Seeking BMW LL-01FE 0/30 oil in US. Suggestions?

[FlyingTexan]

BMW lists that you can use LL01, LL01FE, LL14, and LL17 in North America in their own technical documentation.

LL04 / LL12 is officially forbidden in the US, per BMW, but that isn't to say you can't safely run it according to people in the know.
If the fuel quality is good in your area, you can use the 'diesel' oil without too much worry.

The B58 in my 340i is very happily running 5w40 Pennzoil Euro.

View attachment 109858

View attachment 109857

It use to be forbidden in the US because of sulfur levels in fuels but that has changed since 2017. LL04 is just fine.

 

[edyvw]

Thought that was proven to be the same oil as the xcess 8100 with LL01 plus other specs?

Cannot remember. But, they pulled specific LL01 from the market anyway. LL01FE is still there.

 

[svenson]

Thought that was proven to be the same oil as the xcess 8100 with LL01 plus other specs?

from my experience with specific ll04 bmw and old xclean 5-40 ,its not all the same,but its not that different too ,so that motul to have 2 versions of a ll04 5-40

 

[f355spider]

This is from my owners manual 2019 540.
I believe as soon as warrant up I will use penzoil ultra platinum euro 5/30 but I’ve got more than a year left of warranty.

I have a 2018 M550ix (different engine by same oil requirements in the manual) and have been using LL-01 or LL-04 per forum user recommendations. I have been using either Quaker State Euro 5w-40 LL-01 or Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30 LL-04. Planning to move to Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 LL-01...but some say the 0w-30 is better, regardless of no BMW LL approvals.

 

[svenson]

I have a 2018 M550ix (different engine by same oil requirements in the manual) and have been using LL-01 or LL-04 per forum user recommendations. I have been using either Quaker State Euro 5w-40 LL-01 or Pennzoil Euro L 5w-30 LL-04. Planning to move to Mobil 1 ESP 5w-30 LL-01...but some say the 0w-30 is better, regardless of no BMW LL approvals.

i am thinking of trying that mobil oil ,too,i like esters

 

[rondhol]

Check any common brands, Valvoline, Castrol, Mobil1, Pennzoil, Amsoil, etc. that may have newest ACEA Standard.

BMW LL01 FE can also be replaced with VW 504/507 Oil that has better standard performance.

At least you can search for ACEA 0W-30 standard if cannot find BMW or VW oil. But do not use API SP oil, not suitable for Diesel.

 

[MParr]

FE = Fuel Economy

 

[OVERKILL]

Check any common brands, Valvoline, Castrol, Mobil1, Pennzoil, Amsoil, etc. that may have newest ACEA Standard.

BMW LL01 FE can also be replaced with VW 504/507 Oil that has better standard performance.

At least you can search for ACEA 0W-30 standard if cannot find BMW or VW oil. But do not use API SP oil, not suitable for Diesel.

View attachment 289051

Note that this tool is NOT designed to compare specifications between brands or approvals:

 

[rondhol]

Ah thanks for pointing that out (Lubrizol chart) . I always thought it was comparable accross the board.
I only observed that for the same brand such as Liquimoly, Ravenol, Adinol, Shell, Mannol, Castrol, etc., the API SP oil is often much cheaper than any VW 508/509 oil. But, often the pour point and viscousity index are also different.

It is possible that the extra price is caused mainly by licensing fee.

What I understand all european manufacturer oil standard are often generalized by ACEA C3, C5, C6, C7, etc.

On the other hand, Dexos 1 gen3 has tighter standard than API SP.

So, I feel like, it is still comparable accross the board but not in a proper scale.

 

[edyvw]

Ah thanks for pointing that out (Lubrizol chart) . I always thought it was comparable accross the board.
I only observed that for the same brand such as Liquimoly, Ravenol, Adinol, Shell, Mannol, Castrol, etc., the API SP oil is often much cheaper than any VW 508/509 oil. But, often the pour point and viscousity index are also different.

It is possible that the extra price is caused mainly by licensing fee.

What I understand all european manufacturer oil standard are often generalized by ACEA C3, C5, C6, C7, etc.

On the other hand, Dexos 1 gen3 has tighter standard than API SP.

So, I feel like, it is still comparable accross the board but not in a proper scale.

There is no licensing fee among European approvals. Only one time fee for approval, which is around $5-6000 for certain time.
They are not GM, to need other revenue sources to survive.

 

[OVERKILL]

Ah thanks for pointing that out (Lubrizol chart) . I always thought it was comparable accross the board.
I only observed that for the same brand such as Liquimoly, Ravenol, Adinol, Shell, Mannol, Castrol, etc., the API SP oil is often much cheaper than any VW 508/509 oil. But, often the pour point and viscousity index are also different.

It is possible that the extra price is caused mainly by licensing fee.

What I understand all european manufacturer oil standard are often generalized by ACEA C3, C5, C6, C7, etc.

On the other hand, Dexos 1 gen3 has tighter standard than API SP.

So, I feel like, it is still comparable accross the board but not in a proper scale.

API/Dexos oils are generally cheaper to blend. Sometimes that translates to a savings for the end customer, sometimes it doesn't. It depends on whether the blender decides to take that route, and whether those savings, if they do, get passed on to the end user.

Works for some of the Euro stuff too:

 

[rondhol]

I just found the link about EHC 45 and EHC 65 base oil.
It is group II+, cheaper than group III but unique.
https://www.exxonmobil.com/en/basestocks/products/group-ii-base-stocks/ehc-45-ehc-65

 

[OVERKILL]

I just found the link about EHC 45 and EHC 65 base oil.
It is group II+, cheaper than group III but unique.
https://www.exxonmobil.com/en/basestocks/products/group-ii-base-stocks/ehc-45-ehc-65

View attachment 289149

Yes, Mobil calls it "Group II+" though that category (like Group III+) doesn't formally exist. It's a Group II base with high enough performance that it can be subbed in at lower cost for Group III in many applications, driving down formulation cost.

 

[rondhol]

That is true, the solubility to additives for group I and II are indeed better than group III and IV. I also think most engine flush are group I that can almost disolve everything. I never use engine flush because I never need and it harms engine more than good for most people.

 

[OVERKILL]

That is true, the solubility to additives for group I and II are indeed better than group III and IV. I also think most engine flush are group I that can almost disolve everything. I never use engine flush because I never need and it harms engine more than good for most people.

Some of those flushes also contain solvents of course. But I agree, I'd never use a flush.