[lowrydr310]

While shopping at Walmart for oil recently, I discovered three different versions of the usual 0w-40 Belgian-made Castrol on the shelf, and the most recent one is missing the LL-01 approval. Aside from an updated label, I noticed a letter at the end of a product code that changed with each of the newer versions.

This has a letter B after whatever code is on the front and back. This is what I usually bought.


This appears to be an updated label, with the letter C after that code. It also shows in promiment letters on a silver background that it's "For PORSCHEs, BMWs, VWs, AUDIs, MERCEDES-BENZs."


This is the most recent version, with the letter D. It has the same silver background as the previous version, but BMW is gone. The label on the back also no longer indicates the LL-01 approval.


Any ideas what's going on here? Now there are two top quality 0W-40 oils, Mobil 1 and now Castrol, that no longer carry the LL-01 approval. Not that this would discourage me from using either oil, however I have been choosing the Castrol over the M1 because it carries the approval.


The US-made 5W-40 is readily available at Walmart and still carries the LL-01 approval as far as I can tell.

[Nickco43]

I am sure it is fine.

[Gamb1t]

LL-01 is important if you follow BMW's OCI.
I am on reduced OCI and have used all sorts of brand name synthetics to ZERO detrimental results. That said my preference is GC 0W40. Something to do with less Group III and PAO-based BITOG mumbo jumbo. Feel free to geek-out on the oil's SDS.

[spazzz]

I just checked the 3, 5s I bought from Amazon and they are the new label without BMW.

[Pladi]

Ll01 does not mean much. I am convinced.

And thats how you start the oil warrr

[lowrydr310]

Originally Posted by Nickco43

I am sure it is fine.

I'm sure it is too In fact I'd be fine running any brand name 0w-40 or 5w-40 synthetic.

I didn't start this to debate what oil is acceptable or not. I'm just curious if anyone knows why the latest revision of this oil doesn't have the LL01 approval.

[krhodes1]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I'm sure it is too In fact I'd be fine running any brand name 0w-40 or 5w-40 synthetic.

I didn't start this to debate what oil is acceptable or not. I'm just curious if anyone knows why the latest revision of this oil doesn't have the LL01 approval.

My guess is that Castrol, Mobil, etc, no longer want to pay BMW for the right to use their rating. It ain't free...

Personally, I plan to keep on using Mobil1, as I have ever since my car went out of warranty. Of course, at 2K a year, and an annualish OCI, I could probably pee in the sump and it would be just fine.

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by lowrydr310

I'm sure it is too In fact I'd be fine running any brand name 0w-40 or 5w-40 synthetic.

I didn't start this to debate what oil is acceptable or not. I'm just curious if anyone knows why the latest revision of this oil doesn't have the LL01 approval.

I don't think anyone here would be able to answer that question. You'd be better off asking Castrol directly.

[mxchris727]

BMW LL-01 is a pretty outdated spec at this point; anything ACEA B3/B4 in the correct viscosity is perfectly fine.

[OnlyDriveGerman]

Maybe it's just in my head but I thought my motor sounded better when I switched to the European Blend vs the non euro blend, both the same viscosity Castrol of course. Make America Great Again?

[The Nightman]

Interesting. I wonder if it's a political thing after BMW switched to Pennzoil. Regardless, any oil that meets MB 229.5 should be fine as those specs are more stringent than LL01:



https://online.lubrizol.com/relperftool/pc.html#

[Welcome to NBA Jam]

Originally Posted by freedomfries

Interesting. I wonder if it's a political thing after BMW switched to Pennzoil. Regardless, any oil that meets MB 229.5 should be fine as those specs are more stringent than LL01:



https://online.lubrizol.com/relperftool/pc.html#

Very interesting visualization. Good find.

[E92_BGDoc]

I suspect Castrol 0W-40 lost the LL-01 approval for the same reason as Mobil1 0W-40 did. According to this thread on BITOG BMW has added a test in the N20 engine to the LL-01 requirements that M1 was unable to pass. However, since no E9x has this downsized turbo 4 banger i would not care at all.

[Sgop335]

From the spider above, Looks like except for the oxidative thickening MB229.5 exceeds ll01. I played around the interactive to find Porsche A40 matches the thickening as ll01. So basicaaly oil meeting mb229.5 + A40 should cover it.
Mb229.5+A40>ll01.
A3 b4 <ll01.