Hmm interesting. Don't care for BMW approval either way, if it has a Porsche or MB approval I'll buy the oil, but that's not to say BMW has poor standards in their spec.
This is what I came across on esters in oils:
https://www.machinerylubrication.com/Read/29703/synthetic-esters-perform, I think it is a good read. If esters aid in fighting oxidation and are deemed excellent, then why no LL04 approvals for M1 products? M1 makes great products as everyone knows and meet A40/C30/M229.5/229.52 ratings easily yet no BMW approvals. Some say it is because BMW is with Shell but it has to be more than that since Castrol has had BMW approvals even though BMW went to Shell. Will be interesting to see if Shell retains BMW approvals now that BMW has gone back to Castrol.
Maybe M1 doesn't care for BMW at all and are fine with "loosing" the BMW market share. Who knows. Would love to be a fly on the wall for these corporate meetings.
Anywho, I'm itching to put this oil or the 5w30 ESP in my Z this year. Anyone have experience with either in a VQ engine?