Kirkland 5w30 - 5019 miles - 2012 BMW N63

[4WD]

I applaud OP for this effort. Very cool experiment.

Well, maybe better than a 20 in a Ferrari with a big write up …

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

Well, maybe better than a 20 in a Ferrari with a big write up …

Wait, did AEhaas run the 20 grade in his Ferrari too? I know he ran motorcraft in the lambo. Man, I love that guys posts

 

[kschachn]

Phosphorous, which is the primary anti-wear component of the ZDDP compound is typically around 900-1000ppm in LL-01 oils. Your UOA shows phosphorous at 497ppm, which is about half that.

LL-01 also mandates an HTHS of 3.5cP or higher. Your typical plane-Jane PCMO 5W-30 has an HTHS of around 3.0cP. This is what protects rod and main bearings from wear.

Having an engine crap the bed and then decide to use a worse lubricant in the replacement engine is not wise decision making.

Exactly. Clearly not an experiment to be applauded on an expensive engine.

 

[Glenda W.]

Well, maybe better than a 20 in a Ferrari with a big write up …

Or a 5 grade in the Navigator that created pretty sparkles.

 

[wemay]

Stick to the OEM recommendations.

• Approvals
• Licenses
• Viscosity

 

[maineiac]

misfire with the send button

 

[maineiac]

Stick to the OEM recommendations.

• Approvals
• Licenses

There, fixed it for you.

 

[wemay]

I wouldn't cherry pick.

 

[Bill7]

A thread about using the “wrong” oil is not new here - and even the wrong oil in the wrong direction is not new here …
But some are actually seeking a higher level of protection …
That’s not this thread …

Since the OP was using Kirkland oil (which is a low priced Dexos 1 Gen 3 oil),
he may wish to try this low priced Euro Acea A3/B4 oil at Walmart: $22.97 for a 5 quart jug.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Quaker-S...uart/737859365?classType=VARIANT&from=/search

 

[2.7ecoboostFordBronco]

Lake Speed Jr. (or whoever writes the Speediagnostix comments, I think it’s him) recommends Valvoline Restore & Protect in the UOA comments! Does that oil have the LL01 approval? It doesn’t seem so.

 

[Glenda W.]

Lake Speed Jr. (or whoever writes the Speediagnostix comments, I think it’s him) recommends Valvoline Restore & Protect in the UOA comments! Does that oil have the LL01 approval? It doesn’t seem so.

Good catch!! Absolutely not the right recommendation.

 

[Nathan]

Valvoline R&P is a much higher quality oil than OP used here.
It could have been used to help the original engine before rebuild, alas, here we are analyzing an oil I wouldn't use in my lawnmower being used in a notoriously high maintenance BMW twin turbo V8.

 

[f355spider]

Valvoline R&P is a much higher quality oil than OP used here.
It could have been used to help the original engine before rebuild, alas, here we are analyzing an oil I wouldn't use in my lawnmower being used in a notoriously high maintenance BMW twin turbo V8.

VRP is still completely inappropriate for the application. The N63 engine requires at minimum BMW LL-01FE, and preferably LL-01 or LL-04 spec oil.

 

[twX]

VRP is still completely inappropriate for the application. The N63 engine requires at minimum BMW LL-01FE, and preferably LL-01 or LL-04 spec oil.

If BMW recommends LL-01 FE, I wouldn't be too worried about using the Kirkland. The HTHS requirement is nearly the same (3.0 vs 2.9), and a lower saps oil should be fine with much shorter OCIs. That said, I can't think of any good reasons to use it over a euro oil.

 

[f355spider]

If BMW recommends LL-01 FE, I wouldn't be too worried about using the Kirkland. The HTHS requirement is nearly the same (3.0 vs 2.9), and a lower saps oil should be fine with much shorter OCIs. That said, I can't think of any good reasons to use it over a euro oil.

Its not just the HTHS (though probably of most concern), there are other properties/additives that may be of importance. We talk about it, because it stands out. Someone mentioned phosphorous higher up in this thread.

The LL-01FE is likely recommended for fuel economy reasons. Outside North America LL-01 and LL-04 are recommended, but not here:
Only LL-01FE is recommended in North America for the N63:

Enclosure 3 to SI 11 07 96 (138), issue 07/2023
3.0 Technically suitable engine oils for BMW Group engines
"Color-coded engine oils are recommended for the respective engine and are mandatory for
the US market in accordance with legal specifications.

3.1 Technically suitable engine oils for gasoline engines:
Note: Viscosity classes with a high viscosity grade can increase gas mileage."