Oil for 2010 BMW 535ix

[deven]

A buddy just bought a new 535ix E60 and will be doing his oil changes for him at my shop. Of the oils on the BMW LL-01 approved list, which one would you choose?

1)Castrol Syntec European Formula 0w30(GC)
2)Mobil 1 0w40
3)Valvoline SynPower 5w30
4)Pennzoil Platinum Euro Formula Ultra 5w30

I am leaning towards the GC since its a heavy 0w30. What say you?

 

[Trajan]

1 or 2

 

[d00df00d]

I'd choose the Mobil 1 0w-40 for sure.

 

[CATERHAM]

I'd go with the GC as well.

 

[deven]

Anyone know if Castrol Edge 5w30 has made it on the list or not. The list I have is from 2008.

 

[d00df00d]

Edge 5w-30 is not on the list. It's an ACEA A5 oil, which means an HTHS viscosity <3.5. BMW LL-01 approval requires ACEA A3, which means an HTHS viscosity of 3.5 or higher.

 

[beast3300]

I vote 0w40.

 

[IntegraVT]

On 3, you'll need to find SynPower MST; the regular SynPower variety found in most places does not meet LL-01/04.

 

[JAG]

3)Valvoline SynPower 5w30 is NOT the version commonly sold in the U.S. That oil on the list refers to the Euro unobtainium version.

Oil changes are covered by BMW, so they do not know whether the owner had additional oil changes done. So owners can choose whatever oil they want. My vote is Red Line 5W-30 or 5W-40...not on the list, true.

 

[JHZR2]

1 or 2 or the BMW oil.

 

[deven]

I was wondering how Valvoline 5w30 got on there especially beinga Grp. III synthetic. Now I know. Thanks for the info guys.

 

[d00df00d]

Most of the oils on your list have a heavy dose of group III. From what I'm hearing, the newest group III base oils make it a lot easier to formulate a BMW LL-xx fluid.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Are you changing it halfway between the free, included changes at the dealer? If so, then I would use whichever LL-01 oil I could get on sale here, like #1 or 2 on your list, or just try to find a good deal on some of the BMW branded oil.

 

[deven]

Originally Posted By: d00df00d
Most of the oils on your list have a heavy dose of group III. From what I'm hearing, the newest group III base oils make it a lot easier to formulate a BMW LL-xx fluid.


I thought Mobil 1 0w40 and GC were all PAO based oil. I am not familiar with Valvoline or Pennzoil Euro formulas.

 

[deven]

Originally Posted By: bmwtechguy
Are you changing it halfway between the free, included changes at the dealer? If so, then I would use whichever LL-01 oil I could get on sale here, like #1 or 2 on your list, or just try to find a good deal on some of the BMW branded oil.


No he's servicing at my garage. He'll only go to the dealer for warranty purposes only. Did you guys know that the new BMW's don't have an oil dipstick? He doesn't feel comfortable going 15K on a twin turbo engine and will be getting it changed every 5000 miles. My mechanics would love to put in Red line 0w30 but we have to use the required oil to keep his warranty no matter how short the OCI's are.

 

[bmwtechguy]

Good idea not to exceed 5k miles oci on that engine. RLI 5W-40 is the one to use there after warranty is up.

 

[Quattro Pete]

Originally Posted By: deven
I am leaning towards the GC since its a heavy 0w30. What say you?

They all would have to be at least heavy 30-weights or else they wouldn't be able to have HT/HS of at least 3.5 which is the requirement for ACEA A3 and BMW LL-01 spec.

Use whatever's cheaper. At 5k OCI, they all should work OK.