[Tim06325xi]

Can I use Castrol Edge 5w-30 for my oil change on a 2006 325xi?

[Yvette]

Does it say BMW long life approved in the back?

[FCBuff]

Yes you can, but...Castrol 0w-30 is a better choice, also BMW 5w-30 or M1 0w-40 are all better oils.

[Wires]

Yes, that is fine. You don't need to run 15,000 mile change intevals, so long life is irrelevant. And it's about 1/3 the cost of the magic BMW oil.

[e90will]

Originally Posted by Wires

Yes, that is fine. You don't need to run 15,000 mile change intevals, so long life is irrelevant. And it's about 1/3 the cost of the magic BMW oil.

+1 ... I agree with this...to date, I have 137K on my car and all I used is Mobil 1 5w-30full synthetic & Castrol 5w-30 syntec since when my car was brand new. None of them had the bmw long life designation.

I change the oil & filter every 7500 miles. So far so good..

[VTECaddict]

It's not so much the long intervals, but the LL-01 oils are actually higher viscosity than regular 5w30.

[ctuna]

I have seen it at the autozone and pep boys its about the same as Mobil one
around 8 bucks to 9 bucks a quart. The BMW oil is running the same unless
you go to a dealer that gouges.

[iBoost]

i always get my bmw oil changing kit through ECS its super cheap..

[traffic335]

Can you share a link to ECS?

[username604]

Originally Posted by traffic335

Can you share a link to ECS?

Here is the oil change kit
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...gine/ES250700/

Here is the same oil change kit with an ECS brand magnetic drain plug
http://www.ecstuning.com/BMW-E92-335...ine/ES2075251/

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by Tim06325xi

Can I use Castrol Edge 5w-30 for my oil change on a 2006 325xi?

No. Too thin, HTHS too low.

I know that most will have a hard time accepting this, but Edge 0W30 is thicker than Edge 5W30 until sub-zero and is more shear stable.

Stick with the recommendations.

[Surly73]

Originally Posted by VTECaddict

It's not so much the long intervals, but the LL-01 oils are actually higher viscosity than regular 5w30.

Well, yes and no.

LL-01 starts with ACEA A3 as a basis test. ACEA A3 demands an oil which is high HTHS - meaning that it appears thicker under a shearing load (like a high revving BMW) and stays shear stable. LL-01 adds to that requirements for long drain intervals.

If you're shopping in 30 weight or light 40 weight oils (like 0W40, 5W40) and you plan on changing at least twice as often as CBS says then you can just look for ACEA A3. If you're under warranty or are even thinking about running the full CBS interval then get something with LL-01. Thicker 40s (like 15W40) are not likely to list ACEA A3 even though they may be compliant.

An ACEA A3 rating indicates a relatively light oil (like a 30) which is tougher when sheared than most. Castrol Syntec/Edge 0W30 is still the only 0W30 in the world which is ACEA A3 rated, I believe.

Don't get LL-04 if you're running gasoline in North America.