F95 BMW 2021 X5M Best Oil

[RunnerD]

Hi Guys. I read on this forum for hours and got even more confused. I'm looking for the best oil for my 2021 F95 X5M. I plan on changing the oil every 5000 miles. I believe these S63 engines run hot by their design. I'm not racing this thing around town everyday, but I do drive spirited on the expressway. Car is garage kept, and I don't see any temperatures below 0F. Car does make it to southern Florida and may see some mid 90s.

I read some good things on Motul oil, and was going to go with a 5w40 Motul, until I read some people that said not to use it in the M cars. I see a lot of people recommend Castrol. Not sure what version of Castrol would be a go-to for this car?? Also, for the oil filter, was just going to order an OEM BMW filter, unless there is a better option than the OEM ?

Also, I believe this car needs the LL01-FE ? But I have read that maybe LL01 without the FE might be better for the engine long-term? Or do I absolutely need the FE ?

 

[Fa24wrx]

I'd probably go with mobil 1 0w40 or a euro formula with the BMW spec oil you need. Doesn't need anything more than that at 5k OCI

 

[edyvw]

You can use Motul, but I would use this:

Amazon.com

Edit:
Let me expand on this.
BMW uses three oil filter suppliers: MANN, MAHLE and Hengst. Mostly, they use MANN. So any of those three.
You need LL01 oil. The manual will say LL01FE, but LL01 is a "stronger" oil (FE stands for Fuel Efficiency, you get the point).
So, you want LL01, and all are good. But there are some better then others. My pick would be that Catsrol I posted or:
Mobil1 0W40
Castrol 0W40
Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40
Motul X-Cess 5W40 GEN2.

 

[RunnerD]

Thanks guys. The Castrol Edge Euro Car looks like a good fit. However, I also own a 2016 Rolls Royce Ghost with the V12 bmw N74 engine and was considering the Motul X-cess gen 2 for that car. Now I'm thinking what should I go with that I could use in both cars? The Motul X-Cess 5w40 Gen 2 or the Castrol Euro Car 5w40?

 

[Fa24wrx]

Thanks guys. The Castrol Edge Euro Car looks like a good fit. However, I also own a 2016 Rolls Royce Ghost with the V12 bmw N74 engine and was considering the Motul X-cess gen 2 for that car. Now I'm thinking what should I go with that I could use in both cars? The Motul X-Cess 5w40 Gen 2 or the Castrol Euro Car 5w40?

What oil specs does your RR call for?

 

[edyvw]

Thanks guys. The Castrol Edge Euro Car looks like a good fit. However, I also own a 2016 Rolls Royce Ghost with the V12 bmw N74 engine and was considering the Motul X-cess gen 2 for that car. Now I'm thinking what should I go with that I could use in both cars? The Motul X-Cess 5w40 Gen 2 or the Castrol Euro Car 5w40?

Castrol, 5W40 is step below Edge 0W30! Both S63 and N74 will require LL01.
What you need is not grade but HTHS. LL01 requires a minimum HTHS of 3.5. All three Castrols, 0W30, 0W40, and 5W40, have HTHS min 3.5. 0W30 and 0W40 are true premier products (not bcs. they are 0W). 0W30 will be most shear stable. It will have less resistance, and you are not tracking the vehicle, so additional HTHS (like Motul X-Cess 5W40 GEN2 with 3.8) is not necessary. More resistance means more heat. There is a saying: as thin as possible, as thick as necessary.
So, my vote, again goes for Castrol Edge 0W30. If not that, look at that list above I posted.

 

[RunnerD]

So my final choice looks like either Castrol Edge Euro 0w30 or 0w40. Any idea which one would be the best for both cars?

 

[edyvw]

So my final choice looks like either Castrol Edge Euro 0w30 or 0w40. Any idea which one would be the best for both cars?

I prefer 0W30. It is still 50% PAO. 0W40 is new SP version, less pAO. It will be less shear stable and will have higher Noack. I would say go 0W40 if using a vehicle on a track, but you don't, and some spirited driving only helps the engine.

 

[RunnerD]

View attachment 219257Looks like wally world has this in store. Is this the same stuff? Looks like a different bottle/packaging.

 

[edyvw]

View attachment 219257Looks like wally world has this in store. Is this the same stuff? Looks like a different bottle/packaging.

Nope. That is step down, in same category as 5W40.
It is Group III oil. Good stuff, but not as good as Edge 0W30.

 

[RunnerD]

Ok. I'm going to stick with your Amazon link as that seems to be the cheapest for 0w 30. Thanks for all the info!

 

[RunnerD]

What do you guys think of additives? I used to use Cera Tec in my Mercedes. I've read don't use additives in these BMW engines??

 

[BMW Dom]

Not necessary, stay away

 

[edyvw]

What do you guys think of additives? I used to use Cera Tec in my Mercedes. I've read don't use additives in these BMW engines??

Absolutely not. All you need is in the oil.

 

[Titan]

What do you guys think of additives? I used to use Cera Tec in my Mercedes. I've read don't use additives in these BMW engines??

Unless you are an experienced Tribologist, you're taking chances with unknown chemical balances. Don't fall for marketing pressures...

 

[RunnerD]

So I used the Amazon link above for the Castrol Edge oil. As some of the reviews on the Amazon site stated, I believe I received an old batch. It does not have LL01 rating. I believe the new batches have the LL01 rating, but some time ago it was removed. I reluctant to use this oil, and I think I might send it back. 1) Because it doesn't show the LL01 rating, 2) I believe the new stuff does. So this stuff might be a year or two old already.

Maybe this oil is a few years old. The Amazon pictures actually show the new formula with the LL01 approval. So they didn't send what the pictures show.

Thoughts?

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

So I used the Amazon link above for the Castrol Edge oil. As some of the reviews on the Amazon site stated, I believe I received an old batch. It does not have LL01 rating. I believe the new batches have the LL01 rating, but some time ago it was removed. I reluctant to use this oil, and I think I might send it back. 1) Because it doesn't show the LL01 rating, 2) I believe the new stuff does. So this stuff might be a year or two old already.

View attachment 219792

Maybe this oil is a few years old. The Amazon pictures actually show the new formula with the LL01 approval. So they didn't send what the pictures show.

Thoughts?

There was a short period of time prior to 2022 where LL01 couldn't be met in 0w-X. If the oil wasn't too old I'd maybe consider using it in my 435i but I'm only putting around 5k miles/yr on my car these days. Manufacturing code?

 

[RunnerD]

Where would I find the manufacturing code? Here is the side of the box.

Looks like maybe it's from 2022?

Maybe I should try to source one of these instead?
Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40
Motul X-Cess 5W40 GEN2.

 

[facility1]

something as expensive and valued as what you got,,maybe call Dave at HPL and see what he can recommend , I would also suggest, look around the Amsoil site and see what they have.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Where would I find the manufacturing code? Here is the side of the box.

View attachment 219800
Looks like maybe it's from 2022?

Maybe I should try to source one of these instead?
Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40
Motul X-Cess 5W40 GEN2.

It should begin with a letter followed by some numbers. The letter is plant and first two numbers are the year.