Is LIQUI MOLY overkill for an E36 "M3"?

[Flyview]

Hi all,

I'm new here and have lots to learn. I've owned a US-spec E36 "M3" (actually a 328is but everything has been swapped to M3 except motor, has M3 cams, M50 manifold, software, etc) for over a decade now and have used synthetic oil done at around 10k km or 6k miles. I don't drive the car much so I've gone up to a couple of years between oil changes.

In the past, I've used 5w-30 Mobil1 or 5W-40 Catrol Syntec, Castrol Edge w/ SPT (I think the "Syntec" was renamed?) + Molyslip, and LiquiMoly + Molyslip. I'm sure you guys know this but "Molyslip" is a smaller company and have been told its "oil supplement" is similar to LiquiMoly MoS2. The car spent most of its life in Ontario, Canada but was only summer driven. Now I have it down in Southern California, so temperatures are actually comparable, going a little hotter depending on how far from the coast.

Apparently the E36 only switched over to synthetic even being recommended over conventional in 1998-1999. Is LiquiMoly overkill for this car? Can I just as safely go with a cheaper oil? What do you guys recommend in 2025 for a 90's "classic"?

Thanks!

 

[tvaughn]

Others will chime in, likely @edyvw, but if you do some research on here, you will find that Liqui-Moly is just an average oil with great marketing. Mobil 1, Pennzoil, Castrol, etc., that you buy in Walmart are more affordable and typically a better overall oil based on UOA/VOA's we see. I would run any BMW LL-01 approved oil and not think twice about it.

P.S. I've owned 5 E36's, one being a Z3 M Coupe!

 

[edyvw]

Hi all,

I'm new here and have lots to learn. I've owned a US-spec E36 "M3" (actually a 328is but everything has been swapped to M3 except motor, has M3 cams, M50 manifold, software, etc) for over a decade now and have used synthetic oil done at around 10k km or 6k miles. I don't drive the car much so I've gone up to a couple of years between oil changes.

In the past, I've used 5w-30 Mobil1 or 5W-40 Catrol Syntec, Castrol Edge w/ SPT (I think the "Syntec" was renamed?) + Molyslip, and LiquiMoly + Molyslip. I'm sure you guys know this but "Molyslip" is a smaller company and have been told its "oil supplement" is similar to LiquiMoly MoS2. The car spent most of its life in Ontario, Canada but was only summer driven. Now I have it down in Southern California, so temperatures are actually comparable, going a little hotter depending on how far from the coast.

Apparently the E36 only switched over to synthetic even being recommended over conventional in 1998-1999. Is LiquiMoly overkill for this car? Can I just as safely go with a cheaper oil? What do you guys recommend in 2025 for a 90's "classic"?

Thanks!

Anything LL01 from Wal Mart.

 

[wemay]

LM makes tons of oils, ranging from good (API, dexos1) to excellent (having Euro approvals). It is neither overkill nor just average. Go on their website to see what matches up with your vehicle.

If not dead-set on LM, go to Walmart and get anything with a BMW LLO1 approval.

 

[Zee09]

Overkill is from Canada and LM is Underkill..... yeah I'm already leaving.

 

[shortyb]

Overkill? Hardly. Posts 2, 3, and 4 cover it. Post 5? Well, he is here performing all weekend .

Welcome BTW. Get ready for some head spinning.

 

[TiGeo]

No. It's fine if you want to run it plus style points for awesome bottles. Bonus points to annoy some folks here. Final boss...get it from FCP Euro and after your second kit its free (less return shipping).

 

[shortyb]

No. It's fine if you want to run it plus style points for awesome bottles. Bonus points to annoy some folks here. Final boss...get it from FCP Euro and after your second kit its free (less return shipping).

Your fan-boi checks from both LM and FCP are in the mail .

Oh, and moar stickerzzzzz .

 

[TiGeo]

Your fan-boi checks from both LM and FCP are in the mail .

Oh, and moar stickerzzzzz .

 

[TiGeo]

Your fan-boi checks from both LM and FCP are in the mail .

Oh, and moar stickerzzzzz .

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

No. It's fine if you want to run it plus style points for awesome bottles. Bonus points to annoy some folks here. Final boss...get it from FCP Euro and after your second kit its free (less return shipping).

Don't forget the LM swag.

 

[TiGeo]

Don't forget the LM swag.

I'm about out, need to call my overlords over in Germany and get some fresh merch.

 

[TiGeo]

Funny thing is, I only use it in the Atlas now, 2x a year, it's free from FCP so why not. My son uses Molygen in both of this VWs - GTI and S3 but the GTI at this point leaks so much I think it's mosty M1 5W40 and QS 5W40 from my top off stash ..I would guess he will continue to use the LM in his S3 b/c again...free and I ship it back with all my stuff. W8/Sportwagen are on the HPL bandwagon. The odd man out, my son's Ford, gets the other BITOG bandwagon oil Valvoline R&P. Life is about balance.

 

[edyvw]

Funny thing is, I only use it in the Atlas now, 2x a year, it's free from FCP so why not. My son uses Molygen in both of this VWs - GTI and S3 but the GTI at this point leaks so much I think it's mosty M1 5W40 and QS 5W40 from my top off stash ..I would guess he will continue to use the LM in his S3 b/c again...free and I ship it back with all my stuff. W8/Sportwagen are on the HPL bandwagon. The odd man out, my son's Ford, gets the other BITOG bandwagon oil Valvoline R&P. Life is about balance.

View attachment 284783

No wonder you can afford all those cars when LM pays big bucks!

 

[kschachn]

Anything LL01 from Wal Mart.

It’s so easy but sometimes so elusive.

 

[tvaughn]

It’s so easy but sometimes so elusive.

I see a ton of options online for Walmart, at least?

Pennzoil 5w40 Euro
Quaker State 5w40 Euro
Valvoline 5w40 Euro
Supertech 0w40 Euro
Castrol Edge 0w40 & 5w40 Euro
Mobil 1 5w30 Euro

Looks like Mobil 1 0w40 is no longer LL01 certified, but I presume it is a fine choice.

 

[edyvw]

I see a ton of options online for Walmart, at least?

Pennzoil 5w40 Euro
Quaker State 5w40 Euro
Valvoline 5w40 Euro
Supertech 0w40 Euro
Castrol Edge 0w40 & 5w40 Euro
Mobil 1 5w30 Euro

Looks like Mobil 1 0w40 is no longer LL01 certified, but I presume it is a fine choice.

Mobil1 0W40 wasn’t LL01 during SN blend. SP blend is again LL01

 

[Averroes]

You want over kill for your car and money being no object? Buy HPL or Redline. Proven products with high quality base oils.

Yes LM has great UOAs here for its price point. If anything, go to Walmart, and get PPE 5w40, or Castrol 0W40 and call it a day.

 

[TiGeo]

 

[SEBZX79]

I use 5w40 LM flavor in my 98.