[300B]

[QUOTE=E90Fleet]NA and rest of the world reccomendations are the same

Why wouldnt BMW reccomend their own labeld USA oil which is produced by Castrol for them ?


May I ask where you are getting your info about it not being reccomended ?
Maybe because the owners manual doesnt state it ? ( it doesnt state most service requirements )


EDIT:

From a BMW NA Dealer bulletin:

"it is mandatory to use BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil in 1999 model year and later BMW models, Castrol Formula RS SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil or Castrol TWS Motorsport SAE 10W-60 Synthetic Oil in M5 S62 models produced up to 3/00 and E46 M3, E36 M roadster and M coupe with S54 engines. Also recommended is the use of either BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil, BMW High Performance Mineral Oil or one of today's highly advanced brand name lubricating oils conforming to API classification SH or higher in 1998 and earlier BMW models."[/QUOTE


All the paperwork that came with the car makes zero mention the LL spec unlike the E46 paperwork.

When I called BMW NA I was told pretty much any synthetic 5W30 was acceptable.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 300B

All the paperwork that came with the car makes zero mention the LL spec unlike the E46 paperwork.

When I called BMW NA I was told pretty much any synthetic 5W30 was acceptable.

Im pretty shure they jut say that because they expect you to use your free oil service at your dealer, who uses the Castrol LL-01.

I sent a e-mail yesterday to one of the BMW NA techs to see I he can tell me why the customer documentation doesnt mention the required specs, but the dealer technical docuiments do.

I suspect it may be something requred by their lawers ( someting like they may not tell you you have to use a specific brand, and maybe there arnt many LL-01 approved oils in the US )



Anyway, anyone can use what they want in their cars

All im saying is the internal BMW tech documents call for LL-01 or LL-04 for the N52 and N54 engines

If anyone wants to use that info its up to them


Happy motoring

[poldim]

What weight is the stadard BMW oil?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by poldim

What weight is the stadard BMW oil?

Castrol TXT LL-01 5W-30

[poldim]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Castrol TXT LL-01 5W-30

Is this for all engines or do they have other grades available in the shop?

[300B]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Well the bottle and castrol website says it is

Like I said,in Europe.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by poldim

Is this for all engines or do they have other grades available in the shop?

Most,except certain M engines that use Castrol TWS 10W-60


For some early models that need mineral oil they also have a mineral 15W-40 available, but they dont usualy keep much stock of that

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 300B

Like I said,in Europe.

That is a European bottle and the form is from from the european castrol specs sheet

Also remember ther is a "softec TXT" and a "softec TXT LL-01"

If you want the bit from the South African website\

"Synthetic technology formulated for modern petrol and diesel engines with or without turbochargers and intercoolers.
Key Benefits
Castrol TXT Softec LL01 is also suitable for vehicles fitted with catalysts and is suitable for leaded or unleaded petrol. Castrol TXT Softec has been formulated to meet the requirements of the latest Hi-Tech engines designs with preferences towards lower viscosities, fuel saving contributions, plus reduction in both cold start wear and hydraulic lifter noise.

Castrol TXT Softec outperforms heavier viscosities with respect to volatility and inlet manifold wetting in harsh South African and Namibian test conditions where oil sump temperatures exceeded 150°C operating temperatures. Oil consumption due to volatility is also reduced:
Proven South African performance
Synthetic engineering for assured protection and performance reserves
Superb cold start performance
SAE 5W/30 viscosity rating
Balance of economy and power
Extra anti-wear performance
Turbocharger proven
Specifications
API SJ/CF4
ACEA A3 / B3 / B4
BMW LLO1 "

[Vinobien]

I take my car to the dealer - they change my oil for free - who cares what the @?5& they put in it. It's oil.

[300B]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Im pretty shure they jut say that because they expect you to use your free oil service at your dealer, who uses the Castrol LL-01.

I sent a e-mail yesterday to one of the BMW NA techs to see I he can tell me why the customer documentation doesnt mention the required specs, but the dealer technical docuiments do.

I suspect it may be something requred by their lawers ( someting like they may not tell you you have to use a specific brand, and maybe there arnt many LL-01 approved oils in the US )



Anyway, anyone can use what they want in their cars

All im saying is the internal BMW tech documents call for LL-01 or LL-04 for the N52 and N54 engines

If anyone wants to use that info its up to them


Happy motoring

Then why was it stressed highly with the E46 models then?

Whatever the required specs are in SA don't seem to apply in NA.

BMW isn't stupid you know to print all of the service and owners manuals for the E90's forgetting to mention the LL spec if it was so important and required.

It's just no longer valid for the new R6 engines.

[300B]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

That is a European bottle and the form is from from the european castrol specs sheet

Also remember ther is a "softec TXT" and a "softec TXT LL-01"

If you want the bit from the South African website\

"Synthetic technology formulated for modern petrol and diesel engines with or without turbochargers and intercoolers.
Key Benefits
Castrol TXT Softec LL01 is also suitable for vehicles fitted with catalysts and is suitable for leaded or unleaded petrol. Castrol TXT Softec has been formulated to meet the requirements of the latest Hi-Tech engines designs with preferences towards lower viscosities, fuel saving contributions, plus reduction in both cold start wear and hydraulic lifter noise.

Castrol TXT Softec outperforms heavier viscosities with respect to volatility and inlet manifold wetting in harsh South African and Namibian test conditions where oil sump temperatures exceeded 150°C operating temperatures. Oil consumption due to volatility is also reduced:
Proven South African performance
Synthetic engineering for assured protection and performance reserves
Superb cold start performance
SAE 5W/30 viscosity rating
Balance of economy and power
Extra anti-wear performance
Turbocharger proven
Specifications
API SJ/CF4
ACEA A3 / B3 / B4
BMW LLO1 "

Things must of changed,prior they did not recongnise Group III oils as synthetics.

After all it's just highly hydrocracked dino.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 300B

Then why was it stressed highly with the E46 models then?

Whatever the required specs are in SA don't seem to apply in NA.

BMW isn't stupid you know to print all of the service and owners manuals for the E90's forgetting to mention the LL spec if it was so important and required.

It's just no longer valid for the new R6 engines.

What part of BMW NA dont you get ?

NA = North America, not South Africa

All info given was from BMW NORTH AMERICA


Why dont you go to the head of your service department and have him show you what his technical systems say he HAS to use ?

[300B]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

What part of BMW NA dont you get ?

NA = North America, not South Africa

All info given was from BMW NORTH AMERICA


Why dont you go to the head of your service department and have him show you what his technical systems say he HAS to use ?

Why?

It's right here in my owners manual on what BMW NA "strongly recommends".

BTW,you didn't answer on why it was stressed and in the books for the E46 models but not with the E90's.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 300B

Why?

It's right here in my owners manual on what BMW NA "strongly recommends".

BTW,you didn't answer on why it was stressed and in the books for the E46 models but not with the E90's.

Did you read my earlier post about the owners manual ?


Why do you think the owners manual is better technically than the dealers manuals?

Why is BMW forcing their USA dealers to ONLY use the LL-01 oil ?

[300B]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

Did you read my earlier post about the owners manual ?


Why do you think the owners manual is better technically than the dealers manuals?

Why is BMW forcing their USA dealers to ONLY use the LL-01 oil ?

Because of their deal with Castrol and it's cheaper for them.

[shragon]

Originally Posted by poldim

What weight is the stadard BMW oil?

5w-30.

read just the first post of this thread: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=168505
it actually contains a lot of good info.

the mobil1 5w-30 debate has been going on for a long time on many bmw forums. after some more reading from various different posts, i'll be using mobil1 0w-40 in the future or bmw 5w-30 if it happens to be on sale.

[300B]

Originally Posted by shragon

5w-30.

read just the first post of this thread: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=168505
it actually contains a lot of good info.

the mobil1 5w-30 debate has been going on for a long time on many bmw forums. after some more reading from various different posts, i'll be using mobil1 0w-40 in the future or bmw 5w-30 if it happens to be on sale.

It makes sense for the E46 as it's required by the manual however the E90 does not have these requirements.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by 300B

It makes sense for the E46 as it's required by the manual however the E90 does not have these requirements.

According to your little book, but acording to all BMW technical documentation it is required

[iatacs19]

What more proof do you need ? E90Fleet has given hard conclusive proof of the BMW approved oils, yet some of you still insist Mobil 1 5w-30 is ok? C'mon don't just argue for argument's sake, accept the facts and move on.

Thanks E90Fleet, it can't be any more clear.

[300B]

Originally Posted by iatacs19

What more proof do you need ? E90Fleet has given hard conclusive proof of the BMW approved oils, yet some of you still insist Mobil 1 5w-30 is ok? C'mon don't just argue for argument's sake, accept the facts and move on.

Thanks E90Fleet, it can't be any more clear.

I have given out nothing but the facts buddy.

Look in your owners manual where it says oil strongly recommended by BMW and you'll see Mobil 1 5W30.

Call BMW's operations here in the states and you'll hear THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND M1 5W30

[Carnage]

There are 2 different arguments going on here. One around what BMW tells you to do and one around what BMW tells the service departments to do. They in no way have to be the same thing.

In cases of someone buying and changing their own oil, it's very possible that BMW could give a person several options on a certain weight in case a brand is not available in your area. It's your money and they could care less how you spend it.

But Fleet is correct in saying that if you take your car to a BMW service center for a scheduled oil change, they are going to use the designated Castrol oil for your model of engine. In this case, it's their money and they have a nice deal with Castrol so that's what your getting. If you don't like that option, then change your oil yourself and get what you want.

[nyc3r]

Originally Posted by 300B

I have given out nothing but the facts buddy.

Look in your owners manual where it says oil strongly recommended by BMW and you'll see Mobil 1 5W30.

Call BMW's operations here in the states and you'll hear THEY STRONGLY RECOMMEND M1 5W30

wonder why ppl keep on saying mobile1 5w30 is no good for the e90.