[depowerslider]

Considering whether to run 5W-40 or 5W-30 engine oil in a BMW. 5W-30 is commonly used and offers good flow at low temperatures, while 5W-40 provides a thicker film that can offer better protection at higher operating temperatures. Looking for feedback on any noticeable differences in engine performance, wear, or oil consumption between the two viscosities as I tend to drive very aggressive. Any experience or advice is appreciated.

Choices:

Motul X-Cess 5W-40

Liqui Moly 5W Molygen

[digitldlnkwnt]

I’ve been looking into the same thing here in Long Island where we get a pretty wide temperature range from -5 on the coldest to high 90s in the summer.
Most non-dealer shops I called use liquimoly 0-30 with appropriate BMW rating.
Also interested in elating what others are running.

[depowerslider]

Originally Posted by digitldlnkwnt

I’ve been looking into the same thing here in Long Island where we get a pretty wide temperature range from -5 on the coldest to high 90s in the summer.
Most non-dealer shops I called use liquimoly 0-30 with appropriate BMW rating.
Also interested in elating what others are running.

Oh I forgot to mention one thing. I live in Miami which is really hot year round and rarely if ever gets to 55°F so cold start wouldn’t really be an issue

[digitldlnkwnt]

So pro-tip most folks will suggest to search the forums first; there’s a few posts on this topic.
I recommend a google search as personally I’m not I love with the search functions on the site itself.

[somer]

Big thread on the G80 forums already about oil: https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=2046917

TLDR; Motul Specific LL-01 FE 5w30 if you want as close to BMW Twin Power Turbo 0w30 or if you want to step up either Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 or Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W40.

[Good 4 2 reasons]

Opinions on oil are like a**holes, everyone has one. I think everyone can agree on not going thinner than BMW's recommendation of -30 viscosity oil.

Short of that, you can find someone who runs or recommends about any oil and oil change interval under the sun to run in your G87.

[depowerslider]

Originally Posted by somer

Big thread on the G80 forums already about oil: https://g80.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2046917

TLDR; Motul Specific LL-01 FE 5w30 if you want as close to BMW Twin Power Turbo 0w30 or if you want to step up either Pennzoil Platinum Euro 5W40 or Motul 8100 X-Cess Gen2 5W40.

Yea I just ended up ordering the oil today and I went with the Pennzoil 5W40 because the noack levels were lower than XCess. Once I have more mods later on I’ll probably switch to red line.

[somer]

Originally Posted by depowerslider

Yea I just ended up ordering the oil today and I went with the Pennzoil 5W40 because the noack levels were lower than XCess. Once I have more mods later on I’ll probably switch to red line.

Did you have official noack levels for both of these that you found?

[depowerslider]

Originally Posted by somer

Did you have official noack levels for both of these that you found?

They have it on the websites of the manufacturers or you can just search up the noack levels on google it’ll pop up. I believe Motul is like 10-11% and the lower ones are redline oils

[somer]

Originally Posted by depowerslider

They have it on the websites of the manufacturers or you can just search up the noack levels on google it’ll pop up. I believe Motul is like 10-11% and the lower ones are redline oils

I never found official numbers for the Gen2 8100 specifically. I found the Pennzoil is 6.2% official though.

[depowerslider]

Originally Posted by somer

I never found official numbers for the Gen2 8100 specifically. I found the Pennzoil is 6.2% official though.

Yea an oil with 6.2 I felt was a bit safer and OEM+. I really don’t want any issues with warranty although both were LL01

[somer]

Originally Posted by depowerslider

Yea an oil with 6.2 I felt was a bit safer and OEM+. I really don’t want any issues with warranty although both were LL01

I'm still waiting on an email from them from last week, no response yet, probably will be suprised if they respond at all lol.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by depowerslider

Considering whether to run 5W-40 or 5W-30 engine oil in a BMW. 5W-30 is commonly used and offers good flow at low temperatures, while 5W-40 provides a thicker film that can offer better protection at higher operating temperatures. Looking for feedback on any noticeable differences in engine performance, wear, or oil consumption between the two viscosities as I tend to drive very aggressive. Any experience or advice is appreciated.

Choices:

Motul X-Cess 5W-40

Liqui Moly 5W Molygen

The deciding factor is HTHS not grade. A euro oil in 30 grade can have a higher hths than a 40 grade. However, generally speaking a euro 40 grade will have a hths which is marginally higher. (3.8 vs 3.7).

Liqui Moly only reports minimum hths so their 40 grades will say ">3.5cP".

On that fact alone I would choose Motul between the two.

Personally I would opt for M1 FS or ESP, or Pennzoil (Shell Helix) Euro just for availability. Grade is not relevant. B-series engines have wide bearings to accommodate low viscosity oils.

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by depowerslider

Considering whether to run 5W-40 or 5W-30 engine oil in a BMW. 5W-30 is commonly used and offers good flow at low temperatures, while 5W-40 provides a thicker film that can offer better protection at higher operating temperatures. Looking for feedback on any noticeable differences in engine performance, wear, or oil consumption between the two viscosities as I tend to drive very aggressive. Any experience or advice is appreciated.

Choices:

Motul X-Cess 5W-40

Liqui Moly 5W Molygen

Doesn't the label under your hood specify 0W-30?

[Hit_Apex]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Doesn't the label under your hood specify 0W-30?

Yes, and is the best one-size-fits all compromise for climates from Antarctica to Sahara while also satisfying increasingly stringent emissions regulations. This is the right choice for most use cases but not all.

[depowerslider]

Originally Posted by wjones14

Doesn't the label under your hood specify 0W-30?

Track purposes.

[bradyg87]

isnt motul 300v better than the other motul?

[chris719]

Originally Posted by bradyg87

isnt motul 300v better than the other motul?

Yes but it carries no actual approvals and is meant for very short drain intervals.

[GA///BIT]

I use 0w-30 liquid molly bmw spec with regular oil change interval of 3k. I just feel like these modern bmw engines are engineered with such tight clearances, I rather stick to the manufacturer recommended spec. I don't personally live in a area where weather plays a huge factor, and when I track the M2 I run Motul race oil and drain it right after.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by GA///BIT

I use 0w-30 liquid molly bmw spec with regular oil change interval of 3k. I just feel like these modern bmw engines are engineered with such tight clearances, I rather stick to the manufacturer recommended spec. I don't personally live in a area where weather plays a huge factor, and when I track the M2 I run Motul race oil and drain it right after.

Clearances are unchanged but BMW uses marginally wider bearings and a high volume oil pump to accommodate 20 grades. This is done to improve emissions of course because higher viscosities introduce comparatively greater friction.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Clearances are unchanged but BMW uses marginally wider bearings and a high volume oil pump to accommodate 20 grades. This is done to improve emissions of course because higher viscosities introduce comparatively greater friction.

As this is the M2 forum, 0w20 oils are not correct for the S58 engine, 0w30 is the standard oil used, but other grades meeting BMW LL-01FE spec or outside of North America LL-04 and LL-12, can be used. Non of these specs include 0w20 or 5w20 oils.

[kyrix1st]

300V is designed for a few days of a 24-hour endurance race. Meaning it's designed for high-stress, short cycles, and the oil is designed to run optimally for around 50-100 cumulative hours. After that, oxidation takes place (due to high ester content) and the oil degrades. At that point, it's effectively served its purpose and no longer provides the level of protection required for track operations.

By contrast, LL-01 is designed to be run for up to 1 year or 10,000 miles, and must meet stringent evaporation limit of just 6% (i.e. if your oil started out with 7L, it should remain around 6.58L after being subject to 250C for 1 hour). This is twice as stringent as the typical industry standard of 12%. LL01 will take most moderate track duty abuse, and it's the spec that most TouristenFahren guys run at the Ring. For context, no one questioned how good the original LL01 10W60 developed by BMW and Castrol Edge, as that oil was designed to be used in both endurance races and for daily driving. Motul makes a very good LL01 5W40 (X-Cess Gen2) so I would look into that.

Now, FE means Fuel Economy, and this kills HTHS (3.0 as opposed to 3.5+ of the old LL01). Less friction (i.e. less shear stress capability) = better economy. So for track purposes, LL01 is a better spec to run. One caveat: newer LL01-FE is GPF-compatible, whereas standard LL01 may not be, and running LL01 could kill your cats.