12k mile Rotella T6 Oil analysis

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 05:08 PM

Gents,

I decided to do this oil analysis a few months back when a few people on this forum were discussing oil and how Rotella T6 wasn't a good oil choice for our engine because it doesn't have the LL04 cert. That it wouldn't hold up for long intervals and that BMW oil is better.

Well, here's an oil analysis from my E70 35d. ALL emissions are intact, to include the DPF and SCR. I also run a JBD @100%. In addition to the 11,849 miles driven, more than 2k miles were spent towing my 335d (on an open trailer) to and from multiple track events and to BPC in NC, which obviously stresses the engine/ oil more.

That said, I would never run oil this long, especially on a vehicle I plan on keeping for a long time however, I did this time to get some data.

I've run Rotella T6 and Archoil for the last 73k miles in this engine. I've changed the oil every 5-7500 miles, I add Archoil 9100 during each change and I use genuine BMW oil filters.

So there you have it. I would love to see 11-12k mile analysis on BMW oil... anyone?

GreekboyD · 07-11-2016, 05:11 PM

I think you meant because it "doesn't" have LL04 certification.

Great analysis. I remember TDIwyse yielding great results with the T6 oil as well.

I started running it last month.

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

I think you meant because it "doesn't" have LL04 certification.

Great analysis. I remember TDIwyse yielding great results with the T6 oil as well.

I started running it last month.

Yes, thanks for the correction.

Not sure what oil change interval Tdiwyse used.

GreekboyD · 07-11-2016, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

Yes, thanks for the correction.

Not sure what oil change interval Tdiwyse used.

No prob! No way he went as long as you.

RollingCoal · 07-11-2016, 05:31 PM

Looks very good. This is what I expected and the reason I decided to go the T6 route as well. What brand filter are you running?

As far as the vs BMW LL04 oil, the only argument would be that low ash oil is better for those with DPF intact. However you sacrifice wear quality with any low ash oil.

Looks like I'll be doing 7500 to 8000 OCIs with the Rotella.

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

No prob! No way he went as long as you.

That's what she said... just not to me.

GreekboyD · 07-11-2016, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

That's what she said... just not to me.

Perhaps he did. Viagra plus T6.

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingCoal

Looks very good. This is what I expected and the reason I decided to go the T6 route as well. What brand filter are you running?

As far as the vs BMW LL04 oil, the only argument would be that low ash oil is better for those with DPF intact. However you sacrifice wear quality with any low ash oil.

Looks like I'll be doing 7500 to 8000 OCIs with the Rotella.

I'm running BMW oil filters.

My vehicle has already past BMW's DPF's life expectancy anyhow. It'll need cleaned or replaced regardless of Rotella being used. FYI-Rotella T6 is a low SAP oil safe for DPF's.

I'm more than happy with 5k changes. Tractor supply sells T6 for $19.99-$21.99. 2 Gal of T6, BMW filter and 8oz of Archoil for less than $75. Pretty inexpensive piece of mind...

kydiesel35 · 07-11-2016, 06:05 PM

Is this rotella 5/40 or 5/30? Who's running 5/40?

I use this stuff in my skid steer, it has the look of liquid gold. Hehe.

And the archoil, how much do you add with this mixture?

RollingCoal · 07-11-2016, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

I'm running BMW oil filters.

My vehicle has already past BMW's DPF's life expectancy anyhow. It'll need cleaned or replaced regardless of Rotella being used. FYI-Rotella T6 is a low SAP oil safe for DPF's.

I'm more than happy with 5k changes. Tractor supply sells T6 for $19.99-$21.99. 2 Gal of T6, BMW filter and 8oz of Archoil for less than $75. Pretty inexpensive piece of mind...

While I agree that the T6 has been formulated to meet CJ4 Specifications, the ash levels are higher than BMW's LL04 and VW's 507 requirements. So, I strongly recommend that anyone with DPF intact to do their own research, and for those with the deletes.....there is no finer oil.

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 06:12 PM

I've only seen T6 in 5w40, which is what I run. Archoil is 1oz per quart of engine oil.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kydiesel35

Is this rotella 5/40 or 5/30? Who's running 5/40?

I use this stuff in my skid steer, it has the look of liquid gold. Hehe.

And the archoil, how much do you add with this mixture?

GreekboyD · 07-11-2016, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

I've only seen T6 in 5w40, which is what I run. Archoil is 1oz per quart of engine oil.

I've also seen it in a 0w40 version.

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 06:20 PM

^ nice.

335dsleeper · 07-11-2016, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RollingCoal

So, I strongly recommend that anyone with DPF intact to do their own research, and for those with the deletes.....there is no finer oil.

Agreed, however all my emissions equipment are intact.

RollingCoal · 07-11-2016, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

^ nice.

Unfortunately, the 0W-40 isn't available in the US. Canada & perhaps Europe only.

tek4tex · 07-11-2016, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

Agreed, however all my emissions equipment are intact.

How long will that last? I switched to the T6 after my deletes 4000 miles ago. There is a lot less black appearance on the dipstick and consumption is zero.

TDIwyse · 07-11-2016, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreekboyD

No prob! No way he went as long as you.

Nice.

I've gone 2 years (but less than 10k miles) on my Cummins with the Shell Rotella and had good UOA's.

Comparing Shell Rotella to Mobil 1 ESP on my 335d. Both 5w-40. Both seemed like good oils to me...

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showpo...6&postcount=25

335dsleeper · 07-12-2016, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tek4tex

How long will that last? I switched to the T6 after my deletes 4000 miles ago. There is a lot less black appearance on the dipstick and consumption is zero.

I don't plan on removing emissions.

lnxguy · 07-12-2016, 09:04 AM

Great info.

Been running T6 in my previous TDI's since forever. '05 Jetta TDI has 391,000 miles and still going strong. Plan on using it in the 335d as well.

montr · 07-12-2016, 10:12 AM

Here are some numbers:
Rotella T6 spec is 1% ash.
BMW LL04 spec is 0.8% max ash.
Castrol SLX is 0.8% ash.
Mobil 1 ESP is 0.6% ash.

kydiesel35 · 07-12-2016, 10:27 AM

Motul X clean .8% (ll-04)

Motul X cess 1.1%

floydarogers · 07-12-2016, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 335dsleeper

...I would love to see 11-12k mile analysis on BMW oil... anyone?

You can really see the Archoil from the Moly, Potassium and Boron - which are essentially not there in the Castrol. As far as the other traces, there is little difference other than Calcium.

My notation, btw, is <Mileage on car when sampled>, <Miles on oil change>

Rotella Castrol @ 81700, 12,400 Castrol @ 43630, 7,210
ALUMINUM 6 11 11
CHROMIUM 3 4 2
IRON 47 71 49
COPPER 4 7 7
LEAD 0 1 1
TIN 1 0 0
MOLYBDENUM 55 1 1
NICKEL 1 3 1
MANGANESE 1 2 4
SILVER 0 0 0
TITANIUM 0 1 1
POTASSIUM 1552 9 9
BORON 514 0 1
SILICON 4 3 3
SODIUM 18 3 3
CALCIUM 689 1737 1961
MAGNESIUM 965 15 11
PHOSPHORUS 748 656 720
ZINC 980 738 863
BARIUM 0 0 0

07-11-2016, 05:11 PM	#2
GreekboyD Brigadier General 411 Rep 3,049 Posts Drives: 2009 BMW 335d Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Toronto, ON, Canada iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 BMW 335d [8.00]	I think you meant because it "doesn't" have LL04 certification. Great analysis. I remember TDIwyse yielding great results with the T6 oil as well. I started running it last month.
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07-11-2016, 05:31 PM	#5
RollingCoal Second Lieutenant 57 Rep 210 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 335D Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: USA-TN iTrader: (0)	Looks very good. This is what I expected and the reason I decided to go the T6 route as well. What brand filter are you running? As far as the vs BMW LL04 oil, the only argument would be that low ash oil is better for those with DPF intact. However you sacrifice wear quality with any low ash oil. Looks like I'll be doing 7500 to 8000 OCIs with the Rotella.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

07-11-2016, 06:05 PM	#9
kydiesel35 Lieutenant 166 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: KY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	Is this rotella 5/40 or 5/30? Who's running 5/40? I use this stuff in my skid steer, it has the look of liquid gold. Hehe. And the archoil, how much do you add with this mixture?
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07-11-2016, 06:20 PM	#13
335dsleeper Banned 389 Rep 1,623 Posts Drives: 09' 335d 10'35D Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Suffolk, va iTrader: (0)	^ nice.
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07-12-2016, 09:04 AM	#19
lnxguy Lieutenant Colonel 357 Rep 1,723 Posts Drives: 2009 335D Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Barrie iTrader: (1)	Great info. Been running T6 in my previous TDI's since forever. '05 Jetta TDI has 391,000 miles and still going strong. Plan on using it in the 335d as well. __________________ '09 335D
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07-12-2016, 10:12 AM	#20
montr Captain 157 Rep 716 Posts Drives: 2010 335d, 2018 430i G-Coupe Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Atlanta, GA iTrader: (0)	Here are some numbers: Rotella T6 spec is 1% ash. BMW LL04 spec is 0.8% max ash. Castrol SLX is 0.8% ash. Mobil 1 ESP is 0.6% ash.
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07-12-2016, 10:27 AM	#21
kydiesel35 Lieutenant 166 Rep 460 Posts Drives: 2016 X5 35d Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: KY iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 BMW 335d [0.00]	Motul X clean .8% (ll-04) Motul X cess 1.1%
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