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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Mechanical Maintenance: Break-in / Oil & Fluids / Servicing / Warranty > What Type Of Engine Oil Is Everyone Using?



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      10-05-2006, 07:30 PM   #23
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so does that mean the mobile 1 5w30 is no good for my e90 and i should get bmw oil instead?
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      10-05-2006, 07:48 PM   #24
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So BMW oil is cheaper than others, but how does it measure up performance wise to say Redline 10w40?


Link: (http://www.redlineoil.com/products_m...1&categoryID=1)
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      10-05-2006, 07:53 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by nyc3r
so does that mean the mobile 1 5w30 is no good for my e90 and i should get bmw oil instead?

Like Flavor Flav says DON'T BELIVE THE HYPE


I am absolutely sick of reading about the same crappy misinformation repeated here again and again!

Read your damn owners manual!

M1 5W30 is strongly approved by BMW while LL-01 (besides BMW HP 5W30) oils are not !

Get this through your thick A3 rated heads!
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      10-05-2006, 07:57 PM   #26
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Talking Hey!

Quote:
Originally Posted by 300B
Like Flavor Flav says DON'T BELIVE THE HYPE


I am absolutely sick of reading about the same crappy misinformation repeated here again and again!

Read your damn owners manual!

M1 5W30 is strongly approved by BMW while LL-01 (besides BMW HP 5W30) oils are not !

Get this through your thick A3 rated heads!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My car is not here, yet! Flavor FLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAVVVVVVV!
Sorry to go
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      10-05-2006, 08:21 PM   #27
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 300B
Like Flavor Flav says DON'T BELIVE THE HYPE


I am absolutely sick of reading about the same crappy misinformation repeated here again and again!

Read your damn owners manual!

M1 5W30 is strongly approved by BMW while LL-01 (besides BMW HP 5W30) oils are not !

Get this through your thick A3 rated heads!
this is incorrect, as LL-01 and LL-04 (LL as in long life) is a bmw spec!

check out this link (the info is a little old though): http://www.bimmernut.com/~billr/imag...pecialOils.pdf

anyway, even though mobil 1 5w30 is not LL-01 or LL-04, i think it's ok to use.
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      10-05-2006, 08:28 PM   #28
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Quote:
Originally Posted by shragon
this is incorrect, as LL-01 and LL-04 (LL as in long life) are bmw spec!

A spec that is of no consequence!
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      10-05-2006, 08:50 PM   #29
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straight from the manual:

Specified engine oils
The quality of the engine oil selected has critical
significance for the operation and service life of
an engine. BMW continuously approves specific
oils after confirming their suitability for use
in its vehicles with extensive testing.
Use only approved BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil.
If you are unable to obtain BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil, you can add small
amounts of another synthetic oil between oil
changes. Use only oils with the API SH specification
or higher.
Ask your BMW center for details concerning
the specific BMW High Performance
Synthetic Oil or synthetic oils which have been
approved.<
You can also call BMW of North America
at 1-800-831-1117 or visit this website:
www.bmwusa.com to obtain this information.
Viscosity ratings
Viscosity is the oil flow rating as defined in SAE
classes.
The selection of the correct SAE class depends
on the climatic conditions in the area where you
typically drive your BMW.
Approved oils are in SAE classes 5W-40
and 5W-30.<
These oils may be used for driving in all ambient
temperatures.


i know in the later model e39 manuals, it mentions mobil 1 5w30 may be used as an alternative.

i also know some people have called bmwna, and they've mentioned that mobil 1 5w30 is ok. that said, i also know that bmwna is not always as specific as they should be. i already know that mobil 1 is fine for topping off, so this is what they may be referring to since they're most likely assuming you take your car in for service, including oil changes.

anyway, as i said earlier, i think mobil 1 is a fine oil and that your car is not going to die all of a sudden because you used it.

btw... i've also sent a message to mobil asking why mobil 1 5w30 is not LL-01/04 approved. i'll see if i get any type or response back.
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      10-05-2006, 11:42 PM   #30
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Garage List
I had to add a quart last month and the dealer charges $7.99/quart here for the BMW oil.
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      10-05-2006, 11:53 PM   #31
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At the risk of upsetting 300B even more:

1. There is more than one version of Mobil 1 5W-30. One of them that is available in Europe is LL-04 approved, while the one you get at Kmart is not. This car is made in Europe.

2. BMW NA will also tell you that Mobil 1 5W-40 is approved. This is only available in Europe. I detect a pattern. (I assume that we all can discount the clearance sales for the old stock Truck and SUV 5W-40--pun intended).

3. The owner's manual has been known to be in error, especially when going between European and North American info. See the 335 oil temp threads.

4. Since BMW is providing "free maintenance" they are under no legal obligation to provide technical information at this time. So I don't expect much.

5. Do any of you think that someone from BMW NA who picks up the phone when we call has a clue? Hint--customer support is not the pinnacle of the engineering career ladder.

6. Everyone should stop fixating on the SAE viscosity numbers. They are beyond antiquated. Look up HTHS numbers if you are concerned about "thin" or "thick".

But in the end there is no reason to turn this into a fur ball. Get the BMW oil from the dealer. Dig a little bit and you will find that it is ACEA A3 approved (sorry 300B), and meets MB and VW specs in addition to BMW's. It is a good deal for the price. And in time BMW will sort this out.

And when they do, and my car is off warranty, I suspect that I will be putting in the same Mobil 1 0W-40 that goes in other German cars.
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      10-06-2006, 04:00 AM   #32
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This is from the BMW technical document on oils

USA Mobil 1 ONLY 0W-40 approved ( and only as LL-01 )

European Mobil 1 Mobil 1 ESP formula 5W-30 approved (ONLY European ESP formula 5W-30 and is LL-04 approved)
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      10-06-2006, 04:04 AM   #33
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 300B


I am absolutely sick of reading about the same crappy misinformation repeated here again and again!



I get my info straight from BMW's 2006 approved oils guide- as supplied to heads of service depeartments
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      10-06-2006, 10:00 AM   #34
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Does anyone know who makes BMW oil. Is re-packaged Castrol synthetic?
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      10-06-2006, 10:02 AM   #35
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OCNYBMW
Does anyone know who makes BMW oil. Is re-packaged Castrol synthetic?
Yes, Castrol full synthetic

Its only called BMW oil in the USA, in europe its just the normal Castrol TXT LL-01 or new TXT LL-04
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      10-06-2006, 02:40 PM   #36
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Mobil 1 5w-30

E90Fleet.
I know you speak from your experiences that 0w-40 is the only BMW approved oil. Maybe your experiences are limited to other parts of the world. On this issue you are incorrect.

In the USA manual it specifically states that Mobil 1 5w-30 is HIGHLY RECOMMENED BY BMW. Obviously Mobil 1 5w-30 is acceptable in the USA.

Also call BMW NA yourself. They will pull it up on the computer and say that you can use any name brand fully synthetic 5w-30 oil. They recommended to me Valvoline, Mobil 1, or Castrol.

I'm using Mobil 1 5w-30 for my intermediate oil changes. I'm following the owners manual and BMW NA's recommendations. How could this be wrong? I trust Mobil 1 products and they are easy for me to get. The nearest place I can buy BMW oil is over 200 miles away.
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      10-06-2006, 03:11 PM   #37
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Quote:
Originally Posted by combatcarry
E90Fleet.
I know you speak from your experiences that 0w-40 is the only BMW approved oil. Maybe your experiences are limited to other parts of the world. On this issue you are incorrect.

In the USA manual it specifically states that Mobil 1 5w-30 is HIGHLY RECOMMENED BY BMW. Obviously Mobil 1 5w-30 is acceptable in the USA.

Also call BMW NA yourself. They will pull it up on the computer and say that you can use any name brand fully synthetic 5w-30 oil. They recommended to me Valvoline, Mobil 1, or Castrol.

I'm using Mobil 1 5w-30 for my intermediate oil changes. I'm following the owners manual and BMW NA's recommendations. How could this be wrong? I trust Mobil 1 products and they are easy for me to get. The nearest place I can buy BMW oil is over 200 miles away.

Where in the manual does it state "Mobil 1" ??
I have both E90 and E92 USA manuals and they do not state Mobil 1 anywhere, nor do the european manuals

The info for the 0W-40 comes from the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA model E90 and E92 approved oil list

You can read on the mobil 1 site yourself that only the 0W-40 has BMW approval stated on it

I dont need to call BMW NA, I have many technical contacts there, some of which provided me with the oil lists for USA models.


Im willing to bet the only info the "helpline" people can give you on oil is what you can use to "top up" the oil, not what is approved for full services




You can use any oil you want, but im just informing other people reading this that currently in the USA the only Mobil 1 with BMW approval is the 0W-40 one


ONLY the european "5W-30 Mobil 1 ESP" is an approved mobil 5W-30
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      10-06-2006, 03:21 PM   #38
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Boys,


GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS!

LL-01 oils except one are are not recommended by BMW NA.

It's written both the owners and maintence manuals on the US models.

The new R6 engine doesn't require the borderline 40W oil an LL-01 rated is.

I mean seriously,it's right in front of your faces!
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      10-06-2006, 03:29 PM   #39
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i'm a fan of mobil1 and all, but i'd also like to know where in the e90 manual it states that bmw recommends mobil1. i can't find it. a pic would be nice.

for reference, i picked up my e90 325i in january 2006 and it was built in south africa.
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      10-06-2006, 03:32 PM   #40
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 300B
Boys,


GET IT THROUGH YOUR HEADS!

LL-01 oils except one are are not recommended by BMW NA.

It's written both the owners and maintence manuals on the US models.

The new R6 engine doesn't require the borderline 40W oil an LL-01 rated is.

I mean seriously,it's right in front of your faces!

Im not shure I get what you are saying

LL-01 refers to BMW Specifications for Long Life motor oils released in 2001
LL-04 refers to BMW Specifications for Long Life motor oils released in 2004
There was also a LL-98 before

The R6 engines require a minimum of LL-01

The new diesels that have the optional particle filters fitted need LL-04


The main oils with LL-01 or LL-04 approvals state so on the bottle
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      10-06-2006, 03:46 PM   #41
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Page 4 of the service and warrantee Information Booklet

Page 4 of the service and warrantee Information Booklet typed directly:

All 2006 model year 325i, 325XI, 325XI Sports Wagon, 330i, and 330XI are factory filled with BMW High Performance Synthetic oils. At the time of the printing of this booklet, the following oils are strongly recommended and approved by BMW:

BMW High performance 5W-30 Synthetic Oil (Part Number 07 51 0 017 866)
Mobil 1 5W-30
Mobil 1 5W-40

BMW is evaluating various synthetic oils for inclusion in our list of recommended engine oils. For the most current list of synthetic oils please contact your BMW center or call BMW of North America, LLC. at 1-800-831-1117.

E90fleet:
Why do you refuse to call the phone number? You are incorrect on this issue and you continue to spread incorrect information. Wouldn't it be more prudent to look at actual sources supplied with the car, and/or contact them directly and ask?
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      10-06-2006, 03:55 PM   #42
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But I thought that Castrol was the preferred oil? This would go against the partnering of BMW and Castrol. Unless this is new, maybe 2006 and newer.
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      10-06-2006, 04:06 PM   #43
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Quote:
Originally Posted by combatcarry

E90fleet:
Why do you refuse to call the phone number? You are incorrect on this issue and you continue to spread incorrect information. Wouldn't it be more prudent to look at actual sources published by BMW, and/or contact them directly and ask?
I dont refuse to call it, firstly your 1-800 numbers dont work from outside the USA, 2nd I just dont see why I should waist a ton of money phoning some customer care line to speak to a undertrained telephone operator when I have the OFFICIAL 2006 BMW TECHNICAL LITERATURE from BMW Germany, BMW NA and BMW South Africa, and I have a number of technical BMW contacts around the world.


I dont know why your little service manual states those, maybe they got confused with the European 5W-30 which is approved. Wont be the 1st time BMW NA has a screw up in their customer manuals. I also believe it should state those are only for topups

Also the USA Mobil 1 site itself only shows BMW approval for the 0W-40



So again, use whatever you want
Im just saying the very latest list of approved oils for USA dealers for USA cars doesnt include the USA 5W-30 and also only the 0W-40 states it has BMW approval

If the others had approval, why dont Mobil state it ??
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      10-06-2006, 04:07 PM   #44
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Quote:
Originally Posted by OCNYBMW
But I thought that Castrol was the preferred oil? This would go against the partnering of BMW and Castrol. Unless this is new, maybe 2006 and newer.
Yes, Castrol is their preffered supplier. In the USA its marketed as "BMW High performance 5W-30 Synthetic Oil" in europe its called "Castrol TXT 5W-30 LL-01"
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