Definitive Approved Oil List

[M4GTS]

Firstly, I've done shit loads of searching on here and I'm even less clear about which oil I should be using for my first service:

As I understand it:

LL-04 (for regions with low sulphur fuel)
LL-01 (USA and Australia or regions where sulphur content is high)

Ok, so now to viscosity.

Handbook prior to MY16 indicates:

0w30 (preferred)
5w30 (alternative) and likely dealers choice - cheap b*satrds!

M1 0w40 - was LL-01 approved, subsequently rescinded.

BMW now have their own (re-branded):

0w30 TwinPower Turbo
0w40 M TwinPower Turbo

Hanbook from MY16 now states:

0w40 (preferred)
0w30 (alternative)

Am I right? Can I therefore utilise:

Castrol Edge 0w30 or Castrol Edge 0W-40 A3/B4, as both are LL-01 approved?

Also, where would either sit relative to BMW/Shells efforts in relation to quality?

[mrgicm]

It depends on the climate also, now its summer where I live and I will put now 5w30 and during the winter use 0w40.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by mrgicm

It depends on the climate also, now its summer where I live and I will put now 5w30 and during the winter use 0w40.

Many 5w30 oils are still thinner at startup than 0w40 oils so if that is your intent by switching come winter time better rethink that.

Also as a general note, there is not a significant different between LL-01 0w30, 5w30, and 0w40 oils and any of them can be used year round with no issues in even the coldest climates.

[sh55]

For what it's worth I run the BMW/Shell 5W-40 Mtwinpower turbo oil when I do my in between oil changes every 5K, and the dealer has been using the BMW 5W-30 at service as you mentioned.

I did a Blackstone oil analysis after 5K miles on the 5W-30 (11K on the engine) and the oil still had PLENTY of life left.

I'll eventually do a Blackstone report on the 0W-40 as well.

[iamvietness]

I still have some quarts of my Castrol 0W-30 so I hope that I can use that if i need to top off the oil in between services.

[KevinM]

Ha, an oil thread on M5board is a reason for a ban.

I just took redelivery of my ED 2016 M3, production date 4/28. The sticker on the hood states BMW 0-30 is the recommended oil, and that is what my dealer put in for the 1200 miles break-in service yesterday. I'm rolling with it. Blackstone oil analysis all the way if you are keeping cars long term.

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by sh55

For what it's worth I run the BMW/Shell 5W-40 Mtwinpower turbo oil when I do my in between oil changes every 5K, and the dealer has been using the BMW 5W-30 at service as you mentioned.

I did a Blackstone oil analysis after 5K miles on the 5W-30 (11K on the engine) and the oil still had PLENTY of life left.

I'll eventually do a Blackstone report on the 0W-40 as well.

Would you mind sharing the UOA results?

[EALm4]

Walmart has some Mobile 1 0W-40 for $22.88
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-0W...5-qt./23636902

Free shipping on $50 order or free pick up at store.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by EALm4

Walmart has some Mobile 1 0W-40 for $22.88
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mobil-1-0W...5-qt./23636902

Free shipping on $50 order or free pick up at store.

It would likely work just fine, but be aware the new M1 0w40 formula is not LL-01 certified.

[sh55]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

Would you mind sharing the UOA results?

Happy to share:

EDIT: See my next post, this report is on the BMW 5W-30, not the 0W-40

[JamesGames]

Originally Posted by sh55

Happy to share:

Thanks! you said this was 5k miles UOA initially, but the report shows 3k, which one is it? I'm debating on using /sticking to OEM or GC 0w30 / M1 0w40. My GC 0w30 shows more anti-wear additives in comparison to your UOA and is thicker. (Albeit on different cars, just interesting vs confirming anything)

[sh55]

Originally Posted by JamesGames

Thanks! you said this was 5k miles UOA initially, but the report shows 3k, which one is it? I'm debating on using /sticking to OEM or GC 0w30 / M1 0w40. My GC 0w30 shows more anti-wear additives in comparison to your UOA and is thicker. (Albeit on different cars, just interesting vs confirming anything)

I was wrong, I forgot this is actually the BMW 5W-30 from my last service visit that I decided to remove after 3K, I have been going 5K on the 0W-40 but haven't done the UOA on that oil yet. I did a better job with the black boxes so you can see more details.

I will be doing an analysis when I hit 16K miles (currently at 13K) sorry for the mixup I posted it quickly at work and forgot which oil I did the report on

[GreenLantern]

Is there an actual official approved oil list for BMW F8x?

My all-time favorite oil is Motul X-Cess 8100 5W-40 due to its higher Zinc content. Porsche lists it in their published list (in the owners manual). Does BMW publish such a list?

I've personally never been a fan of Mobil 1 or Castrol's chemical composition relative to Motul's.

[GreenLantern]

Self-answered.

Looks like it does carry BMW LL-01 approval: https://m.motul.com/system/product_d...pdf?1375200250

[JoeFromPA]

Just a few notes to aid in any such discussion:

1. An approved oil means it meets a set of specifications including targets for economy and emissions (yes, oil contributes to emissions).

2. Every oil is not tested. Oils not on the list most likely mean the oil wasn't targeted for testing, not that it doesn't meet the criteria - or that it doesn't exceed some criteria and fail at others.

3. There is truly no such thing as "one oil above all others". What you seek to find in a daily driver is an oil that will meet your specific needs over the broadest possible set of circumstances. From a viscosity standpoint, BMW has now said 0w40 does that for the S55. That doesn't mean 5w30 or 0w30 is somehow lesser in YOUR circumstances.

4. One of the most overlooked aspects of oil is that there is good benefit to staying with the same oil. Different oils use different additive packages - and those additive packages are meant to bond to metal surfaces. When you change oils, sometimes you are going to a very different additive package. Which means it needs to alter the lubricating properties of what is currently bonded to the metal, and it means the residual oil now dilutes your new additive package a tad. This isn't a big deal from time to time, but there are benefits to simply choosing a great oil and sticking with it and changing it regularly.