LL01 or LL04 for a BMW X5 (B58)

[SEBZX79]

I would agree that if you use the correct spec BMW oil (or a higher HTHS BMW approved oil) and use the factory change intervals, you are unlikely to have issues. Being on BMW forums for 23 years, all the cases of sludged engines or other oil related issues were all from using the incorrect, unapproved oil, or the oil change intervals were unknown or super long...like 20k+.

Since new, my 2001 E39 540 with M62TU engine has had only LL-01 or LL-04 oil, and changed at half the factory interval of 15,000 miles...so every 7,500 miles. Works for me, but I know plenty of owners that changed at 15k and never had an issue during their ownership...but they all got rid of their car by 150k miles or so. I'm now at 385,000 miles with the original engine (did timing change guides at 263,600 miles). Maybe I could have got here with factory change intervals? I change my own oil and it is cheap with BMW approved oils at WalMart and oil filters inexpensive online (Hengst, Mahle or Mann), so I don't mind doing it early.

I agree with you 15k is a bit much. My previous e70 x5 has the 15k oil change requirement but I only did it once or twice rest was 10k or less

 

[CleanSump]

I have used LL-04 ESP 0W-30 in my 2010 X3 N52 that originally calls for LL-01. BMW says this is fine with ULSF and since I rarely go over 5k OCI there's no concern. Next fill after the dealer does my VANOS bolt recall will be HPL Supercar 0W-30 and that will easily go to the OLM 15k. I doubt I'll get there in the BMW recommended time limit of 2 years though.
I also filled my SD's BMW X5 that spec'd xW-20 with the ESP 0W-30 and have no qualms about it. Engine won't blow up, mileage isn't noticeably different.
I remember being sceptical of xW-30 oil a few decades ago, yet have run it in MB Diesels, BMWs, Jeeps, Chevys, Hondas. I was sceptical of 0W-20 oils when my other SD got a Honda calling for it, yet 160+ thousand miles later it's not burning oil. It will run fine on a xW-30 too though. So do what is warm and fuzzy as long as it's a Euro oil.

 

[f355spider]

I have used LL-04 ESP 0W-30 in my 2010 X3 N52 that originally calls for LL-01. BMW says this is fine with ULSF and since I rarely go over 5k OCI there's no concern. Next fill after the dealer does my VANOS bolt recall will be HPL Supercar 0W-30 and that will easily go to the OLM 15k. I doubt I'll get there in the BMW recommended time limit of 2 years though.
I also filled my SD's BMW X5 that spec'd xW-20 with the ESP 0W-30 and have no qualms about it. Engine won't blow up, mileage isn't noticeably different.
I remember being sceptical of xW-30 oil a few decades ago, yet have run it in MB Diesels, BMWs, Jeeps, Chevys, Hondas. I was sceptical of 0W-20 oils when my other SD got a Honda calling for it, yet 160+ thousand miles later it's not burning oil. It will run fine on a xW-30 too though. So do what is warm and fuzzy as long as it's a Euro oil.

ESP 0w-30 isn't LL-04, do you mean ESP 5w-30? It has the LL-04 approval.
The ESP 0w-30 is probably fine regardless. I am intending to use it in my 2001 BMW E39 540 in my upcoming oil change in a couple weeks.

 

[CleanSump]

ESP 0w-30 isn't LL-04, do you mean ESP 5w-30? It has the LL-04 approval.
The ESP 0w-30 is probably fine regardless. I am intending to use it in my 2001 BMW E39 540 in my upcoming oil change in a couple weeks.

Caught my error!
I put the 0W in the Benz, so I just use it in both. I think the oxidation is all that kept the 0W from making the BMW approval, but I may be wrong. I doubt it matters. The 0W is coming out of the BMW after 5400 miles when it gets the VANOS bolt recall done next week. Then HPL going in for a looooong OCI. The BMW didn't go bang with the ESP 0W-30 in it for 15k.

 

[svenson]

I don't believe it is thickness you should be chasing but HTHS (high temperature high sheer) rating. LL-01 and LL-04 would be minimum HTHS of 3.5 or greater. LL01 FE, LL14 FE+ or LL17FE+ are 3.0 or greater, 2.9 or greater, or 2.6 or greater respectively.

but thick or thin = hths

HTHS is not the end all specification, it is one of many to consider.

true

 

[edyvw]

Caught my error!
I put the 0W in the Benz, so I just use it in both. I think the oxidation is all that kept the 0W from making the BMW approval, but I may be wrong. I doubt it matters. The 0W is coming out of the BMW after 5400 miles when it gets the VANOS bolt recall done next week. Then HPL going in for a looooong OCI. The BMW didn't go bang with the ESP 0W-30 in it for 15k.

It is. Ester is bumping initial oxidation.

 

[f355spider]

but thick or thin = hths

Sort of. But there are 5w-30 oils with HTHS of 2.9, and other 5w-30 with HTHS of 3.5. If you are simply looking at viscosity, one might believe their are equal, when they are not.

 

[svenson]

Sort of. But there are 5w-30 oils with HTHS of 2.9, and other 5w-30 with HTHS of 3.5.

yes but they will have different approvals .one is for exaple,LLFE and the later will be LL04-LL01 .so there is always something to point out that they are different in something.a usual driver doesn't know which is thicker thats why he enters this forum to learn.

If you are simply looking at viscosity, one might believe their are equal, when they are not.

i never said i do,if you refer personally to me..
but thats exactly my point, thats why i said that hths is the spec that defines thick or thin..grade is irrelevant. one who wants to choose a thicker oil should check hths ,not grade.of course most of the times a bigger grade tells bigger hths,with some exceptions.