirements for what they are servicing. This is a prime example of that.

I bet 7-8 out of 10 BMW's after warranty are maintained that way. Then at 100K they say: of BMW is POS, engine sludge, etc.


Exactly.
I was shocked when I replaced the valve cover gaskets on my 99 MB and found a lot of varnish, and a small amount of sludge. MY 92 190E still looked new under the cover, and even my sisters abused 94 Lumina didn't look that bad. Tells me that on the 99 someone was either:
1. Not using correct oil - MB 229.5 in this case
2. Not changing it per the FSS Oil Monitor System
3. BOTH

BTW - when at the other dealer, another service writer overheard my conversation about what oil the BMW required, and he piped in "Oh yeah. That's a BMW. You have to use Castrol". So, I wonder if he knows that not just ANY Castrol oil is correct?

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Found out that they changed oil as soon as they got it with Mobil 1 5w30.

Told ya.

As Ed McMahon used to tell Johnny Carson "You are correct, sir!"

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky

Gonna try to get that 5w30 SN out as soon as I can.


It never ceases to amaze me how places that are tasked with maintaining vehicles can be so ignorant to the specifications and requirements for what they are servicing. This is a prime example of that.

I bet 7-8 out of 10 BMW's after warranty are maintained that way. Then at 100K they say: of BMW is POS, engine sludge, etc.


Exactly.
I was shocked when I replaced the valve cover gaskets on my 99 MB and found a lot of varnish, and a small amount of sludge. MY 92 190E still looked new under the cover, and even my sisters abused 94 Lumina didn't look that bad. Tells me that on the 99 someone was either:
1. Not using correct oil - MB 229.5 in this case
2. Not changing it per the FSS Oil Monitor System
3. BOTH

BTW - when at the other dealer, another service writer overheard my conversation about what oil the BMW required, and he piped in "Oh yeah. That's a BMW. You have to use Castrol". So, I wonder if he knows that not just ANY Castrol oil is correct?

Do not wonder, they will just purchase Castrol 5W30 ILSAC GF-5.

 

[thunderchild]

I have an 08 X5 3.0si. I am using Rotella T6 at the moment. I am having no issues with it. It is a good solid oil that I also use in my Volvo XC90.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: thunderchild
I have an 08 X5 3.0si. I am using Rotella T6 at the moment. I am having no issues with it. It is a good solid oil that I also use in my Volvo XC90.

T6 is OK, but step or two below Castrol 0W30/40.
It si thick and NOACK is pretty high, which is not good news for your valve deposits etc.