[mosaud98]

Just out of curiosity, what kind of motor oil do you guys use? I am currently using Liqui-Moly 5w-40. Switched from BMW 0w-30 that was filled by the previous owner from the dealership

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

[desertman123]

BMW LL-01 approved oil.

End of thread.

[hassmaschine]

Whatever's cheapest at walmart.

[E92William]

I'm currently using valvoline 5w30 High Mileage because it has very nice specifications and film strength aswell as ability to cling to engine parts after its turned off which has eliminated lifter tick that I had with castrol 0w40.

Because I'm a fanatic I will go into the oils data sheet and look up testing for each one and compare.
Really any oil that's ll01 approved will work fine for your engine, like hass said whatever is cheapest at Walmart and meets the spec. Try different ones see which you like better. Check out 540rat blog.

I will be doing an oil analysis on my n52 on this valvoline see what they say how the engine is doing with an oil a bit on the thin end of the Xw30 spectrum and trying Mobil 0w40 next

[rjahl]

Originally Posted by E92William

I'm currently using valvoline 5w30 High Mileage because it has very nice specifications and film strength aswell as ability to cling to engine parts after its turned off which has eliminated lifter tick that I had with castrol 0w40.

Because I'm a fanatic I will go into the oils data sheet and look up testing for each one and compare.
Really any oil that's ll01 approved will work fine for your engine, like hass said whatever is cheapest at Walmart and meets the spec. Try different ones see which you like better. Check out 540rat blog.

I will be doing an oil analysis on my n52 on this valvoline see what they say how the engine is doing with an oil a bit on the thin end of the Xw30 spectrum and trying Mobil 0w40 next

Really guys, I don't get it.

It's well known that just normal service will keep these engines running well past 300k. What's the point? The rest of the car will be falling apart by then.

Walmart Mobile one European formula @ $25.00 a bottle is fine. Put 200k on my N52 and the oil consumption was near nothing.

[hassmaschine]

yeah, I don't buy that you really need an LL-01 oil. BMW oil specs change all the time - like, are you going to put a watery LL-01 into an S54, or into a 30 year old M20B25? I don't think so, but that's what BMW "specs". You'll wipe out the cam lobes on an M20 in short order running the BMW approved oil.

I don't have oil consumption or ticking issues. I still run the M1 European formula. But, whatever makes you happy.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

yeah, I don't buy that you really need an LL-01 oil. BMW oil specs change all the time - like, are you going to put a watery LL-01 into an S54, or into a 30 year old M20B25? I don't think so, but that's what BMW "specs". You'll wipe out the cam lobes on an M20 in short order running the BMW approved oil.

I don't have oil consumption or ticking issues. I still run the M1 European formula. But, whatever makes you happy.

Ok well now you bring another point to the table, not just the LL01 doesn't matter but that LL01 oil are "bad" or watery? Why do you say that?

[E92William]

Ll01 is more about using a high end synthetic oil to ensure it holds up and doesn't break down over the long oil change intervals these cars use as per the dealer maintenance programs and bmw recommended intervals. There's no reason to not go for an oil that will hold its specs for longer than the others if you can for the same price.

[hassmaschine]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

Ok well now you bring another point to the table, not just the LL01 doesn't matter but that LL01 oil are "bad" or watery? Why do you say that?

They are watery/thinner, absolutely. The S54 used TWS 10w60. Suddenly you're going to run 0W40 in it? Come on. And also absolutely, an LL-01 is going to be awful for old engines like the M20, the composition of elements like ZDDP is far too low, aside from being far thinner than what you should run it one anyway.

They're fine for engines like the N52 - which were designed with thinner oils in mind. That doesn't make them "bad", but inappropriate for older engines IMO.

Originally Posted by E92William

Ll01 is more about using a high end synthetic oil to ensure it holds up and doesn't break down over the long oil change intervals these cars use as per the dealer maintenance programs and bmw recommended intervals. There's no reason to not go for an oil that will hold its specs for longer than the others if you can for the same price.

Synthetic oils already last longer for extended oil change intervals - it doesn't really matter if they're LL-01 or not.

[desertman123]

Luckily Walmart usually has Castrol (LL-01) or Mobil 1 (used to be LL-01) euro formulas for dumb cheap so just buy that.

[TheMidnightNarwhal]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

They are watery/thinner, absolutely. The S54 used TWS 10w60. Suddenly you're going to run 0W40 in it? Come on. And also absolutely, an LL-01 is going to be awful for old engines like the M20, the composition of elements like ZDDP is far too low, aside from being far thinner than what you should run it one anyway.

They're fine for engines like the N52 - which were designed with thinner oils in mind. That doesn't make them "bad", but inappropriate for older engines IMO.



Synthetic oils already last longer for extended oil change intervals - it doesn't really matter if they're LL-01 or not.

Okay but oil weight and specs are 2 different things. You can get 10W60 oil that is LL01. In my manual it specifies weight + a spec. Not just a spec.

Also both LL01 oils I've been using people on BITOG were saying they really good. Castrol 0W-40 and now switched to Pennzoil Euro plat 5W-40.

[BN325i]

I had the oil changed recently, used LL-04 approved Castrol Magnatec 5W30. In my E46 I used Mobil 1 with ESP formula, as long as its oil of a reputable brand with BMW approval it won't make a great deal of difference.

[wayman519]

I use pennzoil platinum euro 5w40 - LL01. It goes on 50% sale quite often and has all the certifications you would ever need. (Bmw, merc, porsche, ferrari, and more). Its owned/rebranded shell oil for north america.