[Bavfan]

For those DIY'ers of E90 328i, do you use 5w40 or 5w30 oil? Wal-Mart has 4.4L of Castrol Syntec 5w30 for $22.88 which seems like a smoking deal. My CPO document says Syntec 5w30 is recommended and the manual says BMW Synthetic 5.w30 or 5w40 is recommended.

[gboop]

If that's the case, then why do BMW dealerships use Castrol Syntec 5W-30? I have read this on other threads and personally heard this from a tech working at a GTA BMW dealership. Is there a 5W-30 Castrol Syntec that's LL-01 approved?

[hubble bubble]

BMW dealerships use Castrol full synthetic - from Europe. They DO NOT use Castrol Syntec. Use of Castrol Syntec instantly voids your warranty. Only a limited number of oil brands meet the BMW requirements.

I understand that the Mobil 1 sold at Walmart is full synthetic and does meet the BMW standards. Look it up in the owners manual to be sure. It is much less expensive than the Castrol sold at the stealerships, but about double the cost of Castrol Syntec.

[hubble bubble]

You woudl think BMW stealerships would only be selling that expensive oil with the little roundel on the bottle. That roundel seems to cost $2 a litre.

[jasonintoronto]

this is what BMW customer service told me when i emailed them:

Date: 17 Aug 2009 14:20:21 -0400
From: customer.service@bmw.ca
Subject: RE: Message from BMW.CA [1-1164167838]
To: <snip>

Dear Mr. <snip>:

Thank you for contacting BMW Canada.

We recommend a Castrol long-life high performance synthetic oil that meets API standard SH or higher, either 5W30 or 5W40.

Hope that helps!

Sincerely,
Steve
Customer Interaction Specialist
BMW Canada

i replied requesting clarification of 0w30 vs 5w30:

i have found that castrol syntec 0w30 meets BMW LL-01, but the 5w30 and 5w40 do not. which is valid for the 335i?

i used the following web page for reference:

http://www.castrol.com/castrol/gener...tentId=6006933

Dear Mr. Seto:

Thank you for contacting BMW Canada.

This oil does meet API spec SH and should be fine, although because it is a thinner oil, oil consumption may increase.

Sincerely,
Steve
Customer Interaction Specialist
BMW Canada

[BavFan_08]

A bit off topic, but you would be surprised how many people in India own BMWs....India is not the country it once was.....

Originally Posted by TrackRat

Sad isn't it?

No surprise that BMW Canada doesn't even know what oil is required to maintain the new vehicle warranty... BMW NA is the same. Not a clue in the world. I've contacted them several times about it. I think these BMW "Customer Interaction Specialists", (sic), are actually located in India and have never seen a BMW, read the BMW OM or read the warranty?

You should send them this link and ask if they technically comprehend the difference between their response and the new vehicle warranty requirements:

http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Conte...ngineOils.aspx

[Auto Pilot]

The Castrol Syntec that the dealerships use is a group IV synthetic while the vast majority of stuff on North American retail shelves are group III synthetics. Group IIIs cannot be branded as synthetic in Europe.

If you look at 0W-30 Castrol Syntec at Canadian Tire, you'll notice that it says it meets BMW's LL-01 standard and you will see on the label that is says made in Germany. All other Castrol on the shelf does not mention LL-01 and they are all manufactured in the USA.

[Auto Pilot]

Oh and my owners manual says I can use 0w-30, 5w-30, 0w-40 and 5w-40