Educate me on BMW oil specs

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d

LL-04 is mainly for diesels with sensitive emissions equipment. BMW says it's okay for gassers that spec LL-01 in Europe, but not in the US -- something about their fuel vs. ours.

Thanks. Wasn't sure if all LL-01 engines could be forward-spec'd to LL-04. I will only use LL-01! I have a "BITOG" stash of about 7-8 gallons of MB229.5 oils for my 92 & 99 MBs. (Down to only the 99 now)

Amsoil, LiquiMoly Leichtlauf, and Castrol. Looks like I can use them, since they all have LL-01 also.

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
2. Is 0W-40 or 5W-40 oil meeting LL-01 OK? What problems could it cause?

No problems whatsoever. That's part of the beauty of an OE approval. :]
All my current stash is 5W/0W-40, so good news. Just wondered if it affected the valve/lifter operation if it was higher vis.


Ask them what they'll use. They should be able and willing to give you a straightforward answer.

If they tell you they're using Mobil 1 0w-40, they need to prove they're using old stock of the LL-01 approved version. If they don't, you should be able to make them order BMW-branded oil. And if they won't do that, or give you any trouble, you probably don't want their free oil change.

Yeah. If they won't tell me exactly what they will be using, I think I may skip the free OC.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: MateoTorgy
Here's a short list of LL-01 oils that have ACEA A3/B4 approval:

Liqui Moly Special Tec LL 5w30 (ECS Tuning has it for a great price)
Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40 ($7/qt for online order at Walmart, and the Euro doesn't qualify for the $2/qt rebate)
Castrol Edge European Formula 0w30 and 0W-40 (Advance Auto Parts / Carquest has 0w30 for $5.50/qt, and both Amazon and Walmart have 0W-40 for $26/5qt jug)


LM Special Tec LL 5w30 was one of the ones I was looking at, since it had the BMW-suggested 5w30 weight. Have you used it?

Pennzoil Platinum Euro seems pretty high in price. And it is 5W-40, like the many gallons in my current oil hoard.

Castrol is available locally. Good price. Just wasn't sure about the vis.

Thanks for the reply.

 

[1JZ_E46]

There's nothing special about Special Tec, in my opinion. Castrol 0W-40 is still probably the best LL-01 oil available and also happens to be one of the best values and is readily available. It will perform better than the Special Tec in extremely cold temps.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: edyvw

Castrol Edge 0W40 and that is it.
3.0 that you have in X5 was designed around heavier oils, W40 mostly. You can use 0/5W30 that meets LL-01, or 0/5W40 that meets LL-01.
Whatever you decide make sure it meets LL-01.
Probably best of the shelf oil for BMW that meets LL-01 is Castrol 0W40 in Wal MArt for $25-26 for 5qt. 0W30 is same base stock, but bit more expensive.
LL-04 is in the U.S. used in diesels. Reason why you should not use in that BMW is sulfur level in the U.S. gas and depletion of low starting TBN in LL-04.
Do not complicate this issue. Best oil you can get right now LL-01 is Castrol 0W40.
Motul is OK, nothing special. Liqui Moly is OK, step below Motul, Castrol and Pennzoil.
Mobil 1 as other mentioned dropped LL-01.
As for free oil change and Mobil 1 , I would be careful what else they do wrong.


Thanks edyvw. Some good info.
Gonna stay with LL-01 only.
I have Amsoil, Castrol and LM in my stash. They meet LL-01, but are either 5W-40 or 0W-40. Was wondering if BMW-spec'd 5w30 would be better.

May give LM Special TEc LL 5w30 a try. Hate to deplete the oil hoard....

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: shanneba
I used to run the LL-01 Mobil 1 0w-40oil, I am still running the Mobil 1 0w-40 FS.
I also used the Castrol 0w-30.
When Mobil changed the 0w-40 formulation my guess is it has not been tested and certified by BMW yet.
Maybe they will not have it certified as LL-01 since there are now LL-04, LL-12 and LL-14+ BMW Specs.

Also as far as LL-04 spec for gasoline use in the USA, that may become ok with the decrease in sulfur in US gasoline as of 1/1/2017.
The sulfur limit in the US for gasoline is now 10 ppm, before this year it was 80 ppm.


Interesting. Thanks.
I will keep an eye on the sulphur issue. Hadn't heard about that change coming.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: SLO_Town
OP, I own two BMWs of the LL-01 requirement. Use Castrol Edge 0w30 or 0W-40. You need the versions that are made in Germany and/or Belgium. I alternate between them based on season.

Scott


Thanks Scott. Good to hear. Seems to be a consensus that Castrol is the way to go, in 0W-40, LL-01.
Hard to verify German manufacture when ordering online. Guess I will still have to go to Walmart and see in person. I hate that place.....

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Originally Posted By: MateoTorgy
You should let BMW know that your dealership is still using Mobil 1.

Bought it used at a Chevy dealer. That is why I am concerned.

Their sticker says they use Mobil 1.

For all you know, they may not even be using Mobil 1 0w-40 specifically. A lot of shops/dealers just use Mobil 1 5w30, because that seems to be the most common grade that covers a lot of applications, unfortunately not yours.



Exactly. That is what is making me break out in "BITOG Fever".

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Hard to verify German manufacture when ordering online.

The latest batch is made in Belgium.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: 1JZ_E46
Originally Posted By: edyvw
Originally Posted By: 1JZ_E46
Yep LL-01 is the correct spec for your X5. Be sure to have some $$$ set to the side for repairs on that car. Ask me how I know

Yeah but you have 4.8i

Very true. N62 and N63 are probably the worst engines BMW has ever produced, from a reliability/longevity standpoint. It sounds mean and goes fast though! I spent 8 hours a couple weeks ago replacing a $5 gasket (oil thermostat).

Yeah, I did some research and found that the 3.0i had the least problems of the available engines. If you can say "least" when describing German parts or repairs!

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Hard to verify German manufacture when ordering online.

The latest batch is made in Belgium.

Is the Belgian oil not the same? Worse?

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Hard to verify German manufacture when ordering online.

The latest batch is made in Belgium.

Is the Belgian oil not the same? Worse?

Same, AFAIK.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Originally Posted By: SLO_Town
OP, I own two BMWs of the LL-01 requirement. Use Castrol Edge 0w30 or 0W-40. You need the versions that are made in Germany and/or Belgium. I alternate between them based on season.

Scott


Thanks Scott. Good to hear. Seems to be a consensus that Castrol is the way to go, in 0W-40, LL-01.
Hard to verify German manufacture when ordering online. Guess I will still have to go to Walmart and see in person. I hate that place.....

Walmart's Castrol 0w40 is cheap and the real stuff.

You could use that in your entire fleet, simplify to one oil.

That said, I wouldn't hesitate to use the current Mobil 1 0w40 jugs for an '09 off warranty, since it still officially meets Mercedes/Porsche specs, very tough performance specs. That's Exxon-Mobil's flagship product, used in racing a lot, quality by all evidence.

 

[1JZ_E46]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Originally Posted By: shanneba
I used to run the LL-01 Mobil 1 0w-40oil, I am still running the Mobil 1 0w-40 FS.
I also used the Castrol 0w-30.
When Mobil changed the 0w-40 formulation my guess is it has not been tested and certified by BMW yet.
Maybe they will not have it certified as LL-01 since there are now LL-04, LL-12 and LL-14+ BMW Specs.

Also as far as LL-04 spec for gasoline use in the USA, that may become ok with the decrease in sulfur in US gasoline as of 1/1/2017.
The sulfur limit in the US for gasoline is now 10 ppm, before this year it was 80 ppm.


Interesting. Thanks.
I will keep an eye on the sulphur issue. Hadn't heard about that change coming.


It's not a 10ppm mandate. Refiners have the option to purchase credits if they wish to continue their production of >10ppm gasoline. Once again, the environmental cabal shows that its ultimate goal is money and control, not environmental protection. But this is not a surprise.

 

[IllinoisSparky]

Originally Posted By: oil_film_movies


Walmart's Castrol 0w40 is cheap and the real stuff.

You could use that in your entire fleet, simplify to one oil.


Thanks. I am definitely leaning that way.
Will use my LM and Amsoil stash on the 99 MB. My 2 jugs of Castrol 0W-40 on the BMW, and just continue getting Castrol at Walmart, WHEN THEY HAVE IT! Had to order it from them last time, even though we have 3 "superstores" here....

But they have 20 different 5w30s on the shelf...

Ford gets PUP or M1 from now on. Diesel needs MB229.51 or 229.52, so that is a third oil

Wouldn't be right to be a BITOGer with only one oil in the stash, would it??

 

[slo town]

OP and All Others:

I am in the process of getting VOAs of three BMW LL-01 oils, all of them 5w30. They are 1) BMW High Performance Full Synthetic (the old version, supposedly Castrol), 2) BMW Twin Power Turbo (the new version, supposedly Pennzoil), 3) Castrol Edge A3/B4 Euro (possibly what the old version was).

I will post these when I get the results. Package already in route. I will post within 10 days max.

Scott

 

[THafeez]

Thanks Scott!

 

[1JZ_E46]

Thank you! Would love to compare the TwinPower Turbo 5w30 to Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5w30 or 5W-40.

 

[slo town]

All:

I am also in the process of posting a set of three more BMW LL-01 oils. They are 1) Castrol Edge 0w30 (Belgium), 2) Castrol Edge 0W-40 (German). 3) Castrol Edge 5W-40 (USA, but LL-01, etal). All are production year 2016. I know the 0W-40 is due to be Belgium soon, but I could not locate that version after looking around.

Though it has a less than positive reputation on BITOG, I'm curious about the Edge 5W-40. The only thing meaningful to me rating-wise that's different is that the 5W-40 is only MB 229.3. The other 0W-XX are 229.5. When I asked the guy at the auto parts store who bought this stuff, he replied "professionals". He was being polite and was presumably truthful. FWIW.

Anyway, give me a week or two. I'm putting these VOAs on my next month's statement. Give me a couple of weeks.

Scott

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: IllinoisSparky
Their sticker says they use Mobil 1. There is no Mobil 1 with LL-01. And I worry about what filter they will use.

In an out of warranty BMW, I'd be fairly content with Mobil 1 0w-40, but that's assuming that's what they're using. There is a Mobil LL-01 product available, at least in Canada, which they could technically be using, but it would be doubtful. It's a bulk only product, and I could see a Euro dealer using it, but a Chevy dealer might not have a reason to stock it.

As always, if you do it yourself, you know it's done right.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted By: SLO_Town
All:

I am also in the process of posting a set of three more BMW LL-01 oils. They are 1) Castrol Edge 0w30 (Belgium), 2) Castrol Edge 0W-40 (German). 3) Castrol Edge 5W-40 (USA, but LL-01, etal). All are production year 2016. I know the 0W-40 is due to be Belgium soon, but I could not locate that version after looking around.

Though it has a less than positive reputation on BITOG, I'm curious about the Edge 5W-40. The only thing meaningful to me rating-wise that's different is that the 5W-40 is only MB 229.3. The other 0W-XX are 229.5. When I asked the guy at the auto parts store who bought this stuff, he replied "professionals". He was being polite and was presumably truthful. FWIW.

Anyway, give me a week or two. I'm putting these VOAs on my next month's statement. Give me a couple of weeks.

Scott

Thanx man.
As for 5W40 Castrol, I used it in Passat 1.8T. After 4K lifter noise was ridiculous with that oil. Switched to GC 0W30 at that time, noise never came back.
I stay from 5W40 Castrol like it is a plague.