Valvoline 0w30 Euro Oil

Understood; my point was more so that it carries none of the BMW approvals. Rather, it's just "recommended for..." which to many won't cut it, especially if you have warranty to worry about maintaining.
BMW warranty coverage in the US is not predicated on using an oil with a BMW cert. The only time a BMW engine would develop running issues is if the oil was sludgy or not changed which would cause problems with VANOS solenoids. No modern synthetic is going to sludge up in a BMW on a 10k mile OCI.
 
Last edited:
Some of Valvoline Euro oils have actual Euro approvals, whereas some are just recommendations.

None of em have actual approval for BMW?

Edit Euro 5w40 has LL-01 approval, but I'm not sure what one you need. 5w-30 does too.
 
Appreciate all the info everyone had chimed in with.

I decided to not go ahead with the 0w30 valvoline euro due to no BMW approvals just recommendations. Just for my own piece of mind.

I instead looked at the equivalent penzoil and mobil 1 oils and decided to buy two 5 quart jugs of valvoline Euro 5w30 XIII. LL04 approved and cheaper compared to the other Euro oils if bought through valvoline website. Came out to roughly $31 each 5 quart jug with free shipping.
 
Appreciate all the info everyone had chimed in with.

I decided to not go ahead with the 0w30 valvoline euro due to no BMW approvals just recommendations. Just for my own piece of mind.

I instead looked at the equivalent penzoil and mobil 1 oils and decided to buy two 5 quart jugs of valvoline Euro 5w30 XIII. LL04 approved and cheaper compared to the other Euro oils if bought through valvoline website. Came out to roughly $31 each 5 quart jug with free shipping.
That is a serviceable oil.

Curious though, why not get Pennzoil Euro L at Walmart for $26.50? It has Longlife-04 approval and is less expensive. Plus on the shelf at some stores. Although the website says "OEM Specifications" that is just a bit of reverse obfuscation. The oil has BMW approval.
 
Last edited:
To be honest, I just wanted to try out the valvoline since I have never really used that brand of oil on any of my cars and it had more Euro approvals than the penzoil euro l. Not to say Penzoil is inferior in any way, I'm aware that because they did not get alot of approvals could be due to choice/cost but it does not reflect in its quality.

I'm sure I'll just switch back and forth depending on convenience and price but for now Valvoline has my curiosity just a bit more.
 
I thought by now Valvoline was just another brandname owned by a private equity conglomerate. Then I saw the Lake Speed/Motor Oil Geek video where they still had their own functioning engine tech center. Instantly re-rating my personal opinion of them.

Pleasantly surprised, I double-checked with wikipedia and apparently Saudi Aramco bought the lubrication unit in 2022.

Anyway, point being they still have solid engineering chops and I trust their top shelf stuff completely. In fact, I just saw on the O'Reilly thread Napa 5W40 Euro oil is $5/qt right now, and it's packaging said "developed by Valvoline," which I'm guessing means Valvoline spec'd the add pack and base oil to a blender who then mixed and bottled it.
 
Not sure I’d use this oil in a B58. I’d rather use M1 FS 0W-40 which carries LL-01 and keeps you in compliance with TIS. If not, I’d be buying the ESP X4 0W-40 at Autozone on special if I wanted a C3 oil and didn’t care about BMW specs.
 
decided to buy two 5 quart jugs of valvoline Euro 5w30 XIII. LL04 approved and cheaper compared to the other Euro oils if bought through valvoline website. Came out to roughly $31 each 5 quart jug with free shipping.
Yeah there are a lot more options of manufacturer approved oils at 5w-30 compared to 0w-30. I also almost went 0w-30 Valvoline, but then opted for their 5w-30 XL-III instead. Unless you live far north I where the temp is regularly in the single digits Fahrenheit, I don't know if 0w is really worth the trouble.

I am driving a 2021 Audi S5 with 35k miles and wanted something else besides 0w-20, so I did a ton of research to find the most-approved 5w-30 oils. There are a few of 0w-30 oils with all of the approvals besides API SP. I'm not sure how necessary API SP for LSPI protection is in a German vehicle. I think MB 229.52 has some LSPI protection but through a different mechanism than API SP. There doesn't seem to be a Pennzoil Euro version oil that has both VW 504 and BMW-LL04, so there's no Pennzoil on the list unfortunately.

As of December 2024, these 4 oils have essentially the same approvals. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Pay attention to what's in BOLD or you might get the wrong oil.
  • Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30
  • Castrol Edge 5W-30 K
  • Valvoline European Full Synthetic XL-III 5W-30
  • Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 New Generation

These oils all have:
  • VW 504/507
  • MB 229.52
  • BMW LL-04
  • Porche C30
  • ACEA C3
  • API SP
I'm assuming that you can't go wrong with any of these oils. From what I can tell, Mobil 1 seems to be the tried and true oil for German car enthusiasts, followed closely by Castrol Edge. Liqui Moly is popular amongst purists and German mechanics. Valvoline's XL-III seems to be the new kid on the block and hasn't gained a lot of popularity yet in the shadow of the other three, but it's similarly priced as Mobile 1 or Castrol and ships free direct-to-consumer on Valvoline's website with discounts if you buy more than one jug. Liqui Moly is the most expensive at about $90 for 8 liters from FCP Euro. I'm not sure if ECS has the "New Generation" Liqui Moly 4200 in stock that has the API SP approval.
 
I just bought a 14 X3 35i with the n55 and before driving it 1200 kms back home and got an oil change with this.

Missed the part about recommended vs approved, but I assume it'll be fine. Valvoline has always made high quality synthetic oils and this should be the same. I'll try and do a UOA and the end but likely take it out before 10,000 kms and switch back to dealer oil or something with LL-01 approval.
 
I just bought a 14 X3 35i with the n55 and before driving it 1200 kms back home and got an oil change with this.

Missed the part about recommended vs approved, but I assume it'll be fine. Valvoline has always made high quality synthetic oils and this should be the same. I'll try and do a UOA and the end but likely take it out before 10,000 kms and switch back to dealer oil or something with LL-01 approval.
It'll be fine, but I don't see any point to seek this oil out.
 
I just bought a 14 X3 35i with the n55 and before driving it 1200 kms back home and got an oil change with this.

Missed the part about recommended vs approved, but I assume it'll be fine. Valvoline has always made high quality synthetic oils and this should be the same. I'll try and do a UOA and the end but likely take it out before 10,000 kms and switch back to dealer oil or something with LL-01 approval.
N55=highest possible HTHS out of W40 oil.
I would use there Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40, Motul X-Cess 5W40 GEN2, Mobil1 0W40.
 
Thanks for the info.

The engine was replaced a few years ago with upgraded rod bearings. Phoned the shop today that did it and they insisted BMW 0w30 or Motul as the upgrade oil. I assumed 5w30 for Motul but maybe they meant the X-Cess 5W40.

Fwiw, this Valvoline oil is a pretty thick oil at 100c with a decent HTHS of 3.5.

1000013889.webp
 
Thanks for the info.

The engine was replaced a few years ago with upgraded rod bearings. Phoned the shop today that did it and they insisted BMW 0w30 or Motul as the upgrade oil. I assumed 5w30 for Motul but maybe they meant the X-Cess 5W40.

Fwiw, this Valvoline oil is a pretty thick oil at 100c with a decent HTHS of 3.5.

View attachment 260314
Upgrade oil? Sorry man, but shop doesn’t have a clue. Not sure why you think someone on the shop has any idea about oils.
BMW 0W30 TPT is LL01FE oil, with HTHS around 3cP and fairly average additive pack. Motul 0W30 is similar.
That Valvoline is actually “upgrade “ over those two oils as HTHS is 3.5cP.
Again, PPE 5W40, Motul X-Cess 5W40, if you like Valvoline, European Vehicle 5W40.
 
Yeah there are a lot more options of manufacturer approved oils at 5w-30 compared to 0w-30. I also almost went 0w-30 Valvoline, but then opted for their 5w-30 XL-III instead. Unless you live far north I where the temp is regularly in the single digits Fahrenheit, I don't know if 0w is really worth the trouble.

I am driving a 2021 Audi S5 with 35k miles and wanted something else besides 0w-20, so I did a ton of research to find the most-approved 5w-30 oils. There are a few of 0w-30 oils with all of the approvals besides API SP. I'm not sure how necessary API SP for LSPI protection is in a German vehicle. I think MB 229.52 has some LSPI protection but through a different mechanism than API SP. There doesn't seem to be a Pennzoil Euro version oil that has both VW 504 and BMW-LL04, so there's no Pennzoil on the list unfortunately.

As of December 2024, these 4 oils have essentially the same approvals. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Pay attention to what's in BOLD or you might get the wrong oil.
  • Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30
  • Castrol Edge 5W-30 K
  • Valvoline European Full Synthetic XL-III 5W-30
  • Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 New Generation

These oils all have:
  • VW 504/507
  • MB 229.52
  • BMW LL-04
  • Porche C30
  • ACEA C3
  • API SP
I'm assuming that you can't go wrong with any of these oils. From what I can tell, Mobil 1 seems to be the tried and true oil for German car enthusiasts, followed closely by Castrol Edge. Liqui Moly is popular amongst purists and German mechanics. Valvoline's XL-III seems to be the new kid on the block and hasn't gained a lot of popularity yet in the shadow of the other three, but it's similarly priced as Mobile 1 or Castrol and ships free direct-to-consumer on Valvoline's website with discounts if you buy more than one jug. Liqui Moly is the most expensive at about $90 for 8 liters from FCP Euro. I'm not sure if ECS has the "New Generation" Liqui Moly 4200 in stock that has the API SP approval.
M1 website claims the ESP is SL but exceeds SP specs. Makes sense when ZDDP is over 800pm with a 30wt
 
Yeah there are a lot more options of manufacturer approved oils at 5w-30 compared to 0w-30. I also almost went 0w-30 Valvoline, but then opted for their 5w-30 XL-III instead. Unless you live far north I where the temp is regularly in the single digits Fahrenheit, I don't know if 0w is really worth the trouble.

I am driving a 2021 Audi S5 with 35k miles and wanted something else besides 0w-20, so I did a ton of research to find the most-approved 5w-30 oils. There are a few of 0w-30 oils with all of the approvals besides API SP. I'm not sure how necessary API SP for LSPI protection is in a German vehicle. I think MB 229.52 has some LSPI protection but through a different mechanism than API SP. There doesn't seem to be a Pennzoil Euro version oil that has both VW 504 and BMW-LL04, so there's no Pennzoil on the list unfortunately.

As of December 2024, these 4 oils have essentially the same approvals. I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them. Pay attention to what's in BOLD or you might get the wrong oil.
  • Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30
  • Castrol Edge 5W-30 K
  • Valvoline European Full Synthetic XL-III 5W-30
  • Liqui Moly Top Tec 4200 5W-30 New Generation

These oils all have:
  • VW 504/507
  • MB 229.52
  • BMW LL-04
  • Porche C30
  • ACEA C3
  • API SP
I'm assuming that you can't go wrong with any of these oils. From what I can tell, Mobil 1 seems to be the tried and true oil for German car enthusiasts, followed closely by Castrol Edge. Liqui Moly is popular amongst purists and German mechanics. Valvoline's XL-III seems to be the new kid on the block and hasn't gained a lot of popularity yet in the shadow of the other three, but it's similarly priced as Mobile 1 or Castrol and ships free direct-to-consumer on Valvoline's website with discounts if you buy more than one jug. Liqui Moly is the most expensive at about $90 for 8 liters from FCP Euro. I'm not sure if ECS has the "New Generation" Liqui Moly 4200 in stock that has the API SP approval.
Have you found or done any VOA/UOA on the Xl iii?
 
Not sure I’d use this oil in a B58. I’d rather use M1 FS 0W-40 which carries LL-01 and keeps you in compliance with TIS. If not, I’d be buying the ESP X4 0W-40 at Autozone on special if I wanted a C3 oil and didn’t care about BMW specs.
Looking at bottles online it doesn't carry that approval.
 
Upgrade oil? Sorry man, but shop doesn’t have a clue. Not sure why you think someone on the shop has any idea about oils.
BMW 0W30 TPT is LL01FE oil, with HTHS around 3cP and fairly average additive pack. Motul 0W30 is similar.
That Valvoline is actually “upgrade “ over those two oils as HTHS is 3.5cP.
Again, PPE 5W40, Motul X-Cess 5W40, if you like Valvoline, European Vehicle 5W40.
At what point is HTHS too high?
 
Back
Top