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      09-20-2010, 08:57 AM   #4
roundle
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Drives: 18 VW GTI;18 CX9;11 E91 N52
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: USA

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Quote:
Originally Posted by cb1111 View Post
Good question!

The mechanical internal bits of the engine are the same on a US spec car vs a Euro spec car (some of the emission related bits and electronics are different.)

Accordingly, you should use the oil that is prescribed for your physical location. As you indicated, you are using European gas so the European oils (LL04) are the ones that you should use.

Was the car a Euro delivery for use in Europe or did you get it in the US? If you got it in the US then it'll have LL-01. I've heard that US spec cars sold through military/diplo sales for use in Europe will have LL-04 fill but neither the LL-01 or the LL-04 fills are documented. BMW (and other manufacturers) are pretty closed mouthed about their initial fill - perhaps it is my maple syrup Paulaner blend

I know that most German dealers will refuse an early oil change - even if you pay for it - due to the environmental laws. BMW's are on a 3 yr 30k km oil change interval. I don't know what the Dutch do - sorry - but I suspect that it'll be closer to the German schedule than the US.

One thing to remember about Europe - they've had high petroleum product prices forever so they are quite a bit more careful about their OCIs.

As an aside, Your car is covered by the European warranty (2yrs?) without included maintenance until it returns to the US - then any remaining US warranty would apply.

Enjoy the Netherlands - is that a permanent move or temporary?
Hi Cb1111,

Thanks for your response.

To answer you first question, we bought the car through the Diplomatic\Military program. The car was ordered through Munich, picked up in NL. While it's a US-Spec, the car's yet to set foot in the US. Thus, I suspect it's been filled with LL04 (but who knows).

Since we bought the car new, and plan to be here for at least 75K miles, we'll probably follow the EU maint. schedule (and use LL04). I'll probably just go with whatever the dealer suggests.

In other news, when i started the car today, it told me that the oil change would be due at 12K miles, or in May 2011 (a year from its birthday)
Appreciate 0