[jwebb335xi]

Hey guys,

My car has almost 96k miles, 25k of which are tuned at 18PSI. I'm about to change my oil, which had been dealer 5w-30 and/or Total 5w-30 depending on whether it was "free" at the dealer or done by my local indy.

I'm planning to send the current fill to Blackstone for UOA to see how the engine has done with Total at about 5,000 mile OCI, and was looking for something as an upgrade - which I'll also test.

Has anyone been using Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High SAE 5W-40 in their tuned N54 and, if so, have you seen any improvements over other oils in terms of UOA, engine temp in summer, mileage, smooth idle, etc...?

From what I've read, this looks like a nice choice for Chicago summers and is "reasonably" price LL-01.

Thanks for your comments.

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Hey guys,

My car has almost 96k miles, 25k of which are tuned at 18PSI. I'm about to change my oil, which had been dealer 5w-30 and/or Total 5w-30 depending on whether it was "free" at the dealer or done by my local indy.

I'm planning to send the current fill to Blackstone for UOA to see how the engine has done with Total at about 5,000 mile OCI, and was looking for something as an upgrade - which I'll also test.

Has anyone been using Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High SAE 5W-40 in their tuned N54 and, if so, have you seen any improvements over other oils in terms of UOA, engine temp in summer, mileage, smooth idle, etc...?

From what I've read, this looks like a nice choice for Chicago summers and is "reasonably" price LL-01.

Thanks for your comments.

No, but I can anecdotally share that when I switched to motul at 80k miles my oil temps decreased a tad when fully warmed up even in Chicago summer.

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Jklad

No, but I can anecdotally share that when I switched to motul at 80k miles my oil temps decreased a tad when fully warmed up even in Chicago summer.

Thanks much. Motul 8100 was on my list as well. About the same price and great reputation as well. I assume you're using the 5w-40 in summer; how about winter? not that we've had much on one this year. Heck, my winter tires are more of a fashion statement this year than anything else.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Thanks much. Motul 8100 was on my list as well. About the same price and great reputation as well. I assume you're using the 5w-40 in summer; how about winter? not that we've had much on one this year. Heck, my winter tires are more of a fashion statement this year than anything else.

yea driving my winters in 60-70 deg weather. Not sure what to do, switch or wait some. A ll01 0w30 or 5w30 would work for winter. 70cp or less at 40c

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

yea driving my winters in 60-70 deg weather. Not sure what to do, switch or wait some. A ll01 0w30 or 5w30 would work for winter. 70cp or less at 40c

Thanks for the comment. The LM 5w-40 shows 82mm²/s (ASTM D 7042-04) at 40C..... So, I don't think that'll work in winter. I'll check their 5-30...

[Jklad]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Thanks much. Motul 8100 was on my list as well. About the same price and great reputation as well. I assume you're using the 5w-40 in summer; how about winter? not that we've had much on one this year. Heck, my winter tires are more of a fashion statement this year than anything else.

Same oil in winter, seems to be working fine but I wouldn't have the know to say otherwise vs some of the more knowledgeable members on here.

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by Jklad

Same oil in winter, seems to be working fine but I wouldn't have the know to say otherwise vs some of the more knowledgeable members on here.

BMW states that 5w30/40 is safe for all weather conditions in the manual.

It makes sense to switch to 5w40 if you park outside in cold weather and/or do lots of short trips which doesnt bring oil up to temp. otherwise, you'll be fine running 5w40.

whether you guys are FBO or stock, and just looking for a good oil, you cant go wrong with 5w40 Motul or Liqui moly. another excellent choice is Shell rotella t6 5w40, which I recently switched to with very good results.

I also recommend, and stick by 5000 mile changes like OP.


Another thing worth mentioning, especially for FBO OP here, you may want to consider removing your plastic engine cover in warmer weather. It helped bring down temps by almost 50F for me. I keep it off in any temperature above 37F (outside)

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by 6IX-F10-N52

BMW states that 5w30/40 is safe for all weather conditions in the manual.

It makes sense to switch to 5w40 if you park outside in cold weather and/or do lots of short trips which doesnt bring oil up to temp. otherwise, you'll be fine running 5w40.

whether you guys are FBO or stock, and just looking for a good oil, you cant go wrong with 5w40 Motul or Liqui moly. another excellent choice is Shell rotella t6 5w40, which I recently switched to with very good results.

I also recommend, and stick by 5000 mile changes like OP.


Another thing worth mentioning, especially for FBO OP here, you may want to consider removing your plastic engine cover in warmer weather. It helped bring down temps by almost 50F for me. I keep it off in any temperature above 37F (outside)

Thanks so much for the comment. I'll experiment with the cover off come July when ambient temps are high enough that I see my temp gauge near 250f...

[STR8-6IX]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Thanks so much for the comment. I'll experiment with the cover off come July when ambient temps are high enough that I see my temp gauge near 250f...

The main reason why modern BMW's switch to an electric water pump is for emissions and fuel economy. High temps = a more efficient burn and therefore better efficiency. But honestly 120c (250f) is a ridiculously high temperature. That means coolant temps are more or less similar and 120c (well past boiling) is the maximum operating threshold for coolant where it will work well. I remember I had an Audi with an oil temp gauge that would never go past 100c (210f) after literally shitting on it with back to back redlines on a hot summer day.. now you guys know it doesn't take much with these BMW's to see temps easily past that. Even when it's like 40f ambient temps it still makes sense to have the plastic cover removed especially when running it hard or sitting in traffic. just something I thought I'd share with you guys.

[e36Luv]

I use rotella T6 and I'm also just posting so I can gain privileges

[jwebb335xi]

Originally Posted by e36Luv

I use rotella T6 and I'm also just posting so I can gain privileges

welcome!

[pysical]

Originally Posted by e36Luv

I use rotella T6 and I'm also just posting so I can gain privileges

+1 for Rotella.

[Milan]

Originally Posted by STR8-6IX

The main reason why modern BMW's switch to an electric water pump is for emissions and fuel economy. High temps = a more efficient burn and therefore better efficiency. But honestly 120c (250f) is a ridiculously high temperature. That means coolant temps are more or less similar and 120c (well past boiling) is the maximum operating threshold for coolant where it will work well. I remember I had an Audi with an oil temp gauge that would never go past 100c (210f) after literally shitting on it with back to back redlines on a hot summer day.. now you guys know it doesn't take much with these BMW's to see temps easily past that. Even when it's like 40f ambient temps it still makes sense to have the plastic cover removed especially when running it hard or sitting in traffic. just something I thought I'd share with you guys.

120 c is not well past boiling. The coolant system is pressurized, 120 c might not even boil 100% water under pressure. Not sure how much pressure the cap is rated for, but if it's 16 psi that's 252* F!

Also 252 is not ridiculously high for an engine at idle with the AC on on a hot summer day, it's actually pretty standard among modern cars.

[SpaceCoupeN54]

Hello not sure if this is completely dead but was wondering if I should use Rotella T6 on my currently mostly stock N54 w 51k miles or go with OEM Bmw oil or lastly Liqui Molly??

yes

[SpaceCoupeN54]

Originally Posted by SpaceCoupeN54

Hello not sure if this is completely dead but was wondering if I should use Rotella T6 on my currently mostly stock N54 w 51k miles or go with OEM Bmw oil or lastly Liqui Molly??

So any recommendations or like any of them will be good?

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by Sgop335

yea driving my winters in 60-70 deg weather. Not sure what to do, switch or wait some. A ll01 0w30 or 5w30 would work for winter. 70cp or less at 40c

Why not get LL01 0W-40 from Castrol?

[320IN54]

I just switched to 5w-40 Liqui Moly from 0w-40. I did notice that it takes a little longer to warm up but the payoff is that the oil temp is lower after running the car hard. I did throw in a bottle of liqui moly ceratec so that might also affect the temps but yeah 5w-40 is good stuff especially cause my engine runs a little hot after drives

[feuer]

Tuned (modded) n54 requires diferent (special) oil?

[Cabdriver]

Originally Posted by jwebb335xi

Hey guys,

My car has almost 96k miles, 25k of which are tuned at 18PSI. I'm about to change my oil, which had been dealer 5w-30 and/or Total 5w-30 depending on whether it was "free" at the dealer or done by my local indy.

I'm planning to send the current fill to Blackstone for UOA to see how the engine has done with Total at about 5,000 mile OCI, and was looking for something as an upgrade - which I'll also test.

Has anyone been using Liqui Moly Leichtlauf High SAE 5W-40 in their tuned N54 and, if so, have you seen any improvements over other oils in terms of UOA, engine temp in summer, mileage, smooth idle, etc...?

From what I've read, this looks like a nice choice for Chicago summers and is "reasonably" price LL-01.

Thanks for your comments.

I use LM Leichtlauf 5w-40. I am running mhd 2+. I change my oil and filter very 3k as this engine really takes a toll on oil. I can say the LM oil seems to recover from heatsoak quicker vs. the bmw oil. I think the 5w 40 is a better match to this engine vs. 5w 30 bmw.

Seems to keep the varnish buildup at bay as well, my two cents.

Oil really wont do too much along the lines of keeping oil temps down. After my 3rd LM oil change, I loaded mhd, checked off sport mode cooling, installed ftp low temp oil cooler thermostat and a vrsf 7" hd IC. Maintain the cooling system well and you will rarely exceed 220 oil temp. , more importantly the oil temp recovers super fast even after stop n go traffic with the ac on. Stock thermo opens at 230, ftp targets 220. GL.

This is based on NJ summer observations, so similar to Chicago.

[Sgop335]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Why not get LL01 0W-40 from Castrol?

Yes that oil and grade is fine too

[feuer]

Originally Posted by Cabdriver

installed ftp low temp oil cooler thermostat

how does this thermostat work? If is thermostat at all? I have my doubts!