N63TU2 and 5.0 Tau Oil Recommendations

[OilThrowaway]

Hi everyone, long time lurker here.

Area: South Indiana
Driving Style: Full throttle 70% of the time, after extended warmup.

Cars:
2018 BMW X5 N63TU2 - 75k
Leichtlauf High Tech SAE 5W-40 + 600ml Ceratec - 5000mi intervals
2012 Hyundai Genesis Tau 5.0 - 120k
Idemitsu 5W-30 SN + 300mL Ceratec - 3000mi intervals

Leichtlauf was chosen per thread(VOA), for a thinner 0w-40 during the extreme winter storm this year. It also *seems* to run better, but it's the first OCI since purchase, and N63 is always buttery.

Idemitsu has been the standard fill for me since an engine swap at 70k (intended to mimic pseudo-factory fill).
I'm not satisfied with Idemitsu's protection after lurking here at BITOG. In the short term, I reasoned to keep my OCI low, hopefully keeping myself healthily in a (thin) x-30 grade while I gained knowledge. It's time to change that.


X5 is warrantied, so I'm stuck with BMW approvals. (Happy to take post warranty recommendations as well)
Genesis is well out of warranty, so protection is the only concern. It seems like the best spec to follow would be MB 229.5/Porsche A40.
(Tau 5.0 is a Korean DOHC V8, very similar to a 5.0 coyote.)

Seems like BITOG would recommend:
N63TU2: Mobil 1 ESP X4 0W40 per thread(edyvw)
Tau: Mobil 1 Euro 0W-40 (Quaker State Ultimate Protection 5W-30?)

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0w-40
Castrol 0w-30.
Pennzoil Euro 5w-40

 

[f355spider]

If a warranty is considered on the N63TU2, the factory oil approval is LL-01FE. The BMW document listing "Technically suitable engine oils..." adds LL-01, and maybe LL-04 (outside North America), but we know LL-04 is fine in NA.

 

[OilThrowaway]

Mobil 1 Full Synthetic 0w-40
Castrol 0w-30.
Pennzoil Euro 5w-40

Are these blanket recommendations for both cars?

PDS Info:
Pen Euro 5W-40
Kinematic Viscosity @40C C cSt ASTM D445 80.8
Kinematic Viscosity @100C C cSt ASTM D445 13.3

Castrol Edge Euro 0W-30
Viscosity, Kinematic 40C DIN 51562 mm²/s 61
Viscosity, Kinematic 100C DIN 51562 mm²/s 12.3

Mobil 1 FS Euro 0W-40 - (Formulation has changed since 2018, viscosity is different at both 40C and 100C so their HTHS is not trusted)
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 78.3
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 13.8

Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-40
Hi-Temp Hi-Shear Viscosity @ 150 C 1x10(6) sec(-1), mPa.s, ASTM D4683 3.8
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 14.1
Interestingly enough, no Kinematic @ 40C....but does provide a HTHS.


Based on this chart it seems like Mobil 1 ESP x3 is going to the be winner by HTHS and viscosity (atleast for the 5.0).

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Are these blanket recommendations for both cars?

PDS Info:
Pen Euro 5W-40
Kinematic Viscosity @40C C cSt ASTM D445 80.8
Kinematic Viscosity @100C C cSt ASTM D445 13.3

Castrol Edge Euro 0W-30
Viscosity, Kinematic 40C DIN 51562 mm²/s 61
Viscosity, Kinematic 100C DIN 51562 mm²/s 12.3

Mobil 1 FS Euro 0W-40 - (Formulation has changed since 2018, viscosity is different at both 40C and 100C so their HTHS is not trusted)
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 78.3
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 13.8

Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-40
Hi-Temp Hi-Shear Viscosity @ 150 C 1x10(6) sec(-1), mPa.s, ASTM D4683 3.8
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 14.1
Interestingly enough, no Kinematic @ 40C....but does provide a HTHS.


Based on this chart it seems like Mobil 1 ESP x3 is going to the be winner by HTHS and viscosity (atleast for the 5.0).

Yes. KISS. Don't get wrapped up in the noise.

 

[Astro14]

Are these blanket recommendations for both cars?

PDS Info:
Pen Euro 5W-40
Kinematic Viscosity @40C C cSt ASTM D445 80.8
Kinematic Viscosity @100C C cSt ASTM D445 13.3

Castrol Edge Euro 0W-30
Viscosity, Kinematic 40C DIN 51562 mm²/s 61
Viscosity, Kinematic 100C DIN 51562 mm²/s 12.3

Mobil 1 FS Euro 0W-40 - (Formulation has changed since 2018, viscosity is different at both 40C and 100C so their HTHS is not trusted)
Kinematic Viscosity @ 40 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 78.3
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 13.8

Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-40
Hi-Temp Hi-Shear Viscosity @ 150 C 1x10(6) sec(-1), mPa.s, ASTM D4683 3.8
Kinematic Viscosity @ 100 C, mm2/s, ASTM D445 14.1
Interestingly enough, no Kinematic @ 40C....but does provide a HTHS.


Based on this chart it seems like Mobil 1 ESP x3 is going to the be winner by HTHS and viscosity (atleast for the 5.0).

There is no statistical significance among those HTHS values.

Choosing based on the difference between a 12.3 and a 13.3 is really splitting hairs.

 

[kschachn]

There is no statistical significance among those HTHS values.

Choosing based on the difference between a 12.3 and a 13.3 is really splitting hairs.

It’s amazing sometimes what people imagine.

 

[OilThrowaway]

If a warranty is considered on the N63TU2, the factory oil approval is LL-01FE. The BMW document listing "Technically suitable engine oils..." adds LL-01, and maybe LL-04 (outside North America), but we know LL-04 is fine in NA.

Hi fellow N63TU2.

I read through your entire thread, and many others before finally making an account and posting.
1. How did the Quaker State Euro 5W-40 perform?
2. Did you end up choosing Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-40 like @edvyw suggested afterwards?

I was trying to not get bogged down completely in approvals. I could care less about meeting LL-01FE, LL-04 (see below).

X5 was purchased from Carmax, who fills ("by the cap") with Valvoline 5W-40 Euro. I highly doubt Maxcare will be bothered that I took steps to protect a famously hot engine from itself, and have emails to that effect (yay!).

 

[OilThrowaway]

There is no statistical significance among those HTHS values.

Choosing based on the difference between a 12.3 and a 13.3 is really splitting hairs.

Works for me. Looking over BITOG threads, I've seen the same idea time and time again.

Nature of doing research as a beginner that you may accidentally end up asking questions that devolve to splitting hairs.

 

[chris719]

Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40 is what I would use

 

[f355spider]

Hi fellow N63TU2.

I read through your entire thread, and many others before finally making an account and posting.
1. How did the Quaker State Euro 5W-40 perform?
2. Did you end up choosing Mobil 1 ESP X3 0W-40 like @edvyw suggested afterwards?

I was trying to not get bogged down completely in approvals. I could care less about meeting LL-01FE, LL-04 (see below).

X5 was purchased from Carmax, who fills ("by the cap") with Valvoline 5W-40 Euro. I highly doubt Maxcare will be bothered that I took steps to protect a famously hot engine from itself, and have emails to that effect (yay!).

I think for my first change I used Quaker State Euro 5w-40. The next couple were Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30. My up coming (in May) will be Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30. I think in the future I may just stick with Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30, which I am using presently on my M62TU2 with 388k miles.

If you are not worried about approvals, why did you say this:
"X5 is warrantied, so I'm stuck with BMW approvals."

 

[CleanSump]

If you are not worried about approvals, why did you say this:
"X5 is warrantied, so I'm stuck with BMW approvals."

This. You threw the whole premise of your question out the door.

 

[JD!]

Plenty of oils that would be perfectly fine in both cars, but if convenience is a factor, Mobil ESP 5w-30 is a nicely formulated, shear-stable oil with the BMW LL-04 cert that can be found at Walmart. I run it in everything, would feel quite confident running it in the Genesis as well.

 

[edyvw]

In TU2 I would go with Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40. Actually, in any N/S63. Unless you go boutique. Than HPL Euro 5W40.

 

[OilThrowaway]

I think for my first change I used Quaker State Euro 5w-40. The next couple were Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30. My up coming (in May) will be Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30. I think in the future I may just stick with Mobil 1 ESP 0w-30, which I am using presently on my M62TU2 with 388k miles.

If you are not worried about approvals, why did you say this:
"X5 is warrantied, so I'm stuck with BMW approvals."

1.
Thanks for all the information!

2.
"I could care less about meeting LL-01FE, LL-04 (see below)."
I'm not quite sure what I intended for this to mean (maybe I meant no concern for approval, I'd handle it on my own), but you are right and it doesn't make sense. I'm getting eaten alive for it.
Explanation:
LL-01 (valv euro 5w-30) was done by Carmax (test driven etc. for 3-4mo before I flew and purchased), and Maxcare was notified of the older spec choice.
Local metropolitan BMW (which would be my choice for major engine work per warranty) expects LL-04.
To quote myself "I was trying to not get bogged down completely in approvals.". I will want to meet LL04, to play nice with BMW if the N63 decided to eat itself, but I was trying to avoid all this information over-share.

 

[OilThrowaway]

In TU2 I would go with Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40. Actually, in any N/S63. Unless you go boutique. Than HPL Euro 5W40.

Hi Edyvw,
You're the guy I really wanted to hear from. Glad to have you chime in.

Jun 2025, you recommended ESP 0W40 X4 for N/S63 for f355spider and his m550I N63.
Is it market/mixture changes that moved your opinion to Pennzoil Platinum from Mobil 1?

 

[OilThrowaway]

Plenty of oils that would be perfectly fine in both cars, but if convenience is a factor, Mobil ESP 5w-30 is a nicely formulated, shear-stable oil with the BMW LL-04 cert that can be found at Walmart. I run it in everything, would feel quite confident running it in the Genesis as well.

Thanks for your input!

Seems like Mobil 1 ESP of whatever blend hasn't cheapened, or Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W-40 are the recommendations coming out in early 2026.

 

[edyvw]

Hi Edyvw,
You're the guy I really wanted to hear from. Glad to have you chime in.

Jun 2025, you recommended ESP 0W40 X4 for N/S63 for f355spider and his m550I N63.
Is it market/mixture changes that moved your opinion to Pennzoil Platinum from Mobil 1?

Just based on availability.
But, generally, in N/S63 you want a stout 40 grade (not something like Castrol Edge 5W40).
Reason why I said Pennzoil Platinum Euro is HTHS of almost 3.9cP. ESP X4 is definitely another option. Toss a coin.

 

[OilThrowaway]

Just based on availability.
But, generally, in N/S63 you want a stout 40 grade (not something like Castrol Edge 5W40).
Reason why I said Pennzoil Platinum Euro is HTHS of almost 3.9cP. ESP X4 is definitely another option. Toss a coin.

1. Makes sense. ESP 0W-40 will be an amazon order for me, while Pennzoil Platinum Euro is just any store.
2. That's exactly what I'm aiming for, glad I'm on the right track.
3. HTHS +- .1 between ESP HTHS and PPE's.

Thanks for your input!