[NoSurrender]

Hey, I drive a 2008 e90 328i and was wondering what kind of engine oil to use on the car.

I know its castrol, considering it says it right on the engine. But specifically, what quality?

[dainja]

Synthetic 0W30

[VTECaddict]

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

[742]

The "Castrol" on the engine is brought to you by the Marketing Department.

The engineers are going to happy with any oil that meets BMW's LL01 standard. These oils, when bought outside of the dealer network, will say so on the back in small letters.

Realistic choices are:

BMW oil from the dealer.
Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (NOT 5W-30)
Mobil 1 0W-40 (NOT 5W-30)

LL01 approval is what you are looking for. Keep the receipts to show that you used the correct oil in order to protect your warranty.

[Quasimodem]

Originally Posted by 742

The "Castrol" on the engine is brought to you by the Marketing Department.

The engineers are going to happy with any oil that meets BMW's LL01 standard. These oils, when bought outside of the dealer network, will say so on the back in small letters.

Realistic choices are:

BMW oil from the dealer.
Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (NOT 5W-30)
Mobil 1 0W-40 (NOT 5W-30)

LL01 approval is what you are looking for. Keep the receipts to show that you used the correct oil in order to protect your warranty.

+1 Look for LL-01 on the bottle.

[noro]

I use olive oil, after each drive I get that nice french fries smell around the engine...

[hubble bubble]

Originally Posted by 742

The "Castrol" on the engine is brought to you by the Marketing Department.

The engineers are going to happy with any oil that meets BMW's LL01 standard. These oils, when bought outside of the dealer network, will say so on the back in small letters.

Realistic choices are:

BMW oil from the dealer.
Castrol Syntec 0W-30 (NOT 5W-30)
Mobil 1 0W-40 (NOT 5W-30)

LL01 approval is what you are looking for. Keep the receipts to show that you used the correct oil in order to protect your warranty.

NO. Castrol Syntec does not meet the BMW LL01 standard. Or at least tat is what I have been told by BMW dealer and independant mechanic told me.
The BMW dealer oil is Castrol but it is Castrol europe full synthetic. Can be bought elsewhere,but the Syntec sold at Mal-Wart and Costco isn't the same stuff.

[Alexander]

getbmwparts.com

Oil change kit, either do the work yourself or pay an independent shop to do it.

[742]

Originally Posted by hubble bubble

NO. Castrol Syntec does not meet the BMW LL01 standard. Or at least tat is what I have been told by BMW dealer and independant mechanic told me.
The BMW dealer oil is Castrol but it is Castrol europe full synthetic. Can be bought elsewhere,but the Syntec sold at Mal-Wart and Costco isn't the same stuff.

YES. Castrol Syntec 0W-30 meets BMW Longlife-01 (and a lot of other European specs). This oil is imported from Germany. You are correct in that it won't be found in a big box store, but nothing in a big box store should be going into a German car. Well, almost nothing.

Castrol Syntec 5W-30, as sold in the United States, does not meet LL01. This creates confusion when people put BMW's Castrol relationship together with the 5W-30 on the BMW branded oil and use the over the counter Syntec 5W-30. This is probably what your sources were getting at.

From the Castrol web site (emphasis added):

"Castrol SYNTEC 0W-30 European Formula is engineered to meet the Mercedes Benz 229.5 specification*. The 0W-30 viscosity grade is ideal for winter conditions where low temperature pumpability is required. A unique, low-temperature formulation provides exceptional pumpability in cold weather and allows for unaided engine starts down to -40ºF. Exceeds all car and light truck manufacturer’s warranty requirements for the protection of gasoline, diesel and turbocharged engines where API SL, SJ, SH, CF or CD is recommended. Exceeds European ACEA: A3, B3, B4; VW 502 00, 505 00; MB 229.1, 229.3, 229.5; BMW LL-01; GM-LLA-025, GM-LL-B-025 and the engine protection requirements of ILSAC GF-3 for API Certified Gasoline Engine Oils."

[fruition3000]

Originally Posted by noro

I use olive oil, after each drive I get that nice french fries smell around the engine...

Olive oil is not a high temp oil. Its never used for frying

[WingZeroX5]

Amsoil Baby!

[NaTuReB0Y]

i have 14 bottles of castrol 0W30 and 28 bottles of mobil 0W40 sitting in my garage.....

bmw LL-01 is all you need to know......it says it right on the bottle

[orangedawg]

The Mobil 1 oil at my local Autozone, 0-40, doesn't list LL-01, but rather LL 98. It does say that it meets Mercedes Benz 229.5. Is this okay?

[noro]

Originally Posted by TrackRat

If it's not BMW LL-01 approved don't use it.

There are some exceptions to that rule, small oil companies such as RedLine and RoyalPurple make exceptional products wile not having that certification.

[742]

Originally Posted by noro

There are some exceptions to that rule, small oil companies such as RedLine and RoyalPurple make exceptional products wile not having that certification.

And without the testing how do we know that it will perform? It is not a matter of just being a good oil.

The issue with LL04 oils in the United States is an example. These are excellent oils, but through testing it was found that they tend to be incompatible with the North American gasoline.

And then there is the warranty issue. German car manufacturers can and will void warranty coverage if non-spec oils are used. As many VW and Audi owners have learned the hard way.

Nothing against Redline - in fact I am using some of their products. But not in the sump of my E90.

When new people come on these forums with these basic questions we have to be careful and give them "by the book" answers. Giving someone advice that could void their warranty is not right. Giving them advice that involves unknown risks should also be avoided. Of course a bunch of gear heads who hang out at the track kicking around ideas is a different matter.

[Alexander]

This is what I use...

[noro]

Here's a good article about BMW and Red Line relationship. There has been some significant testing in the harshest of environments.

Originally Posted by 742

And without the testing how do we know that it will perform? It is not a matter of just being a good oil.

The issue with LL04 oils in the United States is an example. These are excellent oils, but through testing it was found that they tend to be incompatible with the North American gasoline.

And then there is the warranty issue. German car manufacturers can and will void warranty coverage if non-spec oils are used. As many VW and Audi owners have learned the hard way.

Nothing against Redline - in fact I am using some of their products. But not in the sump of my E90.

When new people come on these forums with these basic questions we have to be careful and give them "by the book" answers. Giving someone advice that could void their warranty is not right. Giving them advice that involves unknown risks should also be avoided. Of course a bunch of gear heads who hang out at the track kicking around ideas is a different matter.

[NaTuReB0Y]

Originally Posted by orangedawg

The Mobil 1 oil at my local Autozone, 0-40, doesn't list LL-01, but rather LL 98. It does say that it meets Mercedes Benz 229.5. Is this okay?

No WAY! Must be 5W30 or something else.......

I've bought my Mobil 1 0W40 from Autozone, Kragen, and Walmart....and they all have the BMW LL-01.

[SPANAK]

Originally Posted by NoSurrender

Hey, I drive a 2008 e90 328i and was wondering what kind of engine oil to use on the car.

I know its castrol, considering it says it right on the engine. But specifically, what quality?

Go to Autozone, and get Castrol Syntec 0W-30.

It will say European Formula on the front, Made in Germany on the back.
It's BMW LL-01 approved.

I have enough for about 6 oil changes, if you can't find it I'll see you some of mine.

Mobil 1 0W-40 is approved oil as well.

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

[polonez69]

hey guys... i just purchased an 06 325i and i need to do the fluids.
Ive been going through the forums and am having a hard time figuring out this ll-04 vs ll-01 business. Ive used the Lubro Moly full synthetic in my e46 and it was a great oil. I had analysis done vs the mobil 1 euro spec and the results were very different. the lubro moly blew it away. Now that oil was LL98 approved. I also used pentosin which was a very good german oil that is LL04 approved in the e46 with similar results of lubro moly. does anyone have more info of why we cant use LL04 oils in US(im in canada) when they are the standard in europe. All good oils that will be comming out of germany will be LL 04 approved not LL01 as that is the new standard? what about the gasoline makes it incompatible?

[742]

Originally Posted by polonez69

... does anyone have more info of why we cant use LL04 oils in US(im in canada) when they are the standard in europe. All good oils that will be comming out of germany will be LL 04 approved not LL01 as that is the new standard? what about the gasoline makes it incompatible?

It is the nature of low SAPS oils to have a lower TBN than has been historically the norm with high grade oils. This is not a problem in Europe, but it does become a problem with the lower quality of fuel that we have in the United States. As I understand it Sulfur is the specific issue.

[742]

Originally Posted by noro

Here's a good article about BMW and Red Line relationship. There has been some significant testing in the harshest of environments.

I don't see the link. Could you post it again or PM it to me?

Thanks.