[JTBurn]

Originally Posted by Sam12345

i use balsamic vinagerate mixed with olive-oil.
keeps the temperature at 180 tops

Were talking cars here, not something you put on a salad or douche with.

[ska///235i]

Originally Posted by MrClean

I just changed my oil/filter at 1100 miles, and am about to do the differential. I would like to do the tranny as well (well, HAVE it done), but even Mike Miller of 'Roundel' sounds a bit skittish about doing this one. Has anyone here had it done?J

[742]

Originally Posted by chaz58

Did the oil requirements ever get posted?

Not that I have seen. It appears to me that BMW of North America has little interest in the gearhead customer base.

[MrClean]

I used Mobil 1 0W-40

[UdubBadger]

hey did anyone ever find out more on this? I have a buddy whos been pushing me to get AMS oil, but I noticed you guys said the LL-04 is only for cars driven in europe not made in europe.

[742]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

hey did anyone ever find out more on this? I have a buddy whos been pushing me to get AMS oil, but I noticed you guys said the LL-04 is only for cars driven in europe not made in europe.

Here it is:

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

Be aware that the Valvoline referenced is the MST version, not the version sold over the counter.

Be wary of boutique oils that say they are “recommended for”. This is not the same as having gone through the testing to earn actual approval. Approved oils will have LL01 on the back of the bottle in small print.

It appears that at some point BMW saw a problem with LL04 oils and the crap gas that we have in North America. For whatever reason, North America is to stick with LL01 oils.

People support oil brands like they are sports teams, and with about as much logic. The only real facts that we have come from the approval process. I will put any LL01 oil in my car. On the other hand I will not put anything in that has not clearly earned approval, regardless of how well it is marketed.

[UdubBadger]

cool thanks for the info!

[hun77777]

what about amsoil? i thought those are one of the best engine oil out there...

[UdubBadger]

no... AMSoil is only LL04 not LL01

[hun77777]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

no... AMSoil is only LL04 not LL01

does it matter though? whether to meet either one of them or both? i don't even know the difference between LL04 and LL01. RP doesn't even meet any of those two i believe...

[742]

Originally Posted by hun77777

what about amsoil? i thought those are one of the best engine oil out there...

AMSOIL may be a fine oil, but the Amsoil site states: "It is one of the only oils in North America to be recommended for...", followed by the usual list of specs.

It does not say that it is approved. I would like to see a clear statement from Amsoil that its oil has been tested and shown to meet the European specs (BMW, VW, MB or whatever they are claiming this week). Not “formulated”, “designed” or what have you, tested.

If you try to dig on this you find lots of words of Amsoil's, often quoting warranty law and sometimes even threatening letters. Everything except a simple statement that the oil has been tested and approved.

The testing is expensive, but it is also very real.

[UdubBadger]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

hey did anyone ever find out more on this? I have a buddy whos been pushing me to get AMS oil, but I noticed you guys said the LL-04 is only for cars driven in europe not made in europe.

Originally Posted by hun77777

does it matter though? whether to meet either one of them or both? i don't even know the difference between LL04 and LL01. RP doesn't even meet any of those two i believe...

read the 3 posts above your 1st one... they already went through all this

[hun77777]

Originally Posted by UdubBadger

read the 3 posts above your 1st one... they already went through all this

oops... how dumb i'm... thanks for pointing that out for me...

... uh so what are the LL01 approved oils? only ones on BMW page?